Adopting a Purebred German Shepherd

German Shepherds thrive with consistency positive reinforcement, a steady diet, and reward-based training. They are smart and eager to please.

Their dedication to work makes them naturally vigilant of family members and can be trained to help with security. They are energetic and need ample space for exercise. They need early socialization, obedience training and to become confident, well-mannered dogs.

Origin

In the latter half of 1800, Captain Max von Stephanitz was kostet ein reinrassiger schäferhund working to create a dog who could not be matched in its ability to herd. It took him a long time to find foundation dogs that met his requirements, both physically as well as mentally. Hektor Linksrhein, a German Shepherd, was finally discovered at a dog show in 1899. Hektor was the result of several generations of selective breeding and He perfectly matched Von Stephanitz's idea of what a herding breed should be. Von Stephanitz declared Hektor the first German Shepherd Dog and founded the Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde.

In the second period of the 19th century, breeders were working to standardize herding dogs. They were able to preserve a lot of the characteristics that attracted Von Stephanitz's attention, and those traits are what make the breed famous in the present. A study has revealed that German Shepherds are able to master tasks with just five repetitions, and they follow the first command 95% of the times.

The same traits make this breed a beloved pet for the family and one of the top working dogs for police and military. These dogs are great pets and are great companions for children if they are well-socialized and taught. They are reserved around strangers, but they are affectionate with those they love. A German Shepherd that is not socialized from a young age might later have difficulty adjusting to new environments and may be anxious or stressed.

Due to their strong instincts to protect, German Shepherds can be wary around strangers and are good guard dogs. They are generally highly smart and eager to please, which makes them extremely trainable. They are agile, strong and can run at speeds up to 30 miles an hour.

There are a variety of German Shepherds all over the globe due to their versatility and popularity. However, the distinctive traits of the breed are usually easy to identify particularly if you are familiar with the breed standard. Ask your veterinarian for assistance in identifying the breed, if you are not certain. Most veterinarians are familiar with breed standards of most dogs and can help you quickly.

Characteristics

If you're thinking about buying or adopting a purebred German Shepherd, it's important to find a reputable breeder with pedigree papers that can be traced several generations back. Breeders who are reputable are also members of organizations such as the American Kennel Club, which can give you further assurances of their integrity.

A purebred German Shepherd has a hearty, deep-chested athletic build and a distinctive coats of black and tan. Adult males weigh 65 to 90 pounds and are between 24 and 26 inches tall, whereas females tend to be smaller, weighing between 50 and 70 pounds and 22 to 25 inch tall. They have erect ears, long and elongated and a sharp, erect stare. While they may look intimidating, a properly trained German Shepherd will remain loyal to its owner and not exhibit aggressive behavior towards people or other dogs.

They are quick learners and very intelligent. Regular and early socialization is crucial to their growth as confident, well-mannered family pets. They are natural guardians and will watch over their family members. However, they will be tolerant of strangers as long as they don't frighten them.

These powerful, agile dogs excel in military and police tasks, as well as service dogs for those with disabilities. They possess a remarkably strong prey drive, and will likely chase small animals, which is why making sure they are in a secure area and providing plenty of positive regular socialization is essential for families with pets.

German Shepherds are loyal, protective and obedient when properly socialized and trained. They are usually cautious of strangers and other dogs but can be taught to play with other pets through positive training and early socialization.

If you are evaluating the quality of a German Shepherd, look for a head with a wedge shape that is proportional to its height and cleanly chiseled. The shoulders should be wide and square, with an even, straight back that's only slightly sloped from the withers to the croup. A curly back or a large curvature of the rear legs is a sign of poor structural alignment. A well-constructed German Shepherd moves with a easy, smooth stride that is driven by a forward thrust of the hindquarters.

Temperament

German Shepherds are intelligent and curious dogs that are loyal and not overly eager to please. They have a strong loyalty for their family members and are cautious of strangers, which makes them a very effective guard dog. They thrive when their owners are active and challenge them mentally and physically. They require daily exercise and a large area to play in. If they aren't adequately stimulated, they may resort to destructive behaviors such as chewing or digging.

When choosing a dog breeder pick someone who is passionate about the breed and has a thorough knowledge of its temperament and personality. A reputable breeder can discuss the history of both the parents and puppies. They can also inform you if the puppies have been socialized and given obedience training. If a puppy has not been socialized, it may require extensive obedience and behavioral training to get it ready for a life as pet for the family.

Puppies should be curious and outgoing, with an instinctual tendency to assert themselves. If one puppy is more timid than others, it should be interpreted as a warning. A good German Shepherd should also have a solid, consistent grip when taken up.

The muzzle is long and strong with a well developed jaw and the chin. The eyes should be dark and almond shaped. The nose should be black (blue or red-colored noses are disqualifying). The teeth must be white and meet in an imposing scissor bite with the top row of teeth slightly wider than the bottom. The ears are broad and erect at their base, with pointed tips. They may droop a little when in rest.

The German Shepherd can be used in a variety of ways. It is an adaptable dog that can be employed to herd, search and rescue, spot drugs and bombs or help blind people. This versatility makes it one the most sought-after breeds in the entire world. It is crucial to keep in mind that the temperament of a German Shepherd can be heavily dependent on its background and training.

Health

Purebred German Shepherds are extremely resilient, able to flourish in a variety of settings and roles. They are great companions, therapy dogs and service animals. They also excel in competitive dog sports, advanced obedience, and training for protection. Their strong work ethic can lead to careers in search and rescue, schäferhund welpen österreich kaufen police work, or military careers. Despite these impressive talents, as with most breeds, GSDs are susceptible to certain health conditions.

GSDs, being a larger breed are more susceptible to joint issues such as elbow dysplasia or hip dysplasia. These degenerative diseases can cause discomfort and even lameness as your dog gets older. Responsible breeding and regular vet checkups can reduce the impact of these diseases.

Like other large breeds German Shepherds are susceptible to Bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus) that is when the stomach twists to fill with gas, cutting off the blood supply to the liver and spleen. If untreated, bloat can be a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical care.

GSDs also can suffer from heat stroke due to their thick, long dark coats. Make sure they are hydrated and provide plenty of shade on hot days. We also evaluate their eyes on every visit for signs of pannus. It is an eye disease caused by immune system that causes blindness if not treated promptly.

Several inherited and hereditary illnesses can affect your German Shepherd's digestive system, including Hemangiosarcoma cancer of blood vessels, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), von Willebrand reinrassiger deutscher altdeutscher schäferhund kaufen züchter [just click the following web site] disease, and intervertebral disk disease (IVDD). The latter occurs when the jelly-like cushion that connects the vertebrae of your spine ruptures or slips and puts pressure on the spinal cord. The symptoms of IVDD include the inability to climb stairs or jump.

As with all dogs, you'll need to ensure that you keep your German Shepherd on a high-quality diet and avoid table food that can cause weight growth and nutritional deficiencies. Brush their coat regularly to maintain an appearance that is clean and healthy. A bath is fine every now and then but excessively doing it can remove the natural oils which keep a dog's coat shiny and healthy.