Buy German Shepherd Puppies From Responsible Breeders
German Shepherds are intelligent and obedient. They are also courageous and protective. They are a great fit for families who have an expansive, enclosed yard and plenty of time to training, exercise, and playing.
However, if you don't have the time to train a puppy, consider adopting a dog from a shelter instead.
Responsible Breeding
Responsible breeders are concerned about the health of their puppies. They want to find them homes with people who will give them love and care for the rest of their lives. This is a big responsibility that requires careful assessment and screening of potential buyers.
A breeder who is good at their job will only allow their dogs to breed after they have tested negative for hereditary conditions which includes the elbow dysplasia as well as hip dysplasia. These two genetic diseases can cause your dog pain, discomfort, and arthritis. Responsible breeders will test both their male and female dogs for these conditions, and only breed puppies who's parents have passed the tests.
A responsible breeder must be able to explain any hereditary traits your puppy may possess. This is important because hereditary traits could have an impact on the health and temperament of your pet.
The breeder must be able to discuss angles built into the German Shepherd. They should be balanced, and should not have over or under angulation. This is crucial because the German Shepherd was built to be a herding dog as well as a war dog, and they have to have the right angles to be able to efficiently move over long distances.
The breeder should also provide the pedigree of the sire and dam. This is crucial because it will assist you in determining whether the parents have suffered from any medical or behavioral issues. A responsible breeder will always be looking to reduce the incidence of hereditary illnesses in their breeding stock and should be able explain the advantages and disadvantages of the lineage of each parent.
Responsible breeders 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 essential to are aware of and agree with the conditions of the contract prior to you make any payment. You should never be forced to sign a contract you are not comfortable with.
Puppies that have been screened for health
Health testing is the most important aspect of responsible breeding. A good breeder should conduct tests on their breeding animals in line with the recommended tests of the dog's parent club and have records to prove it. These records should include the CHIC (Canine Health Identification Code) number that indicates that all required health screenings were completed and all results passed.
The CHIC number should also be included in the puppy's pedigree. This is an easy way for the puppy's owners to confirm that all the required testing and screening has been done. This will protect against breeding stock with genetic health issues, such as hip dysplasia or hereditary multifocal kidney cystadenocarcinoma.
A reputable breeder should be able explain the purpose of every test and how it relates to the health of the puppies. They should also be able to provide references from previous owners who can attest to the quality of their dogs as well as their integrity.
German Shepherds can be intelligent, obedient and independent. They are protective and will not hesitate to tell strangers that they're not welcome. This makes them excellent guard dogs and home security guards, but they can be great family pets when properly trained.
If you're thinking of purchasing a German Shepherd pup, make sure that the breeder you are considering has passed the required tests and screenings. This will ensure that their pups are healthy. This will spare you a lot of heartache down the line.
Hip scoring involves taking X-rays of the hips of parents usually under anaesthesia and then sending them to a specialist who will evaluate the results for a score between 0 and 106. To avoid passing the hip dysplasia gene to their puppies, only dogs with low scores can be bred. Elbow scoring is similar and evaluates the growth of the dog's elbow joint.
Another health test is the brachycephalic airway syndrome scheme, which evaluates the brodycephalic (flat-faced) dog's ability to breathe easily. It gives it a score between 0 and 3 with 3 being the most severe and shouldn't be bred with. This can reduce the chance of developing brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome in puppies that are born from parents who have scored high.
Socialized Puppies
German Shepherd puppies are naturally curious and playful dogs, and they generally do well with children and other pets. They are loyal and protective and are excellent watchdogs for 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 socialized properly, they may become fearful or even aggressive, particularly with strangers.
Puppy socialization involves exposing a puppy to the world and teaching that the environment of humans can be a positive and safe place. Puppy socialization can include walking them to a pet store, or to a park where they will encounter other dogs, people and other sights and sounds. Entzückende Scäferhund Welpen could also involve exposure to different types of cars and elevators as well as other modes of transportation.
During this time it is important to not overwhelm the puppy with too many new experiences and interactions at the same time. This can cause anxiety or even panic in the dog, which is not what you are trying to accomplish with puppy socialization.
It is recommended to let your puppy observe other people who are holding or petting them from a young age as this can help avoid the development of a touch aversion, which can be a problem at the vet's office when your dog requires her ears examined and her mouth touched in ways that aren't suitable for her.
Parents should expose their puppies to a variety of sounds and textures as well as socialization. You can achieve this by playing with your puppy on carpeting or tile or wooden floors, or on blankets. You can also let them listen to household appliances such as blenders, doorbells and washing machines. Additionally, taking car rides and playing in parking lots is a different way to allow the pups to explore the world from a safe distance. This will help them adapt to the loud, fast and unfamiliar world they will encounter as adults.
Training
German Shepherds are very energetic and need a lot of mental and physical exercise. The most effective way to burn off the energy is to take your dog for long walks and playing dog sports like agility, tribball or flyball. This can aid in building an emotional bond with your German Shepherd and teach them to obey instructions.
You'll need the basic obedience commands to teach your puppy, like sit down, heel and sit. You can also reward them with food treats when they obey your instructions. To keep your puppy's attention, keep training sessions fun and short. This will stop them from developing a negative relationship with training.
If you're new to dog ownership, or don't have time to train your puppy on your own You can get an experienced trainer who is skilled in working with German Shepherds. A trainer can assist you with everything from obedience training to specific behavioral issues.
A well-trained German Shepherd is a faithful and protective family member, which makes them an ideal companion for people with children. The breed is extremely clever and is able to learn new techniques. It can even perform tasks such as helping blind people to herd or guide them. The downside is that they can be stubborn and may not always listen to the owner.
If you'd like to utilize your German Shepherd to perform a task requiring more advanced skills like scenting or tracking, you may be interested in enrolling them in a puppy-training school. They have a set curriculum and typically require that your dog be fully vaccinated before they begin classes.
German Shepherds are at risk of heart disease, specifically DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy). It is recommended that you check your puppy's heart annually using a stethoscope, and x-rays.
German Shepherds are also vulnerable to cancer, especially as they age. Hemangiosarcoma is one of the most common cancers that affect Shepherds, can cause internal bleeding and weakness, as well as a distended stomach, breathing problems and collapse.