How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

When you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're taking on a massive commitment. You'll be accountable 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 place profit ahead of the health of animals. Select a reputable breeding facility instead.

How to Choose a Reputable Breeder

It is important to get acquainted with your breeder prior German Shepherd buy puppy to you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be happy to give you details about their dogs as well as breeding practices. They will be willing to discuss health and genetic testing early socialization, as well as the environment that their puppies are fostered.

Your local German Shepherd club or organization is the best place to begin. The majority of breed associations have an officer or secretary who can direct you to credible breeders in your region. Alternatively, you can contact your state animal control agency for an inventory of licensed breeders.

If you've found 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 in which the puppies and their mother are kept in a secure. It is important to inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You want to know if they have been screened for hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia or eye issues.

A responsible breeder should also be able provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and the most current vaccination schedule. They should have a great relationship with a vet who can perform all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to tell you the name of the veterinarian, his telephone number, and also provide you with records of your consultation.

Ask the breeder about any concerns they have regarding your lifestyle and living circumstances. This could stop them from bringing the puppy to you. If they know that you have young kids they might not want to offer you an German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.

You should also expect an established breeder to ask you to sign an agreement to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain information about the parents as well as their AKC registration number and deutscher schäferhund zu verkaufen an option to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a vital way for responsible breeders to monitor their dogs and ensure they are going to suitable homes.

Health Tests

Reputable breeders conduct health checks on the dogs that will form part of their breeding selection. This is to ensure that they don't create puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and GDV (also called 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 are able to freely and completely share this information with other breeders and prospective buyers.

The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to carry out certain tests on their dogs. The 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. These tests also allow breeders make better decisions about mating that can reduce the risk of hereditary diseases in the future generations.

Common genetic tests include

Hip Dysplasia

The elbow dysplasia and the hip are a common problem in German Shepherds and sufferers from the condition in their front limbs. These joint disorders that cause degeneration cause pain and discomfort but can be managed by weight control, activity limitations, supplements, and drugs. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays while sedating to ensure the accuracy of the results.

The OFA test focuses on hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra, block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. The test isn't completely foolproof however, and does not determine whether dogs will develop degenerative myelopathy or any other spinal disorders later in life.

Socialization

GSDs require intense physical exercise along with training and mental stimulation to keep them engaged. They are prone to becoming bored and inactivity could lead to destructive behaviors such as excessive digging or eating shoes. These behaviors are usually caused by a lack of emotional needs. This is why early socialization is so important for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization helps the puppy to build confidence around new people and surroundings. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive in new situations.

The mother and her littermates play together and play with each other. This helps them learn to get along with their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety of scents, sounds and sights. The puppies learn how to behave within a group, which is key to their success as dogs who mature.

Introduce the puppy to various household sounds, including vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed sounds outside, like traffic, sirens, and construction. This is very important to ensure that the puppy does not become scared or anxious of these situations when they become adults. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a relaxed pace, and positive reinforcement should be utilized throughout the process.

During this period, it is also important that the puppy interacts with different pets and people. This can help reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away. This can be accomplished by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks, or play dates with other doggies.

The puppy should be able to interact with the other dogs in a controlled, German shepherd Dog care controlled manner and the interactions should be tempered at first so that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact also with older, more sociable and calm dogs. This will allow the puppy understand that not all larger, older dogs are dangerous and will help them to develop a good temperament.

Training

German Shepherds require consistent, firm obedience training. It's important to enroll them in a training class early, especially when they are still young. This will allow them to grow into well-mannered, confident dogs. It's also a good time to familiarize them with basic commands like sit, down and stay. The earlier a dog is taught these basic behaviors the easier it will be for them to follow your directions as they age.

Territorial aggression is a frequent issue for many German Shepherd owners. They may be overly guarded of their property and homes, which can lead to them barking at people or animals who enter their territory. Training, exercise and socialization can prevent territorial behavior.

Obedience training will also help to prevent other problems with behavior in German Shepherds. Dogs that don't have proper obedience training can become a nuisance and even a danger to their family members and neighbours. They can easily be distracted by other pets or toys, or even children and ignore basic commands such as "sit" or "down."

In the early years of their puppyhood, it's important to continue to keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people, Buy a German Shepherd puppy places, sights and sounds. This is particularly important before they reach the age of 16 weeks since they enter a critical period of brain development during this period. If your German Shepherd is a quiet puppy until that point, they will likely find new experiences to be more difficult in adulthood and will be more prone to anxiety and fear-based aggression.

One thing that many dog owners aren't aware of is that a German Shepherd Buy puppy Shepherd needs lots of mental as well as physical exercise to stay 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 helps tone muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, helps with weight loss, and helps reduce "cabin-fever." It's a great way to bond with your German Shepherd, too!