The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect balance of speed and strength. Its training capabilities are high and its natural instincts to protect make them loved family dogs.

When you are shopping for a purebred german shepherd dog Look for breeders who adhere to ethical breeding practices and are committed to the health of their dogs. You can find reputable breeders by requesting pedigree documents and prior health clearances.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are strong, intelligent dogs that are trainable. They are loyal to their families and are able to be a formidable guardian. The breed standard states that the GSD should be self-confident and courageous. They should also have a calm and steady temperament. It should also be obedient and willing to please.

The breed is medium-sized with a slight elongation and is muscular. It has a double coat consisting of a hard outer layer, and a softer undercoat. Its eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and positioned in a oblique manner. The ears are large at the base and pointed. When the dog is lying down in a shady position, the tail is bushy. It extends below the hocks. The breed's neck is long and slightly sloping. The chest is broad and deep. The ribs are strong and the spine is strong.

In general the breed is healthy, but serious faults include roached backs as well as long pasterns that hinder proper movement. Its hindquarters must be powerful but not overly so. The rear leg should not extend beyond the point where the foot leaves a mark.

As working dogs, GSDs naturally possess high drives. These are behaviors and desires that include territorial protection and chasing of prey. If these high-drives aren't satisfied in some way through work or play this can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a way which helps to reduce these drives however they still require lots of positive reinforcement training, Schäferhund beschüTzerinstinkt physical exercise and mental stimulation to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

GSDs are typically reserved around strangers and may be cautious at first. This protective trait makes them excellent guard dogs and requires proper training to avoid overreactions. They are wonderful pets for families when socialized properly from a young age and they're generally great with children.

The GSD is a resilient species to disease and has a very high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can impact the quality of its life. These include seizures and epilepsy, bleeding disorders, and immune-mediated diseases. The best way to prevent these diseases is to limit your dog's exposure to UV rays and ensuring that it is vaccinated regularly can help.

Temperament

German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn. They are also highly capable of being trained. They are a working breed and excel at a variety of tasks, including herding police work, search and rescue as well as bomb and drug detection and guiding blind people. They are also excellent pet for families. This powerful and confident breed requires a clear purpose and the focus and attention of a responsible owner to channel their strength and energy in a positive way. They require a lot of space and exercise. They might not be suited to smaller living spaces.

The ideal German shepherd is well-balanced and confident with a strong temperament. They are loyal and vigilant, Deutsche Schäferhunde kaufen and are sceptical of strangers. If not properly socialized and trained to be vigilant and protective, this behavior can become aggression. These dogs are often intelligent and independent, yet easily bored. They must find an avenue to satisfy their curiosity.

Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, employed longhaired and shorterhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This led to an animal that is friendly and respectful. He was opposed to those who believed that German Shepherds should be a showpiece and he made sure his dogs had stable temperaments with strong herding instincts and a sound body structure. He also refused to breed some of his dogs who were temperamentally unstable or had steep angles in their croups and front and rear pasterns, since he believed that these traits would undermine the breed's ability to perform its work.

In addition to the hereditary diseases that affect every breed of dog German Shepherds are also susceptible to cancers, such as hemangiosarcoma, which most commonly affects blood-rich organs such as the spleen and liver. They may also develop lung, bone or schäferhund kaufen österreich intestinal cancers.

You can prevent these conditions by maintaining the physical health of your German Shepherd. This includes giving him a balanced diet and regular exercise. Make sure he has plenty of opportunities to run and play outdoors in a secure area free of traffic and other hazards. Keep him groomed by brushing his thick double coat on a regular basis and using a de-shedding device or undercoat rake to remove hairs that are loose. You should also make sure that you take him to the veterinarian on a regular basis for routine health checks.

Health

German Shepherds have a healthy health history, however some health problems are present. They are susceptible to ear infections and may develop conditions that affect their eyes and ears like degenerative amyelopathy. They may also suffer from an illness that is genetic, known as hereditary von Willebrand's disease which affects their ability to clot blood and can be found in females and males dogs.

As a working breed, many GSDs undergo strenuous training and they may suffer from joint issues as a consequence. Hip dysplasia is a typical condition that can cause lameness, pain, 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 use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays help determine the health of the puppy and its genetic background, including the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high risk of developing dysplasia do not breed.

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

They require a diet high in protein, with a good mix of omega-fatty acids and balanced vitamins to maintain a healthy coat and skin. Dogs with arthritis will benefit from a diet that contains joint support, like glucosamine or chondroitin. Dogs under 18 months of age should have moderate exercise like walking on a regular basis and, if compatible with another dog, playing together, but they should not be allowed to run at a high speed, as it can cause joint damage.

Foods that are table-based or contain animal bones must be avoided, because they can cause vomiting, diarrhea anorexia, pancreatitis, and vomiting. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements to help break 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 intelligent high-trained dogs who thrive when they're under the direction by a knowledgeable handler. As such, they are ideal for police and military tasks, search and rescue, therapy dog roles, and a myriad of other specialized roles. Their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a great pet, provided they are well-socialized and properly trained.

Socialization is the first step in raising a well-adjusted GSD. Introduce your puppy to variety of people and other animals from a young age, by taking them on frequent walks, playing games and going to local dog parks. This will help them feel more confident and comfortable and teach them to trust people from a young age.

It requires patience, consistency as well as positive reinforcement to train the German shepherd. Avoid methods of negative reinforcement such as yelling, or physical punishment that could cause fear-based aggression. Use clicker training and reward-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.

Daily enrichment is crucial for purebred german shepherd dog your German Shepherd. The stimulation of the mind is equally important as physical exercise for a GSD particularly in a chaotic or busy household. This helps them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by street noises or storms or other dogs in the park, or the crowds at competitions and other public events.

German Shepherds are at risk of a number of health conditions such as Hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the bones, lungs and intestinal tract) as well as pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these ailments can be avoided through responsible breeding practices and appropriate lifestyle choices.

Despite their infamous reputation German Shepherds are devoted family pets. They are generally affectionate with children and gentle with smaller pets, like cats, if they are exposed to them from a young age. However, their size and Deutscher SchäFerhund Pflege strength make them excellent guardians, and they should always be observed around children who are younger. They may also show indications of a genetic predisposition towards aggression if not provided with appropriate training and socialization opportunities. It is recommended that you enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy class in the preschool or obedience to ensure that they receive the training and socialization they need to thrive.