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 for many years.

Pet stores and online retailers typically sell puppies from puppy mills who place profits over the welfare of the animal. Choose a reputable breeding center instead.

Selecting a Breeder with a Good Reputation

Before you purchase a German Shepherd pup, Deutsche SchäFerhunde Welpen Kaufen öSterreich it's essential to get acquainted with the breeder. Breeders who are responsible will be happy to share details about their dogs as well as breeding practices. Breeders will be delighted to share information about their dogs and schäFerhund abzugeben practices with you.

The best place to begin is with your local German Shepherd club or organization. Most breed clubs have a secretary or puppy officer who can direct you in the right direction for credible breeders in your region. Alternatively, you can contact your state animal control agency for an inventory of licensed breeders.

Once you've identified a breeder with good breeding standards, make sure you take the time to meet them in person. You should look for an environment that is clean and comfortable in which the puppies and their mother are confined. Find out about the puppy's parents and siblings. You'll would like to verify that they have been screened for hereditary diseases such as hip dysplasia eye problems, heart disease, and Degenerative Myelopathy.

A responsible breeder will also be capable of providing you with copies of your puppy's medical records and an up-to-date shot schedule. They should have a solid working relationship with a vet who can carry out all required tests and vaccines. They will be able give you the name of the doctor and his phone number and provide you with the records of consultation.

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 selling you puppies. If they know that you have young children they might not want to sell you a German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.

You should also expect an accredited breeder to ask you to sign a contract to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include details about the parents as well as their AKC registration number and an option to return the puppy to the breeder. This is an excellent way breeders who are responsible to monitor german Shepherd Kaufen their dogs and make sure they have a good home.

Health Tests

Breeders who are reputable will test the health of the dogs they intend to breed as 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 known as Bloat).

Breeders who are trustworthy seek to be aware of the temperaments and health conditions of every dog they have. They are also able to freely and openly give this information to other breeders as well as prospective buyers.

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

These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also allow breeders make better choices when mating which can reduce the risk of hereditary illnesses in the next generations.

The most common genetic tests are:

Hip Dysplasia

German Shepherds are prone to elbow and hip dysplasia, especially in the front limbs. These joint conditions that cause degeneration cause discomfort and pain but they can be treated with exercise restrictions, weight control, supplements and drugs. X-rays are taken with anesthesia to ensure accurate results and then submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

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

Socialization

GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to stay active. They are prone to becoming bored and inactivity could lead to destructive behaviors such as excessive digging or eating shoes. Most often, these behaviors are a result of insufficient emotional needs. Early socialization is important for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization helps the pup gain confidence around new people and situations. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive in new situations.

The mother and her littermates play together and play with each other. This teaches them to interact with their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. The pups are also exposed to a variety sights, sounds and smells. The puppies learn to behave appropriately in a group environment, which is essential to their success as adult dogs.

The puppy should be introduced to different household sounds such as doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed to different sounds outside, including traffic, sirens, and construction. This is essential so that the puppy will not become anxious or fearful of these sounds when they become adults. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a relaxed pace, and positive reinforcement should be utilized throughout the process.

During this time, it is crucial that the puppy meets many different animals and people. This will help to prevent anxiety about separation when the owner is away from home. A good example of this is when a dog is taken to puppy classes or dog parks, or even play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should be allowed to interact with other dogs in a safe way, and in a controlled manner. The interaction should be limited initially so that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should be able to interact with older, more friendly, calmer dogs. This will allow the puppy understand that not all older, larger dogs are scary and it will help them to develop a positive temperament.

Training

German Shepherds require regular, strict obedience training. It is crucial to enroll them in a training class early especially when they're still puppies. This will allow them to become confident and well-mannered dogs. It's also a great time to familiarize them with basic commands such as sit, down and stay. The earlier a dog is taught these basic behaviors and commands, the more simple it will be for them to follow your commands as they grow older.

Territorial aggression can be a problem in many families with German Shepherds. They can be extremely concerned about their home and property, leading to barking or yelling at those who enter their territory. Proper training, exercise and socialization can help to prevent territorial behavior.

Obedience training will also help prevent other problems with behavior in German Shepherds. Dogs that don't have proper obedience training can become a nuisance and even a danger to their family members and their neighbors. They are easily distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They may not be able to follow simple commands such as "sit" and "down."

During the puppy years, you should continue to introduce your German Shepherds with new people, places, and sounds. This is especially important before the puppy turns 16 weeks old, when their brains are going through an important stage of development. If your german shepherd kaufen Shepherd is a sheltered puppy until that point they'll likely encounter new experiences much more challenging as they grow older and become more susceptible to anxiety-based aggression and fear.

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