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 the health, training, and mental stability of your dog over many years.

Pet stores and online resources typically sell puppies from puppy mills that place profits over animal welfare. Choose a reputable breeder instead.

How to Select a Reputable Breeder

It's important to get acquainted with your breeder prior to you buy a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders are happy to share information about their dogs and their practices with you. Breeders will be delighted to share information about their dogs and practices with you.

The best place to begin is with your local German Shepherd club or other organization. The breed clubs typically have a secretary or puppy officer, Schäferhund Welpen österreich kaufen who can direct you to reputable breeders. You can also contact your state animal control agency for an inventory of licensed breeders.

It is a good idea to meet a breeder's representative in person after you've found one who meets your breed standards. Find a clean facility where the mother and pups are kept in a safe environment. You should ask about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You should know if they have been screened for any hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia, and eye problems.

A responsible breeder will also be able to provide you with copies of your puppy's medical record and deutscher schäferhund kaufen schäferhund kaufen österreich deutsche schäferhunde welpen kaufen österreich - king-wifi.win, a current shot schedule. They should have a good working relationship with a vet that can conduct all the necessary tests and vaccines. They should be able provide you with the name of the doctor as well as the number of his phone and give you consultation notes.

It's also recommended to ask the breeder if they have any concerns regarding your lifestyle or living circumstances that might hinder them from offering you an animal. For example when they know that you have young children, they may be reluctant to sell you a puppy due to the fact that German Shepherds can be a bit aggressive with children.

You should also expect an established breeder to ask you to sign an agreement to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include the names of the parents, as well as their AKC registration numbers, as well as a return-to-breeder clause. This is an important way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure they will be placed in good homes.

Health Tests

Reputable breeders undertake health tests on the dogs that will be part of their breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't breed puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, myelopathy degenerative and GDV (also known as bloat).

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

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

These tests are designed to detect genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also allow breeders make better decisions about mating that will reduce the incidences of hereditary diseases in the future generations.

The most common genetic tests are

Hip Dysplasia

German Shepherds are at risk of elbow and hip dysplasia, especially in the front limbs. These degenerative joint diseases cause pain and discomfort but can be controlled through weight control, activity limitations, supplements, and drugs. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays under sedation to ensure the accuracy of the results.

The OFA test is a check for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, schäferhund welpen öSterreich kaufen block vertebrae, lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) and spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn't 100% reliable and cannot tell whether a dog's condition will be degenerative myelopathy.

Socialization

GSDs require intense physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to stay active. They can get bored easily and inactivity could lead to destructive behaviors such as excessive digging or eating shoes. These behaviors are usually due to unmet emotional needs. Socialization early is essential for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization can help the puppy develop confidence with new people and situations. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be scared or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.

The mother and her littermates play together and interact with one another. This teaches them how to get along with their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety of sights, smells and sounds. The puppies learn to behave within a group, which is essential to their success as adult dogs.

The puppy should be exposed 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 essential to ensure that the puppy doesn't grow up scared or anxious about these types of stimuli. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a relaxed pace and positive reinforcements will be utilized throughout the process.

It is also very important for the puppy to meet many different people during this period, along with other pets. This will help reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away from home. This can be accomplished by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should be able to interact with the other dogs in a safe way, and in a controlled manner. The interactions should be tempered initially to ensure that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact with older, more sociable and calm dogs. This will allow the puppy to realize that not all larger, older dogs are scary and it will aid in developing a positive temperament.

Training

German Shepherds require consistent, firm obedience training. It's important to start classes early especially when they're still puppies. This will allow them to become confident, well-mannered dogs. It's also a great time to introduce them to basic commands, such as sit down, sit and stay. The earlier a dog is taught these basic behaviors, the more easy it will be for them to follow your commands as they grow older.

Territorial aggression is a typical issue for many German Shepherd owners. They might be extremely protective of their homes and property, which can lead to them barking at other people or animals who venture into their territory. Territorial behavior can be prevented by exercising, training, and socialization.

Other behavioral problems can be prevented through obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs that don't possess the proper obedience training can be a nuisance, or even a danger to family members and their neighbors. They are often 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 essential to introduce your German Shepherds with new people places, sights, and sounds. This is particularly important before they reach 16 weeks old because they are in an important period of brain development during this time. If your German shepherd is a protected puppy it is likely to be a lot more difficult for them to grasp new things once they are an adult. They could also be more susceptible to anxiety or fear-based aggression.

One thing that many dog owners aren't aware of is that a German Shepherd needs lots of mental as well as physical exercise to stay healthy and content. They are herders by nature and have a strong drive to work and delight their owners, so if they don't have enough work 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 also a great opportunity to build a bond with your German shepherd!