How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

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

Pet stores and online resources generally sell puppies from puppy mills that place profits over the welfare of the animal. Select a reputable breeder instead.

How to Choose a Breeder who is Reputable

Before purchasing a German Shepherd pup, SchäFerhund Welpen Kaufen Schweiz it's essential to get acquainted with the breeder. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to share details about their dogs and breeding practices. They will be happy to discuss health and genetic testing early socialization, as well as the environment where their puppies are raised.

Your local German Shepherd club or group is the best place to begin. Breed clubs typically have a secretary, or puppy officer, who can guide you to breeders who are reputable. You can also contact the animal control agency in your state to obtain an updated list of licensed breeding companies.

If you've found a breeder that meets breeding standards, make sure you take the time to meet them in person. You should seek out an upscale, clean facility in which the mother dog and her puppies are kept in a secure. You should inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You want to find out if they've been screened for any hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia and eye issues.

A responsible breeder should be able to provide you with a copy your puppy's medical records and schäFerhund Abzugeben a current vaccination schedule. They should have a great relationship with a veterinarian who can perform all necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able to tell you the vet's name and phone number, and also give you a consultation note.

It's also an excellent idea to inquire with the breeder whether they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living conditions that might prevent them from selling you a puppy. For example when they know that you have children, they may be reluctant to sell you a puppy due to the fact that German Shepherds 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 the names of the parents and their AKC registration numbers as well as a return-to-breeder clause. This is a crucial way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure they are going to good homes.

Health Tests

Breeders with a good reputation will test the health of the dogs they intend to use as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't create pups with inherited disease. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and GDV (also known as bloat).

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

As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme, members are required to conduct certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also recommend that breeders take additional tests.

These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. They also help breeders make more informed mating decisions which will decrease the risk of inheritable diseases in future generations.

The most common genetic tests are

Hip Dysplasia

German Shepherds are at risk of hip and elbow dysplasia, particularly in the front limbs. These degenerative joint diseases cause pain and discomfort, but can be controlled with weight control, activity limitations as well as supplements and medications. The X-rays are made under sedation, to get precise results, and then sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebras, butterfly vertebras, block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn't completely foolproof however, and cannot determine if the dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or any other spinal diseases later in life.

Socialization

GSDs require a lot of physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to keep active. They get bored very easily and their lack of activity can result in destructive behavior like excessive digging or chewing up shoes. These behaviors are often due to unmet emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is so vital for German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program allows the puppy to build confidence with new people and different environments. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.

Puppy socialization starts with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This helps puppies learn appropriate social cues and how to deal with their boisterous, sometimes rough siblings. It also exposes the pups to a wide range of smells, sights and sounds. The puppies are taught to behave in the group. This is vital to their success as adults.

The puppy should be introduced to various household sounds including vacuum cleaners, doorbells and kitchen appliances. The puppy should also be exposed to various outdoor sounds, including traffic, sirens and construction. This is crucial so that the puppy will not become scared or anxious of these situations as an adult. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at an ease rate and positive reinforcement is used throughout the process.

During this period, it is crucial that the puppy gets to meet many different people and Reinrassiger deutscher Schäferhund Kaufen pets. This can help prevent anxiety over separation when the owner is away from home. An excellent example 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 the other dogs in a secure well-controlled manner. The interaction should be limited initially so that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should be able to interact also with older, more friendly and calm dogs. This will allow the puppy realize that not all larger, older dogs are dangerous and will help them to develop a good temperament.

Training

German Shepherds require consistent, firm obedience training. It is important to start a training class early particularly when they are still puppy dogs. This will help them become confident, well-mannered dogs. This is also a great time to make them familiar with the basic commands like sit down, stay, and come. The earlier a dog learns these basic behaviors, the more simple it is for them to follow your commands as they age.

Territorial aggression is a typical problem for many German Shepherd owners. They may be overly guarded of their homes and property and this can result in them barking at people or animals that enter their area. Proper training, exercise and socialization can prevent territorial behavior.

Other behavioral problems can be avoided through obedience training for German Shepherds. Dogs that don't have the right obedience training could be a nuisance, or even a danger to family members and their neighbors. They are often distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They may not be able to follow simple commands like "sit" and "down."

In the early years of their puppyhood, it's important to continue to socialize your German Shepherds with new people places, sights, and sounds. This is particularly important when the puppy turns 16 weeks old and their brains are undergoing an important phase of development. If your German shepherd is a protected puppy it's likely to be more difficult for them to learn new things once they are an adult. They may also be more prone towards anxiety or fear-based aggression.

Many dog owners do not realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and schäferhundwelpen kaufen physical exercise to be calm and happy. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and are driven to please their owners and work. If they don't get enough exercise, they may become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's also a great opportunity to strengthen the bond between you and your German shepherd!