Adopting a Purebred German Shepherd

Consistency, positive reinforcement and reward-based dog training are crucial for German Shepherds. They are smart, eager to please, and fast learners.

Their work ethic and dedication 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 also require early socialization and obedience training to mature into confident, deutscher schäferhund lebenserwartung well-mannered dogs.

Origin

In the latter half of 1800 Captain Max von Stephanitz was working to create a dog that could not be matched in its herding capabilities. It took years to find a foundation dog that could satisfy his criteria -- both physically and in temperament. Hektor Linksrhein, one of the German Shepherd, was found at a dogshow in 1899. Hektor was the result of many generations of selective breeding and he perfectly matched Von Stephanitz's idea of what a herding breed ought to be. Von Stephanitz declared Hektor the first German Shepherd Dog and founded the Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde.

During the second half of the 19th century, breed enthusiasts tried to standardize herding dog breeds. They were able to preserve many of the traits that caught Von Stephanitz's attention, and those traits are what make the breed popular in the present. For instance, a study found that German Shepherds master tasks in just five repetitions and obey the first command given 95% of the time.

These same traits also make the breed one of the top military and police working dogs, and also a popular family pet. If properly socialized and trained they can be ideal companions for children as well as other pets. They are generally shy around strangers, but they are generally affectionate with people they love. If they are not socialized as puppies, they German Shepherd may have difficulty adapting to new environments later in life and become stressed or anxious.

Due to their strong instincts to protect, schäferhund beschützerinstinkt German Shepherds can be cautious around strangers and are good guard dogs. They are smart and eager to be loved by others. This makes them extremely trainable. They are agile, strong and can run up 30 miles per hour.

There are a variety of German Shepherds in the globe due to their versatility and German Shepherd Kaufen acclaim. However, the distinctive traits of the breed are usually easy to recognize, especially if you are familiar with the standard of the breed. If you're not sure you are, consult your veterinarian for help to identify the breed. Most veterinarians know the breed standards of the majority of dogs and will be able to assist you quickly.

Characteristics

Whether you're considering purchasing or adopting a purebred German Shepherd, it's important to find a reliable breeder who has pedigree papers that can be traced several generations back. Reputable breeders are also members of organizations such as the American Kennel Club. This will give you more confidence about their integrity.

A true purebred German Shepherd has a hearty, deep-chested athletic build with a distinctive coat of black and tan. Adult males weigh between 65 to 90 pounds and are at a height of 24 to 26 inches and females are typically smaller at 50 to 70 pounds and 22 to 25 inches tall. They have a long, straight ears and a sharp stare. A trained German Shepherd may seem intimidating, but it will remain loyal to the owner and will not display aggression towards people or other dogs.

They are quick learners and highly intelligent. Socialization is essential for their development into confident, well-mannered pets. They're natural guardians and watchful over their families, but will likely be open to strangers who don't pose danger.

These agile, powerful dogs are suited to many kinds of jobs and excel in military and police duty, belgischer schäferhund welpen Kaufen österreich as well as serving as service dogs for the disabled. They possess a remarkably powerful prey drive and will likely chase small animals, which is why creating a safe environment and ensuring lots of positive regular socialization is essential for households with other pets.

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

When assessing the quality of a German Shepherd, look for a wedge-shaped head proportional to its height and perfectly chiseled. The shoulders should be large and square and have a straight, level back that's only slightly sloped from the croup to the croup. A curving or curved back or rear legs indicate an imbalance in the structural structure. A well-constructed German Shepherd moves with a smooth, easy stride driven by a forward thrust of the hindquarters.

Temperament

German Shepherds are intelligent and curious dogs that are well-behaved, but not too eager to please. They have an unwavering loyalty to their families and are wary of strangers, making them a very effective guard dog. They thrive when their owners are active and will test them physically and mentally. They need daily exercise, and a large area to play in. If they aren't sufficiently stimulated, they may use destructive methods such as digging or chewing.

When selecting a breeder to work with, look for someone who is dedicated to the breed and knows its temperament and personality. A reputable breeder will be able to discuss the background of the parents and the puppies. They can determine if the litter has received obedience training and socialization. If the puppy hasn't been socialized, it will require extensive obedience and behavioral training to get it ready for life as a pet for Deutscher SchäFerhund Lebenserwartung the family.

Puppies should be inquisitive and outgoing, with a natural tendency to assert themselves. If one of the puppies is more timid than the others, this should be considered a warning signal. Also, a great German Shepherd should be able to maintain a firm and consistent grip when being picked up.

The muzzle is long and strong with a well developed jaw and the chin. The eyes are dark and almond-shaped. The nose should be dark (blue or liver colors are not acceptable). The teeth must be white and deutscher schäferhund lebenserwartung abzugeben, clapp-molina-4.federatedjournals.com, meet in a strong scissor-like bite with the upper row of teeth slightly bigger than the lower. The ears are erect and wide at the bottom, with pointed tips that be slightly droopy when in rest.

The German Shepherd is a very adaptable dog that is used for many different activities like herding, search and rescue or bomb and drug detection, and guiding blind people. This versatility makes it one the most popular breeds in the entire world. It is crucial to remember that the temperament of a German Shepherd dog can be greatly affected by its training and its upbringing.

Health

Purebred German Shepherds are incredibly resilient, able to flourish in a variety of environments and roles. They are excellent companions, therapy dogs and service animals. They also excel in competitive dog sports advanced obedience, as well as protection training. Their strong work ethic and instincts can even inspire them to search and rescue missions, police work, and military careers. GSDs, like most breeds, are susceptible to certain health problems despite their remarkable talents.

As a breed that is larger GSDs are more susceptible to joint problems like elbow dysplasia or hip dysplasia. These degenerative conditions can cause pain and lameness as your dog ages. Regular veterinary examinations can help minimize the effects.

Like other large breeds, German Shepherds are prone to bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus) in which 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 can also suffer from heat stroke due to their long, thick dark coats. Keep them hydrated and provide plenty of shade on hot days. We also examine their eyes for signs of pannus, an immune-mediated disease that can cause blindness if it is not treated immediately.

Several inherited and hereditary illnesses can affect your German Shepherd's digestive system, such as hemangiosarcoma tumors of the blood vessels, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) and von Willebrand disease, Deutscher schäFerhund lebenserwartung and intervertebral disk disease (IVDD). The jelly-like cushion between the vertebrae of the spine could break or fall off and pressurize the spinal cord. The signs of IVDD are an inability to climb stairs or jump and a hunched back. discomfort when being touched, and dragging of the rear feet.

As with all dogs, you will want to feed your German Shepherd a high quality diet and avoid table food, which can lead to weight gain and nutritional deficiencies. It is also important to brush their coat regularly to keep it healthy and clean. A bath is okay from time to time but excessively doing it can remove the natural oils that keep a dog's coat healthy and shiny.