What Are Other Things To Consider Before Buying A German Shepherd
Do you have the space for your Shepherd to run and play? Are you ready to commit your busy life to this intelligent, highly sensitive dog for like 15 years? Can you bear the cost of your dog?
These are some of the many things you must consider before investing your money and feelings on a GSD to make him your pet. So lets see what the other basic things to be considered before buying or adopting a german shepherd are.
1. Buy your puppy from a trusted breeder.
Dont ever buy a puppy from an online store or a breeder that doesnt show you the mother or even both parents. These puppies can be bred in very poor conditions even without the supervision of a vet. So there will be a higher chance of you getting a puppy with a health problem. you can try buying or adopting from a reputable breeder or a rescue instead.
2. Spare time for them.
German Shepherds are very active dogs and they are also very intelligent. Please dont buy or adopt one if you cant spend a little of your morning or your evening with them. They are very energetic dogs and if you dont make them walk or engage in playing, they will discharge this energy in a harmful way for both parties. If you are stuck in a busy schedule you can hire a dog walker to walk your dog for you.
3. Give proper training.
4. Maintaining cost
Dont just buy a GSD and think oh thank god. the hard part is now over! Its not over, mate. The real trouble begins after that.
5. Dont adopt or buy a puppy too early.
German Shepherd Collar Sizing
Your GSDs collar will have a lot of important information on it, including its name, contact information and address if you are ever parted. Therefore, it is crucial that you get the sizing right when choosing your collar!
To find the correct collar size for your GSD, follow these simple steps:
Its also worth noting that you should follow the Two Fingers rule when fitting your dog collar onto your German Shepherd. This helps to ensure that it fits correctly and isnt too tight, and means that you should be able to comfortably fit two of your fingers under the collar while it is on your dog.
Furbaby Premium Fluffy Fleece Dog Blanket
Choose from small, medium, or large in this fabulously fluffy fleece blanket from Furbaby. Its soft to the touch, super cuddly, and designed with your dogs needs in mind.
An affordable piece of luxury for any dog crate, couch, bed, or just a nice place to rest on the floor, you cant go wrong with this dog blanket. It comes in a range of colors and sizes, but all are machine washable and made of 100% polyester. Have a couple of these on hand for quick and easy bedding changes.
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The Best Crates For A German Shepherd Puppy
Your GSD puppy is going to grow fast, but that doesnt mean youre better off with an adult-sized crate right from the start. Puppies learn good potty habits when introduced to a properly-sized crate early on.
On the flip side, you can save some money by purchasing a crate large enough for your dogs adult size and simply blocking off a portion of it while shes still a pup. You have options!
German Shepherd Puppy Checklist For First Night Home: 20 Things To Have Prepared
Having your new German Shepherd puppy for the first night at home can be both exciting, and a little bit scary.
It can be exciting for everyone in the house because who doesnt like a cute little fluff ball running around that you can hug and give lots of kisses to.
On the other hand, the responsibility can take some getting used to with training, health checks, cleaning up, making sure anything that can be chewed on doesnt get destroyed, and so on.
We wanted to make sure you are as prepared as you can be for your new German Shepherd puppys first night home with a quick checklist of things you might find useful to consider and potentially plan for.
Lets look at the list now
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How To Raise A German Shepherd Puppy
There are fewer things in life more irresistible than a German Shepherd puppy, but you should never bring one home on impulse. This needs to be a careful decision. Bringing a puppy home is the same as bringing home a human child, except German Shepherds mature faster and are more loyal. Although German Shepherds are a big responsibility, their friendship is priceless.
- A German Shepherd, on average, will cost about $3,000 a year in food, grooming supplies, and vet care. This is far less than your car, but it’s still something to keep in mind.
- Because of their fast growth, German Shepherd puppies need their diets closely regulated to avoid potential health problems.
- They will also need positive reinforcement from day one. Never train a German Shepherd puppy by force. Most dog bites are from scared dogs, not dogs that are attacking.
