The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect blend of speed and strength. Their ability to train and their protection instincts make them beloved pets for families.

If you are looking 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 animals. You can find reliable breeders by asking for pedigree papers and previous health clearances.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are incredibly strong intelligent dogs that are highly capable of training. They are loyal to their family and are able to be fearless guardians. The breed standard says that the GSD must be stable of temperament, self assured, and courageous. It must also be able to be handled and willing to please.

The breed is muscular, medium-sized, deutschen schäferhund Kaufen and slightly elongated. It has a double coat made up of an outer layer of hardness, and a softer undercoat. The eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and positioned obliquely. The ears are wide and pointed at the base. When the dog is lying down, the tail is big and swollen. It reaches below the hocks. The breed's neck is long and slightly sloping. The chest is large and deep. The ribs are strong and the spine is solid.

In general the breed is sound, but serious faults include roached backs as well as long pasterns that interfere with correct movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong but not overly so. The rear leg should not extend beyond the point where the foot makes an impression.

As working dogs, GSDs have naturally high drives. These are behaviors and needs that involve territorial protection and the pursuit of prey. When these high drives aren't fulfilled in some way through work or play this can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a way that helps dampen these drives, but they still require a lot of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise, and mental stimulation in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

GSDs are typically shy around strangers and can be cautious at first. This protective trait makes GSDs excellent guard dogs, but requires proper training to avoid overreactions. They make wonderful family pets when they are socialized properly at a young age and are generally good with children.

The GSD is a resilient species to illness and has a high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can negatively impact the quality of life. These include epilepsy/seizures and bleeding disorders. To prevent these conditions, limiting your dog's exposure to UV radiation, and ensuring it is vaccinated regularly can aid.

Temperament

German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn. They are also highly capable of training. They are a working dog breed that excels at a variety of jobs, such as police work, herding, and search and rescue. They also excel at the detection of drugs and bombs, as well as helping blind people. They also make great family members. This powerful and confident breed requires a clear and precise goal as well as the attention and focus of a shrewd owner to harness their energy and schäferhund beschüTzerinstinkt strength positively. They require plenty of space and exercise, and may not be suitable for apartments or other smaller living spaces.

The ideal German Shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a solid and steady temperament. They are loyal and alert, altdeutscher reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund deutscher schäferhund welpen kaufen (Scientific Programs website) and are sceptical of strangers. If they aren't properly socialized and trained to be vigilant and protective, this behavior can turn into aggressive. Dogs with these traits can be smart, independent and easily bored. They must find a way to satisfy their curiosity.

Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, utilized shorter and longer-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This led to an animal that is friendly and respectful. He was opposed to those who wanted German Shepherds to be a display dog, and he made sure his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding instincts, and a solid body structure. He refused to breed dogs with temperaments that were unstable or with a steep angle on their croups or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would undermine the ability of the breed to perform its usual tasks.

In addition to the hereditary ailments that can affect any breed of dog German Shepherds are also prone to cancers, such as Hemangiosarcoma, which typically affects blood-rich organs like the liver and spleen. They also can develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers.

You can avoid these ailments by maintaining the physical health of your German Shepherd. This means providing him with a nutritious diet and regular exercise. You should allow him plenty of time to play and run around in a safe area away from traffic. 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 have a great health record, but health issues do exist. They are susceptible to ear infections, and they can develop ailments that affect their ears and eyes such as degenerative amyelopathy. Both male and female can be affected by hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic condition that limits the ability of clotting blood.

As a working breed, GSDs are often involved in strenuous training and they may suffer from joint problems as a result. Hip dysplasia is a common condition that causes pain, lameness and other symptoms. It is not a major condition, but it can be painful to the dog.

Breeders who are trustworthy have their dogs X-rayed and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays help determine the health and genetic background of the puppy, including the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high risk of developing dysplasia aren't bred.

Like most large breeds, German Shepherds may be affected by panosteitis, reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund züchter which causes bones to grow rapidly and unevenly, which causes stiffness and pain in the legs. This condition is more common in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months old who are experiencing an increase in growth speed.

These dogs require an enriched diet rich in protein and a large mix of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to maintain a healthy coat and skin. These dogs will benefit from a diet with joint support, like glucosamine or chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months should get moderate exercise such as walking and playing with a different dog if they are compatible. However, they should not run at full speed because this can damage the joints they are developing.

Avoid feeding animal bone or table food as they can trigger vomiting, digestive upsets, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Adult dogs and puppies can benefit by a probiotic supplementation program to help with digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements to aid in breaking down proteins. A well-formulated AAFCO approved diet should contain the right amount of vitamins and minerals.

Training

German Shepherds are highly-trainable and biddable dogs that thrive under a knowledgeable handler's guidance. As such, they are a great choice for police and military tasks, search and rescue and therapy dog roles, and a myriad of other specialized roles. Their inexplicably loyal nature makes them an excellent pet, if they are properly trained and socialized.

The first step to raising a well-adjusted GSD is socialization. Introduce your puppy to range of people and animals at an early age, by taking them on frequent walks, SchäFerhund BeschüTzerinstinkt playing games and even visiting local dog parks. This will make them feel more secure and confident and help them trust people from an early age.

It takes patience, consistency as well as positive reinforcement to train to train a German shepherd. It is crucial to stay clear of negative reinforcement methods like shouting and physical punishment as they can trigger fear-based aggression. Instead, opt for clicker training and rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.

Daily enrichment is essential for your German Shepherd. Mental stimulation exercises can be as important as physical exercise for an GSD particularly in a chaotic or busy household. This can help them to keep their attention and focus so that they are less likely to become distracted by street noises or thunderstorms and other dogs in the park, or the crowds at competitions and public events.

German Shepherds are prone to various health issues that include Hemangiosarcoma (cancer of bones, lungs and intestinal tract), pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these conditions can be prevented through responsible breeding and lifestyle changes.

Despite their fearsome reputation German Shepherds are loving family pets. They are generally loved by children and are gentle with smaller pets, like cats, if they are they are exposed to them from the age of. However, their size and strength make them excellent guardians and they should be supervised around younger children. They could also exhibit indications of a genetic predisposition to aggression if not exposed to appropriate training and socialization opportunities. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he receives the training and socialization that he needs to be successful.