German Shepherd Buy Puppy Isn't As Tough As You Think
How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're taking a huge risk when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You'll be accountable for many years for the health and education of your dog.
Pet stores and online sources offer puppies that are typically from puppy mills that prioritize profit over the well-being of animals. Select blaue schäferhunde breeding facility instead.
Choosing a Reputable Breeder
Before you purchase a German Shepherd pup, it's crucial to know the breeder. Responsible breeders are happy to share information about their dogs and their practices with you. They'll be willing to discuss health and genetic testing, early socialization, and the environment where their puppies are fostered.
The best place to begin is with your local German Shepherd club or group. Most breed clubs have an officer for puppy or secretary who can direct you in the right direction for reputable breeders in your area. You can also contact your state animal control agency for the list of breeders who are licensed.
Make the effort to meet a breeder's representative in person once you've found one who is in line with your breeding standards. Look for a clean facility where the mother and puppies are safe. 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 like hip dysplasia or eye issues.
A responsible breeder will be in a position to provide you with copies of your puppy's medical records and a current shot schedule. They should have a great relationship with a vet who is able to perform all necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able tell you the name of the vet and his contact number and provide you with consultation records.
It's also an excellent idea to inquire with the breeder if they have any concerns regarding your lifestyle or living situation that would stop them from selling you an animal. For example, if they know you have children, they might be hesitant to offer you a puppy due to the fact that German Shepherds can be aggressive with children.
A reputable breeder will also require you to sign a contract prior to purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain the names of the parents, as well as their AKC registration numbers, as in addition to a return-to breeder clause. This is a great method for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure they are placed in good homes.
Health Tests for Health
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 produce puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, myelopathy degenerative and GDV (also known as bloat).
Breeders who are trustworthy are determined to understand the temperaments and health status of every dog they have. They also freely and fully communicate this information to other breeders and potential buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder program members are required to conduct certain tests with their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also suggest that breeders take additional tests.
These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also help breeders make better decisions about mating that can reduce the risk of hereditary diseases in future generations.
Common genetic tests include:
Hip Dysplasia
The elbow dysplasia and the hip are a common problem in German Shepherds with the latter suffering from the condition that affects their front legs. These degenerative joint diseases cause pain and discomfort but can be controlled through weight control, activity limitations as well as supplements and medications. X-rays are taken under conscious sedation to obtain exact results. Then, they are sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test focuses on the presence of hemivertebras, butterfly vertebras, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transformational vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn't 100% reliable however, and does not tell you if the dog will develop degenerative myelopathy, or other spinal conditions later in life.
Socialization
GSDs require a lot of physical activity as well as training and mental stimulation to keep them busy. They can easily become bored and inactivity could lead to destructive behaviors such as eating excessively or digging shoes. Most often, these behaviors are a result of unmet emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is crucial for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization can help the puppy gain confidence around new people and situations. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive in new situations.
The mother and her littermates play together and play with each other. This helps puppies learn appropriate social cues and how to deal with their boisterous and sometimes rough, siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety of kinds of sounds, sights and smells. The puppies learn how to behave appropriately in a group, which is key to their success as dogs who mature.
The puppy should be introduced to different household sounds such as doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should also be exposed various outdoor sounds like traffic, sirens and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy does not grow up scared or anxious about these stimuli. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a comfortable pace, and positive reinforcement should be utilized throughout the process.
During this time, it is essential that the puppy gets to meet many different people and pets. This can reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away. This can be achieved by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be allowed to interact in a safe, controlled way with other dogs. At first, the interactions should be restricted so that the dog isn't overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to interact with older, calmer and more gentle dogs. This will help your puppy see that larger, older dogs do not have to be frightening. It will also aid in developing a good attitude.
Training
German Shepherds need strict and consistent obedience training. It's important to enroll them in classes early particularly when they are still young. This will allow them to grow into well-mannered, confident dogs. This is also a good 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 behaviors and commands, they'll be more likely to follow your instructions as they age.
Territorial aggression is a frequent issue for many German Shepherd owners. They might be incredibly protective of their homes and property, leading to barking or growling at people or animals that enter their territory. Proper training, exercise and socialization can help to prevent territorial behavior.
Obedience training will aid in preventing other behavioral problems in German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained could be a nuisance to their family and neighbors. They are often distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They might not pay attention to basic commands like "sit" and "down."
During their puppy years, it's important to continue to introduce your German Shepherds with new people, places, sights and sounds. This is particularly important when the puppy is 16 weeks old as their brains are in a critical phase of development. If your German Shepherd is a sheltered pup until then, they will likely find new experiences to be more difficult as they grow older and become more prone to fear-based aggression and anxiety.
Many dog owners do not realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be happy and calm. They are herding dogs by nature and have a strong urge to do their best and satisfy their owners and if they don't have enough to do, they may become bored or destructive. Regular exercise tones muscles and reduces "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, helps in weight loss and decreases "cabin-fever." It's a great way to be a part of your German Shepherd, too!