How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

You're taking a huge risk when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You'll be accountable for the health, training and mental stability of your dog for many years.

Pet stores and online retailers generally sell puppies from puppy mills that place profits over animal welfare. Select a reputable breeding facility instead.

Choosing a Reputable Breeder

Before you purchase a German Shepherd pup, it's essential to get acquainted with the breeder. Breeders who are responsible will be happy to give you details about their dogs as well as breeding practices. Breeders will be happy to give you information about their dogs and practices with you.

Your local German Shepherd organization or club is the best place to begin. Most breed clubs have an officer or secretary who can point you in the right direction for reputable breeders in your area. If you prefer, you can contact your state animal control agency for an inventory of licensed breeders.

Once you've identified a breeder that meets breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. Find a clean facility in which the mother and her puppies are kept in a safe environment. Find out about the puppy's parents and siblings. You'll want to see proof that they were checked for hereditary disorders such as hip dysplasia eye problems, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.

A responsible breeder should be able provide you with a copy your puppy's medical history and a current vaccination schedule. They should have a strong relationship with a vet who is able to perform all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able provide the name of the doctor and his contact number and will provide you with consultation records.

Ask the breeder about any concerns they might have regarding your lifestyle and living situation. This may stop the breeder from selling the puppy to you. For instance If they know that you have young children, they might be hesitant to sell you a puppy because German Shepherds are known to be aggressive with children.

A reputable breeder will also require that you sign a contract when you purchase your German king shepherd kaufen puppy. This contract should include information about the parents and their AKC registration number and a clause allowing them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a vital way for a responsible breeder to keep track of their dogs and ensure they are going to suitable homes.

Health Tests

Breeders with a good reputation will test the health of the dogs they plan to breed. This is to ensure that they don't breed pups that have an inherited illness. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and GDV (also known as Bloat).

In addition to health screenings, reputable breeders strive to gain personal knowledge of the temperaments and health of each dog they have. They also share this information fully and freely with other breeders and reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund züchter schäferhund welpen kaufen schweiz (Gogs.Dzyhc.Com) potential 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 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 illnesses in the next generations.

Common genetic tests include

Hip Dysplasia

Hip and elbow dysplasia are a common problem in German Shepherds, with the latter suffering from the condition that affects their front legs. These joint disorders that cause degeneration cause discomfort and pain, but can be managed by the control of weight, exercise restrictions as well as supplements and medications. The X-rays are made under conscious sedation to obtain exact results. Then, they are sent 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. The test isn't foolproof, however, and cannot determine if dogs will develop degenerative myelopathy, or other spinal diseases later in life.

Socialization

GSDs require rigorous physical exercise in addition to training and mental stimulation to keep them occupied. They can get bored easily and inactivity can lead to destructive behavior like excessive digging or eating shoes. These behaviors are often caused by a lack of emotional requirements. Socialization at an early age is crucial for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization can help the puppy gain confidence in new people and situations. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive when in unfamiliar situations.

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

Introduce the puppy to a variety of household sounds, including vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed to different sounds outside, like traffic, sirens, and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy does not develop scared or anxious about these types of stimuli. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a moderate rate, and positive reinforcement is used throughout the process.

During this time, it is essential that the puppy gets to meet many different people and pets. This will help prevent separation anxiety while the owner is away. A good example of this is when the dog is taken to puppy classes or dog parks, or even play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should be able to interact with other dogs in a secure well-controlled manner. The interaction should be restricted at first so that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to interact with calmer, older, doggies who are friendly. This will help the puppy understand that not all larger, older dogs are scary and it helps them develop a good temperament.

Training

German Shepherds require firm, consistent obedience training. It's important to enroll them in classes early, especially when they are still young. This will help them develop into confident and well-mannered dogs. This is also a good moment to familiarize them with the basics of commands such as sit down, down, stay and come. The earlier you can teach your dog these basic behaviors, they will be more likely to follow your instructions as they get older.

Territorial aggression is an issue in many families with German Shepherds. They might be extremely protective of their home and property and this can result in them barking at other people or animals who enter their area. Territorial behavior can be slowed through exercising, training, and socialization.

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

In the early years of puppyhood, you should continue to socialize your German Shepherds with new people, places and sounds. This is especially important when they reach 16 weeks old since they enter a critical period of brain development during this time. If your German shepherd is a quiet puppy until then it is likely to be more difficult for them to grasp new things when they become adults. They may also be more prone towards anxiety or fear-based aggression.

Many dog owners don't realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise to be happy and calm. They are herders by nature and have a strong drive to work and please their humans If they don't have enough things to do, they could become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's an excellent way to bond with your German Shepherd, too!