How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
When you buy a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a big commitment. You'll be responsible for the health, training and mental stability of your dog for many years.
Pet stores and online retailers generally sell puppies from puppy mills that prioritize profit over animal well-being. Pick a reputable breeder.
Choosing a Reputable Breeder
Before you buy 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 as well as breeding practices. Breeders will be happy to provide details about their dogs and practices with you.
The best place to start is to talk to your local German Shepherd club or other organization. The majority of breed associations have an officer or secretary who can point you to credible breeders in your region. You can also contact the animal control agency in your state to find an updated list of licensed breeders.
Once you've identified a breeder with good breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. You should look for an environment that is clean and comfortable where the puppy and the mother dog are kept in a secure. You should inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You should find out if they've been screened for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia and eye issues.
A responsible breeder should be able provide you with a copy your puppy's medical record and a current vaccination schedule. They should have a great working relationship with a vet who is able to carry out all necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to provide the name of the doctor and his phone number and also provide you with records of your consultation.
It's also recommended to ask the breeder if they have any concerns regarding your lifestyle or living conditions that could hinder them from selling you puppies. For example when they know that you have children, they might be reluctant to sell you a puppy because German Shepherds are known to be aggressive with children.
You should also expect an accredited breeder to require you to sign an agreement to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include the names of the parents as well as their AKC registration numbers as in addition to a return-to breeder clause. This is a vital way for responsible breeders to monitor their dogs and ensure they are going to good homes.
Health Tests
Breeders who are reputable will check the health of the dogs they plan to breed as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't produce pups with an inherited disease. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, myelopathy degenerative and GDV (also known as Bloat).
Breeders who are trusted seek to be aware of the temperaments and health status of each dog they own. They also share this information completely and freely with other breeders as well as prospective buyers.
The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to conduct certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German shepherd buy Puppy Shepherds also recommend that breeders conduct additional tests.
These tests check for genetic diseases that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also help breeders make better choices when mating which will reduce the incidences of hereditary illnesses in the next generations.
The most common genetic tests are
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are at risk of hip and elbow dysplasia, particularly in the front limbs. These joint conditions that cause degeneration cause discomfort and pain, but can be managed through exercise restrictions, weight control and medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays while sedating to ensure accurate results.
The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae and lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn't foolproof, however, and does not determine whether a dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or any other spinal disorders later in the course of.
Socialization
GSDs require intense physical exercise in addition to training and mental stimulation to keep them occupied. They get bored very easily and their inactivity can lead to destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing on shoes. Often, these behaviors stem from unmet emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is crucial for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization allows the pup to build confidence around new people and surroundings. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will be scared or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play together and interact with one another. This helps puppies learn appropriate social signals and how to deal with their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. It also exposes the pups to a wide range of sights, smells and sounds. The puppies are taught how to behave in groups. This is vital to their success as adults.
The puppy should be introduced to various household sounds including vacuum cleaners, doorbells and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed to a variety of sounds outside, including sirens, traffic and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy does not grow up fearful or anxious of these sounds. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a comfortable rate, and positive reinforcement is used throughout the process.
During this time, it's essential that the puppy gets to meet many different people and pets. This will help to prevent separation anxiety when the owner is away from home. A good example of this is when the dog is taken to puppy classes and dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should only be allowed to interact in a safe, controlled manner with other dogs. At first, the interactions should be confined to ensure that the puppy does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to interact with older, calmer and gentle dogs. This will help your puppy realize that older, larger dogs do not have to be terrifying. It will also aid in developing an excellent attitude.
Training
German Shepherds require constant, consistent obedience training. It is important to enroll them in a class early enough, especially while they are still young. This will assist them in developing into confident, well-mannered dogs. It is also a good moment to familiarize them with the basics of commands such as sit down, down, stay and come. The earlier a dog can learn these basic behaviors and commands, the more simple it is for them to follow your instructions as they age.
Territorial aggression is a frequent issue for many German Shepherd owners. They may be extremely cautious of their home and property, which can lead to them barking at people or animals that enter their area. Training, exercise and socialization can prevent territorial behavior.
Obedience training can also help to prevent other issues with behavior in German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained could cause trouble for their family and neighbors. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys or children. They may not be able to follow simple commands like "sit" and "down."
During the puppy years It is essential to socialize your German Shepherds to new locations, people and sounds. This is especially important when they reach 16 weeks old since they enter an important period of brain development during this period. If your German Shepherd is a quiet pup until then they'll likely face new experiences much more challenging as an adult and be more susceptible to anxiety-based aggression and fear.
Many dog owners do not realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be happy and calm. They are herders by nature and have a strong desire to work and please their humans and if they don't have enough work to do, they could become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles, decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's also a great way to build a bond with your German shepherd!