The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD embodies the ideal balance of agility and strength. Its exceptional training ability and natural protective instincts make them cherished family dogs.

When looking for a purebred German Shepherd dog select breeders who value the health of their dogs as well as practice ethical breeding. You can determine reliable breeders by asking for pedigree papers and prior health clearances.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are powerful, intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They are incredibly loyal to their family members and are fearless guardians of them. The breed standard states that the GSD must be steady of temperament, schäferhund baby Kaufen self-assured and brave. It should also be obedient and willing to obey.

The breed is strong, medium-sized and slightly extended. It has a distinctive double coat that consists of a hard outer layer as well as an undercoat that is soft. Its eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and set obliquely. Its ears are wide at the base and pointed. The tail is long and extends to the hocks below when the dog is in a relaxed state. The long, slightly sloping neck is distinctive. The chest is wide and deep. The ribs are well-sprung, and Deutscher SchäFerhund Lebenserwartung (Onlinekkt.Com) the spine is strong.

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 never go beyond the point at which the foot leaves an impression.

As working dogs As working dogs, the GSD has high-drives that are naturally present (behavioral tendencies and desires for things like territorial protectiveness and the pursuit of prey). When these high drives aren't satisfied in some way through play or work, it can lead to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a manner that helps dampen these drives however they still require a lot of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to live a balanced life.

GSDs are typically reserved around strangers and may be initially suspicious of them. This trait of protection makes them great guard dogs and requires proper training to avoid overreactions. When properly socialized from a young age they can be wonderful family pets. They are also great with kids.

The GSD has an extremely high threshold for pain and is resistant to illness, however it has certain health conditions that can affect its quality of life. These include seizures and epilepsy and bleeding disorders as well as immune-mediated diseases. The best way to prevent these diseases is to limit your dog's exposure UV rays, and ensuring it is vaccinated regularly can help.

Temperament

German Shepherds are intelligent, eager to learn, and extremely trainable. They are an active dog breed that excels at a variety of jobs, such as herding, police work and search and rescue. They also excel at the detection of drugs and bombs, as well as guiding blind people. They are also excellent family pets. This strong and confident breed requires a clear and precise goal and the focus and attention of a responsible owner to harness their energy and strength positively. They need a lot of exercise and space and may not be a good fit in apartments or smaller living spaces.

The ideal German Shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a solid and Schäferhund Abzugeben stable temperament. They are loyal and vigilant, and are sceptical of strangers. If they aren't properly socialized and trained to be vigilant and protective, this behavior could turn into aggressive. These dogs can be intelligent and independent, but they can also be bored. They need to find a way to satisfy their curiosity.

Founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, as well as longhaired and short-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program to develop the kind of dog that was obedient and responsive that we have today. He did not agree with those who wanted German Shepherds to be a display dog, and he made sure that his dogs were stable in their temperaments, strong herding instincts, and sound body structure. He even resisted breeding certain dogs that had temperaments that were unstable or had steep angles in their croups and front and rear pasterns, because he believed that these characteristics could hamper the breed's ability to do its job as it is.

German Shepherds are also susceptible to developing cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a common cancer that affects the spleen and liver organs, which have a higher blood supply. They may also develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers.

To prevent these conditions ensure your German Shepherd's physical well-being by feeding him the right diet and exercise. Make sure he gets plenty of opportunities to exercise and play outdoors, in a safe area away from traffic and other dangers. Make sure to regularly brush his double coat with a deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. It is also important to ensure that you visit the vet on a regular basis to have regular health checks.

Health

German Shepherds have a great health record, but health issues do exist. They are prone to ear infections, and they can develop conditions affecting their eyes and ears, like degenerative myelopathy. They also may suffer from a genetic disease known as hereditary von Willebrand's disease, which impacts their ability to clot blood and is present in females and males dogs.

As a breed that is primarily used for work, many GSDs undergo strenuous exercise during their training, and can develop joint issues as a consequence. Hip dysplasia is a common condition that causes pain, lameness and other symptoms. It's not a serious condition, but it can be painful to the dog.

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 that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs with a high risk of developing dysplasia aren't bred.

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

They require food that is rich in protein, with a large amount of omega fatty acids as well as balanced vitamins to help maintain a healthy skin and coat. They may benefit from joint-support in their diet like glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs under 18 months of age should have moderate exercise like walking on a regular basis and, if they are compatible with another dog playing together, but they should not be allowed to run at full speed, as this can damage growing joints.

Foods that are table-based or contain bones from animals should be avoided, as these can cause vomiting, digestive upset, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Dogs of all ages may benefit from a probiotic supplementation to help with digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements that aid in the breakdown of proteins. Mineral and vitamin supplements are not necessary in the sense that a well-formulated and deutscher schäFerhund schwarz kaufen approved AAFCO diet should contain the right amount of these nutrients.

Training

German Shepherds are highly-trainable and biddable dogs that thrive under a knowledgeable trainer's guidance. They are therefore a good choice for military, police, search and rescue and therapy dog roles. Their inexplicably loyal nature makes them an excellent pet, if they are properly trained and socialized.

Socialization is the first step towards raising a well adjusted GSD. Introduce your puppy to a variety of people and other 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 from an early age.

It requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement to train the German shepherd. Avoid negative reinforcement methods such as yelling, or physical punishment that could result in fear-based aggression. Instead, opt for reward-based training and deutscher Schäferhund schwarz kaufen clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.

It is also crucial to provide your German Shepherd with a regular dose of enrichment. Mental stimulation exercises are just as important to a GSD as physical exercise, particularly when you have an area with a lot of activity. This can help them keep their attention and focus, so they are less likely to be distracted by noises from the street or thunderstorms, other dogs in the park or the crowds at competitions and other public events.

Certain health conditions that are unique to German Shepherds include Hemangiosarcoma, cancer of bones lung, lungs, and the intestinal tract, and pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these diseases are preventable with responsible breeding practices and appropriate lifestyle accommodations.

German Shepherds are devoted family dogs, despite their reputation as being fearsome. They are generally friendly with children and gentle with smaller pets, such as cats, if exposed to them at a young age. They are extremely effective guardians due their size and strength but they should be supervised when they are around children. If they're not being exposed to enough training and socialization, they may show signs of aggression. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he gets the training and socialization he needs to be successful.