How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

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

Pet stores and online retailers generally sell puppies from puppy mills that prioritize profits over the welfare of the animal. Choose a reputable breeding center instead.

Selecting a Breeder who is reputable

It's essential to be aware of 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 give you information about their dogs and practices with you.

The best place to begin is to contact your local German Shepherd club or other organization. The breed clubs typically have a secretary, or puppy officer, who can direct you to breeders who are reputable. You can also contact your state's animal control agency to get an updated list of licensed breeders.

It is a good idea to meet a breeder's representative in person once you've found one that meets your breeding standards. You should seek out an environment that is clean and comfortable where the puppies and their mother are confined. You should inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You want to know if they have been screened for hereditary issues such as hip dysplasia and eye problems.

A responsible breeder should be able provide you with a copy your puppy's medical history and the most current vaccination schedule. They should have a great relationship with a vet who can perform all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to tell you the name of the veterinarian, his telephone number, and also provide you with the records of consultation.

Ask the breeder about any concerns they might have regarding your lifestyle and living situation. This may hinder them from bringing puppies to you. For example, if they know you have children, they might be reluctant to sell you a puppy because German Shepherds can be a bit aggressive with children.

A reputable breeder may require you to sign a contract when you purchase your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain the names of the parents and their AKC registration numbers, as along with a return-to-breeder clause. This is a vital way for responsible breeders to monitor their dogs and ensure they are going to good homes.

Health Tests

Reputable breeders undertake health tests on the dogs that will be part of their breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't create puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and GDV (also called Bloat).

Breeders who are reputable seek to be aware of the temperaments and health conditions of every dog they own. They also share this information fully and freely with other breeders as well as prospective buyers.

As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme members are required to perform certain tests on their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also suggest that breeders take additional tests.

These tests check for genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also allow breeders to make better informed choices about mating which will decrease the risk of inheritable diseases in future 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 in their front legs. These joint conditions that are degenerative cause pain and discomfort but can be controlled with weight control, activity restrictions supplements, and medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays under sedation to ensure that the results are accurate.

The OFA test is a check for schäferhund kaufen welpe beschüTzerinstinkt (clinfowiki.win) the presence of hemivertebrae as well as butterfly vertebrae. block vertebrae as well as lumbar-sacral verbrae (LSTV), spondylosis, and spina bifida. This test is not 100% reliable, however, and does not determine whether a dog will develop degenerative myelopathy, or other spinal disorders later in life.

Socialization

GSDs require intense physical exercise, training, and mental stimulation to keep active. They can easily become bored and their lack of activity can result in destructive behavior like excessive digging or chewing up shoes. Most often, these behaviors are a result of 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 in new people and situations. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.

The mother and her littermates play and play with each other. This helps puppies learn appropriate social cues and how to deal with their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to various kinds of sounds, sights and smells. The puppies learn to behave in a group environment, which is essential to their success as adult dogs.

Introduce the puppy to a variety of household sounds, like vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed to different sounds outside, like traffic, sirens, and construction. This is crucial 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 utilized throughout the process.

It is also important that the puppy gets to meet many different people over this period, along with other pets. This will help prevent 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 able to interact with other dogs in a safe, controlled manner and the interaction should be restricted initially so that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to interact with older, calmer and friendly dogs. This will help your puppy understand that larger, older dogs don't have to be frightening. It will also aid in developing an attitude of confidence.

Training

German Shepherds need constant and consistent obedience training. It is important to enroll them in an early training class, especially when they are still puppies. This will allow them to grow 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 easy it will be for them to follow your instructions as they age.

Territorial aggression is a typical issue for reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund kaufen schweiz schäferhund züchter (link homepage) a lot of German Shepherd owners. They may be extremely cautious of their home and property, which can lead to their barking at strangers or animals who enter their territory. Proper training, exercise and socialization can prevent territorial behavior.

Other behavioral issues can be prevented by obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs that don't possess the proper obedience training can become a nuisance and even a threat to their family members and neighbours. They are easily distracted by other pets, toys or children. They may not be able to follow simple commands like "sit" and "down."

During their puppy years it is crucial to introduce your German Shepherds with new people locations, sights, and sounds. This is especially important when they are 16 weeks old, as they go through a critical period of brain development during this time. If your German Shepherd is a quiet pup until then they'll likely face new experiences more difficult as an adult and be more prone to fear-based aggression and anxiety.

One thing that a lot of dog owners aren't aware of is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical and mental exercise to stay calm and content. They are herders by nature and have a strong urge to do their best and please their humans, so if they don't have enough work to do, they can become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's also a great opportunity to bond with your German shepherd!