Frequently Asked Questions About German Shepherd Puppies In India
The price of a German Shepherd puppy in India ranges from ₹30,000 to ₹1,00,000 depending on the type of breed you are looking for. If you want to get yourself a purebred and trained German Shepherd puppy in India, it would cost you more than getting yourself a crossbred puppy. However, no matter how much you are willing to pay for the puppy, always make sure that you engage with dog breeders and pet stores that are genuine and ethical in their practices.
When you bring a German Shepherd home, it is advisable to make sure that they have stayed with their litter for at least 8 weeks. The ideal age for bringing a German Shepherd puppy home is between 8 to 12 weeks. Especially if you are a first-time pet parent, getting yourself a puppy that is too young would require you to cater to their needs all day long. On the other hand, getting a German Shepherd puppy older than 12 weeks would make it difficult to train them.
Yes, it is safe to bring a German Shepherd home to your kids. It is a fairly affectionate and playful breed that would have a great time with your kids, especially when they are young. However, in order to make them more sociable, it is always advisable to train your German Shepherd puppies well while they are young. An extensive obedience training would make them grow into well-behaved and even-tempered dogs. Also, it is never advisable to leave your pet along with your kids for too long. Make sure they are always monitored to ensure their safety.
Absolutely! If you train your German Shepherd well, they would grow up to be extremely well-mannered, obedient, and playful dogs. A socially trained German Shepherd is friendly with almost everyone, including children and other pets in your house. The only aspect to consider here is that you should get your German Shepherd trained while it is still fairly young. Mature dogs are difficult to train as they resist most training methods. Also, training your German Shepherd would make it easier for strangers to approach them without hesitation.
German Shepherds are extremely powerful and protective dogs. This, added with their undying love and loyalty for their owners makes them wary of strangers by default. Although German Shepherds are highly affectionate in nature, it doesn’t take much for them to get aggressive. This is essentially because of the need to protect their owners. If you train your German Shepherd well, you can curb their aggression and turn them into highly obedient dogs. Owing to their high intelligence, it doesn’t take long to train them if you start early.
Yes, a German Shepherd can survive in the Indian climate. It is built to tolerate harsh weather conditions of all extremes. If maintained well, a German Shepherd in India can survive extremely hot as well as cold weather. As long as you keep your pet in a safe and healthy environment, you can always get yourself a German Shepherd in India, irrespective of where you live.
While you can feed your German Shepherd the food you eat at home, it is important to be mindful of what you give your pet. Here are a few food items most pet owners give their German Shepherds:
- Chicken
- Fruits
- Eggs
- Oatmeal
- Vegetables
- Nuts
- Rice
- Noodles and pasta
- Tuna
- Pork
- Turkey
- Peanut butter
No, German Shepherds are not picky eaters. As long as they meet their daily calorie intake, it doesn’t matter what you feed them. This is because German Shepherds have around 1,700 tastebuds, which is significantly lesser than the number of tastebuds in humans (9,000). They are not too interested in having a variety of different delicacies and are often satisfied with what they get.
The best way to check if your German Shepherd is eating enough is by feeling its ribs. If you can see or feel your pet’s ribs, it might be a sign of a lack of adequate nutrition. Bald patches on your German Shepherd can also be considered a sign of low nutrition. If you notice these signs despite feeding your pet enough, take it to a vet at once.
Here are some of the most common food items you should avoid feeding your German Shepherd:
- Grapes
- Raisins
- Chocolates
- Foods with artificial coloring
- Avocados
- Onions and garlic
- Walnuts
- Macadamia nuts
- Wild mushrooms
- Alcohol
- Foods with excessive salt
The grooming routine of your German Shepherd should include brushing its coat, bathing it, trimming its coat (if needed), trimming its nails, and maintaining its aesthetic appeal. While it is possible for you to groom your German Shepherd all by yourself, it is advisable to seek help from a professional groomer once every 2-4 weeks.
German Shepherds shed a lot. They are not hypoallergic by any stretch of the imagination! If you or anyone in your family is allergic to dog hair, you might want to think again before bringing a German Shepherd home. The double coats of German Shepherds shed throughout the year. Moreover, they blow their coats twice a year, leading to a mess all over your house.
The best way to train a German Shepherd is through positive reinforcement. This is an approach that involves making your pet follow your instructions by luring it with its favorite treat. Being an intelligent breed, your German Shepherd will not take several attempts and repetitions before learning new tricks and commands.
Yes, German Shepherds develop separation anxiety if they do not get enough attention and care from their owners. In fact, they are more prone to separation anxiety than most breeds. With a German Shepherd at home, make sure you give it the love and attention it demands. Do not keep your pet tied outside your house without attending to it for too long. Separation anxiety can make your pet easily irritable and aggressive.
While German Shepherds make great playmates with children, it is not advisable to leave the two parties alone for too long. Even if your pet has received obedience and socialization training, you never know when its wild instincts might kick in, hurting your children. Always ensure that your pet’s interaction with your children is monitored.
German shepherds are equal parts daring and courageous as well as lovable and playful. They are an ideal combination of companion dogs and guard dogs, which is rare to find in a breed. While they can have the time of their lives entertaining you with their goofy tactics, they become ultra-alert and put up a strong fight in the presence of danger.
German Shepherds are not high-maintenance dogs. You do not need to brush their coats every day and keep them good-looking by brushing them twice every week. As long as you can cater to their dietary needs and give them the right amount of exercise every day, it should not be a problem being a German Shepherd parent.
It is not a good idea to bring a German Shepherd home to other pets, especially if these pets include cats, rabbits, or other smaller animals. The wild preying instincts of a German Shepherd may kick in any minute, causing serious harm to other pets in your house.
Yes, it is very easy to train a German Shepherd as the breed is one of the most intelligent dog breeds in the world.
The right age to train a German Shepherd is between three and nine months. Make sure you train your pet while it is young to help it grow into an obedient and well-mannered adult.
While the guard dog instincts are always present in a German Shepherd, they start manifesting properly by the time your pet turns six months old. At this age, you can trust your German Shepherd to alert you of danger and keep your family safe with whatever little it can do.
Yes, German Shepherds bark more than most breeds due to their heritage. They often bark to alert their owners about potential danger which can be real or perceived. The best way to control your German Shepherd’s excessive barking is to give it the right obedience training at a young age.
While you cannot prevent your German Shepherd from shedding, you can minimize it by grooming your pet regularly. Brush its coat at least twice every week and take it to regular grooming sessions to tackle its shedding in the best way possible.
Being medium-to-large dogs with high energy, German Shepherds often require more space to move around. While you can bring a German Shepherd to a studio apartment, make sure you take it out for walks and physical activities like games if you do not have enough space in your house.
Trusted dog breeders in India help you make the right choice and give you a range of different options to choose from. Moreover, they are well-versed in the nitty-gritty details related to German Shepherds. Many dog breeders will also help you meet a puppy’s parents before you take it home.