How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

When you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a big commitment. You'll be responsible for the health, training, and belgischer reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund züchter deutsche schäferhunde welpen kaufen österreich schäferhund baby kaufen österreich (Full Guide) mental stability of your dog for many years.

Pet stores and online retailers typically sell puppies from puppy mills who place profits over the welfare of the animal. Choose a reputable breeding center instead.

Selecting a Breeder who is reputable

Before purchasing a German Shepherd pup, it's important to get to know the breeder. Responsible breeders will be happy to share information about their dogs and practices with you. They'll be willing to discuss genetic and health testing early socialization, as well as the environment that their puppies are raised.

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

Once you've identified a breeder that meets breeding standards, make sure you take the time to meet them in person. You should look for an upscale, clean facility where the mother dog and her puppies are kept in a secure. You should inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You want to know if they have been screened for hereditary issues such as hip dysplasia and eye issues.

A responsible breeder should be capable of providing you with copies of your puppy's medical records and an up-to-date shot schedule. They should have a good working relationship with a vet who is able to perform all required tests and vaccines. They should be able to provide you with the name of the doctor as well as the number of his phone and provide you with consultation notes.

Ask the breeder about any concerns they may have regarding your lifestyle and living situation. This may prevent the breeder from selling a puppy to you. For instance, if they know you have children, they may be reluctant to sell you a puppy due to the fact that German Shepherds are known to be aggressive with children.

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

Health Tests for Health

Reputable breeders conduct health checks on the dogs that will be part of their breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't produce pups with inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, GDV and Bloat.

Breeders who are trustworthy are determined to understand the temperaments and health issues of every dog they own. They also are able to freely and completely communicate this information to other breeders as well as prospective buyers.

The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to conduct certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also suggest that breeders conduct additional tests.

These health tests look for genetic diseases that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also allow breeders to make better informed choices about mating which will decrease the incidence of hereditary disease in the coming generations.

Typical genetic tests include:

Hip Dysplasia

German Shepherds are prone to elbow and hip dysplasia especially in the front limbs. These joint disorders that cause degeneration cause pain and discomfort, but can be managed by weight control, activity restrictions, supplements, and drugs. 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, Belgischer SchäFerhund Welpen Kaufen öSterreich butterfly vertebra block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transformational vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. The test isn't completely foolproof, however, and does not determine whether the dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or other spinal disorders later in life.

Socialization

GSDs require rigorous physical exercise as well as training and mental stimulation to keep them occupied. They can easily become bored and inactivity may lead to destructive behaviors such as excessive digging or eating shoes. Often, these behaviors are a result of unmet emotional needs. Socialization early is essential for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization allows the pup to build confidence with new people and different environments. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive in new situations.

The mother and her littermates play together and interact with one another. This teaches puppies appropriate social cues and how to deal with their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. The pups are also exposed to various sights, sounds and smells. The puppies learn how to behave in a group, which is key 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 to different sounds outside, like traffic, sirens, and schäferhunde Kaufen construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy does not develop scared or anxious about these types of stimuli. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at an ease rate, and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process.

During this period, it is essential that the puppy interacts with different animals and people. This can help prevent 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 only be allowed to interact in a controlled, safe manner with other dogs. At first, the interactions should be confined so that the pup does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact also with older, more relaxed, calmer dogs. This will allow the puppy realize that not all older, larger dogs are fearsome and will help them to develop a good temperament.

Training

German Shepherds require regular, strict obedience training. It's important to get them into a training class early particularly when they are still puppy dogs. This will help them develop into confident, well-mannered dogs. It's also a great opportunity to teach them basic commands such as sit down, stay and sit. The earlier a dog is taught these basic behaviors the more simple it is for them to follow your commands as they get older.

Territorial aggression can be an issue in many families with German Shepherds. They might be incredibly protective of their homes and deutscher schäferhund zu verkaufen property, Belgischer SchäFerhund Welpen Kaufen öSterreich resulting in barking or growling at people or animals that enter their area of. Training, exercise and socialization can reduce territorial behavior.

Obedience training will also help to prevent other issues with behavior in German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained can cause trouble for their neighbors and family members. They can easily be distracted by other pets, toys or children and disregard basic commands such as "sit" or "down."

During their puppy years it is essential to introduce your German Shepherds with new people, places, sights and sounds. This is particularly important when the puppy turns 16 weeks old as their brains are going through an important phase of development. If your German Shepherd is a quiet puppy they'll likely face new experiences much more challenging as an adult and be more susceptible to anxiety and fear-based aggression.

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