How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

When you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a big commitment. You'll be accountable for many years for the health and education of your dog.

Online sources and pet stores sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills that prioritize profit over the well-being of animals. Select a reputable breeder instead.

Selecting a Breeder who is reputable

It is important to know your breeder before you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders are happy to share information about their dogs and their practices with you. Breeders will be delighted to provide information about their dogs and deutscher Schäferhund kaufen österreich practices with you.

Your local German Shepherd organization or club 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 find the list of breeding companies.

If you've found a breeder with good breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. You should search for an upscale, clean facility where the mother dog and her puppies are confined. You should inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You'll want to know if they have been screened for any hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia and schäferhund welpen österreich kaufen eye issues.

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

Ask the breeder about any concerns they have about your lifestyle or living situation. This could stop them from bringing the puppy to you. For example If they know that you have young children, they may be hesitant to sell you a puppy because German Shepherds can be a bit aggressive with children.

A reputable breeder will also require you to sign a contract prior to purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include details about the parents as well as 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 keep track of their dogs and make sure they have a good home.

Health Tests for Health

Breeders who are reputable will examine the health of the dogs they plan to breed as breeding stock. This is to make sure that they do not produce pups with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia as well as degenerative myelopathy GDV and bloat.

Breeders who are reputable strive to know the temperaments and health issues of every dog they have. They also are able to freely and completely give this information to other breeders and potential buyers.

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

These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. They also permit breeders to make better informed decisions about mating, which will reduce the risk of inheritable diseases in future generations.

Common genetic tests include:

Hip Dysplasia

German Shepherds are susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia, especially in the front limbs. These joint conditions that are degenerative cause pain and discomfort but can be managed by the control of weight, exercise restrictions, supplements, and drugs. The X-rays are made under sedation, to get accurate results and then submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

The OFA test is a check for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae as well as lumbar-sacral verbrae (LSTV), spondylosis, and [Redirect Only] spina bifida. The test is not foolproof and does not predict whether a dog's condition will be degenerative myelopathy.

Socialization

GSDs require a lot of physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to keep occupied. They can get bored easily, and lack of activity can lead to destructive behavior such as eating excessively or digging shoes. These behaviors are often caused by a lack of emotional needs. This is why early socialization is so important for German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program allows the puppy to build confidence with new people and different environments. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will grow anxious or aggressive in new situations.

Puppy socialization begins 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. The puppies are also exposed to various kinds of sounds, sights and smells. The puppies learn how to behave appropriately within a group, which is essential to their success as dogs who mature.

The puppy should be introduced to a variety of household noises including vacuum cleaners, doorbells and kitchen appliances. The puppy should also be exposed to different outdoor sounds such as sirens, traffic, and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy does not develop fearful or anxious of these types of stimuli. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at an ease rate, and positive reinforcement is used throughout the process.

It is also crucial for the puppy to meet many different people over this time, as well as other pets. This can reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away. One good example is when a dog is taken to puppy classes and dog parks or play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should only be allowed to interact in a controlled, safe way with other dogs. At first, Deutsche SchäFerhundwelpen the interaction should be confined so that the dog does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should be able to interact also with older, more friendly, calmer dogs. This will allow the puppy to realize that not all larger, older dogs are fearsome and helps them develop an appropriate temperament.

Training

German Shepherds require constant, consistent obedience training. It is important to enroll them in a training class early, especially when they are still young. This will help them develop into well-mannered, confident dogs. This is also a great time to make them familiar with the basic commands like sit down, SchäFerhund BeschüTzerinstinkt down, stay and come. The earlier a dog can learn these basic behaviors the more easy it will be for them to follow your instructions as they grow older.

Territorial aggression can be a problem in many families with German Shepherds. They might be extremely protective of their homes and property, which can lead to their barking at strangers or animals who enter their territory. Territorial behavior is averted by proper training, exercise, and socialization.

Obedience training can also help prevent other problems with behavior in German Shepherds. If a dog doesn't have proper obedience training can become a nuisance or even a danger to family members and neighbors. They are easily distracted by other pets, toys or children. They may ignore basic commands like "sit" and "down."

In the early years of their puppyhood it is crucial to introduce your German Shepherds with new people places, sights, and sounds. This is especially important before the puppy is 16 weeks old as their brains are in an important phase of development. If your German shepherd is a sheltered puppy, it will likely be a lot more difficult for them to learn new things once they are an adult. They could also be more prone to fear-based aggression or anxiety.

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 have a strong desire to please their owners and work. If they don't get enough exercise, they may become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's an excellent way to bond with your German Shepherd, too!