How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're taking a huge risk when you purchase the German Shepherd pup. You'll be accountable for the health, training, and mental stability of your dog over many years.
Pet stores and online resources typically sell puppies from puppy mills who place profits over the welfare of the animal. Choose a reputable breeder instead.
Selecting a Breeder who is reputable
Before you purchase a German Shepherd pup, it's crucial to know the breeder. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to provide you with information about their dogs and breeding practices. Breeders are happy to give you information about their dogs as well as practices with you.
Your local German Shepherd organization or club is the best place to start. The majority of breed associations have an officer for puppy or secretary who can direct you in the right direction for reliable breeders in your area. deutscher schäferhund lebenserwartung can also contact your state animal control agency to get an inventory of licensed breeders.
If you've found a breeder with good breeding standards, make sure you take the time to meet them in person. Find a clean facility in which the mother and her puppies are comfortably confined. Find out about the puppy's parents and siblings. You need proof that they've been screened for hereditary diseases such as hip dysplasia eye problems, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder should be capable of providing you with a copy of your puppy's medical records and the most current schedule of shots. They should have a good relationship with a veterinarian who is able to perform all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able provide you with the name of the doctor as well as the number of his phone and give you consultation notes.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they may have regarding your lifestyle and living circumstances. This might prevent them from selling a puppy to you. For example when they know that you have young children, they may be reluctant 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 a contract for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain the names of the parents and their AKC registration numbers as along with a return-to-breeder clause. This is a vital way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure they are going to suitable homes.
Health Tests
Breeders who are trustworthy will check the health of the dogs they plan to breed. This is to ensure that they don't produce pups with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia as well as degenerative myelopathy, GDV and bloat.
In addition to health screenings Breeders who are reputable strive to acquire a personal understanding of the temperaments and health of each dog they own. They are also able to freely and openly share this information with other breeders as well as potential buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme members are required to take certain tests with their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also suggest that breeders perform additional tests.
These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also help breeders make better choices when mating which can reduce the risk of hereditary illnesses in the next generations.
Common genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia, especially in the front limbs. These joint diseases cause discomfort and pain, however, they can be controlled with weight control, activity limitations and supplements as well as medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays under sedation to ensure accurate results.
The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebras, butterfly vertebras, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. This test is not 100% reliable, however, and does not determine whether dogs will develop degenerative myelopathy or other spinal conditions later in life.
Socialization
GSDs require rigorous physical exercise along with training and mental stimulation to keep them busy. They are prone to becoming bored and a lack of exercise can lead to destructive behavior such as eating excessively or digging shoes. These behaviors are often due to unmet emotional needs. Socialization early is essential for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization can help the puppy gain confidence with new people and situations. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will be scared or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play and play with each other. This helps them learn to interact with their rough and boisterous siblings. The pups are also exposed to various scents, sounds and sights. The puppies are taught how to behave in a group. This is crucial to their success as adults.
Introduce the puppy to various household sounds, including vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed various outdoor sounds, including sirens, traffic and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy does not be scared or anxious of these situations as an adult. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a calming pace and positive reinforcements will be utilized throughout the process.
During this time, it's crucial that the puppy interacts with different pets and people. This can help prevent separation anxiety 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 dogs.
deutsche schäferhunde welpen kaufen österreich should be allowed to interact with other dogs in a secure well-controlled manner. The interaction should be limited initially so that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact also with older, more friendly, calmer dogs. This will help your puppy understand that bigger, older dogs don't have to be scary. It can also help them develop an excellent attitude.
Training
German Shepherds require consistent, firm obedience training. It is crucial to get them into classes early particularly when they are still young. This will help them develop into confident, well-mannered dogs. It's also a great time to familiarize them with basic commands, such as sit down, stay and sit. The earlier you can teach your dog these basic behaviors and commands, they'll be more likely to follow your commands as they grow older.
Territorial aggression can be a problem for many families with German Shepherds. They may be extremely cautious of their home and property and this can result in their barking at strangers or animals who enter their area. Proper training, exercise and socialization can reduce territorial behavior.
Other behavioral problems can be prevented through obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs that don't have the right obedience training could be a nuisance, or even a danger to their family members and neighbors. They can easily be distracted by other animals or toys, or even children and ignore basic commands such as "sit" or "down."
During the puppy years, you should continue to socialize your German Shepherds with new people, places, and sounds. This is especially important when they reach the age of 16 weeks because they are in a critical period of brain development during this time. If your German shepherd is a sheltered puppy until then, it will likely be much more difficult for them to master new things once they are an adult. They could also be more prone towards anxiety-based aggression or fear.
One thing that many dog owners don't realize 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 urge to do their best and satisfy their owners If they don't have enough to do, they could become bored or destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles, decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's a great way to bond with your German Shepherd also!