How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
When you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a big commitment. You'll be accountable for the health, training, and mental stability of your dog for many years.
Süßer Deutscher Schäferhund and online sources offer puppies that are typically from puppy mills that focus on profit over the welfare of animals. Select a reputable breeder instead.
Selecting a Breeder who is reputable
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 the ways they treat you. They will be willing to discuss health and genetic testing, early socialization, and the environment that their puppies are raised.
The best place to begin is with your local German Shepherd club or group. Breed clubs typically have a secretary, or puppy officer who can point you to reputable breeders. You can also 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. Find a clean facility where the mother and pups are comfortably confined. Ask about the puppy's parents and siblings. You need proof that they were screened for hereditary diseases such as hip dysplasia, eye issues, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder should also be able to supply you with a copy your puppy's medical history and the most current vaccination schedule. They should have a great working relationship with a vet that can carry out all required tests and vaccines. They should be able to give you the name of the veterinarian and phone number, and also provide you with consultation notes.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they have regarding your lifestyle and living situation. This may prevent the breeder from selling the puppy to you. For instance If they know that you have children, they may be hesitant to sell you a puppy due to the fact that German Shepherds can be aggressive with children.
You should also expect an established breeder to ask you to sign an agreement to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should include details about the parents, their AKC registration number, and an option to return the puppy to the breeder. This is an important way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure that they will be placed in good homes.
Health Tests
Reputable breeders conduct health checks on the dogs that will be part of their breeding stock. This is to make sure that they don't produce puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and GDV (also called bloat).
In addition to health screening, reputable breeders strive to gain personal knowledge of the temperaments and health of each dog they own. They are also able to freely and openly share this information with 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. The 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 choices about mating, which will reduce the risk of inheritable diseases in future generations.
Typical genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia are common issues in German Shepherds with the latter suffering from the condition that affects their front legs. These joint conditions that cause degeneration cause pain and discomfort, but can be managed through the control of weight, exercise limitations and supplements as well as medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays under sedation to ensure that the results are accurate.
The OFA test looks for hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transformational vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. This test is not 100% reliable and cannot tell whether a dog's spinal condition will be degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs require rigorous physical exercise as well as training and mental stimulation to keep them engaged. They are prone to becoming bored and a lack of exercise may lead to destructive behaviors like excessive digging or eating shoes. These behaviors are often due to unmet emotional needs. This is why early socialization is crucial for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization can help the puppy gain confidence with new people and situations. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play and interact with each other. This helps them learn to be around their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. It also exposes the pups to a wide range of smells, sights and sounds. The puppies learn how to behave appropriately in a group, which is essential to their success as adult dogs.
Introduce the puppy to different household sounds, such as vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed to a variety of sounds outside, like sirens, traffic, and construction. This is crucial so that the puppy will not be scared or anxious of these situations when they become adults. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a moderate rate, and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process.
During this time, it is also important that the puppy interacts with different pets and people. 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 doggies.
The puppy should be able to interact with other dogs in a safe well-controlled manner. The interactions should be tempered initially to ensure that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact with older, more sociable and calm dogs. This will allow the puppy to realize that not all older, larger dogs are scary and it will help them to develop an appropriate temperament.
Training
German Shepherds require consistent, firm obedience training. It is important to enroll them in classes early especially when they're still young. This will allow them to become confident, well-mannered dogs. This is also a great time to get them familiar with the basic commands like sit down, down, stay and come. The earlier you begin teaching your dog these basic skills, they will be more likely to obey your instructions as they age.
Territorial aggression can be a problem for many families with German Shepherds. They can be extremely protective of their homes and property, which can lead to screaming or groaning at other those who enter their territory. Territorial behavior can be slowed by the proper training, exercise and socialization.
Other issues with behavior can be avoided through obedience training in German Shepherds. A dog that doesn't have the right obedience training could become a nuisance or even a danger to their family members and neighbors. They are easily distracted by other animals toys or children, and disregard basic commands such as "sit" or "down."
During their puppy years it is crucial to keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people locations, sights, and sounds. This is particularly important before they reach 16 weeks old, as they go through an important phase of brain development during this period. If your German Shepherd is a protected puppy they'll likely face new experiences much more challenging as they grow older and become more prone to anxiety-based aggression and fear.
Many dog owners don't realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise to be calm and happy. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and they have a strong desire to please their owners and work. If they don't get enough exercise they could become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's also a great opportunity to build a bond with your German shepherd!