The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect balance of strength and speed. Its high trainability and natural protective instincts make them loved family dogs.

If you are looking for a purebred German Shepherd select breeders who value the health of their dogs as well as practice ethical breeding. Requesting pedigree papers as well as previous health clearances can help determine reputable breeders.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are powerful, intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They are extremely loyal to their family members and can be fearless protectors of them. The breed standard says that the GSD must be steady of temperament, self-assured and courageous. It should also be able to be handled and willing to be a pleasure to.

The breed is medium-sized slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a double coat made up of an outer layer of hardness, and a soft undercoat. The eyes are dark, almond-shaped, schäferhund kaufen welpe; www.fj-climate.com, and set slightly obliquely. The ears are wide and pointed at the base. The tail is bushy and extends to the hocks below when the dog is at rest. The dog's long neck, with a slight slope, is characteristic. The chest is wide and deep. The spine is strong and the ribs are well-sprung.

The breed is generally healthy however it is prone to serious faults such as roached-backs and long pasterns that interfere with the correct movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong but not overly exaggerated. Likewise, the rear leg should never go in the direction of where the forefoot leaves a footprint.

As working dogs, GSDs naturally have high drive. These are behaviors and needs that include territorial protection as well as the pursuit of prey. If 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 can help reduce these urges, but they still require lots of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise and mental stimulation to maintain an enlightened lifestyle.

GSDs are generally reserved and suspicious towards strangers initially. This protective trait makes them great guard dogs. It requires the right training to avoid triggering reactions. They are wonderful pets for families when they are socialized properly from a young age and they're typically great with children.

The GSD has a high pain threshold and is able to fight off illness, however it does have certain health conditions that can impact its quality of life. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders. Making sure to limit the dog's exposure to harsh UV rays, and ensuring regular vaccinations are given to the dog will help reduce the risk of developing these diseases.

Temperament

German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn, and highly capable of training. They are a working breed and excel at a variety of tasks, including herding police work including search and rescue, bomb and drug detection, and guiding the blind. They also make excellent family companions. This powerful and confident breed requires a clear goal and the focus and attention of a confident owner to harness their energy and strength in a positive way. They require lots of space and exercise and may not be suitable for smaller living spaces.

The ideal German shepherd is confident and well-balanced, with a strong temperament. They are loyal and vigilant, and they are suspicious of strangers. If they aren't properly socialized and trained, this protective and watchful behavior could turn into aggression. These dogs are often intelligent and independent, yet easily bored. They need to find a way to satisfy their curiosity.

The founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, longhaired and shorthaired German Shepherds in his breeding program to develop the kind of dog that was obedient and responsive that we see today. He was opposed to those who believed that German Shepherds should be a showpiece, and he made sure his dogs were stable in their temperaments, strong herding instincts, and sound body structure. He refused to breed dogs with unstable temperaments, or with a steep angle on their croups or reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would impede the ability of the breed to perform its usual tasks.

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

You can prevent these conditions by maintaining the physical well-being of your German Shepherd. This includes 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 hazards. Keep him clean by brushing his thick double coat on a regular basis and using a de-shedding device or an undercoat rake to get rid of loose hairs. It is also recommended to visit your vet regularly for routine health checks.

Health

German Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, however they do have some health issues. They are susceptible to ear infections, and they can develop ailments that affect their eyes and ears, such as degenerative myelopathy. Both male and female dogs can suffer from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that affects their ability to clot the blood.

GSDs are a working breed, and as such, they undergo strenuous training. In the process, they are prone to developing joint issues. Hip dysplasia is an extremely common condition that causes pain, lameness and other symptoms. It isn't always a serious issue but it can be painful for the dog.

Breeders who are trustworthy X-ray the dogs they breed and use the results for breeding decisions. The x-rays help determine the health and genetic history of the puppy, which includes the likelihood to develop dysplasia. Dogs with a high risk of developing the disorder are not bred.

Like most large breeds, German Shepherds also be affected by panosteitis, which causes the bones to expand rapidly and unevenly, which causes pain and stiffness in the legs. This condition is more common in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing a rapid growth spurt.

They require a diet that is high in protein, with a generous blend of omega fatty acids as well as balanced vitamins to maintain a healthy skin and coat. They may benefit from joint-support in their food including glucosamine as well as 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 be allowed to run at full speed, as this could cause damage to joints that are growing.

Avoid feeding table food or animal bone because they can cause vomiting, digestive upsets, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion as well as digestive enzyme supplements to help break down proteins. A well-formulated AAFCO approved diet should contain the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals.

Training

German Shepherds are highly trainable, biddable dogs that thrive under a knowledgeable handler's guidance. They are a great choice for military, police search and rescue and therapy dog roles. Their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a wonderful pet for the family when properly trained and socialized.

The first step in raising an equidistant GSD is socialization. Introduce your puppy to a variety of people and animals at an early age, by taking them on frequent walks, playing games and going to local dog parks. This will make them feel more confident and deutsche schäferhunde schäferhund welpen kaufen schweiz schäferhund kaufen österreich österreich (just click the following page) comfortable and teach them to trust people at an early age.

It requires patience, consistency, as well as positive reinforcement to train the German shepherd. Avoid negative reinforcement methods such as yelling, or physical punishment, which could cause fear-based aggression. Instead, use clicker training and rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.

Daily enrichment is important for your German Shepherd. The stimulation of the mind is just as important as physical exercises for an GSD particularly in a hectic or busy household. This helps them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by noises or storms as well as other dogs at the park, or crowds at competitions or public events.

Some health conditions that are unique to German Shepherds are Hemangiosarcoma, cancer of bones, lungs, and intestinal tract, and pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these diseases are preventable through responsible breeding and lifestyle accommodations.

Despite their reputation for being a savage breed German Shepherds are loving family pets. When they are around children from a young age, they can be friendly and gentle with smaller pets like cats. They are formidable guardians due to their size and strength but they should be watched when they are around children. They may also show indications of a genetic tendency towards aggression if not exposed to appropriate training and socialization opportunities. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy school or obedience class will ensure that he gets the training and socialization he requires to flourish.