How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You’re making a significant commitment when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You will be responsible for the health, training and schäferhund welpen österreich kaufen mental stability of your dog over many years.
Pet stores and online resources generally sell puppies from puppy mills that place profits over the welfare of the animal. Select a reputable breeding facility instead.
Selecting a Breeder who is reputable
Before you buy a German Shepherd pup, Reinrassiger Deutscher SchäFerhund it’s important to get to know the breeder. Responsible breeders are happy to provide information about their dogs and the ways they treat you. They will be willing to discuss genetic and health testing early socialization, as well as the environment where their puppies are raised.
Your local German Shepherd organization or club is the best place to begin. The breed clubs typically have a secretary or puppy officer who can point you to reputable breeders. You can also contact the animal control agency in your state to find the list of breeders.
It is a good idea to meet a breeder in person once you’ve found one who meets your breed standards. Find a clean and tidy facility in which the mother and her puppies are safe. Ask about the puppy’s parents and siblings. You’ll want to see proof that they have been screened for hereditary diseases such as hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease, and Blaue SchäFerhunde Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder will also be capable of providing you with a copy of your puppy’s medical record and an up-to-date shot schedule. They should have a strong relationship with a veterinarian who can carry out all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They can tell you the name of the veterinarian and his contact number and will provide you with consultation records.
It’s also an excellent idea to inquire with the breeder whether they have any concerns regarding your lifestyle or living situation that would hinder them from offering you an animal. If they know you have children, they may not want to sell you an German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.
You should also expect an accredited breeder to require you to sign a contract to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include information about the parents as well as their AKC registration number and an option to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a great way for responsible breeders to track their dogs and ensure they are placed in good homes.
Health Tests
Breeders with a good reputation will examine the health of the dogs they plan to breed as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don’t breed pups with inherited disease. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and GDV (also called bloat).
Breeders who are trustworthy seek to be aware of the temperaments and health status of each dog they own. They also share this information completely and freely with other breeders and potential 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 take additional tests.
These tests check for genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also allow breeders make better choices when mating which will decrease the likelihood of hereditary diseases in the future generations.
Common genetic tests include:
Hip Dysplasia
The elbow dysplasia and the hip are common issues in German Shepherds, with the latter suffering from the condition in their front limbs. These joint disorders that cause degeneration cause pain and discomfort, schäferhundwelpen kaufen but can be managed by weight control, activity restrictions as well as supplements and medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays while sedating to ensure accurate results.
The OFA test focuses on the presence of hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn’t 100% reliable however, and it cannot determine if dogs will develop degenerative myelopathy or any other spinal disorders later in the course of.
Socialization
GSDs require intense physical exercise as well as training and mental stimulation to keep them occupied. They can easily become bored and a lack of exercise may lead to destructive behaviors like excessive digging or eating shoes. Most often, these behaviors are a result of not being able to satisfy their emotional needs. This is why early socialization is important for German Shepherd puppies. 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.
Puppy socialization begins with the mother and schäferhund kaufen welpe her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches puppies appropriate social signals and how to deal with their boisterous, and sometimes rough, siblings. They are also exposed to a variety of sights, smells and sounds. The puppies learn to behave in a group, which is crucial to their success as adult dogs.
Introduce the puppy to a variety of household sounds, including vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed different outdoor sounds such as sirens, traffic, and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy does not become anxious or fearful of these stimuli when they become adults. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a comfortable pace and positive reinforcement will be utilized throughout the process.
It is also very important for a puppy to get to know many different people over this time, in addition to other pets. This can reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away. One good example is when a dog is taken to puppy classes or dog parks, or even play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should only be allowed to interact in a safe, controlled manner with other dogs. At first, the interaction should be confined to ensure that the puppy isn’t overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact also with older, more friendly and calm dogs. This will help your puppy realize that larger, older dogs do not need to be scary. It will also help them develop an attitude of confidence.
Training
German Shepherds require consistent, firm obedience training. It is important to enroll them in a training class early especially when they’re still puppies. This will allow them to grow into confident, well-mannered dogs. This is also a good time to get them familiar with the basic commands like sit down, down, stay and come. The earlier you can teach your dog these basic commands and commands, they’ll be more likely to follow your commands as they age.
Territorial aggression is a common 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 help to prevent territorial behavior.
Other behavioral problems can be prevented through obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs who aren’t properly trained may cause annoyance to their family and neighbors. They are often distracted by other pets, toys or children. They might not pay attention to basic commands like “sit” and “down.”
In the early years of puppyhood, you should continue to introduce your German Shepherds with new locations, people and sounds. This is especially important prior to when the puppy turns 16 weeks old and their brains are going through an important phase of development. If your German shepherd is a quiet puppy until then it’s likely to be much more difficult for them to grasp new things as an adult. They may also be more susceptible to anxiety-based aggression or fear.
Many dog owners don’t realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise to be happy and calm. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and have a strong desire to please their owners as well as work. If they don’t get enough exercise, they may become bored or destructive. Regular exercise also tones muscles, reduces “cabin fever,” improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It’s also a great method to strengthen the bond between you and your German shepherd!