How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

If you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're taking on a massive commitment. You will be responsible for the health, Schäferhund Kaufen training and mental stability of your dog over many years.

Pet stores and online sources sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills, which focus on profit over the welfare of animals. Select a reputable breeder instead.

How to Choose a Breeder who is Reputable

It's essential to be aware of your breeder before you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to give you details about their dogs as well as breeding practices. Breeders are happy to share information about their dogs as well as practices with you.

Your local German Shepherd organization or club is the best place to start. Breed clubs usually have a secretary, or puppy officer, who can guide you to breeders who are reputable. Alternatively, you can contact your state animal control agency for an inventory of licensed breeders.

Make the effort to meet with a breeder in person once you've found one who is in line with your standards for breeding. You should seek out a clean, comfortable facility where the mother dog and her puppies are confined. Find out about the puppy's parents and siblings. You'll want to see proof that they were screened for hereditary diseases like hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease, and Degenerative Myelopathy.

A responsible breeder should be able provide you with a copy your puppy's medical record and a current vaccination schedule. They should have a strong relationship with a vet who is able to perform all necessary tests and buy german shepherd puppies austria vaccinations. They can provide the name of the doctor, his telephone number, and will provide you with the records of consultation.

Ask the breeder about any concerns they have about your lifestyle or living circumstances. This could stop them from bringing the puppy to you. If they know you have young children, they may not want to sell you an German Shepherd puppy because they are known to be aggressive with children.

You should also expect an established breeder to ask you to sign a contract to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include the names of the parents and their AKC registration numbers, as well as a return-to-breeder clause. This is an excellent method for responsible breeders to track their dogs and make sure they go to good homes.

Health Tests

Breeders with a good reputation will test the health of the dogs they plan to use as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't create pups with inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, as well as degenerative myelopathy, GDV and bloat.

In addition to health screenings Breeders who are reputable strive to get a better understanding of the health and temperament of each dog they have. They also freely and fully give this information to other breeders and prospective buyers.

As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme members are required to take certain tests on their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also recommend that breeders take additional tests.

These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect the german shepherd kaufen Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also enable breeders to make better decisions about mating that can reduce the risk 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 in their front legs. These joint conditions that cause degeneration cause discomfort and pain, but they can be treated with exercise restrictions, weight control, supplements and drugs. X-rays are taken under anesthesia to ensure precise results, and then sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

The OFA test is a check for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae, lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) and spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn't foolproof however, and it does not tell you if a dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or other spinal conditions later in the course of.

Socialization

GSDs require intense physical exercise, training, and mental stimulation to stay active. They get bored very easily and their inactivity can lead to destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing on shoes. These behaviors are usually caused by a lack of emotional requirements. Socialization early is essential for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization allows the pup to build confidence around new people and schäferhund kaufen different environments. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will grow anxious or aggressive in new situations.

Puppy socialization begins with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches puppies appropriate social signals and how to deal with their boisterous, and sometimes rough, siblings. The pups are also exposed to a variety sights, sounds and smells. The puppies are taught how to behave in groups. This is vital 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 to various outdoor deutsche schäferhunde kaufen sounds, including traffic, sirens and Schäferhundwelpen kaufen construction. This is essential to ensure that the puppy does not 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.

During this time, it's also important that the puppy interacts with different animals and people. This will help prevent separation anxiety while the owner is away. An excellent example is when the dog is taken to puppy classes and dog parks or play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should be allowed to interact in a safe, controlled manner with other dogs. At first, the interaction should be limited to ensure that the puppy isn't overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact with older, more friendly, calmer dogs. This will help your puppy realize that bigger, older dogs do not need to be scary. It can also help them develop an excellent attitude.

Training

German Shepherds require consistent, firm obedience training. It is essential to enroll them in classes early enough and especially when they are still young. This will allow them to grow into confident, well-mannered dogs. It's also a great time to introduce them to basic commands such as sit down, stay and sit. The earlier you can teach your dog these basic commands and commands, they'll be more likely to follow your commands as they get 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 them barking at other people or animals that enter their area. Proper training, exercise and socialization can prevent territorial behavior.

Training in obedience can also help prevent other behavioral problems in German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained could cause trouble for their family and neighbors. They are often distracted by other pets, schäferhunde Suchen Ein zuhause toys, or children. They may ignore basic commands such as "sit" and "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 prior to when the puppy is 16 weeks old as their brains are undergoing an important phase of development. If your German shepherd is a sheltered puppy, it will likely be much more difficult for them to grasp new things once they are an adult. They could also be more susceptible to fear-based aggression or anxiety.

One thing that a lot of dog owners don't realize is that a German Shepherd needs lots of mental as well as physical exercise to stay healthy and content. They are herding dogs by nature and have a strong drive to do their best and please their humans, so if they don't have enough things to do, they may become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, aids in weight loss, and helps reduce "cabin-fever." It's also a great opportunity to strengthen the bond between you and schäferhund Kaufen your German shepherd!