How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

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

Pet stores and online sources sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills that place profit ahead of the health of animals. Choose a reputable breeder instead.

How to Select a Breeder with a Good Reputation

It is important to be aware of your breeder before you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders will be happy to share information about their dogs and their practices with you. They will be willing to discuss health and genetic testing, German Shepherd Puppies early socialization, and the environment in which their puppies are fostered.

Your local German Shepherd club or organization is the best place to start. Most breed clubs have an officer for puppy or secretary who can point you to reputable breeders in your area. You can also contact the animal control department of your state to obtain a list of licensed breeders.

If you've found a breeder who has good breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. Find a clean and tidy facility where the mother and Reinrassiger deutscher Schäferhund kaufen puppies are kept in a safe environment. Find out about the puppy's parents and siblings. You need proof that they've been checked for reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund kaufen hereditary disorders such as hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease, and Degenerative Myelopathy.

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

It's also an excellent idea to inquire with the breeder if they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living situation that could prevent them from selling you an animal. For example If they know that you have children, they may be reluctant to sell you a puppy because German Shepherds can be aggressive with children.

A reputable breeder will require that you sign a contract prior Schäferhund welpe kaufen to purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should include information about the parents as well as their AKC registration number, and a clause allowing them 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 for Health

Breeders who are trustworthy will test the health of the dogs they intend to breed as breeding stock. This is to make sure that they don't create puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia as well as elbow dysplasia, as well as degenerative myelopathy, GDV and Bloat.

Breeders who are reputable are determined to understand Was Kostet Ein Reinrassiger SchäFerhund the temperaments and health conditions of every dog they have. They are also able to freely and openly communicate this information to other breeders and prospective buyers.

The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to conduct certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also recommend that breeders perform additional tests.

These tests are designed to detect genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also help breeders make better mating decisions that will reduce the incidences of hereditary diseases in future generations.

The most common genetic tests are

Hip Dysplasia

German Shepherds are at risk of hip and elbow dysplasia, especially in the front limbs. These joint conditions that cause degeneration cause discomfort and pain, but can be managed through the control of weight, exercise limitations, supplements and drugs. The X-rays are made under conscious sedation to obtain accurate results and then submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

The OFA test looks for hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. This test is not 100% reliable and cannot tell whether a dog's condition is degenerative myelopathy.

Socialization

GSDs require intense physical exercise, training, and mental stimulation to keep occupied. They are easily bored and their inactivity can result in destructive behaviors like excessive digging or chewing on shoes. The majority of these behaviors stem from insufficient emotional needs. This is why early socialization is important for German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program allows the puppy to build confidence with new people and environments. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will become scared or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.

Puppy socialization begins with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches them to get along with their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety of smells, sights, and sounds. The puppies learn how to behave appropriately in a group, which is crucial to their success as dogs who mature.

Introduce the puppy to various household sounds, including vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed different outdoor sounds such as traffic, sirens and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy doesn't develop afraid or anxious of these types of stimuli. 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 important for a puppy to get to know numerous people during this period, along with other pets. This can help prevent anxiety over separation when the owner is away from home. This can be achieved by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other doggies.

The puppy should be allowed to interact with the other dogs in a safe way, and in a controlled manner. The interaction should be restricted initially to ensure that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to be around calmer, older and more doggies who are friendly. This will help your puppy realize that larger, older dogs do not have to be terrifying. It will also help them develop a good attitude.

Training

German Shepherds require constant, consistent obedience training. It is crucial to enroll them in an obedience class early enough, especially while they are still young. This will help them become confident, well-mannered dogs. This is also a great time to get them familiar with the basics of commands such as sit down, stay, and come. The earlier a dog is taught these basic behaviors, the more simple it will be for them to follow your commands as they age.

Territorial aggression can be an issue in many families with German Shepherds. They may be extremely cautious of their home and property, which can lead to their barking at strangers or animals who enter their area. Training, exercise and Schäferhunde kaufen socialization can prevent territorial behavior.

Other issues with behavior can be prevented by obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained could cause annoyance to their family and reinrassiger Deutscher schäferhund neighbors. They are often distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They may ignore basic commands such as "sit" and "down."

In the early years of their puppyhood, it's important to continue to keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people places, sights, and sounds. This is especially important prior to when the puppy turns 16 weeks old as their brains are undergoing an important phase of development. If your German Shepherd is a sheltered pup until then they'll likely face new experiences more difficult as an adult and be more prone to anxiety-based aggression and fear.

Many dog owners don't realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise to be content and peaceful. They are herding dogs by nature and have a strong drive to do their best and delight their owners, so if they don't have enough work to do, they may become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's a great way to bond with your German Shepherd as well!