How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're making a big commitment when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You will be responsible for many years for the health and education of your dog.
Online sources and pet stores offer puppies that are typically from puppy mills that prioritize profit over the well-being of animals. Select a reputable breeder instead.
Selecting a Breeder with a Good Reputation
It is important to be aware of your breeder before you buy a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to provide you with details about their dogs as well as breeding practices. Breeders will be happy to provide details about their dogs and practices with you.
Your local German Shepherd club or group is the best place to start. The majority of breed associations have an officer or secretary who can direct you to credible breeders in your region. You can also contact your state animal control agency for the list of breeders who are licensed.
If you've found a breeder that meets breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. Look for a clean facility where the mother and puppies are kept in a safe environment. Ask about the puppy's parents and siblings; you want to see proof that they've been screened for hereditary diseases like hip dysplasia, eye issues, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder should be able provide you with a copy your puppy's medical record and a current vaccination schedule. They should have a solid working relationship with a vet who is able to carry out all necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able tell you the vet's name and telephone number and provide you with consultation notes.
It's also a good idea to ask the breeder if they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living conditions that might hinder them from selling you a puppy. For example when they know that you have children, they may be reluctant to sell you a puppy since German Shepherds can be aggressive with children.
deutscher schäferhund welpen kaufen should also expect an accredited breeder to require you to sign a contract 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 along with a return-to-breeder clause. This is a great way for responsible breeders to track their dogs and make sure they are placed in good homes.
Health Tests
Breeders who are reputable conduct health tests on the dogs that form part of their breeding selection. This is to make sure that they don't produce puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia as well as elbow dysplasia as well as degenerative myelopathy GDV and bloat.
In addition to health screenings, reputable breeders strive to acquire a personal understanding of the temperaments and health of every dog they have. They also freely and fully give this information to other breeders and prospective buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder program, members are required to perform certain tests with their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also recommend that breeders perform additional tests.
These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also allow breeders make better decisions about mating that will decrease the likelihood of hereditary illnesses in the next generations.
Typical genetic tests include:
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are at risk of hip and elbow dysplasia, particularly in the front limbs. These joint conditions that cause degeneration cause discomfort and pain, but can be managed through the control of weight, exercise limitations and medications. X-rays are taken with sedation, to get precise results, and then sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test focuses on the presence of hemivertebras, butterfly vertebras, block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn't 100% reliable and cannot tell whether a dog's condition will be degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training, and mental stimulation to keep occupied. They can easily become bored and their lack of activity can result in destructive behavior like excessive digging or chewing on shoes. Often, these behaviors stem from not being able to satisfy their emotional needs. Socialization at an early age is crucial for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization helps the pup gain confidence around new people and situations. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will grow anxious or aggressive in new situations.
The mother and her littermates play and interact with one another. This teaches them to interact with their rough and boisterous siblings. The puppies are also exposed to various kinds of sounds, sights and smells. The puppies are taught how to behave in a group. This is essential to their success as adults.
The puppy should be introduced to different household sounds like doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed sounds outside, including sirens, traffic, and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy doesn't become afraid or anxious of these types of stimuli. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a calming pace and positive reinforcement will be used throughout the process.
It is also important for the puppy to meet many different people over this time, as well as other pets. This can reduce separation anxiety while the owner is away. This can be accomplished by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other doggies.
The puppy should be allowed to interact in a safe, controlled way with other dogs. At first, the interaction should be confined so that the dog does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to interact with calmer, older and friendly dogs. This will help your puppy understand that older, larger dogs do not have to be terrifying. It will also help them develop a good attitude.
Training
German Shepherds require consistent, firm obedience training. It is important to get them into an obedience class as soon as you can and especially when they are still young. This will help them develop into well-mannered, confident dogs. It's also a great time to introduce them to basic commands, such as sit down, sit and stay. The earlier you can teach your dog these basic behaviors, they will be more likely to follow your instructions as they grow older.
Territorial aggression is a problem for many families with German Shepherds. They might be extremely protective of their homes and property, which can lead to their barking at strangers or animals who enter their area. Training, exercise and socialization can prevent territorial behavior.
Other behavioral problems can be prevented through obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs that don't have proper obedience training can be a nuisance, or even a threat to their family members and their neighbors. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They might not pay attention to basic commands such as "sit" and "down."
In the early years of their puppyhood, it's important to continue to socialize your German Shepherds with new people, places, sights and sounds. This is especially important prior to when the puppy turns 16 weeks old as their brains are undergoing a critical phase of development. If your German shepherd is a protected puppy until then, it will likely be a lot more difficult for them to learn new things as an adult. They could also be more susceptible to fear-based aggression or anxiety.
One thing that many pet owners don't know is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical and mental exercise to stay healthy and content. They are herders by nature and have a strong desire to work and satisfy their owners If they don't have enough to do, they can become bored or destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's an excellent way to be a part of your German Shepherd, too!