Monday, June 16, 2008

Selecting A German Shepherd Puppy

For both the individual and family owner the German Shepherd puppy is an excellent pet since they are athletic, energetic and bonding. The breed is also trained for search and rescue roles as well as police dogs. When you are choosing between German Shepherd puppies for sale you should consider the health and breed standards. Set up an initial meeting with your puppy once you know which one you are considering buying. Carefully observe how the puppy reacts to your voice and touch, make sure they are eager to make friends and affectionate.

It is important to train your puppy early in life or at the very least find one with a good temperament since they can become aggressive later in life. Any methods the former owners have used in socializing are important to the early socializing of the dog. You want to start the puppy out early with interacting with other dogs and humans.
If you are buying from a breeder you next want to ask to see both of the parents of the puppy you are considering. You will want to carefully observe how the parents react to you as a stranger, as they shouldn't have any signs of unwanted aggression. The temperament of the parents will be present in the litter. You also want to make sure the parents move easily and unencumbered for health reasons. Ask to see the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals certification for the puppy's parents.

Hip dysphasia is common in German Shepherds and it is a genetic condition so it can be passed on to the litters. When you are considering German Shepherd puppies for sale it is always important to consider the rating that the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals gives to all registered canines as a result of X-rays showing the dogs bone structure. Dogs who are prone to hip dysphasia shouldn't be bred and if the owners can't give you Orthopedic Foundation for Animals certification for their dogs you should consider purchasing your puppies from someone else.
Next carefully look over the puppy you are considering. The eyes should be clear and alert and the gums should be pink and healthy. There should be no foreign matter in the ears. Without being overly energetic the puppy should be playful. When considering German Shepherd puppies for sale you should carefully consider the puppy's lineage. An American Kennel Club puppy from a breeder will have family charts that show not only the puppy's parents but also the ancestors of the puppy for several generations on both sides of the family. A good breeder will be happy to show you this detailed family tree and even provide you a copy for your records.

After you have chosen and purchased you German Shepherd puppy you should have it evaluated by a veterinarian right away, they will need to be de-wormed and get all their shots. To socialize your puppy with other dogs and human beings you should take them on walks, set up play dates with dogs or friends and take them with you into pet stores when you shop if it is allowed.

When you are looking forGerman Shepherd puppies you want to take several steps in order to find the right one. After getting a new puppy it is important to know proper German Shepherd puppy care.

Monday, June 9, 2008

Good German Shepherd Breeders

Pet buyers have many options today. Those in the market for a purebred German Shepherd need to research the specifics before buying. This article will cover the history of the German Shepherd, characteristics of the German shepherd, where to buy German Shepherds, and how to avoid illicit breeders and sellers of German Shepherds. Additionally, buyers should know how to care for a purebred German Shepherd and be prepared for this well in advance of making a purchase.

The history of the German Shepherd dog begins fairly recently compared to other breeds. Though various sheep dogs existed in Germany, the first German Shepherd was classified as such in 1899. A German cavalry captain, Max von Stephanitz, noticed a fine example of a sheep dog at a dog show. That dog, Hektor, was renamed Horand von Grafath, and he was the first German Shepherd. Stephanitz founded The German Shepherd Dog Club of Germany and became the first German Shepherd breeder in history.
The German Shepherd dog has a large body and is wolfish in appearance. Stephanitz initially inbred the line to retain its lupine beauty, intelligence and utility. Unfortunately, inbreeding also caused genetic defects. German Shepherds are highly prone to hip dysplasia and other skeletal disorders. It is recommended that any potential buyer ask for a warranty from the breeder that their dog has been evaluated and cleared for hip dysplasia.

There are many places where a buyer can acquire a purebred German Shepherd. These include breeders, brokers, the Internet, the newspaper (private owners), pet stores, shelters and rescue centers. Simply put, the best place to buy a purebred German Shepherd is from a certified, ethical German Shepherd breeder. These breeders have their own kennels and often work in tandem with rescue centers or house rescues within their own kennels. All other sellers of German Shepherds cannot provide a full history and put buyers at risk of purchasing dogs with health and behavioral problems as well an uncertain ancestry.
A reputable German Shepherd breeder will provide registration papers for each Shepherd they sell, preferably certified by the American Kennel Club. German Shepherd breeders will also provide medical records on demand and offer a warranty or guarantee regarding certain health conditions like hip dysplasia. A good German Shepherd breeder may also ask the buyer to sign a contract stating that he or she will have the dog spayed/neutered or evaluated for other medical conditions within specific time frames.

Good breeders do not sell their dogs to pet stores. Breeders care what happens to their breed and want to know information about the potential homes puppies are going to. Though pet stores display adorable puppies to consumers, the background that these puppies come from is not so pretty. Puppies are born and shipped in cages. Like any other merchandise, they are stored and then sold. Unsold puppies are destroyed. The parents of these puppies are bred twice a year in cages with little to no socialization. Every purchase from a pet store funds the perpetuation of this cycle. This is why it is important that buyers purchase only from ethical German Shepherd breeders and rescue centers.

When finding German Shepherd information and researching places to buy a German Shepherd, the focus should be on finding ethical German Shepherd breeders. This article provides German Shepherd information and cites ways to obtain German Shepherds, whether through a pet shop, broker or German Shepherd breeder.

German Shepherd