How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

If you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a big commitment. You will be responsible for the health, training and mental stability of your dog for a number of years.

Online sources and pet stores sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills, which prioritize profit over the well-being of animals. Pick a reputable breeder.

Selecting a Breeder with a Good Reputation

Before purchasing a German Shepherd pup, it's important to get to know the breeder. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to share details about their dogs as well as breeding practices. They'll be willing to discuss genetic and health testing early socialization, as well as the environment in which their puppies are being raised.

Your local German Shepherd club or group is the best place to begin. The breed clubs typically have a secretary or puppy officer, who can direct you to reputable breeders. You can also contact the animal control agency in your state to obtain an updated list of licensed breeding companies.

If you've found a breeder who has good breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. You should look for a clean, comfortable facility where the puppies and reinrassiger Deutscher schäferhund welpe their mother are kept. Find out about the puppy's parents and siblings. You would like to verify that they have been examined for hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease, and Degenerative Myelopathy.

A responsible breeder should also be able provide you with a copy your puppy's medical record and the most current vaccination schedule. They should have a solid working relationship with a vet who is able to carry out all required tests and vaccines. They should be able tell you the vet's name as well as the number of his phone and give you consultation notes.

Ask the breeder about any concerns they may have about your lifestyle or living circumstances. This may hinder the breeder from selling the puppy to you. If they are aware that you have young kids and they are concerned about your children's safety, they might not wish to sell you a German Shepherd puppy because they are known to be aggressive with children.

You should also expect an established breeder to ask you to sign an agreement to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include the names of the parents and their AKC registration numbers, as in addition to a return-to breeder clause. This is a vital way for a responsible breeder to keep track of their dogs and ensure that they are going to good homes.

Health Tests for Health

Reputable breeders undertake health tests on the dogs that form part of their breeding selection. This is to ensure that they don't produce puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, as well as degenerative myelopathy GDV and Bloat.

In addition to health screening Breeders who are reputable strive to acquire a personal understanding of the health and temperament of each pet they own. They also share this information fully and openly with other breeders and prospective buyers.

As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme, members are required to perform certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also recommend that breeders conduct additional tests.

These tests are designed to detect genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also permit breeders to make better informed decisions about mating that will lower the risk of inheritable diseases in the coming generations.

Common genetic tests include

Hip Dysplasia

The elbow dysplasia and the hip are common issues in German Shepherds and sufferers from the condition in their front limbs. These degenerative joint diseases cause pain and discomfort, but can be controlled through the control of weight, exercise restrictions, supplements, and drugs. X-rays are taken with sedation, to get accurate results and then submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebras, butterfly vertebras, block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. This test is not foolproof however, and it does not determine whether the dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or any other spinal disorders later in life.

Socialization

GSDs require a lot of physical activity along with training and mental stimulation to keep them busy. They can easily become bored, and lack of activity could lead to destructive behaviors such as eating excessively or schäferhunde Kaufen digging shoes. These behaviors are usually the result of unmet emotional needs. This is why early socialization is vital for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization helps the puppy to build confidence with new people and different environments. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will be scared or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.

Puppy socialization begins with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches them to get along with their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety sights, sounds and smells. The puppies learn to behave in a group environment, which is key to their success as dogs who mature.

The puppy should be introduced to different household sounds such as doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed to a variety of sounds outside, including traffic, sirens and construction. This is essential to ensure that the puppy doesn't become afraid or anxious of these types of stimuli. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a calming pace and positive reinforcements will be used throughout the process.

During this time, it is crucial that the puppy meets many different pets and people. This can help reduce separation anxiety while the owner is away. This can be achieved by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should be able to interact with the other dogs in a secure way, and altdeutscher schäferhund kaufen in a controlled manner. The interaction should be restricted initially so that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to be around calmer, older, gentle dogs. This will help the puppy to realize that not all larger, older dogs are dangerous and will aid in developing an appropriate temperament.

Training

German Shepherds need constant and consistent obedience training. It is crucial to get them into an obedience class as soon as you can and especially when they are still young. This will assist them in developing into confident, deutsche schäferhunde kaufen well-mannered dogs. This is also a good time to make them familiar with the basic commands like sit, down, stay and come. The earlier you begin teaching your dog these basic skills they'll be more likely to obey your instructions as they get older.

Territorial aggression is a common problem for many German Shepherd owners. They might be incredibly protective of their home and property, leading to barking or growling at people or animals that enter their territory. Territorial behavior is averted by proper training, exercise, and socialization.

Other issues with behavior can be prevented through obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained could cause trouble for their family and neighbors. They are easily distracted by other animals, toys or children and ignore basic commands like "sit" or "down."

During the puppy years, you should continue to introduce your German Shepherds with new locations, people and sounds. This is particularly important when the puppy is 16 weeks old, when their brains are in an important stage of development. If your German shepherd is a quiet puppy until then it's likely to be much more difficult for them to grasp new things once they are an adult. They could also be more susceptible to fear-based aggression or anxiety.

One thing that a lot of dog owners don't realize is that a German Shepherd needs lots of mental as well as physical exercise to remain calm and content. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and schäferhund baby kaufen have a strong desire to please their owners and work. If they don't get enough exercise, they may become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise strengthens muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, aids in weight loss and reduces "cabin-fever." It's a great way to connect with your German Shepherd as well!