How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

If you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a big commitment. You will be responsible for many years for the health and education of your dog.

Pet stores and online resources generally sell puppies from puppy mills that prioritize profits over the welfare of the animal. Pick a reputable breeder.

How to Choose a Breeder who is Reputable

Before purchasing a German Shepherd pup, it's crucial to know the breeder. Responsible breeders are happy to share information about their dogs and practices with you. They will be happy to discuss genetic and health testing, early socialization, and the environment in which their puppies are being raised.

Your local German Shepherd organization or deutscher schäferhund kaufen schweiz club is the best place to start. The majority of breed clubs have an officer or secretary who can direct you in the right direction for reliable breeders in your area. Alternatively, you can contact your state animal control agency for the list of breeders who are licensed.

If you've found a breeder who has good breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. Find a clean and tidy facility where the mother and puppies are kept in a safe environment. You should ask about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You'll want to find out if they've been screened for hereditary issues like hip dysplasia or eye issues.

A responsible breeder should also be able to provide you with a copy your puppy's medical records and the most current vaccination schedule. They should have a great relationship with a veterinarian who is able to perform all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to tell you the name of the veterinarian and his contact number and also provide you with records of your consultation.

Ask the breeder about any concerns they have about your lifestyle or living situation. This may stop the breeder from selling puppies to you. If they know that you have young children they might not want to offer you a German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.

A reputable breeder will require you to sign a contract when purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain details about the parents, their AKC registration number, and a clause allowing them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is an excellent way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and make sure they go to good homes.

Health Tests for Health

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

In addition to health screening Breeders who are reputable strive to gain personal knowledge of the temperaments and health of each dog they own. They also share this information fully and freely with other breeders and potential buyers.

The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to carry out certain tests on their dogs. The breed clubs for reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund kaufen züchter (championsleage.review) German shepherds also recommend that breeders take additional tests.

These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also allow breeders make better mating decisions that can reduce the risk of hereditary illnesses in the next generations.

Typical genetic tests include

Hip Dysplasia

The elbow dysplasia and the hip are a common problem in German Shepherds, with the latter suffering from the condition that affects their front legs. These degenerative joint disorders cause pain and discomfort, but they can be treated with the control of weight, exercise limitations, supplements and drugs. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays while sedating to ensure accurate results.

The OFA test is designed to detect the presence of hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra block vertebra, deutscher schäferhund kaufen Schweiz lumbar-sacral transformational vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. This test is not completely foolproof however, and does not tell you if dogs will develop degenerative myelopathy or any other spinal conditions later in the course of.

Socialization

GSDs require intense physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to stay active. They can get bored easily, Deutscher schäferhund kaufen Schweiz and lack of activity can lead to destructive behavior such as excessive digging or eating shoes. These behaviors are often the result of unmet emotional needs. Early socialization is important for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization can help the puppy gain confidence with new people and situations. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will become anxious or aggressive in new situations.

Puppy socialization starts with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches them to be around their rough and boisterous siblings. It also exposes the pups to a wide range of smells, sights and sounds. The puppies are taught how to behave in groups. This is vital to their success as adults.

The puppy should be introduced to different household sounds like doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should also be exposed to various outdoor sounds, including sirens, traffic, and construction. This is crucial 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 calming pace, and positive reinforcement should be used throughout the process.

During this time, it's crucial that the puppy gets to meet many different pets and people. This will help prevent separation anxiety while the owner is away. One good 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 with other dogs in a secure well-controlled manner. The interaction should be limited initially so that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to be around calmer, older and gentle dogs. This will help the puppy realize that not all older, larger dogs are dangerous and will help them to develop an appropriate temperament.

Training

German Shepherds require consistent, firm obedience training. It is essential to enroll them in classes early enough particularly when they are still young. This will help them develop into confident, well-mannered dogs. It's also a great time to familiarize them with basic commands, such as sit down, stay and deutscher schäferhund Pflege sit. The earlier a dog is taught these basic commands and deutscher schäferhund zu verkaufen commands, the more easy it will be for them to follow your commands as they age.

Territorial aggression is a frequent problem for many German Shepherd owners. They may be extremely cautious of their home and property, which can lead to them barking at people or animals that enter their territory. Training, exercise and socialization can help to prevent territorial behavior.

Other behavioral problems can be avoided through obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained could cause annoyance to their family and friends. They can easily be distracted by other animals or toys, or even children and disregard basic commands such as "sit" or "down."

In the early years of puppyhood it is important to continue to socialize your German Shepherds with new people, places and sounds. This is especially important prior to when they reach 16 weeks old since they enter a critical period of brain development during this period. If your German Shepherd is a sheltered puppy until that point, they will likely find new experiences to be more difficult as they grow older and become more susceptible to fear-based aggression and anxiety.

Many dog owners do not realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise to be happy and calm. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and they are driven to please their owners and work. If they don't get enough exercise they can become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's the perfect way to be a part of your German Shepherd as well!