The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD represents the perfect balance of agility and strength. Their high trainability and protective instincts make these dogs beloved pets for families.

When you are shopping for a purebred german shepherd dog, look for breeders who have a commitment to ethical breeding and who are concerned about the health of their animals. Requesting pedigree papers as well as previous health clearances can help you find reputable breeders.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are powerful, intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They are loyal to their families and are able to be fearless guardians. Breed standard states the GSD must be confident and courageous, as well as possess a steady temperament. It should also be able to be handled and willing to please.

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

The breed is generally sound however, it does have some serious flaws, such as roached backs and long pasterns that hinder the proper movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong, but not excessively exaggerated. Likewise, the rear leg should never pass in the direction of where the forefoot makes an impression.

As working dogs, GSDs naturally have high drives. These are behaviors and desires that involve territorial protection and hunting of prey. If these high-drives aren't fulfilled in some way through work or play, it can lead to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a way that helps dampen these drives but they require a lot of positive reinforcement training, Deutscher schäFerhund Kaufen physical exercise, and mental stimulation in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

GSDs are generally cautious and suspicious of strangers at first. This trait of protection makes them excellent guard dogs and requires proper training to avoid overreactions. They are wonderful pets for families when they are socialized properly from a young age and are generally good with children.

The GSD is a resilient species to illnesses and has a high threshold for pain, however certain health conditions can negatively impact the quality of life. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders. By taking precautions, such as limiting the dog's exposure to harsh UV rays and ensuring that it is regularly vaccinated will reduce the risk of developing these diseases.

Temperament

German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn and extremely trainable. They are a working breed that excel at a variety of jobs, including herding, police work including search and rescue detection of drugs and bombs and guiding blind. They are also excellent family members. However, this strong and confident breed requires an unwavering focus and the attention of an assertive owner to harness their energy and strength positively. They require lots 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 solid and stable temperament. They are loyal and reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund kaufen alert and they are sceptical of strangers. This protective and watchful behavior can escalate into aggression when not properly trained, socialized and managed. Dogs with these traits can be smart, independent and easily bored. They must find an avenue to satisfy their natural curiosity.

Founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, schäFerhunde Suchen ein zuhause as well as longhaired and short-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program to create the obedient and responsive breed that we have today. Max von Stephanitz disagreed with those who wanted to use German Shepherds as a showpiece and ensured that his dogs had stable tempers, strong herding impulses, as well as an ideal body structure. He refused to breed dogs with unstable temperaments, or with a steep angle on their croups, or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would undermine the ability of the breed to carry out its usual tasks.

German Shepherds are also prone to cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a common cancer that affects the spleen and liver organs, which have a higher blood supply. They may also develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers.

To avoid these ailments ensure your German Shepherd's physical well-being by feeding him an appropriate diet and exercise. You should allow plenty of time to run and play in a safe place free of traffic. Make sure to regularly brush his double coat using the deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. You should also make sure that you visit the vet regularly to have regular health checks.

Health

German Shepherds have a good health record, but some health problems are present. They are prone to ear infections and may develop eye conditions and ears, such as degenerative myelopathy. They also may suffer from an inherited disease called hereditary von Willebrand's disease which affects their ability to clot blood, and can be found in females and males dogs.

GSDs are a working breed and consequently, they are subject to intense training. This means that they can develop joint problems. A common one is hip dysplasia, characterized by a lack of growth and development of the joint and cartilage that can result in lameness, pain and other signs. This is not always a serious issue but it can cause pain for dogs.

Breeders with a good reputation have their dogs X-rayed and use the results to inform breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health of the puppy as well as its genetic history, which includes the probability that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs with a high risk of developing dysplasia do not breed.

Panosteitis can affect German Shepherds. The condition causes bones to grow rapidly and unevenly. This can cause stiffness and pain. This condition is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months old who are experiencing a rapid growth spurt.

The dogs need an enriched diet rich in protein, with a good mix of omega fatty acid and balanced vitamins to maintain skin and coat health. They can benefit from joint support in their diet including glucosamine as well as chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months should be given moderate exercise like walking and playing with another dog if they're compatible. However they shouldn't run at full speed, as this could damage their growing joints.

Foods that are table-based or contain animal bones should be avoided as these can cause digestive upset, vomiting anorexia, vomiting, and pancreatitis. Adult dogs and puppies may benefit from a probiotic supplement to help with digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements to aid in the breakdown of proteins. A properly-formulated AAFCO approved diet should include the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals.

Training

German Shepherds are intelligent and highly trainable dogs that thrive when they're under the direction of a skilled handler. As such, they are ideal for military and police work such as search and rescue and therapy dog roles, and many other specialized jobs. Their constant loyalty makes them a great pet, if well-socialized and properly trained.

Socialization is the first step to creating a well-adjusted GSD. From an early age expose your puppy different people and animals. Take them for frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will help them feel more secure and confident and will teach them to trust people from a young age.

Training for a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. Avoid methods of negative reinforcement like yelling or physical punishment, which can lead to fear based aggression. Use clicker training and rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.

Daily enrichment is crucial for your German Shepherd. Exercises for mental stimulation can be equally important as physical exercise for the GSD, especially in a chaotic or busy household. This can help them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by road sounds or storms as well as other dogs at the park, or the crowds at competitions and other public events.

German Shepherds are prone to various health issues, including hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the bones, lungs, and intestinal tract) and pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these diseases are preventable through responsible breeding and lifestyle changes.

Despite their reputation for being a savage breed, German Shepherds make devoted family pets. When they are exposed to children at a young age they can be affectionate and gentle towards smaller pets like cats. They are formidable guardians due to their size and was kostet Ein Reinrassiger Schäferhund strength, but they should be watched when they are around young children. If they are not exposed enough to socialization and training and are not properly socialized, they could exhibit signs of aggression. It is recommended to enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy preschool or obedience classes to ensure that they receive the training and socialization they require to flourish.