The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect combination of strength and speed. Its exceptional training ability and natural instincts to protect make them cherished family dogs.

If you are in search of a purebred German Shepherd select breeders who value the health of their dogs and follow ethical breeding. Requesting pedigree papers and prior health clearances can help find reputable breeders.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are intelligent, powerful dogs that are easy to train. They are incredibly loyal to their families and can be fearless protectors of them. The breed standard says that the GSD must be a steady temperament, confident and brave. It should also be able to be handled and willing to please.

The breed is medium in size with a slight elongation and is muscular. It has a double coat made up of an outer layer of hardness, and a soft undercoat. Its almond-shaped eyes are dark and obliquely set. Its ears are wide at the base and pointed. The tail is slender and extends down to the hocks below when the dog is in a relaxed state. The neck of the breed is long and sloping slightly. The chest is broad and deep. The ribs are well-sprung and the spine is firm.

In general the breed is healthy However, it has some serious flaws. These include roached backs as well as long pasterns that hinder correct movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong but not overly so. The rear leg should not extend beyond the point at which the foot leaves a mark.

As working dogs, GSDs naturally possess high drives. These are the behaviors and desires that include territorial protection and hunting of prey. If these drives are not satisfied in some way, like through play or work or playing, it can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a manner that can help reduce these urges, but they still require lots of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to maintain a balanced life.

GSDs are generally shy around strangers and can be initially suspicious of them. This makes them excellent guard dogs and requires the right training to avoid triggering reactions. If properly socialized at a young age, they make wonderful family pets. They're also great with kids.

The GSD has an elevated pain threshold and is able to fight off illnesses, but it does have certain health conditions that can affect its quality of life. These include epilepsy/seizures as well as bleeding disorders and immune-mediated diseases. Making sure to limit the dog's exposure UV rays and making sure that it is regularly vaccinated will reduce the risk of developing these diseases.

Temperament

German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn, and highly capable of being trained. They are a working breed that excel at a variety of tasks, such as herding, police work including search and rescue as well as detection of drugs and bombs and guiding blind people. They also make excellent companions for families. However, this powerful and confident breed needs a clear sense of purpose and the attention of an assertive owner to channel their energy and strength in a positive way. They require lots of space and exercise. They might not be suited to apartments or other living spaces.

The ideal German Shepherd is balanced and confident, with a strong and stable temperament. They are loyal and alert and they are sceptical of strangers. If they aren't properly socialized and trained in this manner, their protective and vigilant behavior can become aggression. These dogs are often intelligent, independent and easily bored. They must find a way to satisfy their natural curiosity.

Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, utilized shorter and longer-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This led to an animal that is receptive and well-behaved. He disagreed with people who believed that German Shepherds should be a showpiece and he made sure that his dogs had stable temperaments and strong herding instincts and a solid body structure. He was against breeding dogs with unstable temperaments, or with a steep angle on their croups or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would hinder the ability of the breed to perform its primary duties.

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

You can prevent these conditions by maintaining the physical well-being of your German Shepherd. This means giving him a balanced diet and regular exercise. Make sure he gets plenty of opportunities to run and play outdoors in a secure area away from traffic and other hazards. Keep him clean by brushing his dense double coat on a regular basis, using a de-shedding tool or undercoat rake to remove hairs that have fallen off. You should also bring him to the vet regularly for routine health checks.

Health

German Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, however they do have certain health issues. They are prone to ear infections and can develop eye conditions and ears, like degenerative myelopathy. Female and male dogs can suffer from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that affects their ability to clot the blood.

GSDs are a working breed, and consequently, they are subject to rigorous training. As a result, they are prone to developing joint issues. The most frequent is hip dysplasia, characterized by the inadvertent growth and development of cartilage and joint that can result in lameness, pain and other signs. It's not always a serious problem however it can be painful for dogs.

A reputable breeder will X-ray their dog and take the results into consideration when making breeding decisions. The x-rays help determine the health of the puppy and its genetic history, which includes the probability that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high risk of developing dysplasia are not bred.

Panosteitis can be a problem for German Shepherds. The condition causes the bones to grow rapidly and unevenly. This can result in pain and stiffness. This condition is most frequent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs under 18 months of age who are experiencing an enormous growth spurt.

These dogs need an diet rich in protein, and a large amount of omega fatty acids as well as balanced vitamins to maintain a healthy skin and coat. They will benefit from joint support in their diet including glucosamine as well as chondroitin. Dogs under 18 months of age should be exercising moderately, such as multiple walks and, if they are compatible with another dog, playing together, but they should not run at a high speed, as this can damage growing joints.

Table food or animal bones should be avoided because they can cause digestive upset, vomiting anorexia, vomiting, deutscher schäferhund schwarz kaufen deutscher schäferhund kaufen zu verkaufen (have a peek here) and deutscher schäferhund zu verkaufen pancreatitis. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion as well as digestive enzyme supplements to aid in breaking down proteins. Vitamin and mineral supplements are not required, as a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should provide the proper amount of these nutrients.

Training

German Shepherds are intelligent, highly trainable dogs who thrive under the direction by a knowledgeable handler. They are therefore a great choice for military, police search and rescue, and therapy dog roles. Their inexplicably loyal nature makes them an excellent pet, if properly trained and socialized.

The first step in raising an equidistant GSD is socialization. Introduce your puppy to a variety of people and animals from a young age, taking them on frequent walks, playing games, and even visiting local dog parks. This will help them feel secure and at ease in a new environment and ensure that they develop trust in humans at an early age.

Training a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Avoid negative reinforcement methods such as yelling or physical punishment, which could lead to fear based aggression. Use clicker training and reward-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.

Daily enrichment is essential for your German Shepherd. Mental stimulation exercises are just as important for a GSD as physical exercise, especially when you have an area with a lot of activity. This can help them to keep their attention and focus so that they are less likely to become distracted by noises from the street or thunderstorms and other dogs in the park or deutscher Schäferhund pflege crowds at competitions and other public events.

Some of the health issues that are unique to German Shepherds include Hemangiosarcoma, deutscher Schäferhund zu verkaufen cancer of bones as well as the lungs and intestinal tract, as well as pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these ailments can be prevented by responsible breeding and lifestyle choices.

German Shepherds are loving 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 at a young age. Nonetheless, their size and strength make them formidable guardians, and they should always be watched over children younger than them. If they are not being exposed to enough training and socialization, they may show signs of aggression. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy school or obedience class will ensure that he gets the training and socialization that he needs to flourish.