How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

You're making a significant commitment 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 reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund online sources sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills, which focus on profit over the welfare of animals. Pick a reputable breeder.

How to Choose a Breeder who is Reputable

Before you buy a German Shepherd pup, it's essential to get acquainted with the breeder. Responsible breeders will be happy to discuss their dogs and practices with you. They will be happy to discuss genetic and health testing, 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. Breed clubs typically have a secretary or puppy officer, who can direct you to reputable breeders. If you prefer, you can contact your state animal control agency for the list of breeders who are licensed.

Take the time to meet a breeder's representative in person once you've located one who is in line with your breed standards. You should seek out a clean, comfortable facility in which the puppies and their mother 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 any hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia or eye issues.

A responsible breeder should be able to provide you with a copy your puppy's medical history and a current vaccination schedule. They should have a good working relationship with a vet who is able to perform all necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to tell you the vet's name as well as the number of his phone and give you a consultation note.

Ask the breeder about any concerns they might have about your lifestyle and living situation. This might hinder them from selling the puppy to you. For schäferhund Welpen kaufen schweiz example If they know that you have young children, they may be hesitant to sell you a puppy since German Shepherds are known to be aggressive with children.

A reputable breeder may require you to sign a contract when you purchase your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include the names of the parents and their AKC registration numbers as along with a return-to-breeder clause. This is an important way for a responsible breeder to monitor their dogs and ensure they will be placed in good homes.

Health Tests

Breeders who are reputable will examine the health of the dogs they plan to breed as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't create pups that have an inherited illness. These tests include hip dysplasia as well as elbow dysplasia as well as degenerative myelopathy, GDV and bloat.

In addition to health screening Breeders who are reputable strive to gain personal knowledge of the temperaments and health of each pet they own. They also share this information completely and openly with other breeders as well as prospective buyers.

As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder program members are required to perform certain tests with their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also recommend that breeders perform 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 future generations.

Common genetic tests include

Hip Dysplasia

The elbow dysplasia and the hip are a common problem in German Shepherds, with the latter suffering from the condition that affects their front limbs. These joint conditions that are degenerative cause pain and discomfort but can be controlled through weight control, schäferhunde suchen ein zuhause activity limitations, supplements, and drugs. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays under sedation to ensure that the results are accurate.

The OFA test focuses on hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transformational vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. This test isn't foolproof and does not predict whether a dog's spinal condition will be degenerative myelopathy.

Socialization

GSDs require a lot of physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to stay engaged. They get bored very easily and altdeutscher schäFerhund kaufen their lack of activity can result in destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing up shoes. These behaviors are usually the result of unmet emotional requirements. Socialization early is essential for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization allows the pup to gain confidence in new people and surroundings. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be scared or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.

The mother and her littermates play together and play with each other. This helps them learn to be around their noisy and schäferhund beschützerinstinkt 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.

The puppy should be introduced to different household sounds including vacuum cleaners, doorbells and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed to a variety of sounds outside, SchäFerhund Welpen Kaufen Schweiz such as traffic, sirens and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy does not grow up afraid or anxious of these sounds. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at an ease pace and positive reinforcement will be used throughout the process.

During this period, it is essential that the puppy gets to meet many different people and pets. This can help reduce separation anxiety when 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 allowed to interact with other dogs in a secure way, and in a controlled manner. The interaction should be restricted initially to ensure that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact also with older, more friendly and calm dogs. This will help your puppy see that bigger, older dogs don't have to be scary. It will also aid in developing a good attitude.

Training

German Shepherds require regular, strict obedience training. It is crucial to get them into an obedience class as soon as you can, especially while they are still young. This will assist them in developing into well-mannered, confident dogs. It's also a great time to introduce them to basic commands such as sit down, stay and sit. The earlier a dog learns these basic commands the more simple it is for them to follow your commands as they grow older.

Territorial aggression is a problem for many families with German Shepherds. They may be extremely cautious of their homes and property and this can result in them barking at people or animals who venture into their area. Territorial behavior can be prevented by the proper training, exercise and socialization.

Other behavioral issues can be prevented through obedience training for German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained could cause annoyance to their family and neighbors. 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 their puppyhood, it's important to continue to socialize your German Shepherds with new people places, sights, and sounds. This is particularly important before they reach 16 weeks old, as they go through an important period of brain development during this time. If your German shepherd is a sheltered puppy until then it is likely to be more difficult for them to grasp new things when they become adults. They could also be more prone towards anxiety or fear-based aggression.

Many dog owners don't realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be happy and calm. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and they are driven to please their owners and work. If they don't get enough exercise 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 method to build a bond with your German shepherd!