How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

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

Pet stores and online sources sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills that focus on profit over the welfare of animals. Select a reputable breeding facility instead.

How to Select a Reputable Breeder

Before you purchase a German Shepherd pup, it's essential to get acquainted with the breeder. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to share details about their dogs and breeding practices. They will be willing to discuss health and genetic testing as well as early socialization and the environment in which their puppies are being raised.

Your local German Shepherd club or organization is the best place to start. Breed clubs usually have a secretary, or puppy officer who can point you to reputable breeders. You can also contact your state animal control agency to get an inventory 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 a clean, comfortable facility in which the puppy and the mother dog are kept. You should inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You should know if they have been screened for hereditary issues such as hip dysplasia and eye issues.

A responsible breeder will also be in a position to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical records and a current shot schedule. They should have a great working relationship with a vet who can perform all necessary tests and vaccines. They should be able give you the name of the veterinarian and phone number, and also give you a consultation note.

It's also a good idea to ask the breeder if they have any concerns regarding your lifestyle or living conditions that might stop them from offering you puppies. For instance when they know that you have young children, they might be hesitant to sell you a puppy since German Shepherds can be aggressive with children.

You should also expect an established breeder to ask you to sign an agreement for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include the names of the parents as well as their AKC registration numbers as well as a return-to-breeder clause. This is a great way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure they go to good homes.

Health Tests

Breeders who are reputable will test the health of the dogs they plan to breed. This is to make sure that they don't produce pups with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia as well as degenerative myelopathy GDV and Bloat.

Breeders who are trusted seek to be aware of the temperaments and health status of every dog they have. They also freely and fully give this information to other breeders and prospective buyers.

As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder program, members are required to take certain tests with their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also recommend that breeders carry out additional tests.

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

The most common genetic tests are:

Hip Dysplasia

The elbow dysplasia and the hip are common problems in German Shepherds, with the latter suffering from the condition in their front legs. These degenerative joint disorders cause discomfort and pain however, they can be controlled with exercise restrictions, weight control and medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays with sedation to ensure that the results are accurate.

The OFA test checks for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae, lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis, and spina bifida. This test is not completely foolproof however, and does not determine whether a dog will develop degenerative myelopathy, or other spinal disorders later in life.

Socialization

GSDs require rigorous physical exercise in addition to training and mental stimulation to keep them occupied. They are easily bored and their inactivity can lead to destructive behavior like excessive digging or chewing on shoes. These behaviors are often due to unmet emotional needs. This is why early socialization is vital for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization can help the puppy develop confidence with new people and situations. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will become fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.

Puppy socialization starts with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This helps puppies learn appropriate social signals and how to cope with their boisterous, and sometimes rough siblings. They are also exposed to a wide range of smells, sights and sounds. The puppies are taught to behave in the group. This is crucial to their success as adults.

The puppy should be exposed to different household sounds like doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed sounds outside, such as traffic, sirens, and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy does not grow up scared or anxious about these stimuli. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a moderate rate, and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process.

It is also very important for the puppy to meet numerous people during this period, along with other pets. This will help to prevent anxiety about separation when the owner is away from home. deutscher schäferhund kaufen österreich can be achieved by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks, or play dates with other doggies.


The puppy should be allowed to interact with the other dogs in a secure way, and in a controlled manner. The interactions should be tempered at first so that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact also with older, more sociable, calmer dogs. This will help your puppy realize that bigger, older dogs don't have to be scary. It will also help them develop a good attitude.

Training

German Shepherds require firm, consistent obedience training. It is essential to get them into classes early enough, especially while they are still young. This will help them develop into well-mannered, confident dogs. It's also a great time to familiarize them with basic commands like sit, down and stay. The earlier you teach your dog these basic behaviors and commands, they'll be more likely to obey your instructions as they grow older.

Territorial aggression is a common issue for a lot of German Shepherd owners. They can be extremely protective of their homes and property, leading to barking or growling at any animal or person who enters their territory. Territorial behavior can be slowed through the proper training, exercise and socialization.

Other behavioral issues can be prevented through obedience training for German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained could cause annoyance to their neighbors and family members. They are easily distracted by other animals, toys or children and ignore basic commands such as "sit" or "down."

During their puppy years, it's important to continue 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 and their brains are in an important phase of development. If your German Shepherd is a sheltered puppy, they will likely find new experiences to be more difficult as an adult and be more susceptible to anxiety-based aggression and fear.

Many dog owners do not realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise to be calm and happy. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and have a strong desire to please their owners as well as work. If they don't exercise enough they can become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, decreases "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!