The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect balance of agility and strength. Their high trainability and protection instincts make them beloved pets for families.

When you are shopping for purebred german shepherd dogs, look for breeders who have a commitment to ethical breeding and who are concerned about the health of their animals. You can find trustworthy breeders by requesting pedigree documents and prior health clearances.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are strong intelligent dogs that are highly capable of training. They are extremely loyal to their families and can be fearless protectors of them. The breed standard says that the GSD must be stable of temperament, confident and courageous. It must also be able to be handled and willing to be a pleasure to.

The breed is muscular, medium-sized and slightly longer. It has a double coat that consists of an outer layer of hardness, and a soft undercoat. The eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and positioned slightly obliquely. The ears are large at the base and pointed. The tail is long and extends to the hocks below when the dog is in a relaxed state. The neck of the breed is long and sloping slightly. The chest is broad and deep. The spine is firm and the ribs are well-sprung.

In general the breed is sound, but serious faults include roached backs and lengthy pasterns that interfere with correct movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong but not overly exaggerated. Likewise, the rear leg should never pass forward of the point where the forefoot makes an impression.

As working dogs, GSDs naturally have high-energy drives. These are the behaviors and desires that include territorial protection as well as chasing of prey. If these drives are not fulfilled in a particular way, for example playing or at work, it can lead aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a manner that helps dampen these drives but they require lots of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to live an enlightened lifestyle.

GSDs are typically shy around strangers and can be cautious at first. This trait of protection makes them excellent guard dogs and requires proper training to avoid overreactions. They are great family pets when properly socialized from a young age and are generally good with children.

The GSD has a high pain threshold and is resistant to illness, however it does have certain health conditions that may impact its quality of life. These include seizures, epilepsy, bleeding disorders, and immune-mediated diseases. To prevent these conditions, limiting your dog's exposure UV rays, and ensuring it is vaccinated regularly can help.

Temperament

German Shepherds are smart, eager to learn, and extremely trainable. They are a working breed and excel in a variety of jobs, including herding, police work such as search and rescue drug and bomb detection and guiding blind people. They also make great companions for families. This powerful and confident breed requires a clear and precise goal and the focus and attention of a shrewd owner to channel their strength and energy in a positive manner. They require plenty of exercise and room, and might not be suited in apartments or smaller living spaces.

The ideal German Shepherd is balanced and confident, with a solid and stable temperament. They are loyal and alert, and they are sceptical of strangers. If they aren't properly socialized and trained, this protective and watchful behavior could turn into aggression. They are extremely smart and can be independent and easily bored, so they need a good outlet for their curiosity.

The founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, longhaired and shorthaired German Shepherds, in his breeding program to develop the obedient and responsive breed that we see today. Max von Stephanitz was not one of those who wanted German Shepherds to be used as a showcase and made sure that his dogs had stable tempers, strong herding impulses, as well as a sound body structure. He even refused to breed certain dogs that had temperaments that were unstable or had sharp angles in their croups and front and rear pasterns, since he believed that these traits could hinder the ability of the breed to perform its traditional work.

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

You can prevent these diseases by maintaining the physical well-being of your German Shepherd. This means giving him a balanced diet and regular exercise. You should allow plenty of time to run and play in a secure area away from traffic. Regularly brush your double coat with tools for deshedding or an undercoat rake. It is also important to ensure that you take him to the veterinarian on a regular basis for his routine health checks.

Health

German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, but they do have some health issues. They are prone to ear infections and may develop ailments that affect their eyes and ears, like degenerative myelopathy. They may also suffer from an illness that is genetic, known as hereditary von Willebrand's disorder that affects their capacity to clot blood and is present in both female and male dogs.

GSDs are a working breed, and consequently, they are subject to intense training. In the process, they can develop joint problems. One of the most common is hip dysplasia, which is characterized by the inadvertent growth and development of the joint and cartilage which can cause lameness, pain and other signs. It's not a serious condition but can be painful to the dog.

Breeders who are trustworthy have their dogs X-rayed and use the results for breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health and genetic background of the puppy, including the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs with a high risk of developing dysplasia do not bred.

Panosteitis can be a problem for German Shepherds. The condition causes the bones to grow rapidly and unevenly. This can result in pain and stiffness. This is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months old who are experiencing an increase in growth speed.

They require food that is rich in protein, and an abundance of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to maintain a healthy skin and coat. They will benefit from joint support in their diet, such as glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months old age should be exercising moderately like walking on a regular basis and, if they are 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 bones from animals should be avoided since they can trigger vomiting, diarrhea anorexia, vomiting, and pancreatitis. Adult dogs and puppies may benefit from a probiotic supplement to help with digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements to aid in the breakdown of proteins. Vitamin and mineral supplements are not necessary since a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should supply the appropriate amount of these nutrients.

Training

German Shepherds are highly-trainable, biddable dogs that thrive under a knowledgeable guide's supervision. They are a great choice for military, police, search and rescue and therapy dog roles. Their unwavering loyalty makes them a great pet, if properly socialized and trained.

Socialization is the first step in creating a well-adjusted GSD. As a puppy expose your puppy different animals and people. Take them for frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will help them feel more comfortable and secure and will teach them to trust people from an early age.

Training a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Avoid negative reinforcement methods such as yelling, or physical punishment that could cause fear-based aggression. Instead, opt for reward-based training and clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.

Daily enrichment is crucial for your German Shepherd. Mental stimulation exercises can be just as important as physical exercises for the GSD particularly in a busy or chaotic household. This will help to keep their attention and focus so they are less likely to get distracted by street noises storms or other dogs in the park or crowds at sporting events or public events.

German Shepherds are susceptible to various health issues, including Hemangiosarcoma (cancer of bones, lungs and the intestinal tract) and pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these diseases are preventable through responsible breeding and lifestyle changes.

Despite their reputation for being a savage breed, German Shepherds make devoted family pets. They are generally loved by children and reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund züchter deutscher schäferhund schwarz kaufen deutscher schäferhund kaufen schweiz kaufen (niadd.com) are gentle with smaller pets, such as cats, if they are exposed to them from a young age. However, their size and strength make them excellent guardians and they should be watched over children younger than them. If they are not being exposed to enough socialization and training, they may show signs of aggression. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he gets the training and socialization that he needs to be successful.