The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect balance of strength and speed. 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 have a commitment to ethical breeding and who are concerned about the health of their dogs. Requesting pedigree papers and previous health clearances can help you find reputable breeders.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are powerful, intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They are loyal to their families and can be fierce guardians. Breed standard states the GSD must be confident and courageous. They should also have an unwavering temperament. It must also be respectful and willing to please.

The breed is muscular, medium-sized, and slightly elongated. It has a double coat that consists of an outer layer of hardness, and a softer undercoat. Its eyes are dark and almond-shaped, and positioned in a oblique manner. The ears are wide and pointed at the base. The tail is slender and extends down to below the hocks when the dog is lying down. The long neck with a slightly sloping slope is characteristic. The chest is broad and deep. The ribs are strong and the spine is strong.

In general the breed is healthy however, serious issues include roached backs as well as long pasterns that interfere with correct movement. Its hindquarters must be powerful but not overly so. The rear leg should not extend beyond the point where the foot makes an impression.

As working dogs, GSDs naturally possess high drives. These are behaviors and desires that include territorial protection as well as hunting of prey. If these high-drives are not satisfied in some way, like through play or work or playing, it can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a way which helps to reduce these drives, but they still require a lot of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise, and mental stimulation in order to maintain a balanced life.

GSDs are typically shy around strangers and can be suspicious of them at first. This protective trait makes them great guard dogs and requires the right training to avoid triggering reactions. When properly socialized early in life they can make great pets for families. They are also great with children.

The GSD has an elevated pain threshold and is resilient against illness, however it does have certain health issues that could affect its quality of living. This includes seizures and epilepsy, as well as bleeding disorders. Making sure to limit the dog's exposure to harsh UV rays and ensuring that regular vaccinations are given to the dog will lower the risk of these conditions.

Temperament

German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn. They are also highly trainable. They are an active dog breed that excels at many jobs, such as herding, police work and schäferhund baby kaufen search and rescue. They also excel in bomb and drug detection and guiding blind people. They also make excellent companions for families. However, this powerful and confident breed requires a clear sense of purpose and the attention of a confident owner to use their strength and energy in a positive manner. They require lots of space and exercise. They may not be suitable for apartments or other living spaces.

The ideal German Shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a firm and steady temperament. They are loyal and vigilant, and they are sceptical of strangers. If not properly socialized and trained to be vigilant and deutsche schäferhunde welpen Kaufen österreich protective, this behavior can turn into aggressive. Dogs with these traits can be smart, independent and easily bored. They need to find an avenue to satisfy their natural curiosity.

The founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, as well as longhaired and short-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program to create the obedient and responsive breed that we see today. He did not agree with those who wanted German Shepherds to be a display dog, and he ensured that his dogs had stable temperaments with strong herding instincts and a sound body structure. He even refused to breed some of his dogs who had unstable temperaments or steep angles in their croups as well as front and rear pasterns, as he believed these traits would undermine the breed's ability to do its job as it is.

German Shepherds are also susceptible to developing cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a common cancer that affects the liver and spleen organs that have a high blood supply. They can also develop bone, lung or intestinal cancers.

To avoid these issues to avoid them, you must maintain your German Shepherd's physical health by providing him with the right diet and exercise. Make sure that he has plenty of opportunities to run and play outside in a secure area away from traffic and other dangers. Make sure to regularly brush his double coat, using a deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. You should also take him to your veterinarian regularly for regular health checks.

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 such as degenerative amyelopathy. They may also be affected by an illness that is genetic, known as hereditary von Willebrand's disease, which impacts their ability to clot blood. It is found in females and males dogs.

As a breed that is primarily used for work, many GSDs undergo strenuous training and they can suffer from joint issues as a consequence. A common one is hip dysplasia. It is characterized by the inadvertent growth and development of the joint and cartilage which can cause discomfort, lameness, and other symptoms. This is not a serious condition, but it can be painful to the dog.

Breeders who are trustworthy are able to X-ray their dogs and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health of the puppy as well as its genetic background, including the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs at high risk of developing the disorder aren't breeding.

Like many large breeds, German Shepherds can be affected by panosteitis, which causes bones to grow quickly and unevenly, which causes stiffness and pain in the limbs. The condition is especially common in German Shepherd puppies and dogs less than 18 months old who are going through a large growth spurt.

These dogs need an diet rich in protein, with a generous blend of omega fatty acids and Deutsche SchäFerhunde Kaufen balanced vitamins to maintain the health of their coat and skin. They can benefit from joint support in their food including glucosamine as well as chondroitin. Dogs under 18 months of age should be exercising moderately like walking on a regular basis and, if compatible with other dogs playing together, but they should not run at a high speed, as this can damage growing joints.

Foods that are table-based or contain animal bones should be avoided because they can cause digestive upset, vomiting anorexia, vomiting, and pancreatitis. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion as well as digestive enzyme supplements that aid in breaking down proteins. Mineral and vitamin supplements aren't necessary in the sense that a well-formulated and approved AAFCO diet should contain the right amount of these nutrients.

Training

German Shepherds are highly-trainable and biddable dogs who thrive under a skilled trainer's guidance. They are therefore a good choice for police, military, search and rescue and therapy dog roles. But their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a wonderful family pet when properly trained and socialized.

The first step in establishing a well-adjusted GSD is socialization. As a puppy, expose your puppy to different animals and schäferhund welpe kaufen baby schäferhund kaufen österreich [just click the following article] people. Take them on frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will help them feel confident and comfortable in a new setting and ensure that they learn to trust humans from a young age.

It takes patience, consistency and positive reinforcement to train a German shepherd. Avoid methods of negative reinforcement like yelling or physical punishment, which could cause fear-based aggression. Instead, you should use clicker training and rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.

It is also important to provide your German Shepherd with daily enrichment. Mental stimulation exercises can be just as important as physical exercises for the GSD especially in a chaotic or busy household. This helps them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by street noises or storms, other dogs at the park, or crowds during competitions and public events.

German Shepherds are susceptible to a number of health conditions such as Hemangiosarcoma (cancer of bones, lungs and the intestinal tract), pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these diseases are preventable through responsible breeding and lifestyle changes.

German Shepherds are devoted family dogs, despite their reputation as a feared breed. They are generally loved by children and are gentle with smaller pets, such as cats, when they are exposed to them from a young age. They are formidable guardians due to their size and strength, however, they must be monitored when around young children. If they're not exposed enough to socialization and training, they may show signs of aggression. It is recommended to enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy class or obedience classes to ensure that they are receiving the proper training and socialization they need to thrive.