How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're making a big commitment when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You'll be responsible for the health, training, and mental stability of your dog for a number of years.
Online sources and pet stores offer puppies, which are typically from puppy mills that place profit ahead of the health of animals. Choose a reputable breeder instead.
How to Choose a Breeder who is Reputable
It's essential to know your breeder before you buy a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be happy to give you details about their dogs as well as breeding practices. They will be willing to discuss health and genetic testing, early socialization, and the environment in which their puppies are being raised.
The best place to start is with your local German Shepherd club or organization. The majority of breed associations have a secretary or puppy officer who can point you to reputable breeders in your area. You can also contact the animal control agency in your state to obtain the list of breeding companies.
Take the time to meet a breeder's representative in person after you've found one who meets your breeding standards. You should search for a clean, comfortable facility in which the puppies and their mother are kept in a secure. Find out about the puppy's parents and siblings. You want to see proof that they've been examined for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia eye problems, heart disease, and Degenerative Myelopathy.
reinrassiger schäferhund should also be able to provide you with a copy your puppy's medical record and the most current vaccination schedule. They should have a great relationship with a vet who can carry out all necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to tell you the name of the veterinarian, his telephone number, and also provide you with the records of consultation.
It's also an excellent idea to inquire with the breeder whether they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living situation that could hinder them from offering you a puppy. For example when they know that you have children, they might be reluctant to sell you a puppy due to the fact that German Shepherds can be aggressive with children.
You should also expect an accredited breeder to require you to sign a contract to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain 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 trustworthy will examine the health of the dogs they plan to use as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't breed pups that have an inherited illness. These tests include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, GDV and Bloat.
In addition to health screening breeders who are trustworthy get a better understanding of the temperaments and health of every dog they have. They also share this information in full and freely 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 health tests look for genetic diseases that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also permit breeders to make more informed mating decisions which will decrease the incidence of hereditary disease in the coming generations.
Typical genetic tests include:
Hip Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia are common problems in German Shepherds with the latter suffering from the condition in their front limbs. These joint diseases cause discomfort and pain, however, they can be controlled with weight control, activity limitations, supplements and drugs. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays with sedation to ensure accurate results.
The OFA test focuses on the presence of hemivertebras, butterfly vertebras, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. The test isn't completely foolproof however, and does not determine whether dogs will develop degenerative myelopathy or any other spinal diseases later in the course of.
Socialization
GSDs require a lot of physical activity as well as training and mental stimulation to keep them engaged. They get bored very easily and their lack of activity can result in destructive behavior like excessive digging or chewing on shoes. The majority of these behaviors stem from unmet emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is important for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization helps the puppy to build confidence with new people and different environments. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will be scared or aggressive in new situations.
Puppy socialization begins with mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches them how to get along with their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety of scents, sounds and sights. The puppies learn how to behave in a group, which is key to their success as dogs who mature.
Introduce the puppy to a variety of household sounds, such as vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed sounds outside, including traffic, sirens and construction. This is essential so that the puppy will not become scared or anxious of these situations when they become adults. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a relaxed pace and positive reinforcements will be utilized throughout the process.
It is also important for a puppy to get to know many different people over this time, as well as other pets. This will help prevent separation anxiety while the owner is away. An excellent example 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 other dogs in a controlled way, and in a controlled manner. The interaction should be limited initially so that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to interact with older, calmer and gentle dogs. This will help your puppy see that older, larger dogs do not have to be terrifying. It can also aid in developing an excellent attitude.
Training
German Shepherds need strict, consistent obedience training. It is important to get them into classes early, especially when they are still puppies. This will help them develop into confident, well-mannered dogs. It's also a great time to introduce them to basic commands such as sit, down and stay. The earlier a dog can learn these basic commands, the easier it is for them to follow your instructions as they get older.
Territorial aggression can be a problem for many families with German Shepherds. They can be extremely protective of their home and property, which can lead to screaming or groaning at other those who enter their territory. Training, exercise and socialization can prevent territorial behavior.
Training in obedience can also help to prevent other issues with behavior in German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained can cause trouble for their neighbors and family members. They can easily be distracted by other animals or toys, or even children and disregard basic commands such as "sit" or "down."
In the early years of puppyhood, you should continue to socialize your German Shepherds to new locations, people and sounds. This is especially important prior to when they are 16 weeks old, as they go through an important period of brain development during this period. If your German shepherd is a quiet puppy until then, it will likely be much more difficult for them to learn new things as an adult. They could also be more prone towards anxiety-based aggression or fear.
Many dog owners don't realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be content and peaceful. They are herding dogs by nature and have a strong urge to do their best and delight their owners, so if they don't have enough things to do, they may become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise also tones muscles, decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's an excellent way to be a part of your German Shepherd as well!