What To Know About German Shepherd Puppies

Purebred German Shepherds From Breeders Can Be Costly

German Shepherd puppies are adorably pretty but they can cost a pretty penny when bought from a quality breeder.

Thats because most breeders would spend around $7,500 for a whole litter of GSD puppies on average. As a result of that, the price of a single puppy for the wanna-be-GSD-owner can range between $500 and $5,000.

Finding the right breeder is vital, of course, as bad dog breeders wouldnt have taken good care of the puppies, wont give you a health certificate, and so on.

So, how can you find a good local GSD breeder?

With lots of time and effort. There are plenty of at adequate prices but youd still need to do thorough research.

What Is The Size Of A Full

An adult male German Shepherd is typically 24 to 26 inches tall, while adult female German Shepherds are 22 to 24 inches tall, according to the American Kennel Club German Shepherd Standard.

The estimated full-size varies significantly between sexes. In terms of weight, an adult male German Shepherd weighs anywhere from 75 to 90 pounds. A female German Shepherd weighs notably less at 55 to 70 pounds.

Please keep in mind that these numbers are only estimates to give you an idea of how much bigger a German Shepherd puppy may get. Some dogs will be both smaller and larger than these weight ranges when fully grown due to a variety of genetic and environmental factors.

Be Watchful For Signs Of Shyness

Many German Shepherds, especially American-line dogs bred for show/companionship, tend toward shyness and anxiety. If not addressed, this shyness can transform into fear-based aggression. For this reason, socialize that puppy from the minute he comes home with you, and dont stop throughout his lifetime.

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Ideas For Interesting New Experiences

Remember, socialization and new opportunities isnt just about people and animals. Theres tons of new things your dog needs to get comfortable with.

Let your puppy walk on different surface types, such as:

• tile floors
• stone and brick flooring
• wet surfaces

Different surfaces help your dog feel a variety of textures so they dont develop any aversions to certain floors or textures. Dont force them to walk over any thing sharp or hazardous.

Use treats and positive encouragement when they investigate a new situation with confidence.

Especially expose them slowly to different weather conditions youll need to walk them in, like:

• rain
• sun
• wind

Train them early that thunder and rain are just parts of everyday life. And that no matter what youll keep them safe.

Finding A German Shepherd Breeder

The first step is to do your research. Sadly, there are many puppy mills posing as reputable breeders along with many online scams. Be aware, and reach out to different online forums for conversations about getting your future furry family member.

Be sure to ask questions, make arrangements to meet the parent dogs or mother, and follow your gut. If something seems wrong at a breeder you visit, or the German shepherd puppy seems too good to be true, theres likely something going on. The AKC also offers resources for finding a breeder, with fairly strict guidelines on who they let participate.

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Why Won’t My Dog Come When I Call Him

Have you ever trained your dog to come when called, and then when you call him, he completely ignores you?; You are not alone!; There are many reasons why your pup is not responding to your command.

• More training is needed.; Your dog might not be ready to be off the leash in wide, open spaces and needs more systematic training.; Go back to the basics and try again.
• Competing reinforcers. Your dog might be perfectly well-trained to come to you when you call him, but other creatures & people can win in the competition for your dogs attention.; It is important for you to know your dog, and that includes knowing when you need to leave the leash on.
• No reinforcement. When you call your dog and he comes to you, it is important to reward him.; No reinforcement leads your dog to not wanting to come to you.; You can use a food treat or plenty of praise.
• Not understanding the dogs needs. Sometimes your dog will not come when called because you are rushing him.; He may need to run, sniff around a bit, or search longer for a good bathroom break spot.

Puppies expect to be “paid” for good behavior.; Praise in a happy voice and small treats are the best form of reward for good behavior.

Start by teaching your puppy his/her name.; By 4 months, they should know sit, down, come, go out, and wait/stay.; Be consistent & patient and reward good behavior.; Training for a few minutes several times a day is better than a longer training session.;

Positive Reinforcement Produces Positive Results

Your German Shepherd will respond best to training with positive reinforcement. Yelling or physical punishment will cause this intelligent breed to mistrust you.

Reward good behavior with treats or praise or both. Its the best way to show your German Shepherd that hes doing it right and its a motivator for him to continue with this behavior.

Remember earlier when I said that your German Shepherd actually wants to please you?

Well, once your dog has mastered the behavior, you can remove the treats and reward only with praise hell relish in it all the same.

