Buy German Shepherd Puppies From Responsible Breeders
German Shepherds are intelligent and respectful. They are also courageous and secure. They are a great option for families with a large yard that is fenced in and who have plenty of time for training as well as play and exercise.
If you don't want to spend the time on a puppy, adopt one from shelters.
Responsible Breeding
Responsible breeders are concerned about the health of their puppies. They want to place them in homes where they will receive love and attention throughout their lives. This is a huge responsibility that requires careful screening of potential buyers.
A breeder who is a good one will only allow their dogs to breed if they've been tested positive for hereditary diseases including the elbow dysplasia as well as hip dysplasia. These are both genetic conditions that could cause pain, discomfort and arthritis in the future for your dog. Responsible breeders will test their male and female dogs for these conditions, and they only breed puppies who's parents have passed the testing.
A responsible breeder should also be able to explain any hereditary traits that your puppy may have. This is vital, as hereditary traits can affect your pet's health as well as temperament.
The breeder should also be able discuss the angles that are built into the German Shepherd. They should be well balanced, and not have over or under angulation. This is vital because the German Shepherd was built to be a herding dog as well as a war dog, they need to have the correct angles to be able to efficiently move across long distances.
The breeder should also be able tell you the pedigree of the dam and sire. This is crucial for a variety of reasons, including knowing about any medical or behavioral problems that the parent might have experienced. A responsible breeder will always focus on reducing hereditary diseases in their breeding stock and must be able to explain the positives and negatives of each parent's lineage.
Responsible breeders usually have a written contract that they require prospective owners to sign. The contract should contain the health guarantee and also list the responsibilities for the new owner. Before you pay for anything it is crucial to understand the contract and agree with the terms. You shouldn't be compelled to do anything you do not feel comfortable with.
Puppies that have been health tested
Health testing is the most crucial 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 keep records to prove it. These records should contain an CHIC (Canine Health Identification Code) number that indicates that all required health screenings were conducted and all tests were positive.
The CHIC number should be listed on the pedigree of the puppy. This allows future owners of the puppy to easily verify that all the required tests and screening have been done. This will help to ensure that breeding stock is not affected by might have health issues that are inherited, such as hip dysplasia, hereditary multifocal kidney cystadenocarcinoma or nodular dermatofibrosis.
A reliable breeder should be able to explain the purpose behind each of the tests and how they relate to the health of their pups. They should also be able provide references from previous pet owners who are able to confirm the quality of their dogs as well as their integrity.
German Shepherds can be intelligent and loyal, as well as independent. They are protective and won't hesitate to tell strangers that they're not welcome. They are excellent guard dogs and protectors of the home They can also make excellent family pets if they are properly trained.
If you're considering getting a German Shepherd puppy, make sure that your potential breeder has gone through the required tests and screenings to make sure their pups are healthy and genetically sound. This will save you many heartache later on later on.
Hip scoring involves taking X-rays of the parents' hips typically under anaesthesia and sending them to a specialist who examines the results for a score between 0 and 106. Only dogs with low scores should be bred to prevent passing the gene responsible for hip dysplasia to their pups. Elbow scoring is similar and measures the development of a dog's elbow joint.
The brachycephalic obstructive pulmonary airway syndrome scheme is another health test. It assesses the ability of a dog suffering from brachycephalic disease to breathe and gives it a score between 0 and 3. A score of 3 means that the dog is affected and should not be crossed. This can lower the risk of developing brachycephalic obstruction syndrome in puppies who are born from parents with high scores.
Socialized Puppies
German Shepherd puppies are playful and curious dogs. They are great with both pets and children. They are obedient and protective and can be excellent watchdogs for their families. They also enjoy working and play. They are ideal for homes with parks or yards where they can run. If they aren't socially supervised they could become fearful or aggressive, especially with strangers.
Puppy socialization is the process of opening a dog's eyes to the world and educating them that the environment is a safe and positive environment to live in. You can introduce your puppy to the world by taking them for walks, going to the pet store, or to a nearby park where they'll meet other dogs as well as people and other sights and sounds. It could also involve exposure to different types of cars and elevators, as well as other modes of transportation.
During this time it is crucial to not overwhelm the puppy with too many new experiences and interactions at the same time. This can create anxiety or even fear in your dog. It is the opposite of what you are trying to achieve through puppy socialization.
It is recommended to let your puppy interact with others who hold or pet them at an early age to avoid the development of a fear of touching, which could cause problems at the veterinary clinic when your dog requires her ears examined and her mouth brushed in ways that aren't comfortable for her.
Parents should expose their puppies to different textures and sounds as well as socialization. This can be done by playing with the puppies on tiles, carpeting, wood and blankets. Also, by allowing them to hear the sounds of household appliances, such as blenders, doorbells, washing machines and alarm clocks. Finally, going for rides in the car and spending time in parking spaces is another method to let the pups be able to experience 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 extremely active and require plenty of physical and mental exercise. The best way to burn off this energy is to take long walks with them and participating in dog-related activities like agility, treibball or flyball. This can aid in building a strong bond with your German Shepherd and teach them to follow the rules.
You will need to teach your puppy basic obedience commands such as sit down, heel, and sit. You can also use food treats to reward them for following your commands. The key is to keep training sessions short and fun to keep your puppy's attention. This will prevent them from having a negative relationship with training.
If you're just beginning to learn about dog ownership, or you do not have the time to train your puppy by yourself, you can hire an experienced professional trainer who is specialized in working with German Shepherds. A trainer will be able to help you with everything from obedience training to dealing with specific behavioral issues.
A well-trained German shepherd is a faithful, secure family member. reinrassiger schäferhund make a great companion for families with children. The breed is smart and easily learns new techniques. It is capable of tasks such as helping people who are blind. The downside is that they can be stubborn and not always listening to the owner.
If you'd prefer to use your German Shepherd to perform a task requiring more advanced skills such as scenting or tracking, you may be interested in enrolling them in a puppy-training school. These schools follow a specific course of study and require that your puppy is fully vaccinated prior starting classes.
German Shepherds may be susceptible to heart disease. This is especially relevant to DCM (dilated Cardiomyopathy). You should check your puppy's heart every year using a stethoscope as well as x-rays.
German Shepherds are also prone to cancer, particularly as they age. Hemangiosarcoma, one of the most common cancers that affect Shepherds can cause internal bleeding and weakness as well as a distended stomach, breathing problems, and even collapse.