How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're making a big commitment when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You'll be responsible for the health, training and mental stability of your dog for a number of years.
Pet stores and online retailers typically sell puppies from puppy mills that prioritize profits over the welfare of the animal. Choose a reputable breeding facility instead.
Selecting a Breeder who is reputable
It's essential to be aware of your breeder before you buy a German Shepherd puppy. schäferhundwelpen kaufen will be happy to discuss their dogs and practices with you. They will be happy to discuss genetic and health testing early socialization, as well as the environment where their puppies are being raised.
The best place to start is to contact your local German Shepherd club or group. Most breed clubs have an officer or secretary who can point you in the right direction for reputable breeders in your area. If you prefer, you can contact your state animal control agency for an inventory of licensed breeders.
Once you've identified a breeder that meets breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. Find a clean and tidy facility where the mother and pups are comfortably confined. Ask about the puppy's parents and siblings. You want to see proof that they have been checked for hereditary disorders like hip dysplasia, eye issues, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder should also be able to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical history and an up-to-date vaccination schedule. They should have a solid working relationship with a vet who can conduct all the necessary tests and vaccines. They can provide the name of the veterinarian, his telephone number, and will provide you with records of your consultation.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they might have about your lifestyle or living circumstances. This could hinder them from bringing a puppy to you. If they are aware that you have young children and they are concerned about your children's safety, they might not wish to offer you a German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.
A reputable breeder may require you to sign a contract when you purchase your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain information about the parents as well as their AKC registration number as well as the clause that allows them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a vital way for responsible breeders to monitor their dogs and ensure they are going to suitable homes.
Health Tests
Reputable breeders undertake health tests on the dogs that will form part of their breeding stock. This is to make sure that they don't create puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, myelopathy degenerative and GDV (also called bloat).
In addition to health screenings, reputable breeders strive to gain personal knowledge of the temperaments and health of every dog they own. They also share this information completely and openly with other breeders as well as prospective buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder program, members are required to conduct certain tests with their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also recommend that breeders take additional tests.
These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. They also allow breeders to make better informed decisions about mating which will decrease the risk of inheritable diseases in the future.
Common genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are at risk of elbow and hip dysplasia, particularly in the front limbs. These joint diseases cause discomfort and pain, however, they can be controlled with the control of weight, exercise limitations and medications. X-rays are taken under conscious sedation to obtain exact results. Then, they are sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test looks for hemivertebrae, butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae, lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) and spondylosis and spina bifida. This test is not 100% reliable and cannot tell the likelihood that a dog's spinal problem is degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs require a lot of physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to keep active. They get bored very easily and their lack of activity can result in destructive behavior like excessive digging or chewing up shoes. Often, these behaviors stem from not being able to satisfy their emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is vital for German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program helps the puppy build confidence in new people and situations. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will develop fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play and interact with each other. This helps puppies learn appropriate social signals and how to deal with their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to various kinds of sounds, sights and smells. The puppies learn how to behave appropriately in a group, which is key to their success as dogs who mature.
Introduce the puppy to a variety of household sounds, such as vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed sounds outside, like traffic, sirens, and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy doesn't develop scared or anxious about these stimuli. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a relaxed pace and positive reinforcements will be used throughout the process.
It is also very important that the puppy gets to meet many different people during this period, along with other pets. This can reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away. A good example of this is when a dog is taken to puppy classes and dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should only be allowed to interact in a controlled, secure manner with other dogs. At beginning, interactions should be limited so that the pup does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to be around calmer, older and gentle dogs. This will help the puppy realize that not all larger, older dogs are dangerous and helps them develop a good temperament.
Training
German Shepherds require consistent, firm obedience training. It is important to get them into an obedience class early enough particularly when they are still young. This will allow them to become confident, well-mannered dogs. It's also a good time to familiarize them with basic commands, such as sit down, sit and stay. The earlier a dog can learn these basic behaviors and commands, the more easy it will be for them to follow your directions as they get older.
Territorial aggression can be an issue in many families with German Shepherds. They may be overly concerned about their home and property, which can lead to barking or growling at people or animals that enter their territory. Proper training, exercise and socialization can reduce territorial behavior.
Training in obedience can also help prevent other behavioral problems in German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained could be a nuisance to their family and friends. They are often distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They may not be able to follow simple commands such as "sit" and "down."
During their puppy years it is essential to introduce your German Shepherds with new people locations, sights, and sounds. This is especially important prior to when the puppy is 16 weeks old and their brains are undergoing a critical phase of development. If your German Shepherd is a protected puppy they'll likely encounter new experiences more difficult as they grow older and become more prone to anxiety-based aggression and fear.
One thing that a lot of dog owners don't realize is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical and mental exercise to remain calm and content. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and have a strong desire to please their owners as well as work. If they don't get enough exercise they could become bored or destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's also a great way to strengthen the bond between you and your German shepherd!