How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
If you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a huge commitment. You will be responsible for the health, training, and mental stability of your dog for a number of years.
Pet stores and online retailers generally sell puppies from puppy mills that prioritize profit over animal well-being. Choose a reputable breeding facility instead.
How to Select a Reputable Breeder
It's essential to know your breeder before you buy a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders will be willing to provide information about their dogs and their practices with you. Breeders will be delighted to share details about their dogs and practices with you.
The best place to begin is to talk to your local German Shepherd club or organization. Breed clubs usually have a secretary or puppy officer who can point you to breeders who are reputable. You can also contact the animal control agency in your state to obtain a list of licensed breeders.
It is a good idea to meet a breeder in person after you've found one who meets your breeding standards. You should seek out a clean, comfortable facility where the puppies and their mother are kept. Find out about the puppy's parents and siblings. You'll need proof that they've been checked for hereditary disorders such as hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder will be capable of providing you with a copy of your puppy's medical records and a current shot schedule. They should have a great relationship with a veterinarian who can perform all necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to give you the name of the veterinarian and his contact number and provide you with the records of consultation.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they have about your lifestyle or living situation. This may prevent them from selling puppies to you. For example If they know that you have children, they may be hesitant to sell you a puppy due to the fact that German Shepherds can be aggressive with children.
You should also expect an established breeder to require you to sign an agreement for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain information about the parents and their AKC registration number and an option to return the puppy to the breeder. 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 for Health
Breeders who are reputable will test the health of the dogs they intend to breed as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't produce pups with inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, as well as degenerative myelopathy GDV and Bloat.
In addition to health screening breeders who are trustworthy acquire a personal understanding of the health and temperament of each dog they own. They also freely and fully share this information 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. 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 choices about mating which will decrease the chance of developing hereditary diseases in the coming generations.
Common genetic tests include:
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are prone to elbow and hip dysplasia, especially in the front limbs. These joint disorders that cause degeneration cause pain and discomfort but can be managed by weight control, activity restrictions supplements, and medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays under sedation to ensure that the results are accurate.
The OFA test is designed to detect the presence of hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. This test is not completely foolproof however, and it does not determine whether the dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or other spinal conditions later in life.
Socialization
GSDs require intense physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to stay engaged. They are easily bored and their inactivity can result in destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing on shoes. Often, these behaviors are a result of not being able to satisfy their emotional needs. This is why early socialization is important for German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program allows the puppy to gain confidence in new people and different environments. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will become anxious or aggressive in new situations.
Puppy socialization begins with mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches them to interact with their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. It also exposes the pups to a variety of smells, sights, and sounds. schäferhund kaufen österreich learn how to behave appropriately in a group, which is key to their success as dogs who mature.
Introduce the puppy to various household sounds, like vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed to various outdoor sounds like sirens, traffic, and construction. This is essential so that the puppy will not become scared or anxious of these stimuli when they become adults. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a moderate rate and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process.
During this period, it is also important that the puppy interacts with different pets and people. This will help reduce anxiety over separation when the owner is away from home. This can be achieved by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other doggies.
The puppy should be allowed to interact in a controlled, secure manner with other dogs. At first, the interactions should be limited to ensure that the puppy isn't overwhelmed. The puppy should be able to interact with older, more relaxed and calm dogs. This will help your puppy understand that older, larger dogs do not need to be frightening. It will also aid in developing a good attitude.
Training
German Shepherds require constant, consistent obedience training. It is crucial to get them into a training class early especially when they're still puppies. This will assist them in developing into confident, well-mannered dogs. This is also a good time to make them familiar with the basics of commands such as sit down, stay, and come. The earlier you can teach your dog these basic skills and commands, they'll be more likely to follow your instructions as they grow older.
Territorial aggression can be a problem in many families with German Shepherds. They might be incredibly protective of their homes and property, which can lead to screaming or groaning at other people or animals that enter their territory. Training, exercise and socialization can prevent territorial behavior.
Other issues with behavior can be avoided through obedience training for German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained may be a nuisance to their family and friends. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys or children. They might not pay attention to basic commands such as "sit" and "down."
During their puppy years it is essential to introduce your German Shepherds with new people places, sights, and sounds. This is particularly important before they reach the age of 16 weeks since they enter an important period of brain development during this period. If your German shepherd is a quiet puppy until then it's likely to be more difficult for them to grasp new things as an adult. They may also be more prone to anxiety or fear-based aggression.
One thing that many dog owners aren't aware of is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical as well as mental exercise to stay healthy and happy. They are herding dogs by nature and have a strong desire to work and delight their owners If they don't have enough things to do, they could become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's an excellent way to bond with your German Shepherd, too!