You know by now that there are heaps of different training programs. Each program has a specific focus, function, and outcome.

Well take a closer look at some of these in future posts. So, for now, lets look at two basic programs

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Are Black German Shepherd Puppies Rare

It is quite rare! Only 6.8% of the German Shepherds population is purely black. As stated above, it will take precisely two black Shepherds to create a solid black Shepherd puppy. Tan parents carrying the black gene will also have the possibility to generate a black Shepherd. However, the likelihood of getting a black Shepherd with two black parents is higher in reality.;

She Was The First Guide Dog For The Blind

Thought she was only famous for Rin Tin Tin? Nope. A female German Shepherd called Buddy was the first Guide dog. In 1928, after training for a month in Switzerland, she came back to the U.S. with her blind owner, Morris Frank. She wowed an audience of reporters and onlookers as she helped him across one of the busiest roads in New York.

After this, dogs assisting people became commonplace, and, along with Golden Retrievers and Labradors, many of the guide dogs used today are German Shepherds.

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Hope You Love Dog Hair Everywhere

Theres a reason people call them German shedders. Enough said! German Shepherds have a double coat, which equals twice as much fur all of your floor, your sofa, your clothes, etc. You also cant win with your wardrobe; if you end up with a;classic black-and-tan German shepherd, they have black, brown, tan, and sometimes white hair on them, so no color of clothing is immune!

How To Groom A German Shepherd Dog

German Shepherds requires regular brushing. Regular brushing prevents the unwanted shedding of excess fur all over your house and ensures their coat is kept in great condition.

We recommend brushing your dog a couple of times per week. The need for brushing your pup may increase near the of spring and autumn while they shed their double-coats in preparation for the warmer or cooler months ahead.

This dog does not need to be bathed regularly. In fact, bathing your dog may strip their fur from natural oils so only bath as needed.

Regular maintenance of their nails and teeth are important.

Brushing ytheir teeth or providing your pup with other forms of dental treats is essential for adequate dental care.

The German Shepherds nails are quite easy to maintain; as a working dog, they naturally wear down their nails .

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Get Ready For Negative Public Perceptions

Thanks to the media, history, popular culture, and surely many mishandled dogs, German Shepherd;dont exactly have the best public image. If it hurts your feelings that some people are automatically scared of your dog, a German Shepherd may not be right for you. If you have a German; Shepherd, let this motivate you to make your dog a great breed ambassador and help change negative stereotypes.

Can German Shepherds Be Great Companions

If you are in a dilemma on whether German Shepherds can make great companions or not, then stay in peace because you can get your furry mate for 9-13 years as that is the German Shepherds lifespan. German Shepherds are giant breeds, and they are heavy enough. German Shepherds weight is about 22-40 kgs. Male German Shepherd can weigh about 30-40 kgs, while females weigh about 22-30 kgs.;

Ohio is one of the places where people go gaga over German Shepherd puppies. So the German Shepherd puppies in Ohio are in great demand in the 21st century as people are well aware of the facts like loyalty, possessiveness, and the protection German Shepherds can provide. People also go for German shepherd rescue in Ohio because they will serve you for life once you take care of a dog. The German shepherd rescues in Ohio can turn out to be great companions and friends for their high level of loyalty and love for the rescuers.

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Noticing Other Physical Characteristics

My Puppy Barks At People Who Come To My House

I really dont want him to do that.; How do I stop him from barking at strangers?

Barking is natural for dogs.; They are doing their job by alerting their family that someone is coming.; Its unreasonable to expect that a puppy will never bark.;; The key is that he should learn to stop barking once you have identified the issue and taken charge.

Acknowledge that theyve done something wonderful and then take a leadership role so the puppy can relax. Here are some specific steps you should take:

• As soon as puppy starts to bark, approach him to investigate what he sees.
• Tell him hes a good boy and ask him to sit.
• Praise him for the sit and answer the door.
• If puppy continues to bark, say all done and give him work to do and reward him for the work.
• In the future, the all done will come in handy to stop barking in many situations.

No matter where you live, owning a dog is a long-term emotional and financial commitment and it’s important to take your neighbors into consideration.

The AKC offers owners the following tips:

• Train Your Dog – Puppies need to be properly socialized and trained.

• Pick Up After Your Puppy – ALWAYS carry a plastic “baggy” to pick up any waste, then dispose of it properly.

