The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect balance of agility and strength. Its high trainability and natural protective instincts make them cherished family dogs.

When looking for a purebred German Shepherd select breeders who value the health of their dogs as well as practice ethical breeding. Requesting pedigree documents and prior health clearances will help you determine reputable breeders.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are intelligent, powerful dogs that are easy to train. They are loyal to their families and can be a formidable guardian. The breed standard says that the GSD must be stable of temperament, confident, and courageous. It must also be tractable and willing to be a pleasure to.

The breed is medium-sized, slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a distinctive double coat, which is comprised of an outer layer of hardness and a soft undercoat. Its almond-shaped eyes are dark and slightly set. Its ears are pointed and wide at the base. The tail is bushy and extends to the hocks below when the dog is lying down. The dog's long neck with a slightly sloping slope is characteristic. The chest is wide and deep. The ribs are well-sprung, and the spine is strong.

The breed is generally sound however, it does have some serious issues, like roached-backs and long pasterns that interfere with the correct movement. Its hindquarters must be powerful but not exaggerated. The rear leg should never go beyond the point where the foot leaves an impression.

As working dogs, GSDs have naturally high drives. These are the behaviors and desires that include territorial protection and the pursuit of prey. If these drives aren't fulfilled through work or play and it leads to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a way that can help reduce these urges however they still require a lot of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise, and Deutscher SchäFerhund Pflege mental stimulation to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

GSDs are usually shy around strangers and Deutscher SchäFerhund Zu Verkaufen can be initially suspicious of them. This trait of protection makes them great guard dogs and requires the right training to avoid triggering reactions. If properly socialized at a young age they can make great family pets. They're also great with kids.

The GSD is a resilient species to disease and has a very high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can affect the quality of its life. These include epilepsy/seizures and bleeding disorders. To prevent these conditions, limiting your dog's exposure UV rays and making sure you get regular vaccinations will aid.

Temperament

German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn. They are also capable of training. They are a working dog breed that excels in a variety of jobs, such as herding, police work and search and rescue. They also excel at bomb and drug detection and helping blind people. They also make great family companions. However, this powerful and confident breed needs an unwavering focus and the attention of an assertive owner to harness their energy and strength in a positive manner. They require plenty of space and exercise, and might not be suited to apartments or other smaller living spaces.

The ideal German shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a firm temperament. They are loyal and alert and they are sceptical of strangers. If they aren't properly socialized and trained to be vigilant and protective, this behavior could turn into aggression. These dogs are very smart and can be independent and easily bored, so they need a good outlet for their natural curiosity.

Founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, longhaired and short-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program to develop the obedient and responsive breed that we see today. Max von Stephanitz did not agree with those who wanted to use German Shepherds as a showpiece and made sure that his dogs were calm, had strong herding impulses, as well as an ideal body structure. He refused to breed dogs with temperaments that were unstable, or with steep angles on their croups, front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would impede the ability of the breed to perform its usual tasks.

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

You can avoid these ailments by maintaining the physical well-being of your German Shepherd. This means providing him with a nutritious diet and regular exercise. You should give him plenty of time to play and run outdoors in a safe place free of traffic. Keep him groomed by brushing his dense double coat on a regular basis by using a de-shedding tool or a rake undercoat to remove hairs that have fallen off. You should also bring him to the vet regularly for regular health check-ups.

Health

German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, but they do have some health issues. They are prone to ear infections and can develop ailments that affect their eyes and ears, such as degenerative myelopathy. Female and male dogs can suffer from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that hinders the ability of clotting blood.

As a breed that is primarily used for work, GSDs are often involved in strenuous exercise during their training and they may suffer from joint issues as a consequence. One of the most common is hip dysplasia. It is characterized by improper growth and development of the joint and cartilage that can result in discomfort, lameness, and other symptoms. This is not a serious condition but can be painful for the dog.

A reputable breeder will X-ray their dog and take the results into consideration when making breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health of the puppy and its genetic history, which includes the possibility that it could develop dysplasia. Dogs at high likelihood of developing the disorder aren't breed.

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

These dogs need a diet that is high in protein, and Einen deutschen schäferhund Kaufen an abundance of omega fatty acids as well as balanced vitamins to help maintain a healthy skin and coat. They will benefit from joint support in their food, einen deutschen Schäferhund kaufen such as glucosamine and Was kostet ein reinrassiger schäferhund chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months must be given moderate exercise, such as walking and playing with another dog, if they are compatible. However they shouldn't run at full speed, as this could damage the joints they are developing.

Avoid feeding bone from animals or table food as they can trigger digestive upsets, vomiting, anorexia and pancreatitis. Puppies and adults can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion and digestive enzyme supplements to help break down proteins. Mineral and vitamin supplements aren't necessary since a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should provide the proper amount of these nutrients.

Training

German Shepherds are smart and highly trainable dogs that thrive under the direction by a knowledgeable handler. They are a great choice for military, police, search and rescue and therapy dog roles. Their dedication to their job makes them a wonderful pet to have when properly trained and socialized.

Socialization is the first step in creating a well-adjusted GSD. From a young age expose your puppy different animals and people. Take your dog for walks frequently and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will make them feel confident and comfortable in a new place and will help them become comfortable with humans from a young age.

It requires patience, perseverance as well as positive reinforcement to train the German shepherd. Avoid negative reinforcement methods such as yelling or physical punishment, which could cause fear-based aggression. Instead, you should use reward-based training and clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.

It is also crucial to ensure that you provide your German Shepherd with daily enrichment. The exercises for mental stimulation are just as important for the GSD as physical exercise, especially in the case of an area with a lot of activity. This helps keep their attention and focus so they are less likely to get distracted by street noises or thunderstorms or other dogs in the park or crowds at sporting events or public events.

German Shepherds are at risk of various health issues, schäferhund welpen österreich kaufen including Hemangiosarcoma (cancer of bones, lungs and the intestinal tract), pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these diseases can be avoided through responsible breeding practices and appropriate lifestyle choices.

German Shepherds are loving family dogs, despite their reputation for being feared. They are generally loved by children and are gentle with smaller pets, like cats, if exposed to them at a young age. However, their size and strength make them excellent guardians and they should be supervised around younger children. They could also exhibit signs of a hereditary tendency toward aggression if they are not exposed to appropriate training and socialization opportunities. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he receives the training and socialization he requires to be successful.