How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

You're making a big commitment when you purchase the German Shepherd pup. You'll be responsible for the health, training, and mental stability of your dog over many years.

Online sources and pet stores sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills, which focus on profit over the welfare of animals. Choose a reputable breeding center instead.

Selecting a Breeder who is reputable

It's important to know your breeder before you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders will be willing to share information about their dogs and the ways they treat you. Breeders are happy to provide details about their dogs and practices with you.

Your local German Shepherd club or organization is the best place to start. Most breed clubs have an officer for puppy or secretary who can direct you to reputable breeders in your area. You can also contact your state animal control agency for an inventory of licensed breeders.

If you've found a breeder that meets breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. Find a clean facility where the mother and puppies are kept in a safe environment. Find out about the puppy's parents and siblings; you would like to verify that they have been screened for hereditary diseases such as hip dysplasia eye issues, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.

A responsible breeder should 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 great working relationship with a vet who can conduct all the required tests and vaccines. They should be able tell you the vet's name and phone number, and also provide you with consultation notes.

It's also a good idea to ask the breeder whether they have any concerns regarding your lifestyle or living circumstances that could prevent them from offering you a puppy. If they are aware that you have young children and they are concerned about your children's safety, they might not wish to offer you an German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.

You should also expect an established breeder to ask you to sign a contract to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should include details about the parents, their AKC registration number, and a clause allowing them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is an important way for a responsible breeder to keep track of their dogs and ensure they are going to good homes.

Health Tests for Health

Reputable breeders conduct health checks on the dogs that form part of their breeding collection. This is to ensure that they don't breed puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and GDV (also called Bloat).

Breeders who are reputable are determined to understand the temperaments and health issues of each dog they own. They also are able to freely and completely communicate this information to other breeders as well as potential buyers.

As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme, members are required to conduct certain tests with their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also suggest that breeders conduct additional tests.

These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also enable breeders to make better choices when mating which will decrease the likelihood of hereditary diseases in future generations.

Typical genetic tests include:

Hip Dysplasia

German Shepherds are prone to elbow and hip dysplasia especially in the front limbs. These degenerative joint disorders cause discomfort and pain however, they can be controlled with the control of weight, exercise limitations and supplements as well as medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays while sedating to ensure the accuracy of the results.

The OFA test focuses on the presence of hemivertebras, butterfly vertebras, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. This test is not foolproof and does not predict whether a dog's condition is degenerative myelopathy.

Socialization

GSDs require intense physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to keep engaged. They can easily become bored and their inactivity can result in destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing up shoes. These behaviors are often the result of unmet emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is crucial for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization helps the pup build confidence in new people and situations. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive in new situations.

The mother and her littermates play and interact with one another. This helps puppies learn appropriate social signals and how to deal with their boisterous and sometimes rough, siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a wide range of sights, smells and sounds. The puppies learn how to behave appropriately in a group, which is key to their success as adult dogs.

Introduce mouse click the next internet page to a variety of household sounds, such as vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed to different sounds outside, including sirens, traffic, and construction. This is very important so that the puppy will not become scared or anxious of these sounds as an adult. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a calming pace, and positive reinforcement should be utilized throughout the process.

It is also very important that the puppy gets to meet numerous people during this time, in addition to other pets. This can help reduce separation anxiety while the owner is away. This can be achieved by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks, or play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should only be allowed to interact in a safe, controlled way with other dogs. At beginning, interactions should be restricted to ensure that the puppy does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to be around calmer, older and more gentle dogs. This will help your puppy realize that bigger, older dogs don't have to be scary. It will also help them develop an attitude of confidence.

Training

German Shepherds need constant and consistent obedience training. It is crucial to start classes early, especially when they are still puppies. This will assist them in developing 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 you can teach your dog these basic behaviors and commands, they'll be more likely to obey your instructions as they age.

Territorial aggression is a common issue for a lot of German Shepherd owners. They might be extremely protective of their homes and property and this can result in them barking at people or animals who venture into their territory. Territorial behavior can be slowed by exercising, training, and socialization.

Other behavioral issues can be prevented by obedience training for German Shepherds. A dog that doesn't have the right obedience training could become a nuisance and even a danger to their family members and neighbors. They are easily distracted by other pets, toys or children. They might not pay attention to basic commands such as "sit" and "down."


In the early years of puppyhood it is important to continue to introduce your German Shepherds with new people, places and sounds. This is especially important before the puppy turns 16 weeks old, when their brains are undergoing a critical phase of development. If your German shepherd is a quiet puppy it is likely to be more difficult for them to master new things once they are an adult. They may also be more prone towards fear-based aggression or anxiety.

Many dog owners do not realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise to be calm and happy. They are herding dogs by nature and have a strong drive to delight their owners, so if they don't have enough things to do, they could become bored or destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles, decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's also a great opportunity to build a bond with your German shepherd!