How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

You're making a significant commitment when you purchase the German Shepherd pup. You'll be accountable 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 the welfare of the animal. Choose a reputable breeding center instead.

How to Choose a Reputable Breeder

It's essential to be aware of your breeder before you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be happy to give you details about their dogs as well as breeding practices. They will be willing to discuss health and genetic testing as well as early socialization and the environment where their puppies are fostered.

The best place to begin is to talk to your local German Shepherd club or organization. Breed clubs typically have a secretary or puppy officer who can point you to reputable breeders. You can also contact the animal control department of your state to get the list of breeders.

It is a good idea to meet a breeder's representative in person once you've found one who is in line with your breeding standards. Find a clean and tidy facility in which the mother and her puppies are kept in a safe environment. Ask about the puppy's parents and siblings. You want to see proof that they were examined for hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.

A responsible breeder will be capable of providing you with copies of your puppy's medical record and a current shot schedule. They should have a strong relationship with a veterinarian who can perform all necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able provide the name of the doctor and his contact number and provide you with consultation records.

It's also a good idea to ask the breeder if they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living conditions that might stop them from offering you an animal. If they are aware that you have children and they are concerned about your children's safety, they might not wish to offer you a German Shepherd puppy because they are known to be aggressive with children.

You should also expect an accredited breeder to ask you to sign a contract to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should include details about the parents, their AKC registration number and a clause allowing them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a vital way for responsible breeders to monitor their dogs and ensure that they will be placed in good homes.

Health Tests for Health

Breeders who are trustworthy will check the health of the dogs they intend to breed. This is to ensure that they don't produce pups with inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia as well as elbow dysplasia as well as degenerative myelopathy GDV and bloat.

Breeders who are trusted seek to be aware of the temperaments and health issues of every dog they have. They also freely and altdeutscher schäferhund kaufen Kaufen öSterreich (Openx.Bourgas.Org) fully communicate this information to other breeders and potential buyers.

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

These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. They also help breeders make better informed choices about mating, which will reduce the incidence of hereditary disease in the future.

Common genetic tests include:

Hip Dysplasia

The elbow dysplasia and the hip are common problems in German Shepherds, with the latter suffering from the condition in their front legs. These joint disorders that cause degeneration cause discomfort and pain, but can be managed by weight control, activity restrictions, supplements, and drugs. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays under sedation to ensure the accuracy of the results.

The OFA test checks for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae as well as lumbar-sacral verbrae (LSTV), spondylosis, and spina bifida. This test isn't completely foolproof however, and it does not tell you if dogs will develop degenerative myelopathy, or other spinal conditions later in the course of.

Socialization

GSDs require intense physical exercise as well as training and mental stimulation to keep them busy. They are prone to becoming bored, and lack of activity may lead to destructive behaviors such as excessive digging or eating shoes. These behaviors are usually the result of unmet emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is vital 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 be fearful or aggressive when in unfamiliar situations.

The mother and her littermates play and Deutsche schäFerhunde kaufen interact with one another. This teaches the puppies appropriate social cues and how to deal with their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety of scents, sounds and sights. The puppies are taught to behave in the group. This is vital 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 sounds outside, including sirens, traffic, and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy does not become fearful or anxious of these stimuli. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at an ease rate and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process.

It is also very important for the puppy to meet numerous people during this time, in addition to other pets. This can help prevent anxiety over separation when the owner is away from home. One good example is when the dog is taken to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should be allowed to interact in a controlled, safe manner with other dogs. At first, the interaction should be confined so that the pup does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to interact with calmer, older and more gentle dogs. This will help the puppy realize that not all older, larger dogs are scary and it will help them to develop a positive temperament.

Training

German Shepherds require constant, consistent obedience training. It is important to get them into classes early particularly when they are still puppy dogs. This will allow them to become confident and well-mannered dogs. It's also a good opportunity to teach them basic commands such as sit down, sit and stay. The earlier a dog is taught these basic commands the more simple it is for them to follow your directions as they age.

Territorial aggression can be an issue in many families with German Shepherds. They may be overly guarded of their homes and property which could lead to their barking at strangers or animals who venture into their territory. Training, exercise and socialization can prevent territorial behavior.

Obedience training can also help prevent other issues with behavior in German Shepherds. If a dog doesn't possess the proper obedience training can become a nuisance or even a danger to their family members and buy german shepherd dog austria neighbors. They are easily distracted by other pets or toys, or even children and disregard basic commands like "sit" or "down."

In the early years of their puppyhood, it's important to continue to keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people places, sights, and sounds. This is especially important when they are 16 weeks old since they enter an important phase of brain development during this time. If your German Shepherd is a quiet pup until then they'll likely encounter new experiences to be more difficult as they grow older and become more susceptible to anxiety and fear-based aggression.

One thing that many dog owners don't realize is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical and mental exercise to stay calm and happy. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and they are driven to please their owners and work. If they don't get enough exercise they could become bored or destructive. Regular exercise also tones muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's the perfect way to connect with your German Shepherd, too!