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How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy If you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a huge commitment. You will be responsible for many years for the health and education of your dog. Pet stores and online retailers typically sell puppies from puppy mills that place profit over animal well-being. Choose a reputable breeding center instead. How to Select a Breeder with a Good Reputation Before purchasing a German Shepherd pup, it's essential to get acquainted with the breeder. Breeders who are responsible will be happy to share details about their dogs and breeding practices. They will be willing to discuss genetic and health testing, early socialization, and the environment where their puppies are raised. The best place to start is to contact your local German Shepherd club or other organization. schäferhund welpe kaufen of breed clubs have an officer for puppy or secretary who can point you in the right direction for credible breeders in your region. You can also contact the animal control agency in your state to find a list of licensed breeders. Make the effort to meet with a breeder in person after you've found one who is in line with your standards for breeding. Look for a clean facility where the mother and pups are comfortably confined. Ask about the puppy's parents and siblings. You'll would like to verify that they've been checked for hereditary disorders like hip dysplasia, eye issues, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy. A responsible breeder should be able to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical records and an up-to-date shot schedule. They should have a strong relationship with a veterinarian who can perform all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able to give you the name of the veterinarian and telephone number and give you a consultation note. Ask the breeder about any concerns they may have about your lifestyle and living circumstances. This may prevent the breeder from selling the puppy to you. For example If they know that you have young children, they may be reluctant to sell you a puppy because German Shepherds can be a bit aggressive with children. A reputable breeder will also require that you sign a contract when you purchase your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain information about the parents as well as their AKC registration number as well as a clause allowing them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a crucial way for a responsible breeder to keep track of their dogs and ensure they are going to good homes. Health Tests Breeders who are trustworthy will examine the health of the dogs they plan to breed as breeding stock. This is to make sure that they do not produce pups with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, GDV and bloat. Breeders who are reputable are determined to understand the temperaments and health issues of each dog they own. They also are able to freely and completely communicate this information to other breeders and 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 suggest that breeders perform additional tests. These health tests look for genetic diseases that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. 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 Hip and elbow dysplasia are common issues in German Shepherds with the latter suffering from the condition in their front legs. These joint conditions that are degenerative cause pain and discomfort, but can be controlled with weight control, activity restrictions, supplements, and drugs. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays under sedation to ensure the accuracy of the results. The OFA test focuses on hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. The test is not foolproof and does not predict whether a dog's spinal condition will be degenerative myelopathy. Socialization GSDs require a lot of physical activity in addition to training and mental stimulation to keep them occupied. They can easily become bored and a lack of exercise may lead to destructive behaviors such as excessive digging or eating shoes. Most often, these behaviors are a result of not being able to satisfy their emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is crucial for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization can help the puppy build confidence in new people and situations. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations. Puppy socialization begins with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches them how to be around their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. They are also exposed to a wide range of smells, sights, and sounds. The puppies are taught how to behave in a group. This is essential to their success as adults. Introduce the puppy to a variety of household sounds, like vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed various outdoor sounds like sirens, traffic and construction. This is essential to ensure that the puppy does not become anxious or fearful of these stimuli as an adult. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at an ease rate and positive reinforcement is used throughout the process. During this time, it's also important that the puppy meets many different pets and people. This will help prevent separation anxiety while the owner is away. A good example of this is when the dog is taken to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs. The puppy should only be allowed to interact in a safe, controlled way with other dogs. At beginning, interactions should be restricted so that the pup does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to be around calmer, older, doggies who are friendly. This will help the puppy understand that not all larger, older dogs are dangerous and helps them develop an appropriate temperament. Training German Shepherds require consistent, firm obedience training. It's important to start an early training class particularly when they are still puppies. This will allow them to grow into well-mannered, confident dogs. It's also a good time to familiarize them with basic commands such as sit down, stay and sit. The earlier a dog is taught these basic behaviors and commands, the more simple it is for them to follow your instructions as they get older. Territorial aggression can be a problem in many families with German Shepherds. They might be extremely protective of their home and property, which can lead to them barking at other people or animals who enter their territory. Training, exercise and socialization can prevent territorial behavior. Other issues with behavior can be avoided through obedience training in German Shepherds. If a dog doesn't possess the proper obedience training can be a nuisance, or even a danger to their family members and neighbours. They are easily distracted by other pets or toys, or even children and ignore basic commands such as “sit” or “down.” During the puppy years, you should continue to socialize your German Shepherds with new locations, people and sounds. This is particularly important before they reach 16 weeks old since they enter an important phase of brain development during this period. If your German shepherd is a quiet puppy until then it is likely to be much more difficult for them to grasp new things as an adult. They could also be more susceptible to anxiety or fear-based aggression. Many dog owners don't realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise to be happy and calm. They are herders by nature and have a strong desire to do their best and please their humans, so if they don't have enough work to do, they can become bored or destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, decreases “cabin fever,” improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's also a great way to strengthen the bond between you and your German shepherd!