How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

You're making a big commitment 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 typically sell puppies from puppy mills that place profit over animal well-being. Select a reputable breeder instead.

How to Choose a Breeder who is Reputable

Before purchasing a German Shepherd pup, it's crucial to know the breeder. Responsible breeders are happy to provide information about their dogs and schäferhund welpe Kaufen practices with you. They will be willing to discuss genetic and health testing, early socialization, and the environment that their puppies are fostered.

Your local German Shepherd club or organization is the best place to start. Breed clubs usually have a secretary, or puppy officer, who can direct you to reputable breeders. You can also contact your state's animal control agency to obtain an updated list of licensed breeders.

It is a good idea to meet with a breeder in person once you've found one who meets your breeding standards. Find a clean facility where the mother and pups are safe. Find out about the puppy's parents and siblings; you 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 records and the most current schedule of shots. They should have a great working relationship with a vet who is able to carry out all necessary tests and vaccines. They will be able to provide you with the name of the doctor as well as the number of his phone and give you consultation notes.

Ask the breeder about any concerns they have about your lifestyle and living circumstances. This could prevent them from selling puppies to you. For example, if they know you have young children, they may be reluctant to sell you a puppy since German Shepherds are known to be aggressive with children.

You should also expect a reputable breeder to ask you to sign a contract to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain the names of the parents, as well as their AKC registration numbers as well as a return-to-breeder clause. This is a vital way for responsible breeders to monitor their dogs and schäferhund welpen österreich kaufen ensure that they will be placed in good homes.

Health Tests

Breeders who are trustworthy will examine the health of the dogs they plan to use as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't create pups with inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia as well as elbow dysplasia as well as degenerative myelopathy, GDV and bloat.

In addition to health screening, reputable breeders strive to gain personal knowledge of the health and reinrassiger deutscher schäFerhund welpe temperament of each dog they have. They also share this information completely and freely with other breeders as well as prospective buyers.

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

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

The most common genetic tests are:

Hip Dysplasia

The elbow dysplasia and the hip are common issues in German Shepherds with the latter suffering from the condition that affects their front legs. These joint disorders that cause degeneration cause pain and discomfort, but can be controlled with weight control, activity limitations supplements, and medications. X-rays are taken with sedation, to get accurate results and then submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

The OFA test is a check for hemivertebrae, butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae and lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis and spina bifida. The test isn't foolproof however, and it does not tell you if a dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or other spinal disorders later in life.

Socialization

GSDs require intense physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to stay occupied. They can easily become bored and a lack of exercise can lead to destructive behavior such as excessive digging or eating shoes. These behaviors are usually the result of unmet emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is crucial for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization allows the pup to gain confidence in new people and different environments. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will become anxious or aggressive in new situations.

Puppy socialization begins with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches puppies appropriate social cues and how to deal with their boisterous, sometimes rough siblings. The pups are also exposed to various sights, sounds and smells. The puppies are taught how to behave in the group. This is crucial to their success as adults.

The puppy should be exposed to different household sounds like doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should also be exposed various outdoor sounds, including sirens, traffic, and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy does not become scared or anxious about these sounds. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a calming pace, and positive reinforcement should be used throughout the process.

It is also crucial for a puppy to get to know many different people during this time, as well as other pets. This will help reduce anxiety about separation when the owner is away from home. This can be accomplished by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs.

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 pup isn't overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to be around calmer, older and doggies who are friendly. This will help your puppy understand that larger, older dogs don't have to be terrifying. It will also help them develop an attitude of confidence.

Training

German Shepherds need firm regular obedience training. It is crucial to get them into classes early particularly when they are still puppy dogs. This will allow them to become confident and deutscher schäferhund kaufen schweiz, https://drapia.org, well-mannered dogs. It is also a good moment to familiarize them with the basics of commands such as sit, down, stay and come. The earlier a dog is taught these basic behaviors the more simple it will be for them to follow your commands as they age.

Territorial aggression is a problem for many families with German Shepherds. They may be overly concerned about their home and property, resulting in barking or growling at any animal or person who enters their territory. Training, exercise and socialization can help to prevent territorial behavior.

Other issues with behavior can be prevented through obedience training for German Shepherds. A dog that doesn't have the right obedience training could become a nuisance and even a danger to their family members and their neighbors. They can easily be distracted by other pets or toys, or even children and ignore basic commands like "sit" or "down."

During their puppy years, it's important to continue to keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people places, sights, and sounds. This is especially important prior to when the puppy is 16 weeks old as their brains are in a critical phase of development. If your German shepherd is a sheltered puppy prior to this it is likely to be more difficult for them to master new things once they are an adult. They could also be more prone to anxiety-based aggression or fear.

Many dog owners do not realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise to be content and peaceful. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and they are driven to please their owners as well as work. If they don't exercise enough they could become bored or destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, helps in weight loss, deutscher schäferhund Kaufen österreich and decreases "cabin-fever." It's an excellent way to connect with your German Shepherd also!