The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect blend of strength and speed. Their exceptional training capabilities and the ability to protect make them loved family pets.

If you are looking for a purebred German Shepherd Choose breeders who are concerned about the health of their dogs and follow ethical breeding. You can determine reliable breeders by asking for pedigree papers and prior health clearances.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are intelligent, powerful dogs that are easy to train. They are extremely affectionate to their families and are fearless guardians of them. The breed standard says that the GSD must be stable of temperament, confident and courageous. It should also be able to be handled and willing to please.

The breed is medium in size with a slight elongation and is muscular. It has a double coat made up of an outer layer of hardness, and a softer undercoat. The almond-shaped eyes are dark and slightly set. Its ears are wide and pointed at the base. When the dog is laying down on its back, deutscher schäFerhund kaufen österreich the tail becomes large and bushy. It is a little below the hocks. The breed's neck is long and slightly sloping. The chest is wide and deep. The ribs are strong and the spine is firm.

In general the breed is healthy, 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 overly so. The rear leg should not extend beyond the point at which the foot makes an impression.

As working dogs, GSDs naturally possess high-energy drives. These are the behaviors and desires that involve territorial protection and chasing of prey. If these high drives are not fulfilled in a particular way, for example through play or work or playing, it can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds were bred to help dampen these drives. However, they need lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation to keep their lives in balance.

GSDs are usually reserved around strangers and may be initially suspicious of them. This trait of protection makes them great guard dogs. It requires the right training to avoid triggering reactions. If properly socialized early in life they can be wonderful family pets. They're also great with kids.

The GSD is a resilient species to illness and has a high threshold for pain, however certain health conditions can affect the quality of life. These include epilepsy/seizures and bleeding disorders. By taking precautions, such as limiting the dog's exposure UV rays, and ensuring it receives routine vaccinations should lower the risk of these conditions.

Temperament

German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn. They are also highly trainable. They are a working breed that excel in a variety jobs, including herding, police work such as search and rescue as well as bomb and drug detection and guiding blind people. They are also excellent family pets. This powerful and confident breed requires a clear purpose as well as the attention and focus of a shrewd owner to channel their strength and energy in a positive way. They require plenty of exercise and space and may not be a good fit in apartments or smaller living spaces.

The ideal German Shepherd is balanced and confident, with a firm and steady temperament. They are loyal, vigilant and sceptical of strangers. This protective and reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund Kaufen watchful behavior can turn into aggression when not properly trained, reinrassiger deutscher Schäferhund kaufen socialized and supervised. Dogs with these traits can be smart and independent, yet easily bored. They must find a way to satisfy their curiosity.

Founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, as well as longhaired and shorthaired German Shepherds in his breeding program to develop the responsive and obedient breed that we see today. Max von Stephanitz disagreed with those who wanted German Shepherds to be used as a showcase and made sure that his dogs were calm, had strong herding impulses, and solid body structure. He did not breed dogs with temperaments that were unstable or with steep angles on their croups, front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would hinder the ability of the breed to fulfill its primary duties.

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

You can prevent these diseases by maintaining the physical health of your German Shepherd. This means providing him with a healthy diet and regular exercise. You should allow him plenty of time to play and run outdoors in a secure area away from traffic. Keep him looking neat by scrubbing his dense double coat regularly by using a de-shedding tool or undercoat rake to remove hairs that are loose. It is also important to ensure that you visit the vet regularly for routine health checks.

Health

German Shepherds have a good health record, but some health problems are present. They are prone to ear infections and can develop eye conditions and ears, including degenerative myelopathy. They may also be affected by an inherited disease called von Willebrand's disease that is hereditary which affects their ability to clot blood, and is found in females and males dogs.

As a breed that is primarily used for work, Reinrassiger Deutscher SchäFerhund Kaufen GSDs often engage in vigorous exercise during their training and can develop joint issues as a result. The most frequent is hip dysplasia, which is characterized by improper growth and development of the cartilage and joint that can result in discomfort, lameness, and other symptoms. It's not always a serious problem but it can be painful for dogs.

Breeders who are reputable X-ray their dogs and take the results into consideration when making breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health and genetic history of the puppy, including how likely it is to develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high risk of developing dysplasia aren't bred.

Like most large breeds, German Shepherds also suffer from panosteitis. This causes bones to expand rapidly and unevenly, which causes pain and stiffness in the legs. This is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing an increase in growth speed.

These dogs require a diet high in protein, with a good mix of omega-fatty acids and balanced vitamins to maintain a healthy coat and skin. Dogs with arthritis will benefit from a diet that contains joints-supporting ingredients, such as chondroitin or glucosamine. Dogs younger than 18 months age should exercise moderately, such as multiple walks and, if they are compatible with another dog, playing together, but should not be allowed to run at full speed as this could cause damage to joints that are growing.

Foods that are table-based or contain animal bones should be avoided because they can cause digestive upset, vomiting, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Puppies and adult dogs could benefit from a probiotic supplement to help with digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements to aid in breaking down proteins. A properly-formulated AAFCO approved diet should include the proper amount of vitamins and minerals.

Training

German Shepherds are smart high-trained dogs who thrive under the direction by a knowledgeable handler. They are therefore a great choice for military, police search and rescue and therapy dog roles. Their inexplicably loyal nature makes them an excellent pet, if properly socialized and trained.

Socialization is the first step in raising a well adjusted GSD. Introduce your puppy to a range of people and animals at an early age, taking them on frequent walks, playing games and going to local dog parks. This will help them feel secure and at ease in a new place and deutscher schäFerhund zu verkaufen will help them learn to trust humans at an early age.

It requires patience, perseverance and positive reinforcement to train a German shepherd. It is essential to avoid negative reinforcement methods like shouting and physical punishment as they can lead to fear-based aggression. Use clicker training and reward-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.

It is also important to provide your German Shepherd with a daily dose of enrichment. Mental stimulation exercises can be just as important as physical exercises for an GSD especially in a chaotic or busy household. This can help them keep their attention and focus, so they are less likely to be distracted by noises from the street or thunderstorms, other dogs in the park, or crowds at sporting events or public events.

German Shepherds are susceptible to a number of health conditions such as hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the bones, lungs and the intestinal tract), pannus (superficial Keratitis) and deutsche schäferhunde kaufen cancer. All of these ailments are preventable through responsible breeding and lifestyle choices.

Despite their reputation for being a savage breed, German Shepherds make devoted family pets. They are often friendly with children and gentle with smaller pets, like cats, if 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. They may also show indications of a genetic predisposition to aggression if not exposed to appropriate training and socialization opportunities. 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 flourish.