How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

You're making a big commitment when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You will be responsible, for many years, for the health and training of your dog.

Pet stores and online sources offer puppies, which are typically from puppy mills that 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 crucial to know the breeder. Breeders who are responsible will be happy to share information about their dogs and breeding practices. Breeders are happy to share information about their dogs as well as practices with you.

The best place to begin is with your local German Shepherd club or organization. The breed clubs typically have a secretary, or puppy officer, who can direct you to reputable breeders. Alternatively, you can contact your state animal control agency for a list of licensed breeders.

Make the effort to meet with a breeder in person once you've located one that meets your standards for breeding. You should seek out an environment that is clean and comfortable where the puppies and their mother are kept in a secure. Ask about the puppy's fathers and siblings; you want to see proof that they have been checked for hereditary disorders like hip dysplasia, eye issues, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.

A responsible breeder will be in a position to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical records and an up-to-date shot schedule. They should have a solid working relationship with a vet who is able to carry out all required tests and vaccines. They will be able provide the name of the doctor, his telephone number, and provide you with consultation records.

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

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

Health Tests

Breeders with a good reputation will test the health of the dogs they intend to breed as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't produce puppies that have an inherited condition. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and GDV (also called bloat).

In addition to health screenings breeders who are trustworthy gain personal knowledge of the temperaments and health of each dog they have. They also share this information completely and King Shepherd kaufen freely 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 recommend that breeders carry out additional tests.

These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. They also permit breeders to make better informed choices about mating which will decrease the chance of developing hereditary diseases in the future.

Typical genetic tests include:

Hip Dysplasia

The elbow dysplasia and the hip are common issues in German Shepherds and sufferers from the condition that affects their front legs. These joint diseases cause discomfort and pain but can be managed through weight control, activity limitations, supplements and drugs. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays while sedating to ensure accurate results.

The OFA test is a check for hemivertebrae, butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae, lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis and spina bifida. The test is not 100% reliable and cannot tell the likelihood that a dog's spinal problem will be degenerative myelopathy.

Socialization

GSDs require a lot of physical activity in addition to training and mental stimulation to keep them engaged. They get bored very easily and their inactivity can result in destructive behavior like excessive digging or chewing on shoes. Often, these behaviors stem from not being able to satisfy their emotional needs. This is why early socialization is important for schäferhundwelpen schäferhund kaufen - similar internet site, German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program allows the puppy to build confidence with new people and different environments. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will become scared or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.

The mother and her littermates play and play with each other. This teaches them how to be around their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. The pups are also exposed to a variety of kinds of sounds, sights and smells. The puppies learn how to behave in a group, which is essential to their success as dogs who mature.

The puppy should be introduced to a variety of household noises including vacuum cleaners, doorbells and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed to a variety of sounds outside, including traffic, sirens, and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy does not become anxious or fearful of these sounds as an adult. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a relaxed pace, and positive reinforcement should be used throughout the process.

During this time, it's also important that the puppy meets many different animals and people. This will help to prevent anxiety over separation when the owner is away from home. A good example of this is when a dog is taken to puppy classes and dog parks or play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should only be allowed to interact in a controlled, safe way with other dogs. At first, the interactions should be limited to ensure that the puppy does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact with older, more sociable and calm dogs. This will help your puppy realize that older, larger dogs do not have to be frightening. It can also aid in developing an excellent attitude.

Training

german shepherd kaufen Shepherds require firm regular obedience training. It is crucial to enroll them in a class early enough and especially when they are still young. This will help them develop into well-mannered, confident dogs. It's also a great time to familiarize them with basic commands, King shepherd Kaufen such as sit, down and stay. The earlier a dog can learn these basic commands, the more easy it is for them to follow your directions as they age.

Territorial aggression is a problem in many families with German Shepherds. They may be overly guarded of their home and schäferhund welpen kaufen schweiz property which could lead to them barking at other people or animals who enter their area. Proper training, exercise and socialization can help to prevent territorial behavior.

Other behavioral issues can be prevented through obedience training for German Shepherds. Dogs that don't have proper obedience training can become a nuisance and even a danger to family members and their neighbors. They can easily be distracted by other pets, toys or SchäFerhund Welpen öSterreich Kaufen children and ignore basic commands such as "sit" or "down."

In the early years of their puppyhood it is crucial to introduce your German Shepherds with new people places, sights, and sounds. This is particularly important when the puppy turns 16 weeks old, when their brains are going through an important stage of development. If your German Shepherd is a quiet puppy they'll likely face new experiences to be more difficult in adulthood and will be more susceptible to fear-based aggression and anxiety.

Many dog owners do not realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be content and peaceful. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and have a strong desire to please their owners and work. If they don't get enough exercise they could become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise tones muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, aids with weight loss, and helps reduce "cabin-fever." It's an excellent way to bond with your German king Shepherd kaufen, too!