How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

When you buy a German Shepherd puppy, you're taking on a massive commitment. You'll be responsible for many years for the training and health of your dog.

Pet stores and online sources generally sell puppies from puppy mills that place profit over animal well-being. Pick a reputable breeder.

Selecting a Breeder with a Good Reputation

It's important to know your breeder before you buy a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to share details about their dogs as well as breeding practices. Breeders will be delighted to provide information about their dogs and practices with you.

Your local German Shepherd club or group is the best place to start. Most breed clubs have an officer for puppy or secretary who can point you in the right direction for reputable breeders in your area. Alternatively, you can contact your state animal control agency to get a list of licensed breeders.

Once you've identified a breeder who has good breeding standards, make sure you 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 confined. Find out about the puppy's parents and siblings. You'll would like to verify that they have been checked for hereditary disorders such as hip dysplasia eye problems, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.

A responsible breeder should be in a position to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and an up-to-date shot schedule. They should have a solid working relationship with a vet that can perform all necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to give you the name of the veterinarian and phone number, and also give you a consultation note.

Ask the breeder about any concerns they might have regarding your lifestyle and living situation. This might prevent them from selling a puppy to you. If deutscher schäferhund kaufen are aware that you have children, they may not want to sell you a German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.

A reputable breeder may require you to sign a contract when you purchase your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should include information about the parents and their AKC registration number, and a clause allowing them to return the puppy to the breeder. deutsche schäferhunde welpen kaufen österreich is an excellent way breeders who are responsible to monitor their dogs and make sure they are placed in good homes.

Health Tests

Breeders who are reputable conduct health tests on the dogs that form part of their breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't create puppies that have an inherited condition. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, myelopathy degenerative and GDV (also called Bloat).

Breeders who are reputable seek to be aware of the temperaments and health issues of each dog they own. They also share this information fully and openly with other breeders as well as prospective buyers.

The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to carry out certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also recommend that breeders take additional tests.

These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. They also help breeders make better informed decisions about mating, which will reduce the chance of developing hereditary diseases in the future.

Common genetic tests include:

Hip Dysplasia

Hip and elbow dysplasia are common issues in German Shepherds, with the latter suffering from the condition in their front legs. These joint diseases cause discomfort and pain however, they can be controlled with weight control, activity limitations and supplements as well as medications. X-rays are taken with anesthesia to ensure precise results, and then sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

The OFA test checks for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae, lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) and spondylosis and spina bifida. The test isn't 100% reliable, however, and cannot determine if a dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or other spinal conditions later in life.

Socialization

GSDs require intense physical exercise as well as training and mental stimulation to keep them busy. They are easily bored and their lack of activity can lead to destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing on shoes. The majority of these behaviors stem from unmet emotional needs. Socialization at an early age is crucial for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization helps the pup gain confidence with new people and situations. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive in new situations.


Puppy socialization starts with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This helps them learn to interact with their rough and boisterous siblings. They are also exposed to a wide range of sights, smells and sounds. The puppies learn how to behave in a group environment, which is crucial to their success as dogs who mature.

Introduce the puppy to different household sounds, including vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed to a variety of sounds outside, like traffic, sirens, and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy doesn't become scared or anxious about these stimuli. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a comfortable pace and positive reinforcements will be used throughout the process.

It is also crucial for the puppy to meet numerous people during this time, in addition to other pets. This can help prevent anxiety about separation when the owner is away from home. A good example of this is when the dog is taken to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should be allowed to interact with the other dogs in a controlled, controlled manner and the interaction should be limited initially so that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact with older, more relaxed and calm dogs. This will help your puppy understand that older, larger dogs do not need to be scary. It can also aid in developing an attitude of confidence.

Training

German Shepherds need constant and consistent obedience training. It is crucial to enroll them in classes early, especially when they are still puppies. This will help them develop into well-mannered, confident dogs. This 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 learns these basic commands and commands, the easier it is for them to follow your directions as they grow older.

Territorial aggression is a frequent problem for many German Shepherd owners. They may be extremely cautious of their home and property, which can lead to them barking at other people or animals that enter their area. Territorial behavior can be prevented through exercising, training, and socialization.

deutscher schäferhund kaufen with behavior can be avoided through obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained may cause trouble for their neighbors and family members. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys or children. They may ignore basic commands such as "sit" and "down."

In the early years of their puppyhood it is crucial to keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people, places, sights and sounds. This is especially important prior to when they reach the age of 16 weeks since they enter an important phase of brain development during this period. If your German Shepherd is a sheltered pup until then they'll likely face new experiences much more challenging in adulthood and will be more susceptible to anxiety and fear-based aggression.

Many dog owners don't realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise to be happy and calm. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and are driven to please their owners and work. If they don't get enough exercise, they may become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles and reduces "cabin-fever." It helps improve circulation, assists in weight loss and helps reduce "cabin-fever." It's a great way to bond with your German Shepherd also!