How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

When you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a big commitment. 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 profits over animal welfare. Choose a reputable breeding facility instead.

Selecting a Breeder who is reputable

It's important to know your breeder before you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be happy to give you information about their dogs and breeding practices. They'll be willing to discuss genetic and was kostet ein reinrassiger schäferhund welpen österreich kaufen; Kingranks.com, health testing as well as early socialization and the environment that their puppies are being raised.

Your local German Shepherd organization or club is the best place to start. The majority of breed clubs have a secretary or puppy officer who can direct you in the right direction for credible breeders in your region. You can also contact your state animal control agency to get an inventory of licensed breeders.

If you've found a breeder who has good breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. You should seek out a clean, comfortable facility in which the puppy and the mother dog are kept in a secure. You should ask about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You'll want to be aware if they've been screened for any hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia and eye problems.

A responsible breeder should be able to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical records and the most current vaccination schedule. They should have a good working relationship with a vet who is able to perform all necessary tests and vaccines. They should be able to give you the name of the veterinarian as well as the number of his phone and give you consultation notes.

It's also an excellent idea to inquire with the breeder whether they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living circumstances that might prevent them from selling you a puppy. For instance when they know that you have children, they might be hesitant to sell you a puppy since German Shepherds can be a bit aggressive with children.

You should also expect a reputable breeder to ask you to sign an agreement for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain the names of the parents as well as their AKC registration numbers as in addition to a return-to breeder clause. This is an excellent way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and make sure they are placed in good homes.

Health Tests

Breeders who are trustworthy will examine the health of the dogs they plan to breed as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't produce pups that have an inherited illness. These tests include hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia as well as degenerative myelopathy, GDV and Bloat.

In addition to health screening Breeders who are reputable strive to acquire a personal understanding of the temperaments and health of each dog they own. They also share this information in full and openly with other breeders as well as prospective buyers.

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

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

Typical genetic tests include

Hip Dysplasia

The elbow dysplasia and the hip are common issues in German Shepherds and sufferers from the condition that affects their front limbs. These joint diseases cause discomfort and pain but can be managed through the control of weight, exercise limitations and medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays under sedation to ensure accurate results.

The OFA test looks for hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra, block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. This test isn't foolproof however, and it cannot determine if a dog will develop degenerative myelopathy, or other spinal disorders later in the course of.

Socialization

GSDs require a lot of physical activity as well as training and mental stimulation to keep them engaged. They are easily bored and their lack of activity can result in destructive behaviors like excessive digging or chewing on shoes. These behaviors are usually the result of unmet emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is vital for German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program allows the puppy to build confidence with new people and environments. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive when in unfamiliar situations.

The mother and her littermates play together and play with each other. This helps puppies learn appropriate social signals and how to cope with their boisterous and schäferhundwelpen kaufen sometimes rough siblings. They are also exposed to a wide range of smells, sights and sounds. The puppies learn to behave appropriately in a group environment, which is essential to their success as adult dogs.

Introduce the puppy to various household sounds, including vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed to different sounds outside, such as traffic, sirens and construction. This is crucial so that the puppy will not become anxious or fearful of these situations when they become adults. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a moderate rate, and positive reinforcement is used throughout the process.

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

The puppy should be allowed to interact with other dogs in a controlled well-controlled manner. The interaction should be limited initially to ensure that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact with older, more sociable, calmer dogs. This will help your puppy realize that bigger, schäferhundwelpen kaufen older dogs don't have to be scary. It can also help them develop a good attitude.

Training

German Shepherds require consistent, firm obedience training. It's important to get them into an early training class especially when they're still young. This will allow them to grow into well-mannered, confident dogs. It is also a great time to familiarize them with basic commands like sit, down and stay. The earlier you begin teaching your dog these basic behaviors they'll be more likely to obey your instructions as they age.

Territorial aggression is a common issue for a lot of German Shepherd owners. They may be extremely cautious of their homes and property and this can result in their barking at strangers or animals who enter their area. Territorial behavior can be slowed by proper training, exercise, and socialization.

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

In the early years of their puppyhood it is crucial to introduce your German Shepherds with new people locations, sights, and sounds. This is particularly important when the puppy is 16 weeks old as their brains are in an important phase of development. If your German Shepherd is a quiet puppy, they will likely find new experiences much more challenging as they grow older and become more prone to anxiety-based aggression and fear.

One thing that a lot of dog owners don't realize is that a German Shepherd needs lots of mental as well as physical exercise to stay calm and content. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and they have a strong desire to please their owners as well as work. If they don't exercise enough, they may become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles and schäferhundwelpen reduces "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, helps in weight loss, and reduces "cabin-fever." It's also a great method to build a bond with your German shepherd!