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 and quick learners.

Their dedication to work ensures they are naturally attentive to family members and can be trained to help with security. They are energetic and need plenty of space to exercise. They require early socialization, obedience training, and to develop into confident, well-mannered dogs.

Origin

In the late 1800s, Captain Max von Stephanitz was working to create a dog that could not be matched in herding abilities. It took him years to find foundation dogs that met his criteria, physically as well as mentally. Then, at the dog show in 1899, he spotted a German shepherd named Hektor Linksrhein. Hektor was the result of many generations of selective breeding, and he perfectly matched Von Stephanitz's idea of what a herding breed should be. Hektor was named the first german shepherd kaufen Shepherd Dog, and von Stephanitz founded the Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde (or Society for the German Shepherd Dog).

During the second part of the 19th century, breed fanciers worked to standardize herding dogs. They were able preserve certain traits that attracted Von Stephanitz, and these traits continue to make the German Shepherd breed popular today. For example, a study found that German Shepherds can learn tasks after only five repetitions and obey the first command that is given 95% of the time.

The same characteristics make this breed a popular pet for families, as well as one of the best working dogs for military and police. If properly socialized and trained, these dogs are ideal companions for children as well as other pets. They are reserved around strangers however, they are incredibly affectionate towards the ones they love. A German Shepherd that is not socialized at a young age may later have trouble adjusting to new situations and become anxious or deutscher schäferhund welpe kaufen welpen schäferhund welpe kaufen schweiz, homesite, stressed.

German Shepherds are good guard dogs because of their protective instincts. They are intelligent and eager to please. This makes them highly adept at training. They are agile and strong and can run up to 30 miles an hour, if they are required to.

Due to their versatility and popularity, you will see a lot of German Shepherds around the world. The breed's distinctive features are easy to recognize especially if familiar with the standard of the breed. Ask your veterinarian for assistance in identifying the breed, if you are not sure. The majority of veterinarians are familiar with the breed standards of most dogs and will be able to help you quickly and easily.

Characteristics

If you're thinking about adopting or purchasing a purebred German Shepherd it's important that you choose a reputable German Shepherd breeder with pedigree documents that can be traced back many generations. Reputable breeders are also part of associations like the American Kennel Club. This can give you additional assurances about their credibility.

A purebred German Shepherd is characterized by a muscular, athletic physique with a distinct black and tan color. Adult males typically weigh 65 to 90 pounds and are at a height of 24 to 26 inches, while females are generally smaller at 50 to 70 pounds and 22 to 25 inches tall. They have long, erect ears and a ferocious gaze. A well-trained German Shepherd may seem intimidating but it will be loyal to the owner and will not exhibit aggressive behavior towards humans or other dogs.

They are highly sensitive and can be a good responder to positive reinforcement-based training methods, making them quick learners. Socialization early and consistently is crucial to their growth as a well-mannered, confident family pets. They're naturally guardians and vigilant over their families, however they'll likely be open to strangers who aren't an threat.

These agile, powerful dogs excel at military and police work, and also serve as service dogs for the handicapped. They have an exceptionally strong prey drive and are likely to chase small animals, therefore making sure they are in a secure area and providing plenty of positive regular socialization is essential for households with pets.

If properly socialized and trained, German Shepherds can be loving, protective, and Deutscher SchäFerhund Schwarz Kaufen incredibly obedient companions. They are typically cautious of strangers and other dogs but can be taught to play with other dogs with positive training and early socialization.

When evaluating the quality of a German Shepherd, look for an elongated head that is proportional to its size and perfectly chiseled. The shoulders should be broad and square and straight, with a back that slopes slightly from the withers to the croup. A curving or curved rear or back legs are a sign of poor schäferhund Welpen kaufen schweiz structural alignment. A well-constructed German Shepherd moves with a easy, smooth stride that is driven by a forward thrust from the hindquarters.

Temperament

German Shepherds are intelligent, curious dogs who are gentle and respectful without being too eager to please. They are loyal to their families and wary of strangers. This makes them a great guard dog. They thrive when their owners are active and will be challenged both physically and mentally. They need plenty of daily exercise and a large yard to play in. If they aren't adequately stimulated, they could engage in destructive behavior like digging or chewing.

When choosing a breeder choose one who is committed to the breed and understands its temperament and personality. A reputable breeder will be able to discuss the background of the parents and puppies. They can determine whether the litter has received obedience training and socialization. If the puppy hasn't been socialized, it will require a lot of obedience and behavioral training to prepare it for a life as a pet for the family.

Puppies should be curious and outgoing with a natural tendency to assert their rights. If one puppy is more reserved than the others, it should be interpreted as an indication. Additionally, a good German Shepherd should have a strong and steady grasp when being picked up.

The muzzle is strong and long with a well developed jaw and the chin. The eyes should be dark and almond-shaped. The nose should be dark (blue, liver or other colors are disqualifying). The teeth must be white and meet in a strong scissor-like bite with the upper row of teeth being slightly larger than the bottom. The ears should be straight and wide at the base and have pointed tips that can droop slightly when at rest.

The German Shepherd is a very adaptable dog that can be used for many different activities, such as herding or searching and rescue, bomb and drug detection, and even guiding the blind. This versatility makes it among the most sought-after breeds across the 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, SchäFerhund Welpen Kaufen Schweiz and are able to thrive in a variety of environments and roles. They make excellent companions, therapy dogs and service animals. They are also adept at advanced obedience and protection training as well as competitive dog sports. Their dedication to work and instincts could inspire them to search and rescue missions as well as police work and military careers. GSDs, like most breeds, are prone to certain health issues despite their impressive abilities.

As a larger breed GSDs are more susceptible to joint problems such as elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These degenerative diseases can cause pain and lameness as your dog ages. Regular vet checkups can reduce the impact of these diseases.

Like other large breeds German Shepherds are also prone to bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus) that is when the stomach expands, filling with gas and cutting off the blood supply to the liver and spleen. If left untreated, bloat is life-threatening and requires immediate medical treatment.

GSDs can also suffer from heat stroke because of their thick, long, darker coats. Keep them hydrated and offer plenty of shade during hot days. Also, we should check their eyes for signs of pannus, an immune-mediated illness that could cause blindness if not treated immediately.

A variety of hereditary and inherited illnesses can affect your German Shepherd's digestive system, including Hemangiosarcoma cancer of blood vessels, exocrine pancreatic dysfunction (EPI), Reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund züchter von Willebrand disease, and intervertebral disk disease (IVDD). The cushion of jelly between vertebrae in the spine can rupture or slip and cause pressure to the spinal cord. The symptoms of IVDD include the inability to climb stairs or jump.

As with all dogs, you should feed your German Shepherd a high quality diet and avoid table food, which can cause weight increase and nutritional deficiencies. Regularly brush their coats to maintain an appearance that is clean and healthy. A bath is acceptable every now and then but excessively doing it can strip the natural oils that keep the coat healthy and shiny.