How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

You're making a significant commitment when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You'll be responsible for the health, training and mental stability of your dog for a number of years.

Pet stores and online sources sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills, which prioritize profit over the well-being of animals. Choose a reputable breeder instead.

Selecting a Breeder who is reputable

It's important to know your breeder before you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders will be willing to discuss their dogs and their practices with you. Breeders will be happy to give you details about their dogs and practices with you.

The best place to begin is with your local German Shepherd club or other organization. Breed clubs usually have a secretary, or puppy officer who can point you to breeders who are reputable. You can also contact the animal control agency in your state to find a list of licensed breeders.

If you've found a breeder with good breeding standards, make sure you take the time to meet them in person. Find a clean and tidy facility in which the mother and her puppies are safe. Ask about the puppy's fathers and siblings. You'll want to see proof that they have been checked for hereditary disorders such as hip dysplasia eye issues, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.

A responsible breeder should be able to supply you with a copy your puppy's medical records and reinrassiger deutscher SchäFerhund welpe an up-to-date vaccination schedule. They should have a great working relationship with a vet who is able to perform all necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able to provide you with the name of the doctor as well as the number of his phone and give you consultation notes.

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

A reputable breeder will also require that you sign a contract when purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain details about the parents, their AKC registration number as well as the clause that allows them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a great method breeders who are responsible to monitor their dogs and ensure they go to good homes.

Health Tests

Breeders with a good reputation will test the health of the dogs they intend to breed. This is to make sure that they don't produce pups with an inherited disease. These tests include hip and belgischer schäferhund welpen kaufen österreich elbow 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 every dog they have. They are also able to freely and openly give this information to other breeders as well as prospective buyers.

The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to conduct certain tests on their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also suggest that breeders conduct additional tests.

These tests check for genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also enable breeders to make better decisions about mating that will decrease the likelihood of hereditary diseases in future generations.

The most common genetic tests are:

Hip Dysplasia

Hip and elbow dysplasia are common problems in German Shepherds, with the latter suffering from the condition that affects their front legs. These joint disorders that cause degeneration cause pain and discomfort, but can be controlled through weight control, activity restrictions supplements, and medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays under sedation to ensure accurate results.

The OFA test checks for hemivertebrae, butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae, lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) and spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn't 100% reliable however, and it cannot determine if dogs will develop degenerative myelopathy or other spinal disorders later in the course of.

Socialization

GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training, and mental stimulation to stay active. They are prone to becoming bored, and lack of activity could lead to destructive behaviors like excessive digging or eating shoes. Most often, these behaviors are a result of insufficient emotional requirements. Socialization early is essential for king Shepherd kaufen German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization allows the pup to build confidence with new people and different environments. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will become fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.

The mother and her littermates play and interact with one another. This teaches them to get along with their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to various sights, sounds and smells. The puppies learn to behave in a group, which is essential 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 to a variety of sounds outside, like traffic, sirens, and construction. This is very important to ensure that the puppy does not be scared or anxious of these sounds when they become adults. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a calming pace and positive reinforcement will be used throughout the process.

It is also important for the puppy to meet many different people during this time, as well as other pets. This can help reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away. 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 controlled way, belgischer schäferhund welpen kaufen österreich 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 allowed to be around calmer, older, friendly dogs. This will help your puppy realize that bigger, older dogs do not have to be terrifying. It can also aid in developing a good attitude.

Training

German Shepherds require constant, consistent obedience training. It's important to enroll them in a training class early, especially when they are still puppies. This will allow them to become confident and well-mannered dogs. It's also a great opportunity to teach them basic commands like sit down, stay and sit. The earlier a dog is taught these basic commands the more easy it will be for them to follow your commands as they age.

Territorial aggression is an issue in many families with German Shepherds. They might be extremely protective of their property and homes, which can lead to them barking at other people or animals who enter their territory. Proper training, exercise and socialization can help to prevent territorial behavior.

Obedience training will also help prevent other problems with behavior in German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained can cause annoyance to their neighbors and family members. They are easily distracted by other pets, toys or children. They may not be able to follow simple commands like "sit" and "down."

During the puppy years it is important to continue to socialize your German Shepherds to new locations, people and sounds. This is especially important before the puppy turns 16 weeks old and their brains are in an important stage of development. If your German shepherd is a protected puppy it is likely to be more difficult for Deutscher SchäFerhund Kaufen öSterreich them to master new things once they are an adult. They could also be more susceptible to anxiety-based aggression or fear.

One thing that many pet owners don't know is that a German Shepherd needs lots of mental as well as physical exercise to stay calm and happy. They are herders by nature and have a strong urge to do their best and delight their owners and if they don't have enough work to do, they can become bored or destructive. Regular exercise also tones muscles, decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's also a great method to strengthen the bond between you and your German shepherd!