Adopting a Purebred German Shepherd

Consistency, positive reinforcement, and reward-based dog training are essential for German Shepherds. They are intelligent and eager to please.

Their strong work ethic makes them naturally vigilant of family members and can be trained to help with security. They are active and require ample space for exercise. They need early socialization, obedience classes and to become confident, well-mannered dogs.

Origin

In the latter half of 1800 Captain Max von Stephanitz was working to develop a dog that would be unmatched in its ability to herd. It took him years to find foundation dogs that matched his requirements both physically and mentally. Hektor Linksrhein is one of the German Shepherd, was found at a dogshow in 1899. Hektor was the result of a few generations of selective breeding and he was a perfect match for Von Stephanitz's ideal of what a herding dog ought to be. Hektor was declared the first German Shepherd Dog, and von Stephanitz founded the Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde (or Society for the German Shepherd Dog).

During the second half of the 19th century, breeders were working to standardize herding dogs. They were able to preserve a lot of the traits that drew Von Stephanitz's attention. And those traits are what make the breed popular today. For example, deutscher Schäferhund kaufen öSterreich a study showed that German Shepherds can learn tasks after only five repetitions and obey the first command in 95% of cases.

The same traits make this breed a popular pet for families and one of the top working dogs for military and police. These dogs make great pets and are great companions for children if they are properly trained and socialized. They are generally reserved with strangers but are generally affectionate with those they love. If they are not socialized as puppies,, a German Shepherd may have difficulty adjusting to new situations later in life and may become stressed or anxious.

Due to their strong protective instincts, German Shepherds can be cautious around strangers and are excellent guard dogs. They are intelligent and eager to please. This makes them very trainable. They are agile, strong and can run at speeds up to 30 miles per hour.

You will find many different German Shepherds all over the world because of their variety and popularity. However, the distinctive traits of the breed are generally easy to identify and, in particular, if you're familiar with the standard of the breed. Ask your veterinarian for help in identifying the breed if are not certain. Most veterinarians are familiar with the breed standards for the majority of dogs and are capable of helping you quickly and effectively.

Characteristics

If you're thinking of adopting or buying a purebred German Shepherd, it's important to find a reputable breeder with pedigree papers that can be traced several generations back. Reputable breeders will also be affiliated with organizations such as the American Kennel Club, which will provide you with additional assurances of their honesty.

A purebred German Shepherd has a hearty muscular build, with a deep chest and a distinctive coats of black and tan. Adult males weigh 65 to 90 pounds and stand 24 to 26 inches high and females are usually smaller at 50-70 pounds and 22 to 25 inch tall. They have a long, straight ear and an intense stare. A trained German Shepherd may seem intimidating however, it will remain loyal to its owner and will not exhibit aggression towards people or other dogs.

They are very intelligent and respond well to positive reinforcement-based training methods which makes them fast learners. Regular and early socialization is essential to their development as a well-mannered, confident family pets. They're natural guardians and are attentive to their families, but they will likely accept strangers who aren't a threat.

These agile, powerful dogs are suited to many kinds of jobs and excel in military and police duty as well as in the capacity of service dogs for those who are disabled. They possess an extremely strong prey drive, deutscher schäferhund kaufen österreich and will likely chase small animals, which is why creating a safe environment and providing plenty of positive interactions is crucial for households with other pets.

German Shepherds are loyal, protective and respectful when properly socialized and trained. They are generally shy of strangers and other dogs, deutscher schäferhund lebenserwartung but they can be taught to play with other dogs through positive training and early socialization.

If you are evaluating the quality of a German Shepherd, look for a wedge-shaped head proportional to its size and well-chiseled. The shoulders should be broad and square and straight, with a back that slopes slightly from the withers to the croup. A curly back or a large curvature of the rear legs indicates poor structural alignment. A well-built German Shepherd moves with an effortless smooth stride that is driven by the forward thrust of its hindquarters.

Temperament

German Shepherds are intelligent, curious dogs that are loyal and gentle without being overly eager to please. They are loyal to their families and sceptical of strangers. This makes them a good guard dog. They thrive in a home with active owners who challenge them physically and mentally. They need daily exercise, and a large yard to play in. If they aren't adequately stimulated, they may engage in destructive behavior such as chewing or digging.

When selecting a breeder to work with you should look for someone who is committed to the breed and understands its temperament and personality. A trustworthy breeder can discuss the history of the parents as well as the puppies. They can also tell you whether the litter has been through obedience training and socialization. If a puppy isn't socialized, it could require extensive training in obedience and behavior to prepare it for its future life as a family member.

Puppies should be curious and outgoing, with an inherent tendency to assert themselves. If one puppy is more timid than the others and is not confident, it could be a warning signal. A good German Shepherd will also have an unwavering, steady grip when picked up.

The muzzle is strong and long with a well-developed jaw and the chin. The eyes are dark and almond-shaped. The nose must be black (blue or liver-colored noses are a disqualification). The teeth should be white, and the top row should be slightly wider than the lower. The ears are broad and straight at the base with pointed tips. They may slide down a bit when in rest.

The German Shepherd can be used in many different ways. It is an adaptable dog that can be employed to herd as well as search and rescue, detect drugs and bombs or help blind people. This flexibility is the reason it is one of the most sought-after breeds in the world. It is essential to keep in mind that the temperament of the German Shepherd dog can be significantly affected by their training and environment.

Health

Purebred German Shepherds are incredibly resilient, and are able to thrive in a variety of environments and roles. They make excellent companions, therapy dogs and service animals. They also excel in advanced obedience and security training and competitive dog sports. Their strong work ethic and instincts could lead them to missions of search and rescue, police work, and military careers. Despite their impressive abilities as with all breeds, GSDs are susceptible to certain health issues.

As a larger breed GSDs are more susceptible to joint problems like elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These degenerative conditions can cause lameness and pain as your dog gets older. A healthy breeding program and regular medical examinations by a veterinarian can reduce the effects.

Like other large breeds, German Shepherds are prone to bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus) that is when the stomach expands to fill with gas, cutting off blood flow to the liver and spleen. If not treated, bloat could be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.

GSDs also can suffer from heat stroke because of their long, thick, darker coats. On hot days, deutscher schäferhund kaufen österreich make sure to keep them hydrated and give them plenty of shade. We also check their eyes for signs of pannus - an immune-mediated condition that can cause blindness if not treated promptly.

Intervertebral disc (IVDD) disease, von Willebrand's disease, and reinrassiger schäferhund reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund kaufen reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund welpe (humanlove.stream) hemangiosarcoma, which is a blood vessel that is cancerous, can all affect your German Shepherd. The cushion of jelly between vertebrae of the spine could rupture or slide and pressurize the spinal cord. The symptoms of IVDD include the inability to climb stairs or jump.

As with all dogs, you will want to feed your German Shepherd a high quality diet and avoid eating table food, which can cause weight increase and nutritional deficiencies. You should also brush their coat regularly to keep it healthy and clean. It's okay to give your dog bath every now and then however, too much of it can take away the natural oils which keep their coat healthy and shiny.