How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

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

Pet stores and online sources typically sell puppies from puppy mills that place profit over animal well-being. Choose a reputable breeding facility instead.

Selecting a Breeder who is reputable

It is important to get acquainted with your breeder prior to you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders are happy to provide information about their dogs and the ways they treat you. They will be happy to discuss genetic and health testing early socialization, as well as the environment in which their puppies are raised.

Your local German Shepherd club or organization is the best place to start. The majority of breed associations have an officer for puppy or secretary who can direct you in the right direction for reputable breeders in your area. If you prefer, you can contact your state animal control agency to get an inventory of licensed breeders.

Once you've identified a breeder that meets breeding standards, make sure you take the time to meet them in person. You should seek out an environment that is clean and comfortable in which the mother dog and her puppies are kept. You should inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You'll want to know if they have been screened for hereditary issues like hip dysplasia or eye problems.

A responsible breeder should be capable of providing you with a copy of your puppy's medical records and the most current schedule of shots. They should have a solid working relationship with a vet who can perform all necessary tests and vaccines. They should be able to give you the name of the veterinarian as well as the number of his phone and give you consultation notes.

It's also a good idea to ask the breeder whether they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living situation that would stop them from selling you an animal. For instance, if they know you have young children, they might be reluctant to sell you a puppy because German Shepherds can be a bit aggressive with children.

A reputable breeder will require you to sign a contract prior to purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include details about the parents and their AKC registration number, and the clause that allows them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a vital way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure they are going to good homes.

Health Tests for Health

Breeders with a good reputation will test the health of the dogs they intend to use as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't create pups with inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, as well as degenerative myelopathy GDV and bloat.

In addition to health screenings Breeders who are reputable strive to get a better understanding of the health and temperament of each dog they own. They also share this information in full and openly 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 shepherds also recommend that breeders carry out additional tests.

These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also help breeders make better decisions about mating that will reduce the incidences of hereditary illnesses in the next generations.

Typical genetic tests include

Hip Dysplasia

German Shepherds are at risk of hip and elbow dysplasia, particularly in the front limbs. These joint diseases cause pain and discomfort, but can be managed through weight control, activity limitations, Was Kostet Ein Reinrassiger SchäFerhund supplements and drugs. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays under sedation to ensure accurate results.

The OFA test is a check for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae and lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) and spondylosis and spina bifida. The test isn't completely foolproof, Reinrassiger Deutscher SchäFerhund ZüChter however, and does not determine whether a dog will develop degenerative myelopathy, or other spinal disorders later in life.

Socialization

GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training, and mental stimulation to keep active. They are prone to becoming bored and a lack of exercise can lead to destructive behavior such as excessive digging or eating shoes. These behaviors are often due to unmet emotional needs. This is why early socialization is so important for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization can help the puppy gain confidence with new people and situations. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will develop fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.

Puppy socialization starts with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This helps them learn to be around their noisy and schäferhund welpen österreich kaufen beschützerinstinkt (more information) sometimes rough siblings. It also exposes the pups to a variety of smells, sights and sounds. The puppies learn how to behave appropriately within a group, which is key to their success as adult dogs.

Introduce the puppy to different household sounds, such as vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, schäferhund kaufen and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed sounds outside, such as traffic, sirens and construction. This is essential so that the puppy will not be scared or anxious of these stimuli when they become adults. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a comfortable rate, and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process.

It is also crucial for the puppy to meet many different people during this period, along with other pets. This can reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away. An excellent example is when a dog is taken to puppy classes or dog parks, or even play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should be allowed to interact with the other dogs in a secure well-controlled manner. The interactions should be tempered initially to ensure that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to interact with older, Reinrassiger Deutscher SchäFerhund ZüChter calmer and gentle dogs. This will allow the puppy to realize that not all larger, older dogs are dangerous and helps them develop a good temperament.

Training

German Shepherds require consistent, firm obedience training. It is essential to get them into classes as soon as you can and especially when they are still young. This will allow them to grow into confident, well-mannered dogs. This is also a great moment to familiarize them with the basic commands like sit, reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund züchter down, stay and come. The earlier a dog can learn these basic commands, the more easy it will be for them to follow your commands as they age.

Territorial aggression can be a problem for many families with German Shepherds. They may be overly protective of their homes and property, resulting in barking or yelling at those who enter their area of. Training, exercise and socialization can prevent territorial behavior.

Obedience training can also help to prevent other behavioral problems in German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained could be a nuisance to their family and friends. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys or children. They may not be able to follow simple commands like "sit" and "down."

In the early years of puppyhood It is essential to socialize your German Shepherds with new people, places, and sounds. This is especially important before the puppy reaches 16 weeks and their brains are in a critical phase of development. If your German Shepherd is a protected pup until then they'll likely encounter new experiences to be more difficult as they grow older and become more prone to anxiety and fear-based aggression.

One thing that many dog owners aren't aware of is that a German Shepherd needs lots of mental as well as physical exercise to remain calm and content. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and are driven to please their owners as well as work. If they don't get enough exercise, they may become bored or destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's the perfect way to bond with your German Shepherd as well!