The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect balance of speed and strength. Its exceptional training ability and natural protective instincts make them beloved family dogs.

If you are looking for a purebred german shepherd, look for breeders who have a commitment to ethical breeding and who are concerned about the health of their dogs. You can determine reliable breeders by asking for documents on pedigrees and prior health clearances.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are intelligent, powerful dogs that are easy to train. They are extremely affectionate to their families and are fearless guardians of them. Breed standard states the GSD should be self-confident and courageous, as well as possess a steady temperament. It must 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 made up of an outer layer of hardness and a softer undercoat. Its eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and set in a oblique manner. Its ears are wide at the base and pointed. The tail is long and extends to below the hocks when the dog is in a relaxed state. The long neck, with a slight slope, is characteristic. The chest is wide and deep. The ribs are strong and the spine is firm.

In general, the breed is sound However, it has some serious flaws. These include roached backs as well as long pasterns that hinder proper movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful, but not excessively exaggerated. The rear leg should never pass ahead of the point at which the forefoot leaves a footprint.

As working dogs, GSDs naturally possess high drive. These are behaviors and desires that include territorial protection and hunting of prey. When these high drives aren't fulfilled through play or work and it leads to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds were developed to reduce these impulses. However, they require a lot of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation to maintain a balance life.

GSDs tend to be reserved and suspicious towards strangers at first. This makes them great guard dogs. It requires appropriate training to avoid overreactions. When properly socialized at a young age, they make wonderful family pets. They also make great children.

The GSD is a resilient species to illnesses and has a high threshold for pain, however certain health conditions can affect the quality of life. These include seizures and epilepsy as well as bleeding disorders and immune-mediated diseases. Making sure to limit the dog's exposure UV rays, and ensuring regular vaccinations are given to the dog will help reduce the risk of developing these diseases.

Temperament

German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn. They are also capable of being trained. They are a working dog breed that excels in a variety of jobs, such as police work, reinrassiger Deutscher Schäferhund herding and search and rescue. They also excel in detection of explosives and drugs, and aiding blind people. They are also great pet for families. However, this powerful and confident breed needs an unwavering focus and the attention of an assertive owner to channel their energy and strength in a positive way. They require lots 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 solid and stable temperament. They are loyal and alert, and they are sceptical of strangers. This guardian and attentive behavior can turn into aggression when they are not properly trained, socialized, and managed. They are extremely intelligent and can be very self-sufficient and easily bored, which is why they require 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 responsive and obedient breed that we see today. Max von Stephanitz was not one of those who wanted to use German Shepherds to be used as a showcase and made sure that his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding impulses, and an ideal body structure. He also refused to breed some of his dogs who had temperaments that were unstable or had steep angles in their croups as well as front and rear pasterns as he believed these traits could hinder the ability of the breed to perform its traditional work.

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

To avoid these ailments, you should maintain your German Shepherd's physical health by feeding him a the right diet and exercise. Make sure that he has plenty of opportunities to run and play outside in a safe space away from traffic and other hazards. Regularly brush your double coat, using the deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. You should also bring him to the vet regularly for regular health check-ups.

Health

German Shepherds have a good health history, however some health issues are present. They are susceptible to ear infections and may develop eye conditions and ears, like degenerative myelopathy. They may also suffer from an inherited disease called hereditary von Willebrand's disease, which impacts their ability to clot blood. It is present in both male and female dogs.

GSDs are a working breed, and as such, they go through intense training. In the process, they may develop joint issues. Hip dysplasia is a common condition that causes lameness, pain, and other symptoms. It's not always a serious problem however it can be painful for the dog.

Breeders who are reputable X-ray their dogs and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays can aid in determining the health of the puppy as well as its genetic background, including the possibility that it could develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high risk of developing dysplasia do not bred.

Like most large breeds, German Shepherds may suffer from panosteitis, which causes the bones to grow rapidly and unevenly, SchäFerhund Welpe Kaufen causing pain and stiffness in the legs. The condition is particularly frequent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs under 18 months of age who are going through an enormous growth spurt.

These dogs require food that is high 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 food like glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs under the age of 18 months should get moderate exercise like walking or playing with a dog if they are compatible. However they shouldn't run at full speed because this can damage their growing joints.

Foods that are table-based or contain animal bones should be avoided, because they can cause digestive upset, vomiting, deutscher schäferhund zu verkaufen welpen österreich Kaufen (47.105.108.6) anorexia, and pancreatitis. Adult dogs and puppies may benefit from a probiotic supplementation to aid digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements to aid in breaking down proteins. Vitamin and mineral supplements aren't necessary since a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should contain the right amount of these nutrients.

Training

German Shepherds are highly-trainable and biddable dogs who thrive under a knowledgeable trainer's guidance. They are therefore a good choice for military, police search and rescue, and therapy dog roles. However, their dedication to their job makes them a wonderful family pet when properly trained and socialized.

Socialization is the first step to raising a well adjusted GSD. As a puppy, expose your puppy to different animals and people. Take your dog for walks frequently and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will help them feel secure and at ease in a new place and will help them become comfortable with humans at an early age.

It requires patience, consistency as well as positive reinforcement to train to train a German shepherd. It is important to avoid negative reinforcement methods, such as shouting and physical punishment as they can cause fear-based aggression. Use clicker training or 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 just as important as physical exercises for an GSD especially in a busy or chaotic household. This can help them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by road sounds or Blaue SchäFerhunde storms as well as other dogs at the park, or crowds during competitions or public events.

Certain health conditions that are unique to German Shepherds are Hemangiosarcoma, cancer of bones, lungs, and intestinal tract as well as pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these conditions can be avoided through responsible breeding practices and appropriate lifestyle adjustments.

Despite their infamous reputation, German Shepherds make devoted family pets. When they are around children at a young age they can be incredibly friendly and gentle with smaller animals like cats. However, their size and strength make them formidable guardians, and they should always be supervised around younger children. If they are not being exposed to enough socialization and training they could show signs of aggression. It is recommended that you enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy preschool or obedience classes to ensure that they receive the training and socialization they require to thrive.