How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

When you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a big commitment. You will be responsible for the health, training and mental stability of your dog over many years.

Pet stores and online retailers generally sell puppies from puppy mills that prioritize profit over animal well-being. Select a reputable breeder instead.

How to Choose a Reputable Breeder

It's important to know your breeder before you buy a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to give you details about their dogs as well as breeding practices. They will be happy to discuss genetic and health testing as well as early socialization and the environment where their puppies are being raised.

The best place to start is with your local German Shepherd club or group. The majority of breed clubs have an officer for puppy or secretary who can direct you to credible breeders in your region. You can also contact the animal control agency in your state to get the list of breeders.

Make the effort to meet a breeder in person after you've found one who is in line with your breed standards. Find a clean and tidy facility where the mother and pups are comfortably confined. You should ask about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You want to know if they have been screened for hereditary issues like hip dysplasia or eye issues.

A responsible breeder should be able to provide you with a copy your puppy's medical record and a current vaccination schedule. They should have a great relationship with a veterinarian who can perform all the necessary tests and schäFerhund kaufen österreich vaccinations. They will be able to tell you the vet's name and deutscher schäFerhund welpe kaufen telephone number and give you consultation notes.

Ask the breeder about any concerns they have about your lifestyle and living situation. This could hinder them from selling a puppy to you. If they know that you have young kids and they are concerned about your children's safety, they might not wish to offer you a German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.

A reputable breeder will also require that you sign a contract prior to purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain details about the parents as well as their AKC registration number and the clause that allows them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a vital way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure that they are going to good homes.

Health Tests

Reputable breeders undertake health tests on the dogs that will be part of their breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't create pups with an inherited disease. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, schäFerhundwelpen Kaufen degenerative myelopathy and GDV (also known as Bloat).

In addition to health screening, reputable breeders strive to gain personal knowledge of the temperaments and health of every dog they have. They are also able to freely and openly communicate this information to other breeders and prospective buyers.

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

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

Typical 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 conditions that are degenerative cause pain and discomfort, but can be managed by the control of weight, exercise restrictions, supplements, and drugs. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays with sedation to ensure that the results are accurate.

The OFA test is designed to detect the presence of hemivertebras, butterfly vertebras, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn't foolproof and does not predict the likelihood that a dog's spinal problem will be degenerative myelopathy.

Socialization

GSDs require intense physical exercise as well as training and mental stimulation to keep them busy. They can get bored easily and a lack of exercise may lead to destructive behaviors such as excessive digging or eating shoes. Most often, these behaviors are a result of unmet emotional requirements. Socialization early is essential for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization helps the puppy to gain confidence in new people and different environments. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be scared or aggressive when in unfamiliar situations.

Puppy socialization begins with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This helps puppies learn appropriate social signals and how to deal with their boisterous, sometimes rough siblings. It also exposes the pups to a variety of smells, sights, and sounds. The puppies are taught to behave in the group. This is essential to their success as adults.

Introduce the puppy to various household sounds, including vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed to different sounds outside, like sirens, schäferhund kaufen öSterreich traffic, and construction. This is essential to ensure that the puppy doesn't 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 time, it's crucial that the puppy gets to meet many different animals and people. This can help reduce separation anxiety while the owner is away. One good example is when a dog is taken to puppy classes or dog parks, or even play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should only be allowed to interact in a safe, deutschen schäferhund kaufen Abzugeben (Lovewiki.Faith) controlled manner with other dogs. At first, the interactions should be restricted so that the pup isn't overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to interact with calmer, older, gentle dogs. This will allow the puppy understand that not all older, larger dogs are dangerous and helps them develop an appropriate temperament.

Training

German Shepherds require constant, consistent obedience training. It is essential to enroll them in classes as soon as you can particularly when they are still young. This will assist them in developing into well-mannered, confident dogs. It's also a great opportunity to teach them basic commands such as sit down, sit and stay. The earlier a dog is taught these basic commands the easier it is for them to follow your commands as they get older.

Territorial aggression is a typical issue for a lot of German Shepherd owners. They might be incredibly concerned about their home and property, which can lead to barking or growling at any animal or person who enters their territory. Proper training, exercise and schäferhund kaufen österreich socialization can prevent territorial behavior.

Other issues with behavior can be prevented by obedience training for German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained may cause trouble for their family and friends. They are often distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They may ignore basic commands like "sit" and "down."

In the early years of puppyhood, you should continue to introduce your German Shepherds to new people, places, and sounds. This is especially important when they reach the age of 16 weeks, as they go through an important period of brain development during this time. If your German shepherd is a sheltered puppy it's likely to be much more difficult for them to master new things once they are an adult. They may also be more prone towards fear-based aggression or anxiety.

One thing that a lot of dog owners don't realize is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical as well as mental exercise to stay calm and happy. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and they are driven to please their owners and work. If they don't exercise enough they could become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's also a great opportunity to bond with your German shepherd!