How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
When you buy a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a huge commitment. You'll be accountable for a long time for the health and education of your dog.
Online sources and pet stores sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills that prioritize profit over the well-being of animals. Choose a reputable breeder instead.
Selecting a Breeder who is reputable
Before purchasing a German Shepherd pup, it's important to get to know the breeder. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to give you information about their dogs and breeding practices. Breeders will be delighted to share information about their dogs as well as practices with you.
Your local German Shepherd club or organization is the best place to start. Most breed clubs have an officer or secretary who can point you to reliable breeders in your area. You can also contact the animal control department of your state to get an updated list of licensed breeders.
Once you've identified a breeder that meets breeding standards, make sure you take the time to meet them in person. Find a clean and tidy facility in which the mother and her puppies are comfortably confined. You should ask about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You want to find out if they've been screened for any hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia or eye issues.
A responsible breeder should be in a position to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and a current shot schedule. They should have a great relationship with a vet who can carry out all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able give you the name of the veterinarian and phone number, and also provide you with consultation notes.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they may have regarding your lifestyle and living situation. This might stop the breeder from selling puppies to you. If they know that you have children, they may not want to offer you a
german shepherd kaufen Shepherd puppy because they are known to be aggressive with children.
You should also expect a reputable breeder to require you to sign an agreement for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain the names of the parents and their AKC registration numbers,
deutscher schäferhund welpe Kaufen as along with a return-to-breeder clause. This is a crucial way for responsible breeders to monitor their dogs and ensure they are going to good homes.
Health Tests
Breeders with a good reputation will examine the health of the dogs they plan to breed. This is to ensure that they don't produce puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and GDV (also called Bloat).
In addition to health screenings Breeders who are reputable strive to get a better understanding of the temperaments and health of each dog they own. They also are able to freely and completely give this information to other breeders and potential buyers.
The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to carry out certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also suggest that breeders perform additional tests.
These health tests look for genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also enable breeders to make better mating decisions that will decrease the likelihood of hereditary diseases in the future generations.
The most common genetic tests are
Hip Dysplasia
The elbow dysplasia and the hip are common issues in German Shepherds with the latter suffering from the condition that affects their front limbs. These joint conditions that are degenerative cause pain and discomfort but can be managed by the control of weight, exercise restrictions, supplements, and drugs. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays under sedation to ensure the accuracy of the results.
The OFA test focuses on the presence of hemivertebras,
reinrassiger SchäFerhund butterfly vertebras, block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. This test isn't foolproof, however, and
Deutscher SchäFerhund Lebenserwartung does not determine whether the dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or any other spinal disorders later in life.
Socialization
GSDs require intense physical exercise, training, and mental stimulation to stay engaged. They can get bored easily and a lack of exercise could lead to destructive behaviors such as eating excessively or digging shoes. These behaviors are often caused by a lack of emotional needs. This is why early socialization is so crucial for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization can help the puppy develop confidence in new people and situations. It also reduces the risk that the puppy will become anxious or aggressive in new situations.
The mother and her littermates play and interact with one another. This teaches them how to interact with their rough and boisterous siblings. The pups are also exposed to a variety scents, sounds and sights. The puppies learn how to behave appropriately within a group, which is crucial to their success as adult dogs.
Introduce the puppy to a variety of household sounds, such as vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed to different sounds outside, like traffic, sirens and construction. This is crucial so that the puppy will not become anxious or fearful of these sounds as an adult. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a moderate rate, and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process.
It is also very important for the puppy to meet many different people over this time, as well as other pets. This can help 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 be able to interact with the other dogs in a safe, controlled manner and the interaction should be limited initially so that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to be around calmer, older and more friendly dogs. This will allow the puppy realize that not all larger, older dogs are scary and it will help them to develop a positive temperament.
Training
German Shepherds require regular, strict obedience training. It's important to get them into classes early especially when they're still puppy dogs. This will assist them in developing into well-mannered, confident dogs. It is also a great time to introduce them to basic commands like sit down, stay and sit. The earlier a dog is taught these basic commands and commands, the more easy it will be for them to follow your commands as they age.
Territorial aggression is an issue in many families with German Shepherds. They might be extremely protective of their home and property and this can result in them barking at people or animals who enter their area. Territorial behavior can be slowed by exercising, training, and socialization.
Other issues with behavior can be prevented by obedience training for German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained may be a nuisance to their family and neighbors. They can easily be distracted by other pets or
was kostet ein Reinrassiger schäferhund toys, or even children and ignore basic commands like "sit" or "down."
During their puppy years, it's important to continue to socialize your German Shepherds with new people, places, sights and sounds. This is especially important before the puppy reaches 16 weeks, when their brains are in an important phase of development. If your German shepherd is a quiet puppy it is likely to be more difficult for them to grasp new things once they are an adult. They may also be more susceptible to anxiety-based aggression or fear.
Many dog owners don't realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be happy and calm. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and are driven to please their owners and work. If they don't get enough exercise, they may become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise tones muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It helps improve circulation, assists in weight loss, and helps reduce "cabin-fever." It's the perfect way to be a part of your German Shepherd also!
