How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
If you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a huge commitment. You'll be responsible for the health, training, and mental stability of your dog over many years.
Pet stores and online sources typically sell puppies from puppy mills who place profits over the welfare of the animal. Choose a reputable breeding center instead.
Selecting a Breeder who is reputable
It is important to get acquainted with your breeder prior to you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to give you details about their dogs and breeding practices. Breeders are happy to share information about their dogs and 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 an officer for puppy or secretary who can point you to credible breeders in your region. Alternatively, you can contact your state animal control agency to get the list of breeders who are licensed.
Once you've identified a breeder who has good breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. You should search for a clean, comfortable facility where the puppies and their mother are kept in a secure. Ask about the puppy's fathers and siblings; you would like to verify that they were checked for hereditary disorders like hip dysplasia, eye issues, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder should also be able to supply you with a copy of your puppy's medical records and a current vaccination schedule. schäferhund abzugeben should have a good relationship with a vet who can perform all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able tell you the name of the veterinarian and his phone number and will provide you with records of your consultation.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they may have about your lifestyle or living situation. This could stop them from selling puppies to you. If they are aware that you have young children, they may not want to sell you an German Shepherd puppy because they are known to be aggressive with children.
A reputable breeder will also require you to sign a contract when purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include the names of the parents, as well as their AKC registration numbers, as in addition to a return-to breeder clause. This is a vital way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure that they will be placed in good homes.
Health Tests
Reputable breeders undertake health tests on the dogs that will form part of their breeding selection. 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 reputable strive to know the temperaments and health issues of every dog they own. They also share this information in full and freely with other breeders as well as prospective buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme, members are required to perform certain tests on their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also recommend that breeders carry out additional tests.
These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also help breeders make better decisions about mating that will reduce the incidences of hereditary diseases in the future generations.
Common genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia are common problems in German Shepherds, with the latter suffering from the condition that affects their front legs. These joint disorders that cause degeneration cause discomfort and pain, but can be controlled with the control of weight, exercise restrictions, supplements, and drugs. X-rays are taken with sedation, to get precise results, and then sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test is designed to detect the presence of hemivertebras, butterfly vertebras, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. This test is not completely foolproof however, and cannot determine if dogs will develop degenerative myelopathy or any other spinal conditions later in the course of.
Socialization
GSDs require intense physical exercise in addition to training and mental stimulation to keep them engaged. They can easily become bored, and lack of activity may lead to destructive behaviors such as eating excessively or digging shoes. These behaviors are often caused by a lack of emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is so important for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization allows the pup to gain confidence in new people and surroundings. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive when in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play and interact with each other. This teaches puppies appropriate social signals and how to deal with their boisterous, and sometimes rough, siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety of smells, sights, and sounds. The puppies learn how to behave in a group environment, which is crucial to their success as dogs who mature.
The puppy should be exposed to different household sounds like doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should also be exposed to different outdoor sounds such as sirens, traffic, and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy does not develop scared or anxious about these sounds. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a comfortable pace and positive reinforcement will be used throughout the process.
During this time, it is also important that the puppy meets many different pets and people. This can reduce separation anxiety while the owner is away. A good example of this is when the dog is taken to puppy classes and dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be able to interact with other dogs in a secure way, and in a controlled manner. The interactions should be tempered at first so that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should be able to interact with older, more relaxed, calmer dogs. This will help your puppy understand that larger, older dogs do not need to be scary. It can also aid in developing an excellent attitude.
Training
German Shepherds require regular, strict obedience training. It is crucial to get them into classes early enough and especially when they are still young. This will allow them to become confident, well-mannered dogs. It is also a good time to get them familiar with the basic commands like sit, down, stay and come. The earlier you can teach your dog these basic skills, they will be more likely to follow your instructions as they age.
Territorial aggression is a problem for many families with German Shepherds. They might be incredibly concerned about their home and property, which can lead to screaming or groaning at other any animal or person who enters their territory. Territorial behavior can be prevented by the proper training, exercise and socialization.
Obedience training can also help prevent other issues with behavior in German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained could be a nuisance to their family and neighbors. They can easily be distracted by other animals toys or children, and disregard basic commands like "sit" or "down."
During their puppy years, it's important to continue to introduce your German Shepherds with new people, places, sights and sounds. This is particularly important when the puppy reaches 16 weeks and their brains are going through an important stage of development. If your German shepherd is a sheltered puppy prior to this it's likely to be a lot more difficult for them to master new things once they are an adult. They may also be more prone to anxiety-based aggression or fear.
One thing that a lot of dog owners aren't aware of is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical as well as mental exercise to stay calm and content. They are herding dogs by nature and have a strong urge to work and delight their owners, so if they don't have enough things to do, they could become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise also tones muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's also a great opportunity to build a bond with your German shepherd!