The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect combination of strength and speed. Their exceptional training capabilities and protection instincts make them loved family pets.

When looking for a purebred German Shepherd, choose breeders who prioritize the health of their dogs as well as practice ethical breeding. Requesting pedigree documents and previous health clearances can help you identify reputable breeders.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are strong intelligent dogs that are easily trainable. They are extremely affectionate to their families and are a fierce protector of them. Breed standard states the GSD must be confident and courageous. They should also have a steady temperament. It must also be able to be handled and willing to please.

The breed is medium-sized with a slight elongation and is muscular. It has a double coat that consists of an outer layer of hardness and a softer undercoat. The eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and positioned obliquely. Its ears are wide and pointed at the base. The tail is bushy and reaches to the hocks below when the dog is at rest. The breed's long neck with a slightly sloping slope is characteristic. The chest is broad and deep. The ribs are strong and the spine is strong.

The breed is generally healthy however it is prone to serious flaws, such as roached backs and long pasterns that hinder the proper movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful however, they should not be overly exaggerated. Likewise, the rear leg should never go forward of the point where the forefoot leaves a footprint.

As working dogs, the GSD has high-drives that are naturally present (behavioral tendencies and desires towards things like territorial protectiveness and hunting prey). If these high-drives are not fulfilled in a particular way, such as through work or playing, it can lead aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a manner which helps to reduce these drives but they require a lot of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise and mental stimulation in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

GSDs are typically shy around strangers and can be initially suspicious of them. This is a characteristic that makes them excellent guard dogs, but requires proper training to prevent overreactions. They are wonderful pets for families when they are socialized properly at a young age and are generally good with children.

The GSD has an extremely high threshold for pain and is able to fight off illness, however it has certain health conditions that may affect its quality of life. These include seizures, epilepsy as well as bleeding disorders and immune-mediated diseases. Preventing these conditions by limiting your dog's exposure to UV rays and ensuring that it is vaccinated regularly can aid.

Temperament

German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn. They are also highly trainable. They are a working breed that excel in a variety jobs, including herding, police work, search and rescue, bomb and drug detection and guiding blind. They are also excellent pet for families. This powerful and confident breed requires a clear and precise goal and the focus and attention of a responsible owner to channel their strength and energy positively. They require a lot of exercise and space and may not be suitable in smaller living spaces.

The ideal German shepherd is confident and well-balanced, with a strong and stable temperament. They are loyal and alert and they are sceptical of strangers. If they are not socialized properly and trained in this manner, their protective and vigilant behavior can turn into aggressive. These dogs can be intelligent, independent and easily bored. They must find an avenue to satisfy their curiosity.

Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, used longhaired and shorterhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This created a breed that is responsive and obedient. He was opposed to those who believed that German Shepherds should be a display dog, and he made sure his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding instincts, and sound body structure. He refused to breed dogs with temperaments that were unstable, or with sharp angles on their croups, or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would undermine the ability of the breed to carry out its traditional tasks.

In addition to the hereditary ailments that affect every breed of dog German Shepherds are also susceptible to cancers such as Hemangiosarcoma. It is a cancer that typically affects blood-rich organs such as the liver and spleen. They can also develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers.

You can prevent these diseases by ensuring the physical health of your german shepherd kaufen Shepherd. This includes providing him with a healthy diet and regular exercise. You should give plenty of time to run and play in a safe place free of traffic. Regularly brush your double coat using tools for deshedding or an undercoat rake. It is recommended that you visit your vet regularly for routine health checks.

Health

German Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, but they do have certain health issues. They are susceptible to ear infections, and they can develop ailments that affect their eyes and ears, such as degenerative myelopathy. Both male and female dogs are susceptible to suffering from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that affects the ability of clotting blood.

As a breed that is primarily used for work, many GSDs undergo strenuous exercise during their training and they may suffer from joint issues as a result. One of the most common is hip dysplasia. It is characterized by a lack of growth and development of cartilage and Deutsche Schäferhundwelpen joint that can result in lameness, pain and other signs. This is not a serious condition, but it can be painful to the dog.

Reputable breeders X-ray their dogs and take the results into consideration when making breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health of the puppy as well as its genetic history, including the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high risk of developing dysplasia are not bred.

Like all large breeds, German Shepherds can suffer from panosteitis. This causes the bones to expand rapidly and unevenly, which causes pain and stiffness in the joints. This condition is most common in German Shepherd puppies and dogs less than 18 months old who are going through an enormous growth spurt.

They require an diet rich in protein, with a large amount of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to support healthy coat and skin. These dogs can benefit from food that has joint support, like glucosamine or chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months old age should be exercising moderately, SchäFerhund Abzugeben such as multiple walks and, if compatible with another dog playing together, but should not be allowed to run at full speed as this can damage growing joints.

Table food or animal bones must be avoided, since they can trigger vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Adult dogs and puppies could benefit by a probiotic supplementation program to help with digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements to aid in breaking down proteins. A well-formulated AAFCO approved diet should include the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals.

Training

German Shepherds are highly trainable, biddable dogs that thrive under a knowledgeable trainer's guidance. They are an excellent choice for police and SchäFerhund kaufen österreich military work such as search and rescue and therapy dog roles, and a myriad of other specialized roles. Their unwavering loyalty makes them an excellent pet, if they are properly socialized and trained.

Socialization is the first step in raising a well-adjusted GSD. Expose your puppy to a variety of people and animals from an early age, by taking them on frequent walks, playing games, and even visiting local dog parks. This will help them feel comfortable and secure in a new environment and ensure that they develop trust in humans at an early age.

It requires patience, perseverance, as well as positive reinforcement to train the German shepherd. Avoid methods of negative reinforcement such as yelling or purebred german shepherd Dog physical punishment that could lead to fear based aggression. Use clicker training or rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.

It is also essential to give your German Shepherd with a daily dose of enrichment. Mental stimulation exercises can be as important as physical exercise for the GSD, especially in a chaotic or busy household. This will help them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by noises or storms or other dogs in the park, or schäFerhund Beschützerinstinkt crowds at competitions and other public events.

Some of the health issues that are exclusive to German Shepherds include Hemangiosarcoma, cancer of bones as well as the lungs and intestinal tract and pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these diseases can be prevented through responsible breeding and lifestyle accommodations.

German Shepherds are loyal family dogs, despite their reputation as being fearsome. They are often affectionate with children and gentle with smaller pets, such as cats, if exposed to them from the age of. Nonetheless, their size and strength make them excellent guardians and they should be supervised around younger children. They may also show signs of a hereditary tendency toward aggression if they are not provided with appropriate training and socialization opportunities. It is recommended to enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy class or obedience classes to ensure that they receive the education and socialization they require to flourish.