Buy German Shepherd Puppies From Responsible Breeders
German Shepherds are intelligent and loyal, but also brave and guardians. They are a great option for families with an expansive, enclosed yard and plenty of time to devote to training, exercise, and play.
However, if you don't have time to get a puppy, think about adopting a pet from a shelter instead.
Responsible Breeding
Responsible breeders are concerned with the health of their pups. They would like to find them homes with people who will provide them with love and care for the rest of their lives. This is a huge undertaking that requires careful screening of potential buyers.
A breeder who is good at their job will only allow their dogs to breed when they have tested negative for hereditary disorders including elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These are both genetic conditions that can cause discomfort, pain and arthritis in the future for your pet. Responsible breeders test their female and male dogs and only breed puppies from parents who have passed these tests.
A responsible breeder should also be capable of explaining any hereditary traits your puppy might have. This is crucial, since hereditary traits can affect your pet's health and temperament.
The breeder must also be able discuss the angles in the German Shepherd, they should be balanced and not have over or under angulation. The German Shepherd was designed to be a war dog and a herding breed. altdeutscher schäferhund kaufen require the correct angles to cover long distances.
The breeder should also tell you the pedigree of the sire and dam. This is important as it will help you determine whether the parents have suffered from any medical or behavioral issues. A responsible breeder will always focus on reducing hereditary diseases in their breeding stock, and they should be able discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the lineage of each parent.
Responsible breeders will usually have a contract they require prospective owners to sign. The contract should include a health warranty and list the responsibilities of the new owner. It is important that you understand and agree with all the terms of the contract before you pay any money. You should never be forced to do anything you don't feel comfortable with.
Health Tested Puppies
Health testing is the most important aspect of responsible breeding. A responsible breeder will test their breeding dogs according to the tests recommended by the parent club of the dog and keep records as proof. These records should contain an CHIC (Canine Health Identification Code) number that proves that all health screenings required were carried out and all results passed.
The CHIC number should also be included in the puppy's pedigree. This allows future owners of the puppy to verify that all the required tests and screenings have been completed. This will help safeguard breeding stock that may be prone to inheriting health issues like hip dysplasia, hereditary multifocal kidney cystadenocarcinoma, and nodular dermatofibrosis.
A reputable breeder should be able explain the purpose of each test and the way it relates to the health of the puppies. They must also be able to provide references from previous owners who can attest to the quality of their dogs and their honesty.
German Shepherds are intelligent and obedient. They are also independent. They are protective of their family and aren't afraid to let strangers know they're not welcome. This makes them excellent guard dogs and home protectors, but they can be wonderful family pets if properly trained.
If you're thinking about purchasing a German Shepherd puppy, make sure that your potential breeder has done the necessary tests and screenings to ensure that their puppies are healthy and genetically sound. This will save you lots of heartache down the line.
Hip scoring is the process of taking X-rays of the parents' hips typically under anaesthesia and sending them to a specialist who evaluates the results for a score between 0 and 106. Only dogs with low scores are bred in order to avoid passing the gene responsible for hip dysplasia to their pups. Elbow scoring is similar to this and assesses the development of the elbow joint in dogs.
The brachycephalic obstructive pulmonary airway syndrome scheme is a different health test. It examines the ability of a brachycephalic dog to breathe and gives it a score of 0 to 3. A score of 3 means that the dog is affected and should not be crossed. This helps to reduce the chance of developing brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome in puppies born to parents with high scores.
Socialized Puppies
German Shepherd puppies are playful and curious dogs. They are great with children and pets. They are loyal and protective and are often excellent watchdogs for their families. They enjoy playing and working and are ideal for homes that have secured yards and parks where they can run. If they are not properly socialized, however they may be aggressive or fearful especially when they are around strangers.
Puppy socialization is the act of opening a dog's eyes to the world and teaching them that the human world is a secure and enjoyable environment to live in. You can help your puppy socialize by taking them on walks, to the pet store or to a nearby park where they'll see other dogs or people, as well as other sights and noises. It may also involve exposing them to many different kinds of cars, elevators and other types of transportation.
During this time it is essential not to overwhelm the puppy with too many new experiences and interactions in one go. This could cause the dog to become anxious or even panicky and is the complete opposite of the goal you want to achieve when it comes to socializing your puppy.
It is a good idea to let your puppy interact with others who hold or pet them from a young age, as this will help stop the development of touch aversion, which can be problematic at the vet's office when your dog needs to have her ears examined and her mouth brushed in ways that aren't suitable for her.
Parents should expose their puppies to a variety of textures and sounds as well as socialization. This can be achieved by playing with the puppies on carpeting, tiles, wood and blankets. Also, by allowing them to hear the sounds of household appliances, such as doorbells, blenders, washing machines, and alarm clocks. Additionally, taking rides in the car and playing in parking lots is another method to let your pups explore the world from a safe distance. This will assist them in learning to adjust to the noisy, fast and unfamiliar world they will enter as adults.
Training
German Shepherds are extremely active and need a lot of physical and mental exercise. You can exhaust their energy by taking them for long walks or taking part in dog sports like agility or tribball, or flyball. This will assist you in forming a strong bond with your German Shepherd and help them learn to obey the rules.
You will have to teach your puppy basic obedience commands, such as sit down, heel, and sit. You can also give them food treats to reward them for following your instructions. The most important thing is to keep the training sessions short and enjoyable to keep your puppy's attention. This will stop them from having a negative association with training.
If you're a first-time dog owner or don't have the time to train your German Shepherd puppy yourself, an experienced professional trainer who specializes in German Shepherds could be of assistance. A trainer can help you with everything from obedience training to specific behavior issues.
A trained German Shepherd is a faithful and protective family member, making them a perfect pet for families with children. The breed is intelligent and is able to learn new techniques. It can even perform tasks like herding or guiding blind people. The downside is that they could be stubborn and not always listening to their owner.
If you are planning to use your German Shepherd for a task that requires more advanced abilities like tracking or sniffing, you should consider taking your dog to a training facility for puppies. These schools have a program and usually require that your puppy be fully vaccinated before they can begin classes.
German Shepherds are susceptible to heart disease, specifically DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy). You should have your puppy's heart evaluated annually with a stethoscope and x-rays.
Cancer is another common illness that affects German Shepherds, particularly in their older years. Hemangiosarcoma is one of the most prevalent cancers that affect Shepherds, can cause internal bleeding and weakness, as well as a dilated stomach, breathing problems and even collapse.