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 a long time for the training and health of your dog.

Pet stores and online sources sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills that focus on profit over the welfare of animals. Pick a reputable breeder.

How to Choose a Reputable Breeder

It's essential to be aware of your breeder before you buy a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders will be willing to share information about their dogs and the ways they treat you. They will be happy to discuss health and genetic testing early socialization, as well as the environment that their puppies are raised.

The best place to start is to contact your local German Shepherd club or group. The majority of breed clubs have an officer or secretary who can direct you in the right direction for credible breeders in your region. Alternatively, you can contact your state animal control agency to get the list of breeders who are licensed.

Take the time to meet with a breeder in person once you've found one who meets your standards for breeding. Find a clean facility in which the mother and her puppies are kept in a safe environment. Find out about the puppy's parents and siblings; you want to see proof that they've been examined for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease, and Degenerative Myelopathy.

A responsible breeder should be able to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical records and an up-to-date vaccination schedule. They should have a great relationship with a vet who is able to perform all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able give you the name of the veterinarian and phone number, and also give you consultation notes.

It's also an excellent idea to inquire with the breeder whether they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living circumstances that could prevent them from selling you puppies. If they are aware that you have young children and they are concerned about your children's safety, they might not wish to sell you a German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.

You should also expect an accredited breeder to ask you to sign a contract for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include details about the parents as well as their AKC registration number, and an option to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a crucial way for a responsible breeder to monitor their dogs and ensure that they are going to suitable homes.

Health Tests

Breeders who are reputable will test the health of the dogs they intend to breed. This is to ensure that they don't breed pups with inherited disease. These tests include hip and German Shepherd Puppies For Sale In Switzerland elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and GDV (also called Bloat).

Breeders who are reputable seek to be aware of the temperaments and health conditions of every dog they have. They also share this information fully and freely with other breeders and prospective buyers.

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

These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also enable breeders to make better choices when mating which can reduce the risk of hereditary diseases in the future generations.

Typical genetic tests include:

Hip Dysplasia

German Shepherds are susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia particularly in the front limbs. These degenerative joint diseases cause pain and discomfort, but can be controlled through the control of weight, exercise restrictions supplements, and medications. X-rays are taken with sedation, to get precise results, and then sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

The OFA test looks for hemivertebra, schäferhund beschützerinstinkt butterfly vertebra, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. This test is not completely foolproof however, and it cannot determine if dogs will develop degenerative myelopathy or other spinal disorders later in life.

Socialization

GSDs require rigorous physical exercise as well as training and SchäFerhund BeschüTzerinstinkt mental stimulation to keep them occupied. They can get bored easily and a lack of exercise can lead to destructive behavior such as eating excessively or digging shoes. These behaviors are usually caused by a lack of emotional needs. Socialization early is essential for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization helps the puppy to gain confidence in new people and environments. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will be scared or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.

The mother and her littermates play together and interact with each other. This teaches them to get along with their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. The pups are also exposed to a variety of kinds of sounds, sights and smells. The puppies learn to behave within a group, which is crucial to their success as adult dogs.

Introduce the puppy to different household sounds, such as vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed various outdoor sounds, including sirens, traffic and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy does 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 used throughout the process.

During this period, it is crucial that the puppy meets many different pets and people. This will help prevent separation anxiety while 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 able to interact with the other dogs in a secure way, and in a controlled manner. The interaction should be restricted initially so that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to interact with older, calmer and gentle dogs. This will help your puppy understand that bigger, older dogs do not have to be scary. It can also help them develop a good attitude.

Training

German Shepherds require constant, consistent obedience training. It is crucial to get them into an early training class particularly when they are still young. This will allow them to become confident and well-mannered dogs. It is also a great time to introduce them to basic commands such as sit, down and stay. The earlier a dog is taught these basic commands the more simple it is for them to follow your instructions as they grow older.

Territorial aggression is a problem for many families with German Shepherds. They may be overly protective of their home and property, leading to barking or growling at people or animals that enter their area of. Territorial behavior can be prevented through the proper training, exercise and socialization.

Other behavioral issues can be prevented by obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs that don't have the right obedience training could become a nuisance and even a danger to family members and neighbours. They are often distracted by other pets, toys or Einen deutschen reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund welpe kaufen (Avtonomia wrote) children. They may ignore basic commands such as "sit" and "down."

During the puppy years it is important to continue to socialize your German Shepherds with new people, places and sounds. This is especially important before the puppy turns 16 weeks old as their brains are in a critical phase of development. If your German Shepherd is a quiet puppy they'll likely face new experiences much more challenging in adulthood and will be more susceptible to fear-based aggression and anxiety.

One thing that a lot of dog owners don't realize is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical and mental exercise to remain calm and content. They are herders by nature and have a strong urge to do their best and satisfy their owners If they don't have enough to do, they can become bored or destructive. Regular exercise strengthens muscles and reduces "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, aids with weight loss, and decreases "cabin-fever." It's also a great opportunity to bond with your German shepherd!