The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect balance of strength and agility. Their exceptional training capabilities and protective instincts make these dogs cherished family pets.

If you are looking 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 dogs. You can identify trustworthy breeders by requesting pedigree papers and previous health clearances.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are powerful, intelligent dogs that are highly trainable. They are loyal to their families and are able to be a formidable guardian. The breed standard states that the GSD must be a steady temperament, self-assured and courageous. It must also be tractable and willing to be a pleasure to.

The breed is medium in size slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a double coat made up of an outer layer of hardness and a softer undercoat. Its eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and set obliquely. The ears are wide and pointed at the base. When the dog is lying down on its back, the tail becomes big and swollen. It reaches below the hocks. The long, slightly sloping neck is characteristic. The chest is broad and deep. The ribs are strong and the spine is strong.

The breed is generally sound however it is prone to serious faults such as roached-backs and long pasterns, which interfere with the correct movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful but not overly exaggerated. Likewise, the rear leg should not go forward of the point where the forefoot makes an impression.

As working dogs As working dogs, the GSD has high-drives that are naturally present (behavioral tendencies and desires towards things like territorial protection and the pursuit of prey). If these high drives are not fulfilled in a particular way, for example playing or at work or playing, it can result in aggression. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a way which helps to reduce these drives, but they still require lots of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to live an enlightened lifestyle.

GSDs are generally shy and cautious towards strangers at first. This protective trait makes GSDs great guard dogs, but requires proper training to prevent overreactions. They make wonderful family pets when socialized properly at a young age and are generally good with children.

The GSD has a high pain threshold and is resistant to illness, however it is also susceptible to certain health conditions that can impact its quality of life. These include seizures, epilepsy, bleeding disorders, and immune-mediated diseases. Preventing these conditions by limiting your dog's exposure UV rays, and ensuring you get regular vaccinations will aid.

Temperament

German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn. They are also highly trainable. They are an active breed that excels in a variety of tasks, including herding, police work and search and rescue. They also excel in bomb and drug detection and guiding blind people. They also make excellent family pets. This powerful and confident breed requires a clear and precise goal as well as the attention and focus of a confident 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 smaller living spaces.

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

Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, employed shorthaired and longhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This created an animal that is friendly and well-behaved. Max von Stephanitz was not one of those who wanted to use German Shepherds to be a showpiece. He ensured that his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding instincts, reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund kaufendeutsche schäferhunde kaufendeutsche schäferhunde welpen kaufen österreich; 139.196.105.8, and solid body structure. He even resisted breeding with dogs that had unstable temperaments or steep angles in their croups, as well as rear and front pasterns since he believed that these traits could hinder the ability of the breed to do its job as it is.

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

You can avoid these ailments by maintaining the physical health of your German Shepherd. This means providing him with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Make sure that he has plenty of opportunities to run and play outside in a secure area away from traffic and other dangers. Regularly brush his double coat, using the deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. It is also important to ensure that you take him to the vet regularly to have regular health checks.

Health

German Shepherds have a healthy health record, but health problems are present. They are prone to ear infections and may develop conditions affecting their eyes and ears, like degenerative myelopathy. Female and male can be affected by hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that hinders their ability to clot the blood.

GSDs are a working breed and consequently, they are subject to rigorous training. This means that they may develop joint issues. One of the most common is hip dysplasia. It is characterized by improper growth and development of the cartilage and joint that can result in pain, lameness, and other symptoms. It is not a major condition, but it can be painful to the dog.

Breeders who are reputable have their dogs X-rayed and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays help determine the health and genetic history of the puppy, including the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs with a high risk of developing the disorder are not breeding.

Like all large breeds, German Shepherds can be affected by panosteitis, which causes bones to expand rapidly and unevenly, which causes pain and stiffness in the joints. This is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months old who are experiencing an increase in growth speed.

The dogs require a diet that is high in protein, and a large amount of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to support a healthy skin and coat. They will benefit from joint support in their food including glucosamine as well as chondroitin. Dogs under 18 months of age should exercise moderately including multiple walks and, if they are compatible with another dog, playing together, but they should not be allowed to run at full speed, as it can cause joint damage.

Avoid feeding table food or animal bone because they can cause digestive upsets, vomiting, anorexia and pancreatitis. Puppies and adults can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion and digestive enzyme supplements that aid in breaking down proteins. A properly-formulated AAFCO approved diet should have the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals.

Training

German Shepherds are smart high-trained dogs who thrive under the supervision of a skilled handler. They are a great choice for military, police search and rescue and therapy dog roles. However, their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a wonderful pet to have when properly trained and socialized.

The first step to raising an appropriately adjusted GSD is socialization. From an early age expose your puppy to different people and animals. Take them for frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will make them feel confident and comfortable in a new setting and ensure that they become comfortable with humans from a young age.

It takes patience, consistency as well as positive reinforcement to train the German shepherd. Avoid methods of negative reinforcement like yelling or physical punishment that could result in fear-based aggression. Instead, opt for clicker training and rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.

Daily enrichment is crucial for your German Shepherd. Exercises for mental stimulation can be as important as physical exercise for a GSD especially in a chaotic or busy household. This will help to keep their attention and focus so they are less likely to be distracted by street noises or thunderstorms or other dogs in the park, or crowds at sporting events and public events.

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

Despite their fearsome reputation German Shepherds are devoted family pets. They are often loved by children and are gentle with smaller pets, such as cats, when they are exposed to them from a young age. Their size and strength make them formidable guardians and they should be observed around children who are younger. They could also display indications of a genetic predisposition to aggression if not exposed to appropriate training and socialization opportunities. It is recommended to enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy preschool or obedience classes to ensure they are receiving the proper training and socialization they need to thrive.