How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

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

Online sources and pet stores sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills, which place profit ahead of the health of animals. Select a reputable breeding facility instead.

Choosing a Reputable Breeder

It's essential to know your breeder before you buy a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to provide you with information about their dogs and breeding practices. They'll be willing to discuss genetic and health testing early socialization, as well as the environment that their puppies are being raised.

The best place to begin is to talk to your local German Shepherd club or organization. Most breed clubs have a secretary or puppy officer who can direct you to reliable breeders in your area. You can also contact your state animal control agency to get a list of licensed breeders.

It is a good idea to meet a breeder in person once you've found one who is in line with your breeding standards. You should seek out an upscale, clean facility where the puppy and the mother dog are confined. You should ask about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You'll want to know if they have been screened for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia and eye issues.

A responsible breeder should also be able to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical history and an up-to-date vaccination schedule. They should have a good working relationship with a vet that can perform all necessary tests and vaccines. They will be able to tell you the vet's name and phone number, and also give you a consultation note.

Ask the breeder about any concerns they have about your lifestyle or living circumstances. This could hinder them from selling puppies to you. For reinrassiger deutscher schäFerhund example, if they know you have young children, they might be hesitant to offer you a puppy since German Shepherds can be aggressive with children.

A reputable breeder may require that you sign a contract when purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include information about the parents and their AKC registration number as well as the clause that allows them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a great way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure they go to good homes.

Health Tests for Health

Breeders who are reputable conduct health tests on the dogs that form part of their breeding selection. This is to ensure that they don't produce pups with inherited disease. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and GDV (also known as bloat).

Breeders who are trustworthy strive to know the temperaments and health status of each dog they own. They also share this information in full and freely with other breeders and prospective buyers.

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

These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also allow breeders make better mating decisions that will decrease the likelihood of hereditary diseases in the future generations.

The most common genetic tests are:

Hip Dysplasia

German Shepherds are at risk of elbow and hip dysplasia, Deutsche Schäferhunde welpen kaufen österreich especially in the front limbs. These joint diseases cause discomfort and pain but they can be treated with the control of weight, exercise limitations and supplements as well as medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays under sedation to ensure the accuracy of the results.

The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae, lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis and spina bifida. The test isn't completely foolproof however, and it cannot determine if dogs will develop degenerative myelopathy, or other spinal conditions later in life.

Socialization

GSDs require a lot of physical exercise, training, and mental stimulation to keep active. They are prone to becoming bored and inactivity may lead to destructive behaviors such as eating excessively or digging shoes. The majority of these behaviors stem from not being able to satisfy their emotional needs. Socialization early is essential for German Shepherd pups. A good socialization program helps the puppy develop confidence around new people and situations. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will be scared or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.

The mother and her littermates play together and interact with one another. This teaches the puppies appropriate social cues and how to deal with their boisterous, and sometimes rough siblings. The pups are also exposed to a variety kinds of sounds, sights and smells. The puppies are taught how to behave in groups. This is vital to their success as adults.

The puppy should be exposed to different household sounds like doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed to different sounds outside, like sirens, traffic and construction. This is very important to ensure that the puppy does not become anxious or fearful of these sounds when they become adults. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a comfortable rate and positive reinforcement is used throughout the process.

During this period, it is essential that the puppy gets to meet many different people and pets. This can reduce separation anxiety while the owner is away. This can be accomplished by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other doggies.

The puppy should only be allowed to interact in a safe, controlled manner with other dogs. At first, the interactions should be limited so that the dog isn't overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to be around calmer, schäferhundwelpen kaufen older and more gentle dogs. This will help your puppy understand that bigger, older dogs do not have to be frightening. It can also help them develop an attitude of confidence.

Training

German Shepherds require regular, strict obedience training. It is crucial to get them into a training class early particularly when they are still puppies. This will help them become confident and well-mannered dogs. It's also a good time to introduce them to basic commands such as sit down, stay and sit. The earlier you can teach your dog these basic behaviors and commands, they'll be more likely to follow your commands as they get older.

Territorial aggression can be a problem in many families with German Shepherds. They might be extremely protective of their homes and property and this can result in them barking at other people or animals who enter their area. Training, exercise and socialization can prevent territorial behavior.

Other issues with behavior can be avoided through obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained may cause trouble for their family and friends. They are easily 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 is essential to introduce your German Shepherds with new people, places, sights and sounds. This is particularly important before they are 16 weeks old since they enter a critical period of brain development during this time. If your German Shepherd is a quiet puppy they'll likely encounter new experiences more difficult as an adult and be more susceptible to anxiety and fear-based aggression.

Many dog owners don't realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be calm and happy. They are herders by nature and have a strong drive to do their best and delight their owners If they don't have enough to do, they could become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise tones muscles and German Shepherd Puppies decreases "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, helps in weight loss, and helps reduce "cabin-fever." It's an excellent way to bond with your German Shepherd, too!