How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
When you buy a German Shepherd puppy, you're taking on a massive commitment. You will be responsible, for many years, for the health and training of your dog.
Pet stores and online sources generally sell puppies from puppy mills that prioritize profit over animal well-being. Select a reputable breeder instead.
Choosing a Reputable Breeder
It is important to know your breeder before you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be happy to provide you with details about their dogs as well as breeding practices. Breeders are happy to share information about their dogs and practices with you.
The best place to begin is with your local German Shepherd club or group. The breed clubs typically have a secretary, or puppy officer, who can direct you to reputable breeders. Alternatively, you can contact your state animal control agency to get a list of licensed breeders.
If you've found a breeder that meets breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. 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 would like to verify that they've been screened for hereditary diseases like hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder should be able to provide you with a copy your puppy's medical history and an up-to-date vaccination schedule. They should have a solid working relationship with a vet who is able to conduct all the required tests and vaccines. They can give you the name of the doctor and his phone number and will provide you with records of your consultation.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they might have about your lifestyle and living situation. This may prevent them from bringing a puppy to you. For example, if they know you have children, they might be hesitant to sell you a puppy since German Shepherds can be a bit 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 the names of the parents as well as their AKC registration numbers as well as a return-to-breeder clause. This is a vital way for a responsible breeder to monitor their dogs and ensure that they will be placed in good homes.
Health Tests
Breeders who are reputable conduct health tests on the dogs that will be part of their breeding stock. This is to make sure that they don't create pups with an inherited disease. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, myelopathy degenerative and GDV (also known as Bloat).
In addition to health screenings, reputable breeders strive to acquire a personal understanding of the temperaments and health of every pet they own. They also share this information fully and freely with other breeders and prospective buyers.
The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to perform certain tests on their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also recommend that breeders conduct additional tests.
These health tests look for genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also help breeders make more informed mating decisions, which will reduce the risk of inheritable diseases in future generations.
The most common genetic tests are
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, particularly in the front limbs. These joint conditions that cause degeneration cause discomfort and pain but can be managed through exercise restrictions, weight control, supplements and drugs. X-rays are taken under sedation, to get accurate results and then submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test checks for hemivertebrae, butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae as well as lumbar-sacral verbrae (LSTV) and spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn't 100% reliable and cannot tell whether a dog's condition will be degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training, and mental stimulation to keep engaged. They can easily become bored, and lack of activity may lead to destructive behaviors such as eating excessively or digging shoes. Most often, these behaviors are a result of insufficient emotional needs. Early socialization is important for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization helps the puppy to gain confidence in new people and different environments. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will be scared or aggressive in new situations.
The mother and her littermates play together and interact with each other. This teaches them to interact with their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety of smells, sights and sounds. The puppies are taught how to behave in groups. This is crucial to their success as adults.
The puppy should be introduced to a variety of household noises including vacuum cleaners, doorbells and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed sounds outside, like traffic, sirens and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy does not develop fearful or anxious of these types of stimuli. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a comfortable pace and positive reinforcements will be used throughout the process.
During this time, it is also important that the puppy meets many different pets and people. This can help prevent anxiety about separation when the owner is away from home. This can be accomplished by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks, or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be allowed to interact in a controlled, safe manner with other dogs. At first, the interaction should be limited so that the dog does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to interact with calmer, older, friendly dogs. This will help your puppy understand that larger, older dogs do not have to be terrifying. It can also aid in developing an excellent attitude.
Training
German Shepherds need strict and consistent obedience training. It is essential to get them into classes early enough and especially when they are still young. This will help them become confident and well-mannered dogs. It's also a good opportunity to teach them basic commands such as sit down, sit and stay. The earlier you teach your dog these basic skills they'll be more likely to obey your instructions as they grow older.
schäferhund welpen kaufen schweiz is a typical problem for many German Shepherd owners. They might be incredibly protective of their homes and property, resulting in screaming or groaning at other those who enter their area of. Training, exercise and socialization can reduce territorial behavior.
Training in obedience can also help to prevent other behavioral problems in German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained could be a nuisance to their neighbors and family members. They are easily distracted by other pets, toys or children. They may ignore basic commands like "sit" and "down."
During their puppy years it is essential to keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people locations, sights, and sounds. This is especially important before the puppy turns 16 weeks old and their brains are undergoing an important phase of development. If your German shepherd is a protected puppy, it will likely be much more difficult for them to master new things when they become adults. They could also be more prone to anxiety or fear-based aggression.
Many dog owners don't realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise to be calm and happy. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and they have a strong desire to please their owners and work. If they don't exercise enough they could become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles, decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's also a great method to build a bond with your German shepherd!