How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

When you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a huge commitment. 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 that focus on profit over the welfare 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 happy to share information about their dogs and breeding practices. Breeders are happy to provide details about their dogs and practices with you.

Your local German Shepherd organization or club is the best place to start. The breed clubs typically have a secretary, or puppy officer, who can direct you to breeders who are reputable. You can also contact the animal control department of your state to find a list of licensed breeding companies.

It is a good idea to meet with a breeder in person once you've located one who is in line with your breeding standards. You should seek out a clean, comfortable facility where the puppy and the mother dog are kept. Ask about the puppy's parents and siblings. You'll want to see proof that they've been screened for hereditary diseases such as hip dysplasia eye issues, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.

A responsible breeder will be able to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and the most current schedule of shots. They should have a great relationship with a vet who is able to perform all necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able give you the name of the veterinarian and his phone number and will provide you with consultation records.

Ask the breeder about any concerns they might have about your lifestyle or living situation. This may stop them from bringing a puppy to you. For instance, if they know you have children, they might be hesitant to sell you a puppy since German Shepherds can be aggressive with children.

You should also expect an accredited breeder to ask you to sign a contract to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include information about the parents, their AKC registration number, and the clause that allows them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is an excellent method for responsible breeders to track their dogs and make sure they go to good homes.

Health Tests for Health

Reputable breeders conduct health checks on the dogs that will be part of their breeding selection. This is to ensure that they do not produce puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and GDV (also called Bloat).

Breeders who are reputable strive to know the temperaments and health issues of every dog they have. They also freely and fully share this information with other breeders as well as prospective buyers.

The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to perform certain tests on their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also recommend that breeders conduct 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 chance of developing hereditary diseases in the coming generations.

Common genetic tests include

Hip Dysplasia

German Shepherds are prone to elbow and hip dysplasia especially in the front limbs. These degenerative joint diseases cause pain and discomfort but can be managed by weight control, activity restrictions supplements, and medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays while sedating to ensure that the results are accurate.

The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. This test is not completely foolproof however, and it does not tell you if dogs will develop degenerative myelopathy, deutscher schäferhund Welpen kaufen or other spinal disorders later in the course of.

Socialization

GSDs require a lot of physical activity in addition to training and mental stimulation to keep them occupied. They can easily become bored, and lack of activity can lead to destructive behavior Belgischer schäferhund welpen kaufen österreich such as excessive digging or eating shoes. Often, these behaviors stem from insufficient emotional needs. Socialization early is essential for german shepherd kaufen Shepherd pups. Proper socialization helps the pup gain confidence around new people and situations. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will be scared or aggressive in new situations.

The mother and her littermates play together and play with each other. This helps them learn to be around their rough and boisterous siblings. The pups are also exposed to a variety of sights, sounds and was kostet ein reinrassiger Schäferhund smells. The puppies learn how to behave within a group, which is essential to their success as dogs who mature.

Introduce the puppy to a variety of household sounds, like vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed to a variety of sounds outside, such as sirens, traffic and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy does not develop fearful or anxious of these sounds. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a calming pace and positive reinforcements will be used throughout the process.

During this period, it is essential that the puppy meets many different people and pets. This will help reduce 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 dogs.

The puppy should be allowed to interact with other dogs in a secure way, and in a controlled manner. The interactions should be tempered initially to ensure that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact with older, more sociable and calm dogs. This will allow the puppy to realize that not all larger, older dogs are fearsome and will help them to develop a positive temperament.

Training

German Shepherds require regular, Deutscher schäFerhund welpen kaufen strict obedience training. It is important to enroll them in a training class early particularly when they are still puppies. This will help them develop into well-mannered, confident dogs. It's also a good time to familiarize them with basic commands such as sit, down and stay. The earlier a dog learns these basic commands, the more simple it is for SchäFerhunde Kaufen them to follow your instructions as they age.

Territorial aggression can be a problem for many families with German Shepherds. They might be extremely protective of their home and property and this can result in their barking at strangers or animals that enter their territory. Training, exercise and socialization can reduce territorial behavior.

Obedience training can also help prevent other behavioral problems in German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained may be a nuisance to their family and friends. They are easily distracted by other animals, toys or children and disregard basic commands such as "sit" or "down."

During the puppy years it is important to continue to introduce your German Shepherds to new people, places, and sounds. This is especially important prior to when the puppy turns 16 weeks old as their brains are in an important stage of development. If your German shepherd is a protected puppy until then it is likely to be a lot more difficult for them to grasp 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 physical exercise in order to be calm and happy. They are herding dogs by nature and have a strong drive to delight their owners and if they don't have enough to do, they can become bored or destructive. Regular exercise tones muscles and reduces "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, aids in weight loss, and helps reduce "cabin-fever." It's a great way to be a part of your German Shepherd as well!