The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD represents the perfect balance of strength and agility. Their ability to train and their protective instincts make these dogs cherished family pets.

When looking for a purebred German Shepherd Choose breeders who are concerned about the health of their dogs and follow ethical breeding. Requesting pedigree papers and previous health clearances will help you determine reputable breeders.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are strong, intelligent dogs that are easily capable of training. They are incredibly loyal to their family members and are fearless guardians of them. The breed standard states that the GSD must be confident, courageous, and have an unwavering temperament. It should also be able to be handled and willing to please.

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

In general, the breed is sound, but serious faults include roached backs as well as long pasterns that hinder proper movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong but not exaggerated. The rear leg should not extend beyond the point at which the foot makes an impression.

As working dogs, GSDs have naturally high drive. These are the behaviors and desires that include territorial protection as well as hunting of prey. If these high-drives aren't fulfilled in some way through play or work this can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a way that can help reduce these urges, but they still require lots of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise, and mental stimulation in order to maintain an enlightened lifestyle.

GSDs are generally cautious around strangers and could be suspicious of them at first. This is a characteristic that makes them great guard dogs, but requires proper training to prevent overreactions. When socialized properly from a young age they can be wonderful family pets. They also make great children.

The GSD is a resilient species to disease and has a very high threshold for pain, however certain health conditions can negatively impact the quality of life. These include seizures and epilepsy, bleeding disorders, and immune-mediated diseases. By taking precautions, such as limiting the dog's exposure to harsh UV rays and ensuring that it receives routine vaccinations should reduce the chance of developing these conditions.

Temperament

German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn, and extremely trainable. They are a working breed and excel at a variety of tasks, such as herding, police work, search and rescue detection of drugs and bombs and guiding blind. They also make excellent family members. However, this strong and confident breed requires a clear sense of purpose and the attention of an assertive owner to channel their energy and strength in a positive manner. They require a lot of exercise and space, and might not be suited in smaller living spaces.

The ideal German Shepherd is balanced and confident, with a solid and stable temperament. They are loyal, vigilant, and suspicious of strangers. This guardian and attentive behavior can escalate into aggression when they are not properly trained, socialized, and controlled. They are extremely intelligent and can be insecure and bored, so they need an outlet that can satisfy their natural curiosity.

Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, used shorter and longer-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This created a breed that is responsive and respectful. Max von Stephanitz was not one of those who wanted German Shepherds to be used as a showcase and made sure that his dogs were calm, had strong herding impulses, as well as solid body structure. He even refused to breed some of his dogs who had unstable temperaments or sharp angles in their croups and front and rear pasterns, since he believed that these traits could hinder the ability of the breed to perform its work.

In addition to the hereditary diseases that can plague any breed of dog German Shepherds are also prone to cancers, including hemangiosarcoma, which most commonly affects blood-rich organs, such as the liver and spleen. They also can develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers.

You can avoid these ailments by ensuring the physical health of your German Shepherd. This means providing him with a nutritious diet and regular exercise. You should allow plenty of time to run and play in a safe area away from traffic. Make sure to regularly brush his double coat, using tools for deshedding or an undercoat rake. It is also recommended to take him to your veterinarian regularly for regular health check-ups.

Health

German Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, however they do have some health issues. They are susceptible to ear infections, and they can develop ailments that affect their eyes and ears, like degenerative myelopathy. They may also suffer from an inherited disease called hereditary von Willebrand's disorder that affects their capacity to clot blood and can be found in females and males dogs.

As a breed that is primarily used for Deutschen SchäFerhund kaufen work, Deutschen SchäFerhund Kaufen many GSDs undergo strenuous training and they can suffer from joint issues as a consequence. One of the most common is hip dysplasia, characterized by the inadvertent growth and development of the cartilage and joint which can cause discomfort, lameness and other signs. This is not always a serious issue, deutscher schäferhund welpe kaufen schäferhund welpen kaufen schweiz deutscher schäferhund kaufen (intern.ee.aeust.edu.tw) but it can be painful for the dog.

Breeders who are reputable X-ray their dogs and take the results into consideration when making breeding decisions. The x-rays can aid in determining the health of the puppy as well as its genetic history, which includes the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high risk of developing dysplasia do not bred.

Like many large breeds, German Shepherds can be affected by panosteitis, which causes the bones to grow quickly and unevenly, causing pain and stiffness in the legs. This condition is most common in German Shepherd puppies and dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing the midst of a massive growth spurt.

They require an enriched diet rich in protein and a large mix of omega fatty acid and balanced vitamins to maintain a healthy coat and skin. They can benefit from joint support in their food like glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months should get 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 their growing joints.

Avoid feeding table food or animal bone 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 that help break down proteins. Vitamin and mineral supplements are not required since a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should provide the proper amount of these nutrients.

Training

German Shepherds are highly-trainable and biddable dogs that thrive under a knowledgeable trainer's guidance. They are therefore a good choice for police, Deutschen Schäferhund kaufen military search and rescue and therapy dog roles. But their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a great pet to have when properly trained and socialized.

Socialization is the first step to raising a well-adjusted GSD. From a young age expose your puppy to various animals and people. Take them on frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will help them feel more secure and confident and will teach them to trust people from an early age.

It takes patience, consistency as well as positive reinforcement to train to train a German shepherd. It is crucial to stay clear of negative reinforcement methods like shouting and physical punishment as they can cause fear-based aggression. Instead, you should use rewards-based training and clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.

It is also important to give your German Shepherd with a regular dose of enrichment. Exercises for mental stimulation can be equally important as physical exercise for an GSD especially in a hectic or busy household. This will help them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by noises or thunderstorms, other dogs at the park, or the crowds at competitions and other public events.

Certain health conditions that are specific to German Shepherds include hemangiosarcoma and cancer of the bones lung, lungs, and the intestinal tract, and pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these diseases are preventable through responsible breeding and lifestyle accommodations.

Despite their reputation for being a savage breed German Shepherds are loving family pets. They are usually friendly with children and gentle with smaller pets, like cats, if they are exposed to them from an early age. They are formidable guardians due to their size and strength, but they should be watched when they are around children. If they're not exposed enough to socialization and training they could show signs of aggression. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy school or obedience class will ensure that he receives the training and socialization he needs to thrive.