How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

You're taking a huge risk when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You will be responsible for the health, training, and mental stability of your dog over many years.

Pet stores and online resources typically sell puppies from puppy mills who place profit over animal well-being. Pick a reputable breeder.

How to Choose a Breeder who is Reputable

Before purchasing a German Shepherd pup, it's crucial to know the breeder. Responsible breeders will be happy to share information about their dogs and the ways they treat you. They will be happy to discuss genetic and health testing as well as early socialization and the environment in which their puppies are being raised.

Your local German Shepherd club or organization is the best place to start. The breed clubs typically have a secretary, or puppy officer, who can direct you to breeders who are reputable. You can also contact the animal control department of your state to get the list of breeding companies.

Make the effort to meet with a breeder in person after you've found one who is in line with your breed standards. Find a clean and tidy facility where the mother and pups are safe. You should ask about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You want to find out if they've been screened for any hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia, and eye issues.

A responsible breeder will also be in a position to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and an up-to-date shot schedule. They should have a great relationship with a veterinarian who can perform all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to give you the name of the veterinarian as well as the number of his phone and provide you with consultation notes.

Ask the breeder about any concerns they might have about your lifestyle or living situation. This could prevent the breeder from selling puppies to you. If they know that you have young kids, they may not want to offer you a German Shepherd puppy because they are known to be aggressive with children.

A reputable breeder may require that you sign a contract when you purchase your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain the names of the parents and SchäFerhund kaufen öSterreich their AKC registration numbers, as well as a return-to-breeder clause. This is an excellent method for responsible breeders to track their dogs and make sure they have a good home.

Health Tests

Breeders who are reputable will test the health of the dogs they plan to breed as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't produce pups with inherited disease. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and GDV (also called bloat).

Breeders who are trusted seek to be aware of the temperaments and health conditions of each dog they own. They also share this information in full and openly with other breeders as well as prospective buyers.

As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme members are required to perform certain tests on their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also suggest that breeders take additional tests.

These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. They also permit breeders to make more informed mating decisions which will decrease the incidence of hereditary disease in the coming generations.

The most common genetic tests are

Hip Dysplasia

Hip and elbow dysplasia are a common problem in German Shepherds with the latter suffering from the condition in their front legs. These joint conditions that cause degeneration cause discomfort and pain, but can be managed through the control of weight, exercise limitations and medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays under sedation to ensure that the results are accurate.

The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. The test isn't foolproof, however, and does not determine whether a dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or deutsche schäferhunde kaufen deutscher schäferhund kaufen schweiz [Https://bibi-kai.com/@entzuckendeschaferhundwelpen5486] other spinal conditions later in the course of.

Socialization

GSDs require a lot of physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to keep active. They can easily become bored, and schäFerhund kaufen lack of activity could lead to destructive behaviors such as eating excessively or digging shoes. These behaviors are often the result of unmet emotional needs. Socialization early is essential for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization can help the puppy build confidence in new people and situations. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will grow scared or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.

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

Introduce the puppy to different household sounds, like vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed to various outdoor sounds like sirens, traffic and construction. This is very important to ensure that the puppy does not become scared or anxious of these situations as an adult. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a comfortable pace, and positive reinforcement should be used throughout the process.

During this time, it is essential that the puppy gets to meet many different pets and people. This will help reduce anxiety over separation when the owner is away from home. 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 controlled, controlled manner and the interaction should be limited initially to ensure that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact also with older, more sociable and calm dogs. This will allow the puppy realize that not all older, larger dogs are dangerous and will aid in developing a positive temperament.

Training

German Shepherds require regular, strict obedience training. It is important to get them into a training class early especially when they're still young. This will allow them to become confident and well-mannered dogs. This is also a good time to get them familiar with the basics of commands such as sit down, down, stay and come. The earlier a dog can learn these basic commands the more simple it is for them to follow your commands as they get older.

Territorial aggression is an issue in many families with German Shepherds. They might be extremely protective of their property and homes which could lead to them barking at people or animals that enter their area. Training, exercise and socialization can prevent territorial behavior.

Other behavioral problems can be avoided through obedience training for German Shepherds. Dogs that don't possess the proper obedience training can be a nuisance, or even a threat to their family members and their neighbors. They are often distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They might not pay attention to basic commands like "sit" and "down."

During their puppy years it is essential to keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people locations, sights, and sounds. This is especially important before the puppy is 16 weeks old as their brains are going through an important phase of development. If your German shepherd is a protected puppy until then it is likely to be more difficult for them to grasp new things when they become adults. They may also be more prone to fear-based aggression or anxiety.

One thing that many dog owners aren't aware of is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical as well as mental exercise to stay healthy and content. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and they are driven to please their owners as well as work. If they don't get enough exercise, they may become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise also tones muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's also a great way to build a bond with your German shepherd!