Thursday, March 5, 2015

What You Need To Know When Searching For The Best German Shepherd Breeders

By Leslie Ball


Adding a new dog to your family can be both fun and stressful. If you want to add a German Shepherd puppy to your family, identifying the best German Shepherd breeders is important. By choosing a reputable breeder, you can decrease the chances of dealing with some of the problems that this breed is known for. Here is how to choose the right breeder and increase your chances of getting a quality animal to add to your family.

One of the first things to do is learn all that you can about the breed itself. These dogs are large, and can weigh as much as 90 pounds. This may not make them an ideal choice for some owners. They are also a working breed and are usually happier when they have a job to do. They can be quite smart and learn new things quickly.

You should also be aware of any potential health issues that a particular breed has. In the case of a German shepherd one main issue is hip dysplasia. This causes pain when an animal moves and may need surgical correction or ongoing veterinary care in order to help manage the condition. A good breeder will keep track of any incidence of this disease and will not breed animals that show signs of it. As it is an inherited disorder, this can help reduce the chances that your pup will be affected by the condition.

Although you may want to look at pictures of puppies online, you may want to talk to the breeders themselves before you fall for a particular puppy. Often, you will find that you will need to wait until a particular breeder has puppies to offer. This is a good thing in many cases because it can mean that they are spacing out litters and giving the puppies more time with their parents.

Top breeders will also show that they care about the health of the adults. They will be able to produce health records showing that the parents have been properly vaccinated and received routine vet care. You want to make sure that the mother was healthy before she was bred as this can mean the puppies are stronger and healthier than those born to parents that are sickly.

You should also speak to the breeders about what the terms they ask for when purchasing one of their puppies. Some will have restrictions on when you can spay or neuter your pet as well as whether your dog can be bred or not. Some breeders do not want dogs that they determine to be "pet quality" to be bred as they may worry about the quality of the puppies or the health of the dog itself.

Its also a good idea to get to know any potential pups themselves. Make sure the breeder is leaving them with the litter long enough to be socialized. Then, when you have your puppy at home with you, you can continue introducing it to new people, animals and situations.

Taking the time to build a solid relationship with the breeder of your puppy makes a lot of sense. They can be a valuable resource when you have questions and may be able to provide insight if there are health or behavioral problems that develop at a later date.




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1 comment:

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