The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect combination of speed and strength. Its high trainability and natural protective instincts make them loved family dogs.

If you are looking for a purebred German Shepherd select breeders who value the health of their dogs as well as practice ethical breeding. Requesting pedigree papers as well as previous health clearances can help you identify reputable breeders.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are incredibly strong intelligent dogs that are capable of being trained. They are loyal to their families and are able to be fearless guardians. The breed standard states that a GSD should be self-confident, courageous, and have a calm and steady temperament. It should also be able to be handled and willing to be a pleasure to.

The breed is muscular, medium-sized, and slightly longer. It has a double coat that consists of an outer layer of hardness, and a softer undercoat. The almond-shaped eyes are dark and slightly set. The ears are wide at the base and pointed. The tail is long and reaches to below the hocks when the dog is in a relaxed state. The breed's long, slightly sloping neck is a characteristic. The chest is broad and deep. The spine is firm and the ribs are well-sprung.

In general, the breed is sound However, it has some serious flaws. These include roached backs and lengthy pasterns that hinder proper movement. The hindquarters of the dog must be strong but not overexaggerated. The rear leg should never go beyond the point where the foot makes an impression.

As working dogs, GSDs naturally have high drive. These are behaviors and desires that involve territorial protection and the pursuit of prey. If these high-drives are not satisfied in some way, such as through play or work and it can lead to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred to help dampen these impulses. However, they require lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to keep their lives in balance.

GSDs tend to be shy and cautious towards strangers at first. This trait of protection makes GSDs great guard dogs, but requires proper training to prevent overreactions. If properly socialized early in life, they make wonderful family pets. They're also great with children.

The GSD has a high pain threshold and is resilient against illnesses, but it is also susceptible to certain health conditions that can affect its quality of living. These include epilepsy/seizures and bleeding disorders as well as immune-mediated diseases. The best way to prevent these diseases is to limit your dog's exposure to UV rays, and ensuring it receives regular vaccinations can aid.

Temperament

German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn and extremely capable of being trained. They are a working dog breed that excels at many tasks, including herding, police work and search and rescue. They also excel at detection of explosives and drugs, and guiding blind people. They also make great family members. This ferocious and confident breed requires a clear purpose as well as the attention and focus of a responsible owner to harness their energy and strength in a positive manner. They require a lot of space and exercise, and might not be suitable for apartments or other living spaces.

The ideal German Shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a strong and stable temperament. They are loyal, alert and sceptical of strangers. This guardian and attentive behaviour can become aggressive if not properly trained, socialized and controlled. These dogs are very intelligent and can be insecure and bored, and they require an outlet to satisfy their curiosity.

The founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, longhaired and short-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program to create the obedient and responsive breed that we see today. He was opposed to those who wanted German Shepherds to be a display dog, deutsche schäferhunde kaufen (Read the Full Post) and he ensured that his dogs were stable in their temperaments with strong herding instincts and a solid body structure. He also refused to breed some of his dogs who had temperaments that were unstable or had sharp angles in their croups and front and rear pasterns, since he believed that these traits would undermine the breed's ability to perform its traditional work.

German Shepherds can also be susceptible to developing cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a frequent cancer that affects the liver and spleen organs that have a high blood supply. They also can develop bone, lung or intestinal cancers.

To avoid these issues, you should maintain your German Shepherd's physical health by providing him with the right diet and exercise. It is important to give him ample time to run and play in a secure area away from traffic. Regularly brush your double coat, using tools for deshedding or an undercoat rake. It is also important to ensure that you take him to the veterinarian on a regular basis for routine health check-ups.

Health

German Shepherds have a great health history, however some health problems do exist. They are susceptible to ear infections and may develop conditions that affect their eyes and ears like degenerative amyelopathy. They also may suffer from an illness that is genetic, known as hereditary von Willebrand's disease, which impacts their ability to clot blood. It is present in both female and male dogs.

GSDs are a working breed, and as such, they go through intense training. In the process, they are prone to developing joint issues. Hip dysplasia is an extremely common condition that causes lameness, pain and other symptoms. This is not a serious condition, but it can be painful to the dog.

Breeders who are trustworthy have their dogs X-rayed and use the results for breeding decisions. The x-rays help determine the health and genetic background of the puppy, including the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high chance of developing the disorder aren't bred.

Like most large breeds, German Shepherds can suffer from panosteitis, which causes bones to expand rapidly and unevenly, which causes pain and stiffness in the legs. This condition is more common in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months old who are experiencing an increase in growth speed.

The dogs need food that is high in protein with a generous mix of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to maintain skin and coat health. They can benefit from joint support in their food including glucosamine as well as chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months should be given moderate exercise like walking and playing with another dog, if they are compatible. However it is not recommended to run at full speed as this could damage the joints they are developing.

Avoid feeding animal bone or table food, as they can cause vomiting, digestive upsets anorexia and pancreatitis. Dogs of all ages could benefit from a probiotic supplement to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements to assist in the breakdown of proteins. A well-formulated AAFCO approved diet should contain the right amount of vitamins and minerals.

Training

German Shepherds are highly trainable, biddable dogs that thrive under a skilled trainer's guidance. They are ideal for police and military tasks, search and rescue as well as therapy dog roles and many other specializations. Their unwavering loyalty makes them a great pet, if properly trained and socialized.

Socialization is the first step to raising a well-adjusted GSD. Introduce your puppy to variety of people and animals from a young age, by taking them on frequent walks, playing games, and visiting local dog parks. This will make them feel more confident and comfortable and teach them to trust people at an early age.

Training a German Shepherd requires patience, Schäferhunde kaufen consistency, and positive reinforcement. It is crucial to stay clear of negative reinforcement methods such as shouting and physical punishment as they can lead to fear-based aggression. Instead, opt for clicker training and rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.

Daily enrichment is important for your German Shepherd. The exercises for mental stimulation are just as important to an GSD as physical exercise, particularly in the case of a household with lots of people. This will help them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by road sounds or storms as well as other dogs at the park, or crowds during competitions and other public events.

German Shepherds are prone to a number of health conditions, including hemangiosarcoma (cancer of bones, blaue schäferhunde kaufen (relevant resource site) lungs, and intestinal tract) and pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these diseases can be prevented through responsible breeding and lifestyle accommodations.

Despite their infamous reputation German Shepherds are devoted family pets. When they are exposed to children from a young age, they can be friendly and gentle with smaller animals like cats. They are extremely effective guardians due their size and strength but they should be supervised when they are around young children. They could also exhibit signs of a hereditary tendency towards aggression if not exposed to appropriate training and socialization opportunities. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy school or obedience class will ensure that he is getting the education and socialization that he needs to flourish.