The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect blend of strength and speed. Their exceptional training capabilities and protective instincts make these dogs beloved pets for families.

If you are looking for a purebred german shepherd Find breeders that have a commitment to ethical breeding and who are concerned about the health of their dogs. You can identify reputable breeders by requesting pedigree documents and previous health clearances.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are smart, powerful dogs that are easy to train. They are loyal to their family and can be fierce guardians. Breed standard states the GSD must be confident, courageous, and have a steady temperament. It must also be tractable and willing to please.

The breed is medium in size, slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a distinct double coat, which is comprised of a hard outer layer and a soft undercoat. Its eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and set slightly obliquely. Its ears are wide at the base and pointed. When the dog is lying down, the tail is big and swollen. It extends below the hocks. The dog's long neck, with a slight slope, is a characteristic. The chest is broad and Reinrassiger SchäFerhund deep. The spine is firm and the ribs are well-sprung.

The breed is generally sound however it is prone to serious faults such as roached-backs and long pasterns, which hinder the proper movement. Its hindquarters must be powerful but not overexaggerated. The rear leg should not extend beyond the point where the foot leaves a mark.

As working dogs, GSDs naturally possess high-energy drives. These are the behaviors and desires that include territorial protection as well as hunting of prey. If these high-drives aren't fulfilled in some way through work or schäFerhunde kaufen play and it leads to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds were created to help reduce these impulses. However, they still require lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation to keep a balanced life.

GSDs are generally cautious and suspicious of strangers initially. This is a characteristic that makes them excellent guard dogs, but requires proper training to avoid overreactions. They make wonderful family pets when socialized properly from a young age and are generally good with children.

The GSD has a high pain threshold and is able to fight off illness, but it is also susceptible to certain health conditions that may impact its quality of life. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders as well as immune-mediated diseases. Preventing these conditions by limiting your dog's exposure to UV rays, and ensuring it receives regular vaccinations can aid.

Temperament

German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn and extremely trainable. They are a working dog breed that excels at a variety of tasks, including herding, police work and search and rescue. They also excel at bomb and drug detection and aiding blind people. They also make excellent pets for families. However, this strong and confident breed needs a clear sense of purpose and the attention of an assertive owner to channel their energy and strength positively. They require a lot of space and exercise, and might not be suitable for apartments or other smaller living spaces.

The ideal German Shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a firm and stable temperament. They are loyal and alert, and they are suspicious of strangers. If they aren't properly socialized and trained, this protective and watchful behavior could turn into aggression. Dogs with these traits can be smart and independent, yet easily bored. They need to find an avenue to satisfy their natural curiosity.

Founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and blaue schäferhunde farm dogs, as well as longhaired and short-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program to develop the obedient and responsive breed that we have today. Max von Stephanitz disagreed with those who wanted to use German Shepherds to be used as a showcase and ensured that his dogs had stable tempers, strong herding impulses, as well as solid body structure. He even refused to breed with dogs that had temperaments that were unstable or had steep angles in their croups and front and rear pasterns, as he believed these traits could hamper the breed's ability to do its job as it is.

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

To prevent these conditions ensure your German Shepherd's physical health by providing him with proper diet and exercise. Make sure he has plenty of opportunities to run and play outdoors in a secure area free of traffic and other dangers. Keep him looking neat by brushing his dense double coat regularly, using a de-shedding tool or an undercoat rake to get rid of hairs that are loose. It is also important to ensure that you visit the vet on a regular basis to have regular health check-ups.

Health

German Shepherds have a good health record, but some health issues do exist. They are susceptible to ear infections, and they can develop ailments that affect their ears and eyes like degenerative amyelopathy. They also may suffer from an illness that is genetic, known as hereditary von Willebrand's disorder that affects their capacity to clot blood. It can be found in both female and male dogs.

GSDs are a working breed, and consequently, they are subject to intense training. In the process, they may develop joint issues. A common one is hip dysplasia, which is characterized by improper growth and development of the cartilage and joint that can result in pain, schäFerhund welpen österreich kaufen lameness and other signs. It isn't always a serious problem however it can be painful for dogs.

Breeders with a good reputation are able to X-ray their dogs and use the results for breeding decisions. The x-rays help determine the health and genetic history of the puppy, which includes how likely it is to develop dysplasia. Dogs with a high chance of developing the disorder aren't bred.

Like many large breeds, German Shepherds also be affected by panosteitis, which causes bones to grow rapidly and unevenly, which causes pain and stiffness in the joints. This is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or schäferhunde Kaufen dogs younger than 18 months old who are experiencing a rapid growth spurt.

They require a diet that is high in protein, with an abundance 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 like glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months must be given moderate exercise such as walking and playing with another dog, if they are compatible. However it is not recommended to run at a high speed, since this could cause damage to their joints that are growing.

Avoid feeding bone from animals or table food because they can cause digestive upsets, vomiting, anorexia and pancreatitis. Puppies and adults can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion and digestive enzyme supplements that help break down proteins. Mineral and vitamin supplements aren't necessary in the sense that a well-formulated and approved AAFCO 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. They are ideal for military and police tasks, search and rescue and therapy dog roles, and many other specializations. But their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a great family pet when properly trained and socialized.

The first step to raising a well-adjusted GSD is socialization. Introduce your puppy to variety of people and animals from a young age, taking them on frequent walks, playing games, and visiting local dog parks. This will help them feel more confident and comfortable and help them trust people at an early age.

It requires patience, consistency, as well as positive reinforcement to train the German shepherd. Avoid negative reinforcement methods like yelling or physical punishment, which can result in fear-based aggression. Instead, use clicker training and rewards-based training to teach your German king shepherd kaufen basic commands.

Daily enrichment is essential for your German Shepherd. Mental stimulation exercises can be just as important as physical exercises for the GSD, especially in a chaotic or busy household. This can help them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by sounds or storms, other dogs at the park, or crowds during competitions and other public events.

Certain health conditions that are exclusive to German Shepherds are hemangiosarcoma, cancer of the bones, lungs, and intestinal tract and pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these ailments are preventable with responsible breeding practices and proper lifestyle choices.

German Shepherds are loyal family dogs despite their reputation as a feared breed. They are usually friendly with children and gentle with smaller pets, like cats, Reinrassiger Deutscher SchäFerhund when exposed to them from an early age. However, their size and strength make them formidable guardians, and they should always be watched over children younger than them. They may also show indications of a genetic predisposition toward aggression if they are not provided with appropriate training and socialization opportunities. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he gets the training and socialization that he needs to thrive.