• Exercise – Puppies need regular exercise or they may become destructive. Take your puppy for walks or throw a ball in the back yard for a few minutes.

• Prevent Nuisance Barking – Don’t let your puppy annoy your neighbors. Training and exercise can reduce barking.

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German Shepherd As A Companion

Pyrrha, for example,;appears to be an American-line shepherd;bred for companionship by a backyard breeder. The fact that she has surprisingly straight hocks and a level topline makes me think she wasnt bred to win show ribbons, which I am thankful for.;Eden, on the other hand, is a German-line shepherd whose parents were imports titled in Schutzhund. They also showed dogs, so she has a more sloped topline than Pyrrha and slightly more exaggerated hocks.

Heres a listing of;German shepherd rescues by state. German shepherds still rank no. 3 in popularity in AKC registrations, so there are lots of German shepherds all over the country, and thus lots of beautiful, great dogs who need forever homes. Consider it!

Truthfully, a German shepherd Puppy isnt going to be that different from any other puppy. ALL puppies require hard work, devotion, and lots and lots of patience. But the joy they bring?

Expect A Dog Who Wants To Know Your Business All The Time

If you dont like having a dog follow you;everywhere, even into the bathroom, perhaps reconsider getting a German Shepherd. These dogs are busybodies, and they want to know where you are and what you are doing at ALL times in the event that your actions could compromise the security of the house and the family. Theyre just doing their jobs, you know.;?

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Finding A Puppy Who Is The Best Fit For You

Finding a good, ethical breeder is one of the most important ways to ensure you are getting off to the right start in obtaining the puppy who will be the best fit for you and your household. Breeders observe their puppies personalities and drives and can match the right puppy to the right individual or family.

You may also wish to acquire a puppy from one of the breed-rescue organizations listed in the AKC Rescue Network; currently, over 40 GSD rescues are listed, a testament to the popularity of this magnificent breed. If you choose this route, be sure to discuss with the breed rescue organization your needs and what you are looking for in a puppy; they should also be able to help you find the puppy whose temperament and personality will be the best match for you.

Nadia Adams of Oher Tannen German Shepherd Dogs has been a GSD breeder for 15 years and comments, A well-bred German Shepherd Dog is highly intelligent, thriving on praise and wanting to please the owner. This combination makes them very trainable, which is one of the most appealing qualities of the breed.

This breeds high level of intelligence and strong willingness to work mean your GSD must receive consistent and ongoing training from an early age. A bored GSD is a destructive GSD. That said, states Adams, the sky is the limit, if the owner ca devote a good amount of quality time to the dog, especially during the critical first year of life.

German Shepherds Are Very Playful And Energetic They Require A Lot Of Time And Attention

German Shepherds may be popular pets today but they are first and foremost a working dog breed.

What does this mean?

Its in their name shepherds. Like other shepherds, retriever, or hound breeds, German Shepherds were bred and used for a specific job. In this case, to run along with a flock of sheep, herd them, and protect them.

This is a physically demanding job and thats why German Shepherds have bodies built for running and jumping.

So, even if you wont use your GSD to flock sheep, you should still be prepared to give them enough time and attention.

German Shepherds need to exert all the energy they have in their powerful bodies!

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What You Should Know Before Getting A German Shepherd

The German Shepherd, or now more correctly known as the German Shepherd Dog or GSD, is a very popular breed thats easy to recognize. Although the breed is often depicted as a police dog or a guard dog, the origins of the GSD was a farm dog that excelled in working with sheep as both a herding dog and a flock guardian.

The GSD was originally bred for performance and not for a breed standard. They were developed in Germany in the mid to late part of the 19th century. In 1899 a military officer, Max von Stephanitz, actually developed the breed as it is now recognized.

The German Shepherd was recognized as a dog breed in Germany and was used as a military dog in the World War l. At the same time, these dogs were also used by the Red Cross and the police throughout Europe. It was smart, highly trainable and fearless, even in combat situations. While there were some of these dogs in the USA in the early part of the 1900s, it was really the efforts of American soldiers to bring these dogs home that sparked the popularity of the breed.

The Characteristics

Todays GSDs are still the same loyal, courageous and highly intelligent dogs they have always been. While they are still used as police and military dogs, they are equally effective as guide and assistance dogs, bomb and drug dogs, as well as wonderful family pets, guard dogs and companions.

Training

General Care