How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

You're making a significant commitment when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You'll be responsible for many years for the health and training of your dog.

Pet stores and online retailers typically sell puppies from puppy mills that prioritize profits over animal welfare. Choose a reputable breeding facility instead.

How to Choose a Breeder with a Good Reputation

It is important to get acquainted with your breeder prior to you buy a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to give you details about their dogs as well as breeding practices. They will be happy to discuss genetic and health testing, early socialization, and the environment where their puppies are being raised.

The best place to start is to contact your local German Shepherd club or other organization. The majority of breed associations have an officer for puppy or secretary who can point you to credible breeders in your region. You can also contact the animal control agency in your state to get a list of licensed breeding companies.

If you've found a breeder who has good breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. Find a clean and tidy facility where the mother and puppies are safe. It is important to inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You should be aware if they've been screened for hereditary issues like hip dysplasia, and eye issues.

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

Ask the breeder about any concerns they have about your lifestyle or living situation. This could prevent them from selling puppies to you. For instance If they know that you have children, they may be reluctant to sell you a puppy due to the fact that German Shepherds can be aggressive with children.

You should also expect an established breeder to ask you to sign a contract for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should include information about the parents, schäFerhund welpen kaufen schweiz their AKC registration number, and a clause allowing them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a crucial way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure they are going to good homes.

Health Tests for Health

Reputable breeders undertake health tests on the dogs that will form part of their breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't produce pups that have an inherited illness. These tests include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia as well as degenerative myelopathy GDV and bloat.

In addition to health screenings breeders who are trustworthy gain personal knowledge of the health and temperament of each dog they have. They also share this information completely and freely with other breeders and prospective buyers.

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

These health tests look for was Kostet ein reinrassiger schäferhund genetic diseases that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also enable breeders to make better decisions about mating that can reduce the risk of hereditary diseases in the future generations.

The most common genetic tests are:

Hip Dysplasia

Hip and elbow dysplasia are common problems in German Shepherds, SchäFerhund Welpe Kaufen with the latter suffering from the condition in their front limbs. These joint conditions that are degenerative cause pain and discomfort but can be managed by weight control, activity limitations as well as supplements and medications. X-rays are taken with conscious sedation to obtain exact results. Then, they are sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

The OFA test focuses on the presence of hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. The test isn't completely foolproof however, and it does not determine whether the dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or any other spinal conditions later in life.

Socialization

GSDs require a lot of physical exercise, training and SchäFerhundwelpen kaufen mental stimulation to keep engaged. They are easily bored and their lack of activity can lead to destructive behavior like excessive digging or chewing up shoes. Often, these behaviors stem from unmet emotional needs. This is why early socialization is vital for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization helps the pup develop confidence with new people and situations. It also reduces the risk that the puppy will become anxious or aggressive in new situations.

The mother and her littermates play together and interact with one another. This teaches them to interact with their rough and boisterous siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety of kinds of sounds, sights and smells. The puppies are taught to behave in the group. This is essential to their success as adults.

Introduce the puppy to a variety of household sounds, including vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed to different sounds outside, such as sirens, traffic and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy doesn't become scared or anxious about these sounds. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a relaxed pace and positive reinforcement will be utilized throughout the process.

It is also important for the puppy to meet many different people over this time, in addition to other pets. This can help reduce separation anxiety while the owner is away. This can be accomplished 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 secure, controlled manner and the interactions should be tempered at first so that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact with older, more friendly, calmer dogs. This will help your puppy understand that bigger, older dogs do not have to be terrifying. It will also help them develop an attitude of confidence.

Training

German Shepherds require constant, consistent obedience training. It's important to enroll them in an early training class particularly when they are still young. This will help them develop into confident, well-mannered dogs. It is also a great time to familiarize them with basic commands like sit, down and stay. The earlier a dog can learn these basic behaviors and commands, the easier it will be for them to follow your directions as they get older.

Territorial aggression is a common issue for many German Shepherd owners. They might be extremely protective of their property and homes which could lead to them barking at people or animals who enter their area. Territorial behavior can be prevented through the proper training, exercise and socialization.

Training in obedience can also help to prevent other problems with behavior schäferhund kaufen in German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained can be a nuisance to their family and neighbors. They are easily distracted by other pets or toys, or even children and ignore basic commands such as "sit" or "down."

During the puppy years, you should continue to introduce your German Shepherds to new people, places and sounds. This is especially important prior to when the puppy reaches 16 weeks and their brains are going through an important stage of development. If your German shepherd is a sheltered puppy it is likely to be a lot more difficult for them to master new things once they are an adult. They could also be more prone towards anxiety or fear-based aggression.

One thing that many pet owners don't know is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical and mental exercise to stay calm and happy. They are herders by nature and have a strong desire to work and satisfy their owners If they don't have enough things to do, they may become bored or destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's an excellent way to be a part of your German Shepherd, too!