How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're making a significant commitment 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 retailers generally sell puppies from puppy mills that prioritize profit over animal well-being. Choose a reputable breeding center instead.
How to Select a Reputable Breeder
Before purchasing a German Shepherd pup, it's crucial to know the breeder. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to share details about their dogs and breeding practices. Breeders are happy to give you information about their dogs as well as practices with you.
The best place to start is to contact your local German Shepherd club or organization. The breed clubs typically have a secretary or puppy officer, who can direct you to breeders who are reputable. If you prefer, you can contact your state animal control agency to get the list of breeders who are licensed.
If you've found a breeder who has good breeding standards, make sure you take the time to meet them in person. Look for a clean 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 know if they have been screened for any hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia or eye problems.
A responsible breeder should be able to supply you with a copy your puppy's medical record and the most current vaccination schedule. They should have a good relationship with a vet who is able to perform all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able 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 situation that might prevent them from offering you puppies. If they know that you have children, they may not want to offer you an German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.
You should also expect an established breeder to ask you to sign an agreement to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain the names of the parents and Deutscher SchäFerhund Welpen Kaufen (Entzckendescferhundwelpen-Wec35D.De) their AKC registration numbers as well as a return-to-breeder clause. This is a great method 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 collection. This is to ensure that they don't create pups that have an inherited illness. These tests include hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, GDV and bloat.
Breeders who are trustworthy are determined to understand the temperaments and health conditions of each dog they own. They also share this information in full and freely with other breeders as well as prospective buyers.
The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to carry out 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 diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. They also help breeders make better informed choices about mating, which will reduce the risk of inheritable diseases in future generations.
The most common genetic tests are:
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are prone to elbow and hip dysplasia, especially in the front limbs. These degenerative joint diseases cause pain and discomfort, but can be managed by weight control, activity limitations, supplements, and drugs. The X-rays are made under sedation, to get precise results, and then sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test is a check for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae as well as lumbar-sacral verbrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis and spina bifida. This test is not 100% reliable and cannot tell whether a dog's spinal condition is degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs require rigorous physical exercise in addition to training and mental stimulation to keep them busy. They are prone to becoming bored and inactivity could lead to destructive behaviors like excessive digging or eating shoes. These behaviors are often the result of unmet emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is so important for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization can help the puppy develop confidence around new people and situations. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive when in unfamiliar situations.
Puppy socialization begins with mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches them how to be around their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. They are also exposed to a wide range of sights, smells and sounds. The puppies learn how to behave appropriately in a group, 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 also be exposed different outdoor sounds such as sirens, traffic, and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy doesn't become scared or anxious about these 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 a puppy to get to know many different people during this period, along with other pets. This can reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away. This can be accomplished by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks, or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should only be allowed to interact in a safe, controlled way with other dogs. At first, the interactions should be limited so that the dog does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should be able to interact with older, more relaxed and calm dogs. This will help the puppy realize that not all older, larger dogs are dangerous and will aid in developing an appropriate temperament.
Training
German Shepherds require consistent, firm obedience training. It is essential to get them into an obedience class as soon as possible particularly when they are still young. This will assist them in developing into well-mannered, confident dogs. It is also a great time to familiarize them with basic commands such as sit down, stay and sit. The earlier you teach your dog these basic behaviors and commands, they'll be more likely to obey your instructions as they grow older.
Territorial aggression is a problem for many families with German Shepherds. They can be extremely protective of their home and property, resulting in screaming or groaning at other any animal or person who enters their area of. Proper training, exercise and socialization can help to prevent territorial behavior.
Obedience training will aid in preventing other problems with behavior in German Shepherds. If a dog doesn't have proper obedience training can become a nuisance or even a danger to their family members and neighbours. They are easily 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 keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people, places, sights and sounds. This is especially important prior to when they reach the age of 16 weeks, as they go through a critical period of brain development during this period. If your German Shepherd is a protected pup until then they'll likely face new experiences much more challenging as they grow older and become more prone to anxiety and fear-based aggression.
One thing that a lot of pet owners don't know is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical and mental exercise to stay healthy and content. They are herding dogs by nature and have a strong urge to delight their owners If they don't have enough to do, they could become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise also tones muscles, decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's a great way to be a part of your German Shepherd as well!