How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

When you buy a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a huge commitment. You'll be accountable for the health, training, and mental stability of your dog over many years.

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

How to Choose a Breeder who is Reputable

Before purchasing a German Shepherd pup, it's crucial to know the breeder. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to share information about their dogs and breeding practices. They will be happy to discuss genetic and health testing, early socialization, and the environment that their puppies are fostered.

Your local German Shepherd club or organization is the best place to begin. Breed clubs usually have a secretary, or puppy officer, who can direct you to breeders who are reputable. Alternatively, you can contact your state animal control agency to get the list of breeders who are licensed.

Make the effort to meet a breeder in person after you've found one who meets your breeding standards. You should look for an upscale, clean facility where the puppy and the mother dog are confined. Ask about the puppy's fathers and siblings. You'll would like to verify that they were examined for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia eye issues, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.

A responsible breeder will be able to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and a current shot schedule. They should have a good working relationship with a vet who can carry out all necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able to tell you the vet's name and telephone number and give you consultation notes.

It's also a good idea to ask the breeder if they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living conditions that might prevent them from selling you puppies. If they know you have children they might not want to offer 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 a contract for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should include details about the parents, their AKC registration number as well as the clause that allows them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is an important way for a responsible breeder to keep track of their dogs and ensure they will be placed in good homes.

Health Tests

Reputable breeders conduct health checks on the dogs that form part of their breeding collection. This is to ensure that they don't create puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia, 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 dog they have. They also share this information completely and freely with other breeders as well as prospective buyers.

The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to perform certain tests on their dogs. The breed clubs for german shepherd kaufen shepherds also suggest that breeders take additional tests.

These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. They also allow breeders to make better informed decisions about mating which will decrease the chance of developing hereditary diseases in the coming generations.

The most common genetic tests are:

Hip Dysplasia

German Shepherds are prone to elbow and hip dysplasia particularly in the front limbs. These joint disorders that cause degeneration cause pain and discomfort but can be controlled with weight control, activity restrictions as well as supplements and medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays while sedating to ensure that the results are accurate.

The OFA test checks for the presence of hemivertebrae as well as butterfly vertebrae. block vertebrae as well as lumbar-sacral verbrae (LSTV) and spondylosis and spina bifida. This test is not completely foolproof however, and does not determine whether a dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or other spinal disorders later in life.

Socialization

GSDs require a lot of physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to keep active. They are prone to becoming bored, and lack of activity could lead to destructive behaviors such as eating excessively or digging shoes. Often, these behaviors stem from not being able to satisfy their emotional needs. Socialization early is essential for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization allows the pup to gain confidence in new people and different environments. It also reduces the risk that the puppy will grow scared or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.

Puppy socialization begins with mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches the puppies appropriate social cues and how to deal with their boisterous, and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a wide range of smells, sights and sounds. The puppies learn to behave in a group, which is essential to their success as adult dogs.

Introduce the puppy to various household sounds, including vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed sounds outside, like sirens, traffic and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy doesn't grow up fearful or anxious of these sounds. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at an ease rate, and positive reinforcement is used throughout the process.

It is also very important for a puppy to get to know many different people over this time, in addition to other pets. This will help prevent separation anxiety when the owner is away. A good example of this is when the dog is taken to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should be allowed to interact with the other dogs in a safe, controlled manner and the interaction should be limited initially to ensure that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should be able to interact with older, more relaxed and Schäferhund Kaufen calm dogs. This will help the puppy understand that not all larger, older dogs are fearsome and will help them to develop a good temperament.

Training

German Shepherds require consistent, firm obedience training. It is crucial to get them into a class as soon as possible and especially when they are still young. This will assist them in developing into well-mannered, confident dogs. It's also a good time to introduce them to basic commands such as sit down, sit and stay. The earlier a dog can learn these basic behaviors and commands, the easier it is for them to follow your directions as they grow older.

Territorial aggression is an issue in many families with German Shepherds. They may be overly guarded of their property and homes and this can result in their barking at strangers or animals who enter their area. Territorial behavior is averted by the proper training, exercise and socialization.

Obedience training will also help prevent other behavioral problems in German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained could be a nuisance to their family and friends. They are easily distracted by other pets or toys, or even children and ignore basic commands like "sit" or "down."

During their puppy years it is crucial to socialize your German Shepherds with new people locations, sights, and deutscher schäFerhund kaufen schweiz sounds. This is especially important prior to when the puppy is 16 weeks old, SchäFerhund Baby kaufen when their brains are in an important stage of development. If your German Shepherd is a protected pup until then they'll likely encounter new experiences much more challenging as an adult and be more susceptible to anxiety-based aggression and fear.

One thing that many pet owners don't know is that a German Shepherd needs lots of mental as well as physical exercise to stay calm and happy. They are herding dogs by nature and have a strong drive to do their best and please their humans If they don't have enough to do, they can become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise also tones muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's also a great way to bond with your German shepherd!