How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

You're taking a huge risk when you purchase the German Shepherd pup. You will be responsible for the health, training and mental stability of your dog for many years.

Pet stores and online sources offer puppies that are typically from puppy mills, which focus on profit over the welfare of animals. Choose a reputable breeding center instead.

Choosing a Reputable Breeder

Before you buy a German Shepherd pup, it's important to get to know the breeder. Responsible breeders are happy to share information about their dogs and practices with you. Breeders will be delighted to give you information about their dogs as well as practices with you.

The best place to begin is to talk to your local German Shepherd club or other organization. The majority of breed associations have a secretary or Deutscher SchäFerhund Kaufen Schweiz puppy officer who can point you to reliable breeders in your area. You can also contact the animal control agency in your state to obtain an updated list of licensed breeding companies.

It is a good idea to meet with a breeder in person after you've found one who is in line with your standards for breeding. You should seek out an environment that is clean and comfortable in which the mother dog and her puppies are kept. Ask about the puppy's parents and siblings. You'll would like to verify that they have been examined for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.

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

It's also recommended to ask the breeder if they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living circumstances that would stop them from offering you an animal. If they know you have young children they might not want to sell you an German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.

You should also expect an established breeder to require you to sign a contract to purchase 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 a crucial way for responsible breeders to monitor their dogs and ensure that they are going to suitable homes.

Health Tests for Health

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

Breeders who are trustworthy are determined to understand the temperaments and health status of every dog they own. They also are able to freely and completely share this information with other breeders as well as potential buyers.

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

These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. They also help breeders make better informed decisions about mating that will lower the risk of inheritable diseases in the future.

The most common genetic tests are:

Hip Dysplasia

German Shepherds are susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia, deutscher schäferhund zu verkaufen einen deutschen schäferhund kaufen deutscher schäferhund kaufen schweiz (Read Home ) particularly in the front limbs. These joint disorders that cause degeneration cause pain and discomfort but can be managed by weight control, activity limitations as well as supplements and medications. X-rays are taken with anesthesia to ensure exact results. Then, they are sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

The OFA test is a check for hemivertebrae, deutscher schäferhund kaufen Schweiz butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae, lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) and spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn't completely foolproof however, and does not determine whether dogs will develop degenerative myelopathy or any other spinal conditions later in the course of.

Socialization

GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to keep engaged. They can easily become bored and their lack of activity can result in destructive behaviors such as excessive digging or chewing on shoes. These behaviors are often the result of unmet emotional needs. Early socialization is important for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization helps the pup develop confidence with new people and situations. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will become fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.

The mother and her littermates play together and interact with each other. This teaches the puppies appropriate social signals and how to cope with their boisterous, and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to various scents, sounds and sights. The puppies learn to behave appropriately within a group, which is crucial to their success as adult dogs.

The puppy should be exposed to different household sounds such as doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed to a variety of sounds outside, like sirens, traffic and construction. This is crucial so that the puppy will not be scared or anxious of these situations when they become adults. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a comfortable pace and positive reinforcement will be used throughout the process.

It is also crucial for the puppy to meet numerous people during this period, along with other pets. This will help reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away from home. An excellent example is when a dog is taken to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should be allowed to interact in a safe, controlled manner with other dogs. At beginning, interactions should be confined to ensure that the puppy does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to interact with calmer, older and gentle dogs. This will allow the puppy understand that not all larger, older dogs are dangerous and will aid in developing a positive temperament.

Training

German Shepherds need constant, consistent obedience training. It is crucial to enroll them in a class early enough and especially when they are still young. This will help them develop into confident, well-mannered dogs. This is also a great time to get them familiar with the basics of commands such as sit down, down, stay and come. The earlier a dog learns these basic behaviors and commands, the more simple it will be for them to follow your directions as they grow older.

Territorial aggression can be a problem for many families with German Shepherds. They may be overly protective of their homes and property, which can lead to barking or growling at any animal or person who enters their area of. Territorial behavior can be slowed by exercising, training, and socialization.

Other behavioral issues can be prevented by obedience training for German Shepherds. If a dog doesn't have proper obedience training can be a nuisance, or even a danger to family members and neighbours. They are easily distracted by other animals toys or children, and ignore basic commands such as "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 locations, sights, and sounds. This is especially important prior to when they are 16 weeks old, as they go through an important phase of brain development during this time. If your German shepherd is a quiet puppy until then it is likely to be much more difficult for them to grasp new things as an adult. They could also be more prone to anxiety or fear-based aggression.

One thing that a lot of dog owners aren't aware of 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 and work. If they don't exercise enough they can become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise strengthens muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It helps improve circulation, assists in weight loss, and decreases "cabin-fever." It's also a great way to bond with your German shepherd!