How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

If you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a huge commitment. You will be responsible for the health, training and mental stability of your dog for many years.

Pet stores and online resources generally sell puppies from puppy mills that place profit over animal well-being. Choose Entzückende Schäferhund Welpen breeding facility instead.

Selecting a Breeder with a Good Reputation

Before you buy a German Shepherd pup, it's crucial to know the breeder. Responsible breeders are happy to provide information about their dogs and their practices with you. Breeders will be happy to share information about their dogs as well as practices with you.

The best place to begin is to contact your local German Shepherd club or organization. The breed clubs typically have a secretary, or puppy officer, who can guide you to reputable breeders. You can also contact the animal control department of your state to find a list of licensed breeding companies.

Once you've identified a breeder with good breeding standards, make sure you take the time to meet them in person. You should search for a clean, comfortable facility where the mother dog and her puppies are kept. You should ask about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You'll want to find out if they've been screened for any hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia and eye problems.

A responsible breeder should be able to supply you with a copy of your puppy's medical records and an up-to-date vaccination schedule. They should have a solid working relationship with a vet who can carry out all required tests and vaccines. They can provide the name of the doctor, his telephone number, and also provide you with the records of consultation.

Ask the breeder about any concerns they may have about your lifestyle or living situation. This could hinder the breeder from selling the puppy to you. For instance when they know that you have children, they might be hesitant to offer you a puppy since German Shepherds can be aggressive with children.

A reputable breeder will require that you sign a contract when purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should include details about the parents, their AKC registration number, and the clause that allows them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a great method for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and make sure they go to good homes.

Health Tests

Reputable breeders undertake health tests on the dogs that will form part of their breeding collection. This is to ensure that they don't produce pups with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia as well as degenerative myelopathy, GDV and Bloat.

Breeders who are trustworthy are determined to understand the temperaments and health issues of every dog they own. They also share this information fully and openly with other breeders and prospective buyers.

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

These health tests look for genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also permit breeders to make better informed choices about mating, which will reduce the chance of developing hereditary diseases in future generations.

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 limbs. These joint conditions that are degenerative cause pain and discomfort, but can be controlled through the control of weight, exercise restrictions, supplements, and drugs. 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 hemivertebrae, butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae as well as lumbar-sacral verbrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn't 100% reliable and cannot tell whether a dog's spinal condition will be degenerative myelopathy.

Socialization

GSDs require intense physical exercise in addition to training and mental stimulation to keep them engaged. They are easily bored and their inactivity can result in destructive behavior like excessive digging or chewing up shoes. These behaviors are usually caused by a lack of emotional requirements. Socialization at an early age is crucial for German Shepherd pups. A good socialization program helps the puppy gain confidence with new people and situations. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive when in unfamiliar situations.

The mother and her littermates play together and interact with one another. This teaches them to get along with their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety kinds of sounds, sights and smells. The puppies learn to behave appropriately in a group environment, which is crucial to their success as adult dogs.

The puppy should be exposed to different household sounds such as doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should also be exposed to different outdoor sounds such as traffic, sirens and construction. This is essential so that the puppy will not become anxious or fearful of these sounds as an adult. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a comfortable rate and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process.

During this period, it is crucial that the puppy meets many different animals and people. This can help reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away. An excellent example is when a dog is taken to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should be allowed to interact in a safe, controlled manner with other dogs. At beginning, interactions should be restricted so that the pup does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to interact with calmer, older, friendly dogs. This will help the puppy to realize that not all larger, older dogs are fearsome and will aid in developing an appropriate temperament.

Training

German Shepherds require constant, consistent obedience training. It is important to start an early training class, especially when they are still puppies. This will allow them to become confident, well-mannered dogs. It's also a great time to familiarize them with basic commands such as sit, down and stay. The earlier a dog learns these basic commands the more easy it is for them to follow your directions as they age.

Territorial aggression is a typical problem for many German Shepherd owners. They might be incredibly concerned about their home and property, resulting in barking or growling at people or animals that enter their territory. Proper training, exercise and socialization can help to prevent territorial behavior.

Other behavioral problems can be prevented through obedience training for German Shepherds. Dogs that don't have proper obedience training can become a nuisance and even a danger to family members and neighbours. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys or children. They might not pay attention to basic commands like "sit" and "down."

During their puppy years it is essential to keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people, places, sights and sounds. This is particularly important when the puppy is 16 weeks old, when their brains are undergoing an important stage of development. If your German shepherd is a protected puppy prior to this, it will likely be more difficult for them to learn new things as an adult. They could also be more susceptible to fear-based aggression or anxiety.


Many dog owners do not realize that the 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 and work. If they don't exercise enough they could become bored or destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's also a great way to build a bond with your German shepherd!