How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

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

Pet stores and online retailers generally sell puppies from puppy mills who place profit over animal well-being. Choose a reputable breeding facility instead.

How to Choose a Reputable Breeder

It is important to know your breeder before you purchase a german shepherd kaufen Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders will be willing to provide information about their dogs and their practices with you. They'll be willing to discuss genetic and health testing, early socialization, and the environment where their puppies are fostered.

The best place to start is to talk to your local German Shepherd club or organization. The majority of breed clubs have a secretary or puppy officer who can point you to credible breeders in your region. You can also contact your state animal control agency to get an inventory of licensed breeders.

Make the effort to meet a breeder's representative in person after you've found one that meets your breed standards. You should seek out an environment that is clean and comfortable in which the puppy and the mother dog are kept in a secure. It is important to inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You'll want to find out if they've been screened for hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia or eye problems.

A responsible breeder should be able to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and an up-to-date shot schedule. They should have a solid working relationship with a vet who can conduct all the 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 give you consultation notes.

It's also an excellent idea to inquire with the breeder whether they have any concerns regarding your lifestyle or living conditions that would hinder them from selling you an animal. 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.

You should also expect a reputable breeder to ask you to sign an agreement to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain the names of the parents as well as their AKC registration numbers, as well as a return-to-breeder clause. This is an important way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure that they will be placed in good homes.

Health Tests

Breeders who are reputable will examine the health of the dogs they intend to use as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't produce pups that have an inherited illness. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and GDV (also known as Bloat).

Breeders who are trustworthy are determined to understand the temperaments and health conditions of every dog they have. They also share this information in full and freely with other breeders as well as prospective buyers.

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

These tests are designed to detect genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also help breeders make better informed decisions about mating that will lower the chance of developing hereditary diseases in the future.

Typical genetic tests include

Hip Dysplasia

The elbow dysplasia and the hip are common problems in German Shepherds and sufferers from the condition that affects their front legs. These joint conditions that are degenerative cause pain and discomfort but can be managed by weight control, activity limitations supplements, 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 hemivertebras, butterfly vertebras, block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn't 100% reliable, however, and does not tell you if the dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or German Shepherd buy puppy any other spinal diseases later in the course of.

Socialization

GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, SchäFerhundwelpen training, and mental stimulation to keep engaged. They can get bored easily and inactivity may lead to destructive behaviors like excessive digging or eating shoes. These behaviors are often caused by a lack of emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is crucial for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization helps the puppy to gain confidence in new people and different environments. It also reduces the risk that the puppy will become fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.

Puppy socialization starts with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches them to be around their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a wide range of smells, sights and sounds. The puppies learn to behave within a group, which is essential 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 to different outdoor sounds such as sirens, traffic and construction. This is essential so that the puppy will not become scared or anxious of these stimuli as an adult. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a calming pace and positive reinforcements will be used throughout the process.

It is also crucial for a puppy to get to know many different people over this period, along with other pets. This can help prevent separation anxiety when the owner is away from home. This can be accomplished by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks, or Buy German Shepherd Dog Switzerland play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should be able to interact with other dogs in a safe way, and in a controlled manner. The interaction should be restricted at first so that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to interact with calmer, older and more doggies who are friendly. This will help the puppy understand that not all older, larger dogs are dangerous and will aid in developing an appropriate temperament.

Training

German Shepherd buy Puppy Shepherds need strict and consistent obedience training. It is essential to enroll them in an obedience class as soon as you can and especially when they are still young. This will allow them to grow into well-mannered, confident dogs. It is also a good moment to familiarize them with the basics of commands such as sit down, down, stay and come. The earlier you teach your dog these basic commands and commands, they'll be more likely to follow your commands as they age.

Territorial aggression is a typical problem for many German Shepherd owners. They might be extremely protective of their homes and property and this can result in their barking at strangers or animals who enter their territory. Training, exercise and socialization can help to prevent territorial behavior.

Obedience training will aid in preventing other behavioral problems in German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained may cause trouble for their family and friends. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys or children. They might not pay attention to basic commands such as "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 period. If your German Shepherd is a sheltered pup until then, they will likely find new experiences more difficult as an adult and be more susceptible to anxiety-based aggression and fear.

Many dog owners don't realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be content and peaceful. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and have a strong desire to please their owners and work. If they don't get enough exercise, they may become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles and reduces "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, helps in weight loss, and decreases "cabin-fever." It's an excellent way to connect with your German Shepherd also!