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 many years for the health and training of your dog.
Pet stores and online resources typically sell puppies from puppy mills who place profit over animal well-being. Select a reputable breeding facility instead.
Choosing a Reputable Breeder
Before you buy a German Shepherd pup, it's important to get to know the breeder. Responsible breeders will be willing to share information about their dogs and the ways they treat you. They will be happy to discuss genetic and health testing early socialization, as well as the environment in which their puppies are raised.
Your local German Shepherd club or organization is the best place to start. Most breed clubs have a secretary or puppy officer who can point you to reliable breeders in your area. You can also contact your state's animal control agency to find the list of breeding companies.
If you've found a breeder with good breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. You should seek out an upscale, clean facility in which the mother dog and her puppies are kept. Ask about the puppy's fathers and siblings. You want to see proof that they were examined for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease, and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder will be in a position to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical records and the most current schedule of shots. They should have a strong relationship with a veterinarian who is able to perform all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They can give you the name of the vet, his telephone number, and will provide you with consultation records.
It's also a good idea to ask the breeder if they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living circumstances that would hinder them from offering you puppies. For example If they know that you have young children, they might be hesitant to sell you a puppy due to the fact that German Shepherds are known to be aggressive with children.
A reputable breeder will require that you sign a contract when you purchase your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include the names of the parents as well as their AKC registration numbers, as in addition to a return-to breeder clause. This is a great method for responsible breeders to track their dogs and make sure they are placed in good homes.
Health Tests for Health
Reputable breeders conduct health checks on the dogs that form part of their breeding selection. This is to ensure that they don't breed pups that have an inherited illness. These tests include hip dysplasia as well as elbow dysplasia, as well as degenerative myelopathy GDV and Bloat.
In addition to health screening breeders who are trustworthy get a better understanding of the temperaments and health of each dog they have. They also share this information fully and freely with other breeders and potential buyers.
The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to conduct certain tests on their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also recommend that breeders carry out additional tests.
These tests are designed to detect genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also enable breeders to make better decisions about mating that will reduce the incidences of hereditary diseases in the future generations.
The most common genetic tests are:
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are at risk of elbow and hip dysplasia, particularly in the front limbs. These degenerative joint diseases cause pain and discomfort, but can be managed by the control of weight, exercise restrictions as well as supplements and medications. X-rays are taken with anesthesia to ensure accurate results and then submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test is a check for hemivertebrae, butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae as well as lumbar-sacral verbrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn't impervious and cannot predict whether a dog's condition is degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs require a lot of physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to stay engaged. They get bored very easily and their lack of activity can result in destructive behavior like excessive digging or chewing up shoes. Most often, these behaviors stem from unmet emotional needs. Early socialization is important for German Shepherd pups. A good socialization program allows the puppy to build confidence with new people and surroundings. It also reduces the risk that the puppy will become scared or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play and interact with each other. This teaches them to be around their rough and boisterous siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety scents, sounds and sights. The puppies learn to behave within a group, which is crucial to their success as adult dogs.
The puppy should be exposed to a variety of household noises such as doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed sounds outside, such as sirens, traffic and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy does not be scared or anxious of these situations when they become adults. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a relaxed pace and positive reinforcement will be utilized throughout the process.
During this time, it is essential that the puppy meets many different people and pets. This can help reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away. 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 with the other dogs in a secure well-controlled manner. reinrassiger schäferhund should be tempered initially so that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to be around calmer, older and more gentle dogs. This will help the puppy to realize that not all larger, older dogs are scary and it helps them develop an appropriate temperament.
Training
German Shepherds need strict and consistent obedience training. It is crucial to get them into a class early enough, especially while they are still young. This will help them develop into confident, well-mannered dogs. It is also a good time to make them familiar with the basics of commands such as sit down, down, stay and come. The earlier a dog can learn these basic behaviors the easier it is for them to follow your instructions as they get older.
Territorial aggression is a typical problem for many German Shepherd owners. They might be extremely protective of their homes and property which could lead to them barking at people or animals who venture into their area. Territorial behavior is averted through the proper training, exercise and socialization.
Obedience training can also help to prevent other behavioral problems in German Shepherds. Dogs that don't have proper obedience training can become a nuisance or even a danger to their family members and their neighbors. They can easily be distracted by other pets, toys or children and ignore basic commands such as "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 particularly important before they reach the age of 16 weeks, as they go through an important phase of brain development during this time. If your German Shepherd is a quiet puppy they'll likely face new experiences much more challenging in adulthood and will be more prone to anxiety-based aggression and fear.
One thing that many pet owners don't know is that a German Shepherd needs lots of mental as well as physical exercise to stay healthy and happy. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and they are driven to please their owners as well as work. If they don't exercise enough, they may become bored or destructive. Regular exercise tones muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, helps in weight loss, and decreases "cabin-fever." It's also a great opportunity to build a bond with your German shepherd!