The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect combination of speed and strength. Its training capabilities are high and its natural instincts to protect make them cherished family dogs.

If you are in search of a purebred German Shepherd dog select breeders who value the health of their dogs as well as practice ethical breeding. Requesting pedigree papers and previous health clearances can help identify reputable breeders.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are intelligent, powerful dogs that are easy to train. They are loyal to their families and are able to be fearless guardians. Breed standard states the GSD should be self-confident, courageous, and have a calm and steady temperament. It must also be obedient and willing to be obedient.

The breed is medium in size slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a double coat consisting of an outer layer of hardness and a softer undercoat. The almond-shaped eyes are dark and obliquely set. The ears are wide at the base and pointed. When the dog is laying down on its back, the tail becomes big and swollen. It is a little below the hocks. The breed's neck is long and slightly sloping. The chest is wide and deep. The spine is solid and the ribs are well-sprung.

In general, the breed is sound however, serious issues include roached backs and lengthy pasterns that hinder proper movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful however, they should not be overly exaggerated and the rear leg should never go forward of the point where the forefoot leaves an imprint.

As working dogs, the GSD has high-drives that are naturally present (behavioral tendencies and desires towards things like territorial protectiveness and chasing prey). If these drives aren't satisfied in some way through play or work, it can lead to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are developed to reduce these drives. However, they require lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to keep their lives in balance.

GSDs tend to be shy and cautious towards strangers at first. This protective trait makes them great guard dogs and german shepherd Puppies requires appropriate training to avoid overreactions. They are wonderful pets for Belgischer SchäFerhund Welpen Kaufen öSterreich families when socialized properly from a young age and they're typically great with children.

The GSD is a resilient species to illnesses and has a high threshold for pain, however certain health conditions can impact the quality of its life. These include seizures, epilepsy, bleeding disorders, and immune-mediated diseases. Preventing these conditions by limiting your dog's exposure UV rays and ensuring that it receives regular vaccinations can aid.

Temperament

German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn. They are also capable of training. They are a working breed that excel in a variety of tasks, such as herding, police work including search and rescue as well as detection of drugs and bombs, and guiding the blind. They are also excellent pet for families. However, this powerful and confident breed needs a clear sense of purpose and the attention of a confident owner to harness their energy and strength in a positive way. They require a lot 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 firm and steady temperament. They are loyal, alert, and suspicious of strangers. This guardian and attentive behaviour can become aggressive when not properly trained, socialized, and supervised. These dogs are often intelligent, independent and easily bored. They need to find a way to satisfy their natural 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 Blue shepherds responsive breed that we know today. Max von Stephanitz disagreed with those who wanted to use German Shepherds as a showpiece and made sure that his dogs had stable tempers, strong herding instincts, and an ideal body structure. He did not breed dogs with temperaments that were unstable, or with sharp angles on their croups or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would impede the ability of the breed to carry out its usual tasks.

German Shepherds can also be susceptible to developing cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a common cancer that affects the liver and spleen, organs with heightened 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 nutritious diet and regular exercise. You should allow him plenty of time to play and run around in a safe area free of traffic. Keep him looking neat by scrubbing his dense double coat on a regular basis, using a de-shedding tool or a rake undercoat to remove hairs that are loose. It is recommended that you visit your vet regularly for routine health checks.

Health

German Shepherds have a healthy health record, schäferhund kaufen österreich but health problems do exist. They are susceptible to ear infections and can develop eye conditions and ears, including degenerative myelopathy. They may also be affected by an inherited disease called hereditary von Willebrand's disorder, which impacts their ability to clot blood and can be found in females and males dogs.

As a breed that is primarily used for work, GSDs often engage in vigorous training and they can suffer from joint problems as a result. Hip dysplasia is a typical condition that causes pain, lameness and other signs. It's not a serious condition but can be painful to the dog.

Breeders who are reputable X-ray their dogs and use the results to make 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 at high chance of developing the disorder are not breeding.

Panosteitis can affect German Shepherds. The condition causes the bones to grow quickly and unevenly. This can cause stiffness and pain. The condition is particularly frequent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs under 18 months of age who are experiencing the midst of a massive growth spurt.

They require a diet that is high in protein, with a large amount of omega fatty acids as well as balanced vitamins to maintain healthy coat and skin. They can benefit from joint support in their food, such as glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months age should be exercising moderately including multiple walks and, if compatible with other dogs playing together, but they should not run at full speed as this could cause damage to joints that are growing.

Feeding table food or bones from animals should be avoided, since they can trigger vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Puppies and adult dogs can benefit from a probiotic supplementation to help with digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements that aid in breaking down proteins. A well-formulated AAFCO approved diet should include the right amount of vitamins and minerals.

Training

German Shepherds are highly-trainable and schäferhund welpen Kaufen Schweiz biddable dogs that thrive under a knowledgeable trainer's guidance. They are ideal 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 a wonderful pet, if properly socialized and trained.

The first step in establishing an appropriately adjusted GSD is socialization. From a young age, expose your puppy to various animals and people. Take your dog for walks frequently and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will help them feel more secure and confident and help them trust people at an early age.

Training for a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. It is essential to avoid negative reinforcement methods like yelling and physical punishment because they can trigger fear-based aggression. Use clicker training and reward-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.

It is also essential to provide your German Shepherd with a regular dose of enrichment. The exercises for mental stimulation are as essential for an GSD as physical exercise, particularly in the case of a household with lots of people. This helps them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by noises or thunderstorms or other dogs in the park, or the 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 diseases can be avoided through responsible breeding practices and the right lifestyle adjustments.

German Shepherds are devoted family dogs, despite their reputation as being fearsome. They are generally loved by children and are gentle with smaller pets, such as cats, if they are exposed to them at an early age. Their size and strength make them formidable guardians and they should be supervised around younger children. If they are not sufficiently exposed to socialization and training they could 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 needs to thrive.