- You must first research the breed so you know everything you can about German Shepherds. These dogs have an image problem some people think they are inherently vicious when, in fact, they aren’t. They were never bred to fight other animals or human beings. They were bred to be extremely obedient and willing to please. So, if you ever read about a German Shepherd attacking a human being, it was because the dog was trained to attack, not because the dog is mean. Care and training are all-important if you want to succeed with a German Shepherd.
The Best Grooming Supplies For A German Shepherd Puppy
Grooming your puppy is an awesome way to build a lasting, loving bond with him. Its also a good way to check on your pups growth, health, and any issues that may be present. We covered the best grooming products for German Shepherds already, so we dont want to fill this article up with repeat information.
Head over there after youre done here to get the rundown on the best grooming items for GSDs!
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Onetigris Military Adjustable Dog Collar
The best collar for German Shepherd pups is one they will feel comfortable wearing, and that is something you will get with this thick and durable nylon collar! OneTigris is wide enough to sit safely around your fur friends neck, has a dual buckle strap for extra safety, reinforced seams and a heavy-duty metal D-ring, and it comes in colors like black, grey, coyote brown and ranger green, so that your four-legged companion can look his coolest no matter where you go. The collar has a hook-and-loop panel where you can go ahead and add a personalized patch with your dogs name and/or your phone number, just in case your pup would ever wander off.
Pros:
+ Discrete reinforced seams+ Military style design and colors
Why We Like It There is something so simple about this collar design, yet it is also ideal for German Shepherds due to the double clasp construction and the heavy-duty material.
How Are You Rearing The Puppy
Its vital that a puppy is properly socialized during its first few weeks of life. Has the puppy been safely introduced to new things places to walk, things to smell and see and hear? Or has it been kept inside a kennel?
Early exposure to new things helps develop a pups confidence. You will want to know how its been brought up.
For a more comprehensive look into what it takes to properly socialize a German Shepherd, we have an excellent article for you linked below:
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Jdpet Washable Puppy Pads
Ah, yes. The pooper scooper. It might not be the most glamorous tool in your toolbox, but youre going to love having it around. This poop scoop is designed with big and little dogs in mind, so itll work throughout your GSDs life. No more bending, stooping, and straining yourself to clean up the yard. This long-handled and strong scoop can pick up even the most impressive lawn apples your pup leaves in his wake. Its even foldable, so you can tuck it out of sight when not in use.
Finding A Reputable Breeder
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Beware Of Feeding Table Scraps
Once you have established a pattern of feeding for your GSD, its very important that you stick with it. Avoid the temptation to hand out snacks to your dog, no matter how much they may try to convince you that they are starving and need more food.
Feeding your dog table scraps not only interrupts your dogs eating schedule, they are also mostly unhealthy for your dog, and doing so can adversely affect your dogs physical development.
And you also run the real risk of creating an expectation in your dog, which may lead to it becoming a picky eater. Anyone who has ever owned a dog that is a picky eater can attest that its not a circumstance that you want to occur if you can avoid it.
If you have established an eating pattern for your dog and it is still really begging you for more food then its time to consult with your veterinarian, as there may be some underlying health issue causing the dogs excess hunger.
How Do I Know What Size Collar To Get My Puppy
For a proper fit, make sure to measure your dogs neck and dont just guess! Measure a few inches down from their head and then add an inch for very small dogs or two inches for medium and large dogs. When you slide the width of your two fingers between the collar and neck, the collar should feel snug, but not tight.
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Look For Signs Of Abuse Or Neglect
Any sign of abuse or neglect must be considered you want to know if you are bringing home a puppy that has been through trauma. Take a look at the breeder and at the location where the puppies have lived for the last few weeks. If there is something there that causes you any reason for concern, then it is best to look somewhere else.
Types Of Collars For German Shepherds
Standard Flat Collar
If your dog doesnt have any issues with breathing, hyperactivity or disobedience, this is the collar we like the most.
These collars are usually nylon or leather.
If your dog does have some of these issues, you might like to look into harnesses as an option.
Reflective Collars
Similar to standard collars, but with reflective material that illuminates/reflects in the dark usually the nylon or stitching lights up so people and people in vehicles can see your dog.
Choker Chains and Collars
A choker chain is designed to constrict and close in on the neck of the dog as they pull.
