The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect balance of strength and agility. Its exceptional training ability and natural instincts to protect make them cherished family dogs.

When you are shopping for purebred german shepherd dogs Look for breeders who adhere to ethical breeding practices and are committed to the health of their animals. You can identify reliable breeders by asking for pedigree papers and previous health clearances.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are strong intelligent dogs that are easily capable of training. They are loyal to their families and are able to be a formidable guardian. The breed standard states that a GSD must be confident, courageous, and have an unwavering temperament. It should also be obedient and willing to please.

The breed is strong, medium-sized and slightly elongated. It has a double coat that consists of a hard outer layer, and a soft undercoat. Its eyes are dark and almond-shaped, and positioned in a oblique manner. The ears are large at the base and pointed. When the dog is lying down, the tail is big and swollen. It extends below the hocks. The long, slightly sloping neck is distinctive. The chest is broad and deep. The spine is solid and the ribs are well-sprung.

In general, the breed is sound, but serious faults include roached backs and long pasterns that hinder proper movement. The hindquarters of the dog must 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, the GSD has naturally high drives (behavioral tendencies and desires towards things like territorial protection and chasing prey). If these drives aren't satisfied in some way through play or work this can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a way that can help reduce these urges, but they still require a lot of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to maintain an enlightened lifestyle.

GSDs are generally shy and cautious towards strangers at first. This trait of protection makes them excellent guard dogs and requires the right training to avoid triggering reactions. They make wonderful family pets when socialized properly at a young age and are generally good with children.

The GSD is resistant to disease and has a very high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can affect the quality of life. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders. To prevent these conditions, limiting your dog's exposure UV rays and ensuring that it is vaccinated regularly can aid.

Temperament

German Shepherds are smart, eager to learn, and highly capable of being trained. They are an active dog breed that excels in a variety of tasks, including herding, police work and search and rescue. They also excel in bomb and drug detection and aiding blind people. They are also great family pets. This powerful and confident breed requires a clear purpose and the focus and attention of a shrewd owner to channel their strength and energy in a positive manner. They need a lot of exercise and space and may not be a good fit in smaller living spaces.

The ideal German Shepherd is balanced and confident, with a firm and steady temperament. They are loyal and alert and they are suspicious of strangers. If not properly socialized and trained in this manner, Schäferhunde suchen ein Zuhause their protective and vigilant behavior can become aggressive. These dogs are often intelligent and independent, yet easily bored. They must find ways to satisfy their curiosity.

Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, employed shorter and longer-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This created an animal that is receptive and obedient. Max von Stephanitz did not agree with those who wanted to use German Shepherds as a showpiece and made sure his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding impulses, and German Shepherds are looking for A home a sound body structure. He even refused to breed certain dogs that had unstable temperaments or steep angles in their croups as well as front and rear pasterns, since he believed that these traits could hamper the breed's ability to do its job as it is.

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

You can prevent these diseases by ensuring the physical health of your German Shepherd. This means providing him with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Make sure that he has plenty of opportunities to run and play outdoors in a secure area away from traffic and other dangers. Regularly brush his double coat with tools for deshedding or an undercoat rake. Also, make sure that you take him to the veterinarian regularly to have regular health check-ups.

Health

German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, but they do have some health issues. They are susceptible to ear infections and may develop conditions that affect their ears and eyes such as degenerative amyelopathy. Female and male can be affected by hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that affects the ability of dogs to clot blood.

As a working breed many GSDs undergo strenuous exercise during their training, and they can suffer from joint issues as a result. Hip dysplasia is a typical condition that can cause pain, lameness and other symptoms. It isn't always a serious condition but it can be painful for dogs.

Reputable breeders 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 the disorder aren't breed.

Like most large breeds, German Shepherds can suffer from panosteitis. This causes bones to grow quickly and unevenly, causing pain and stiffness in the joints. The condition is particularly prevalent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs less than 18 months old who are going through the midst of a massive growth spurt.

The dogs need food that is high in protein with a generous mix of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins for skin and coat health. They can benefit from joint support in their diet like glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs under the age of 18 months should be given moderate exercise like walking or playing with a dog if they are compatible. However it is not recommended to run at full speed as this could damage their growing joints.

Avoid feeding animal bone or table food as they can trigger vomiting, digestive upsets, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion and digestive enzyme supplements that help break down 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 and biddable dogs who thrive under a skilled guide's supervision. As such, they are ideal for police and military work in search and rescue, therapy dog roles, and a myriad of other specialized roles. But their unwavering loyalty also makes them a wonderful pet for the family when properly trained and socialized.

Socialization is the first step to raising a well-adjusted GSD. Introduce your puppy to a variety of people and animals from a young age, by taking them on frequent walks, playing games and visiting local dog parks. This will help them feel more comfortable and secure and will teach them to trust people from a young age.

Training a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. It is important to avoid negative reinforcement methods such as shouting and physical punishment as they can trigger fear-based aggression. Use clicker training or rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.

Daily enrichment is important for your German Shepherd. Mental stimulation exercises can be as important as physical exercise for the GSD especially in a hectic or busy household. This helps to keep their attention and focus so that they are less likely to become distracted by noises from the street, was kostet ein reinrassiger schäferhund deutscher schäferhund welpen kaufen deutscher schäferhund welpe kaufen (http://brewwiki.win/) thunderstorms or other dogs in the park or crowds at sporting events and public events.

German Shepherds are at risk of various health issues such as Hemangiosarcoma (cancer of bones, lungs and the intestinal tract) as well as pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these diseases can be prevented by responsible breeding and lifestyle choices.

Despite their fearsome reputation, German Shepherds make devoted family pets. When they are exposed to children at a young age they can be incredibly tender and loving towards smaller pets such as cats. However, their size and strength make them excellent guardians, and they should always be watched over children younger than them. If they're not sufficiently exposed to training and socialization, they may show signs of aggression. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy school or obedience class will ensure that he receives the training and socialization he requires to be successful.