Should You Buy a German Shepherd Baby?
German shepherds can be excellent companions. They are intelligent and confident. You will pay between $200 to $3000 for a puppy purchased from an established breeder.
Backyard breeders might offer puppies at lower prices, but their pups are likely to have serious health problems. Backyard breeding often results in hip dysplasia that is inherited and other genetic diseases.
Health
German Shepherd puppies can be very intelligent, but only if they are healthy. To keep their personalities and minds alive, they require regular stimulation and proper handling. A healthy puppy is eager to learn and will respond to instructions. This makes them excellent police dogs, service dogs and even therapy dogs.
Responsible breeders screen their parents for health issues and prevent passing these genetic diseases on to their puppies. You should ask the breeder about health history of the parents and genetic testing prior to purchasing a German Shepherd puppy. Craigslist and other classified websites are a great place to find purebred puppies at a lower cost. However, these puppies are often not bred by a healthy parent and may be suffering from hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, or degenerative myelopathy.
These inheritable disorders may also affect the spine, brain, or muscles. Some German Shepherds be suffering from von Willebrand's disease or bloat, as well as heart issues. Many of these conditions are preventable with a proper diet, exercise and regular vet checkups.
A healthy puppy will have a strong immune response and is less likely to develop hereditary diseases as they grow older. They should be physically active and mentally alert.
You can adopt an German Shepherd from a rescue center or purchase one from a trusted dog breeder. Rescue centres will usually contain various breeds, including German Shepherds, and other details about the dogs.
It doesn't matter where purchase your German Shepherd, it is recommended to buy insurance for your pet. While it's a recurring cost, it will help to pay for medical treatment and medications for your dog should an injury or illness occurs. It's typically best to start the coverage as soon as possible before your puppy becomes injured or ill, so you can pick the most suitable policy for your requirements. A good, commercially-available, complete dog food should be fed to your German Shepherd puppy on a daily basis.
Training
If you're considering buying a German Shepherd puppy, it's important to take into consideration your lifestyle and the requirements of your family. GSDs are highly intelligent and active dogs that require a lot deal of exercise and mental stimulation. In addition, they have to be socialized from the beginning of their lives to overcome their inherent fear of strangers. GSDs are also highly adept at training, so they react well to positive reinforcement. Be prepared for a long time spent training your dog, and make sure you enroll in professional dog-training classes or hire an experienced trainer to teach you the proper methods.
In addition to regular training it is essential to ensure that you are exercising regularly and grooming. This breed sheds heavily and you will require a vacuum cleaner to remove hair from your floor and furniture. If you have hairy German Shepherd, you will also need to brush them regularly (especially the face and legs) to keep their fur tidy and free of tangles. You can reduce the amount of hair you have to vacuum by investing in a shedding tool as well as a furminator.
GSDs possess a high degree of intelligence and are extremely active. They require to be trained consistently in obedience to orders and good house manners. The early introduction to strangers is also necessary to overcome their fear of strangers. GSDs are a bit difficult for new owners. It is recommended to partner with a trainer who has experience to ensure you're properly trained and prepared to take care of this gorgeous breed.
GSDs are a large, muscular breed that is susceptible to certain health issues, including spinal cord diseases. They also can be affected by genetic eye diseases. To prevent these health problems it is best to purchase a German Shepherd puppy from an accredited dog breeder that performs regular health checks and provides vaccinations and veterinary treatment. You should also consider getting an insurance policy to cover health issues for your dog, like trupanion. This will cover emergency veterinary treatment in the event that your dog has a medical issue.
Exercise
German Shepherds need to be active throughout the day. They also tend to shed more than other breeds, which means they need regular bathing and brushing. Their physical size makes them ideal for homes with yards as opposed to condos or apartments. Playing with your German Shepherd daily and taking him for walks or runs is the best way to keep him active. Make sure to exercise him regularly to avoid weight problems and behavioral issues.
As with other breeds of dog, German Shepherd puppies are susceptible to certain health conditions. This includes knee and hip dysplasias, degenerative myelopathy (a condition that affects the hind legs) and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. To protect your German Shepherd from these issues you must find an accredited breeder. These breeders will perform various health tests and offer treatment and training for the breed. They might charge more than breeders who don't take the time to screen for these conditions.
As they get older, German Shepherds may develop other diseases in addition to the genetic disorders. They are more prone to musculoskeletal issues, particularly the spine and knees. They can also suffer from anxiety and depression. It is important to seek treatment for these disorders as soon as possible.
You can purchase a German Shepherd in pet stores or on the internet, but it is recommended to purchase from a reputable seller. Breeders who are reputable will adhere to ethical breeding practices and focus on creating well-adjusted puppies. They will also have a pedigree that contains working dogs and successful competition dogs. They might offer more expensive puppies than breeders who concentrate on selling the prettiest puppies.
Care
German Shepherd puppies require a fenced in area to play and burn off their energy. This will keep them from chewing or barking at things they shouldn't. It is also advisable to invest money into obedience training to keep your puppy from becoming an unruly dog. This will teach your German Shepherd commands such as "sit" and 'down' and 'come.
A yard that is fenced will also shield your German Shepherd puppy from being distracted by your pets of the neighbors or other animals. You should also introduce your German Shepherd puppy to any other family pets as early as possible to ensure they become familiar with each other by the time they are adults. deutscher schäferhund pflege -bred German Shepherd will be fine with cats and smaller dogs. However, they may pursue them.
The purchase of a German Shepherd from a reputable breeder will ensure that your new pup is healthy and has been tested for the most common ailments. It is more expensive to purchase a German Shepherd through a reputable breeder than from a pet shop or unreliable source, but the investment is worth it if are looking for a happy and healthy dog.
Puppies need a lot of attention at the beginning of their lives and throughout. They will require vaccinations, regular veterinary visits ( $700-$1200 annually) and routine grooming appointments ($300-$400). Additional expenses include the purchase of top-quality food, toys, collars and leashes ( $500-$800 per year). Dog walker or boarding could add another $500-$1000 to the cost of owning a German Shepherd.
As they grow, puppies go through "gangly" phases where their muscles aren't fully developed and they appear to be a bit skeletal. This is completely normal and expected. Like an 18-year old human, they may not look as attractive as an adult for a while.
In the effort to save money, backyard breeders frequently do not take the time to conduct health screenings. This can lead many health problems, from hip dysplasia to autoimmune diseases. Buying your German Shepherd from a reputable breeder is the only way to guarantee that your puppy will be free of these conditions. You will save money by not having to pay high-priced vet bills or treatment in the future for your German shepherd.