Should You Buy a German Shepherd?
A German Shepherd is a costly and emotional purchase. Doing your research ahead of time will help you avoid costly mistakes.
Consult local veterinarians for recommendations of ethical breeders. Be sure that you and your family commit to daily walks or games as well as other physical activity. German Shepherds require exercise to prevent frustration and boredom, which can lead to chewed shoes and furniture.
Find a Breeder with a Good Reputation
You'll want a breeder that is knowledgeable and responsible. They'll be open about their breeding practices and willing to share pedigrees. They'll also be careful not to breed puppies that carry genetic diseases.
Ask your veterinarian for recommendations, or look through the websites of dog clubs or performance events. These breeders typically have a facility where they take care of their dogs. They also will offer training classes for an additional fee. This is a great way to get your puppy socialized and get started on basic obedience training.
Choose a breeder who breeds for health, temperament and not just appearances or coat colour. A reputable breeder follows strict breeding standards, and tests for genetic diseases that are common to German Shepherd Dogs. They will also confirm the health of their puppies through DNA and orthopedic testing.
Red flags include breeders who refuse to provide preventive services, like deworming and vaccines or who claim that their supplements are superior to those provided by your vet. Also be cautious of a breeder that requires you to sign contracts with stipulations that you're not happy with.
Breeders who are able to raise puppies as a profession have a lot of responsibility. They have many people who rely on them to provide high-quality puppies. If a breeder doesn't follow the highest standards, it can affect the entire breed.
If you select a breeder who is a backyard breeder, you could end up with one with a health issue and unstable behavior. These dogs often end up on message boards and other online forums seeking help with the myriad of problems with their temperament and health that they face. A mediocre or backyard breeder isn't aware of what makes the German Shepherd Dog great. Usually they are just looking to make money, not produce healthy puppies. A reputable breeder will work their dogs in a variety of venues apart from basic obedience. They'll train and title their dogs for Schutzhund or other events of performance.
Talk to Local Veterinarians
German Shepherds are intelligent active dogs who are extremely affectionate with their owners. They were bred to be herding dogs, and are often employed for the military and police as service dogs but they also make wonderful family pets. They are prone to boredom and need lots of stimulation. They thrive in homes that have plenty of space and time to play.
Ask your veterinarians in your area about breeders that are ethical before purchasing a German Shepherd. Veterinarians work closely with many pet care givers, including shelters and private owners They'll have a good idea of the reputable breeders in your region. Ask them about any genetic disorders that are common to the breed. This includes degenerative myelopathy megaesophagus, as well as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. other conditions.
If you reside in New York, there are numerous top-of-the-line animal hospitals with staffs that specialize in working with German Shepherds. These include Veterinary Medical Center of Long Island in West Islip and BluePearl Pet Hospital in Queens. These facilities have state-of-the-art facilities and their staff is trained to treat a variety and conditions that are common in the German Shepherd breed.
You can also contact the local German Shepherd clubs. These groups typically have lists of reputable breeders and can direct you in the right direction. You can also determine if the breeder has been tested by their parents for the most common genetic diseases.
A common issue for German Shepherds is hip dysplasia, a condition where the hip joint doesn't fit perfectly. This can lead later in life to pain-inducing arthritis. A good breeder should x-ray their dogs and only use those who have healthy hips to breed. Heart disease is another issue that affects the breed. A good breeder will test both parents for dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM), Valvular Heart Disease, and heart murmurs.
You should never purchase a German Shepherd from a breeder who cannot prove that they have passed health tests for both parents. This indicates that the breeder might not be following strict breeding procedures. In addition, it's not healthy for puppies to travel across long distances. This can cause stress and can result in respiratory issues.
Find a breeder who is specialized.
German Shepherds are renowned for their herding instincts as well as their love of learning, which makes them excellent dogs for working. More inspiring ideas are also excellent guard dogs and are well-known for their devotion to family members. This protection can become aggressive when a dog isn't properly socialized and trained in its first years of. The breed is energetic and needs lots of exercise in order to avoid becoming bored. This can lead to issues with behaviour such as chewing furniture, or barking. This is why it is crucial to find a dog that is suitable for your lifestyle and home environment.
If you are looking to find a German Shepherd puppy, consider asking local veterinarians for recommendations from ethical breeders. Veterinarians are in a unique position to offer advice on where to purchase high-quality German Shepherds since they work closely with many animal care-givers including shelters, breeders, and individual owners.
Look for a breeder that has a good relationship with their breeding stock and is willing to talk with prospective buyers. A responsible breeder will be able to answer questions regarding health testing as well as early socialization and the environment in which their puppies are fostered.
A reputable breeder will offer health certificates for each puppy they sell, describing the pup's genetic history. This includes hereditary diseases that are common to the breed, like megaesophagus or exocrine-pancreatic insufficiency. They will also give you the recommended vaccinations and medicines for the puppy and you should adhere to precisely to lower the chance of contracting disease.
As with all dogs, it is essential to schedule regular veterinary examinations for your German Shepherd. This will enable your vet to identify any problems before they become serious and help prevent issues like bloat, skin conditions and heart diseases. It is essential to use a stethoscope listen to the heart and to perform an X-ray of the chest when conducting routine examinations.
German Shepherds are a huge commitment that can last up to 10-12 years with proper treatment. Before you decide to buy one, ensure that you can afford it financially and have the time to it. It is also important to consider if you have the space to house a large dog and be prepared for the cost of grooming, food, toys, equipment and crates.
Training early requires time.
German Shepherds are herding dogs that have a natural desire to work and an instinct for protection. They are also fairly fearless - this is why they are excellent police and military dogs. However, these traits can be problematic in a home dog. If they feel threatened, they might lunge at cars and bark at people. They may also bite.
Picking a puppy that has the best temperament will aid in addressing these problems. But, even so, you will need to put in the time and effort for early training. This includes house training and addressing food aggression (GSDs typically keep their food in a safe place).
In order to be properly trained, your German Shepherd will need to be active and get plenty of exercise. This can include long walks and hikes, jogs, runs and games of fetch. Puzzle toys and nose-work games can to stimulate their minds. They shed a lot and need to be groomed regularly.
The best place to start in the search for a responsible breeder is to speak with local veterinarians. They have a lot of animals and can offer suggestions for ethical breeders and dog trainers. You can also speak with pet store owners or other German Shepherd owners in your local area.
If you decide to purchase a GSD be sure that the breeder has health guarantees. This can help protect you from serious genetic diseases. These include hereditary eye diseases hip dysplasia and hip dysplasia as well as von Willebrand disease and EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency).
If you can't find a reputable breeder There are other options to get a German Shepherd. Animal shelters and rescue centers often have German Shepherds, and breed-specific rescues can sometimes be found online. If you plan to adopt a GSD from a rescue center, be sure to learn as much as possible about the history of the dog before you bring them home. This will help you determine if they will be an appropriate fit to your lifestyle. Ask about any behavioral or health problems the dog might have faced. GSDs are intelligent dogs and will respond well to training if they have had proper socialization during their puppyhood.