The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD represents the perfect combination of strength and agility. Their high trainability and the ability to protect make them cherished family pets.

If you are in search of a purebred German Shepherd select breeders who value the health of their dogs as well as practice ethical breeding. You can determine reputable breeders by requesting documents on pedigrees and previous health clearances.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are powerful, intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They are loyal to their families and can be a formidable guardian. The breed standard says that the GSD must be stable of temperament, confident, and courageous. It must also be able to be handled and blaue Schäferhunde willing to please.

The breed is muscular, medium-sized, and slightly longer. It has a distinctive double coat made up of a hard outer layer and a soft undercoat. The almond-shaped eyes are dark and obliquely set. Its ears are wide and pointed at the base. When the dog is laying down, the tail is bushy. It is a little below the hocks. The breed's long neck, with a slight slope, is characteristic. The chest is broad and deep. The spine is firm and the ribs are well-sprung.

In general the breed is healthy however, serious issues include roached backs and lengthy pasterns that hinder proper movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong but not exaggerated. The rear leg should never go beyond the point at which the foot leaves an impression.

As working dogs as well as working dogs, the GSD has high-drives that are naturally present (behavioral tendencies and desires for things like territorial protection and chasing prey). When these high drives aren't fulfilled in some way through play or work and it leads to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds have been developed to reduce these urges. However, they require lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise, and mental stimulation in order to keep their lives in balance.

GSDs are generally reserved and suspicious towards strangers at first. This trait of protection makes GSDs excellent guard dogs, but requires proper training to prevent overreactions. When properly socialized from a young age they can make great pets for the family. They also make great children.

The GSD has a high pain threshold and is able to fight off illnesses, but it does have certain health conditions that can affect its quality of life. These include seizures and epilepsy, bleeding disorders, and immune-mediated diseases. Making sure to limit the dog's exposure UV rays and ensuring that it receives routine vaccinations should lower the chance of developing these conditions.

Temperament

German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn. They are also highly capable of being trained. They are a working breed that excel in a variety tasks, including herding police work such as search and rescue as well as drug and bomb detection, and guiding the blind. They are also excellent family companions. However, this strong and confident breed needs an unwavering focus and the attention of an assertive owner to channel their energy and strength in a positive manner. They require plenty of space and exercise. They might not be suited to apartments or other living spaces.

The ideal German shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a firm temperament. They are loyal and alert and they are suspicious of strangers. If they aren't properly socialized and trained, this protective and watchful behavior can turn into aggression. These dogs can be intelligent and independent, but they can also be bored. They need to find an avenue to satisfy their natural curiosity.

Founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, as well as longhaired and deutschen schäferhund kaufen shorthaired German Shepherds in his breeding program to create the obedient and responsive breed that we know today. He disagreed with people who wanted German Shepherds to be a showpiece, and he made sure his dogs were stable in their temperaments and strong herding instincts and a solid body structure. He even refused to breed some of his dogs who were temperamentally unstable or had sharp angles in their croups as well as front and rear pasterns because he believed that these characteristics would undermine the breed's ability to perform its work.

In addition to the hereditary diseases that can plague any breed of dog German Shepherds are also prone to cancers, including Hemangiosarcoma. It is a cancer that typically affects blood-rich organs like the liver and spleen. They can also develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers.

To avoid these issues ensure your German Shepherd's physical health by feeding him a an appropriate diet and exercise. Make sure he has plenty of opportunities to run and play outdoors in a secure area free of traffic and other hazards. Keep him looking neat by brushing his dense double coat regularly and using a de-shedding device or a rake undercoat to remove loose hairs. You should also visit your vet regularly for regular health check-ups.

Health

German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, but they do have some health issues. They are prone to ear infections, and they can develop eye conditions and ears, including degenerative myelopathy. They may also suffer from a genetic disease known as von Willebrand's disease that is hereditary that affects their capacity to clot blood. It can be found in females and males dogs.

As a working breed GSDs often engage in vigorous training and they can suffer from joint issues as a consequence. The most frequent is hip dysplasia. It is characterized by a lack of growth and development of the cartilage and joint which can cause pain, lameness and other signs. This is not a serious condition, but it can be painful for the dog.

Breeders who are reputable X-ray their dogs and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays help determine the health and genetic background of the puppy, which includes the likelihood to develop dysplasia. Dogs with a high risk of developing dysplasia aren't breeding.

Like most large breeds, German Shepherds can suffer from panosteitis. This causes the bones to grow quickly and unevenly, causing stiffness and pain in the joints. This is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing an increase in growth speed.

They require a diet that is high in protein, and an abundance of omega fatty acids as well as balanced vitamins to support the health of their coat and skin. They will benefit from joint support in their food including glucosamine as well as chondroitin. Dogs under 18 months of age should have moderate exercise including multiple walks and, if they are compatible with another dog, playing together, but they should not run at full speed as this can damage growing joints.

Avoid feeding table food or animal bone because they can cause digestive upsets, vomiting, anorexia and pancreatitis. Puppies and adult dogs may benefit by a probiotic supplementation program to aid digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements to aid in the breakdown of proteins. Vitamin and mineral supplements are not necessary, as a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should contain the right amount of these nutrients.

Training

German Shepherds are smart and highly trainable dogs that thrive under the guidance of a skilled handler. They are therefore a good option for military, police, search and rescue and therapy dog roles. Their unwavering loyalty makes them an excellent pet, provided they are well-socialized and properly trained.

Socialization is the first step in raising a well adjusted GSD. As a puppy expose your puppy different animals and people. Take your dog for walks frequently and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will make them feel confident and comfortable in a new setting and will help them learn to trust humans from an early age.

Training for a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. It is essential to avoid negative reinforcement methods such as physical and belgischer Schäferhund welpen kaufen österreich verbal punishment, as they can lead to fear-based aggression. Use clicker training or rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.

It is also crucial to give your German Shepherd with a daily dose of enrichment. The exercises for mental stimulation are just as important to a GSD as physical exercise, particularly in the case of a busy household. This helps them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by road sounds or storms as well as other dogs at the park, or crowds at competitions and other public events.

Certain health conditions that are unique to German Shepherds are hemangiosarcoma and cancer of the bones, lungs, and intestinal tract as well as pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these ailments can be prevented by implementing responsible breeding practices and the right lifestyle accommodations.

Despite their fearsome reputation German Shepherds are loving family pets. When they are around children from a young age they can be friendly and gentle with smaller pets such as cats. They are extremely effective guardians due their size and reinrassiger schäFerhund strength however, they must be monitored when they are around children. If they're not being exposed to enough socialization and training they could 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 flourish.