Whilst a choker chain might have its specialty uses, they should only be recommended or used by professional trainers in certain circumstances.
E Collars & Shock Collars
Shock collars is the old term used to describe electronic collars.
These days they are often referred to as E collars, and their design has evolved to include a wider range of stimulus , in addition to including vibrate and sound/beep modes.
Your dog wears the receiver collar, and you as the owner control the collar function with your hand held remote device.
They are used to train dogs against undesirable behaviors.
The decision to use an e collar needs some thought on your behalf, and should be done in conjunction with your vet and/or animal behavioural expert or professional trainer.
Anti Bark Collars
Anti bark collars are usually the citronella bark collars, or the electronic bark collars.
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Things To Know Before Buying A German Shepherd Puppy
The moment you see that adorable German Shepherd puppy for the first time, the feeling will last with you forever. It certainly did with me when we first met our own dog. Youre bound to find it hard not to completely fall head over heels for them.
But. Just take a step back for a second.
Yes, you might see one puppy in the litter that you have a particular affinity for, but how do you know its the right one for you to take home?
Its easy to simply say yes, pay your money, and take a German Shepherd puppy home, but in hindsight theres always thing you should look into.
We didnt do this when we bought our first ever puppy many years ago. I wish we had, but luckily, our dog ended up being ok, but it could have been very different: German Shepherds and any puppies can have health problems be sold by unscrupulous breeders.
With their long noses, furry bodies, and sparkling eyes, they will tug at your heart strings. You will be tempted to just take that German Shepherd puppy and go. But please, please, please before you do that, here are some important things you should check before you pay your money.
The Best Bedding For A German Shepherd Puppy
Puppies sleep a lot, and while it would be fun to carry your sleeping GSD puppy everywhere you go, thats simply not practical. Give him the next best thing by providing soft, supportive, comfortable bedding for in the crate and around the house. Be sure your puppys bedding is made for dogs, durable, chew-resistant, and please check it regularly for tears
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What Does What Size Kennel For German Shepherd Look Like
The German shepherd is a large dog with a strong skeleton and well-developed muscular physique. what size kennel for german shepherd have a wide powerful chest, a slightly lowered pelvis, and an easily recognizable stand. Limbs are long, smooth and strong, and the tail is straight and saber forms. Skin-tight leather of the what size kennel for german shepherd body, so that no folds are formed. The head of the shepherd wedge, the ears are large, erect, slightly pointed at the tips.
The coat of the what size kennel for german shepherd is short and dense, with a developed undercoat, which allows you to transfer even cold. The colors are very different: black and grey, but the most common are black .
Online Resources For Finding Ethical Breeders
If none of the above works for you, below are three great websites at your disposal:
- The WUSV: The German Weltunion der Vereine für Deutsche Schäferhunde offers this map of German Shepherd dog clubs around the world.
- Valor K9 Academy: If youre looking for more North American options, youll want to check out The Valor K9 Academys excellent list of recommended breeders.
- AKC Breeders of Merit: The American Kennel Club recognizes breeders they believe have shown exceptional care and dedication. You can search the AKCs registry of these meritorious American and Canadian breeders. Filter by state and then scroll until you find one who breeds German Shepherds.
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Zippypaws Loopy Hedgehog 6 Squeaker Dog Toy
Best Plush Toy
The biggest issue youll probably encounter when buying a plush toy for your German Shepherd puppy is finding one that can last until adulthood. Since dogs tend to bond with their plushies, durable toys are even more important.
This is where the ZippyPaws Loopy Hedgehog 6 Squeaker comes inthis soft, durable toy has six different squeakers inside to entertain your Shepherd with. Even if one squeaker happens to stop working, there will always be more for your dog to discover. The large number of squeakers adds to the toys lifespan, but will also keep your German Shepherd interested for even longer too.
Another interesting thing to keep in mind is that this toy doesnt use any stuffing. Unlike some plush toys that will make a mess, you wont have to do any clean-up if your dog does rip it apart.
The fun hedgehog design is also one-size-fits-allGerman Shepherds of all ages can enjoy it.