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 loved family dogs.
When shopping for purebred german shepherd dogs, look for breeders who have a commitment to ethical breeding and who are concerned about the health of their animals. You can identify trustworthy 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 families and can be fierce guardians. The breed standard says that the GSD must be a steady temperament, self-assured and brave. It must also be respectful and willing to obey.
The breed is medium-sized slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a distinct double coat that consists of a hard outer layer and a soft undercoat. The almond-shaped eyes are dark and obliquely set. The ears are pointed and wide at the base. The tail is long and reaches to below the hocks when the dog is lying down. The long neck, with a slight slope, is characteristic. The chest is wide and deep. The ribs are well-sprung, and the spine is solid.
In general the breed is healthy However, it has some serious flaws. These include roached backs and lengthy pasterns that hinder proper movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong but not exaggerated. The rear leg should never go beyond the point where the foot makes an impression.
As working dogs As working dogs, the GSD has high-drives that are naturally present (behavioral tendencies and desires towards things like territorial protection and hunting prey). If these high-drives aren't fulfilled through work or play this can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds have been developed to reduce these impulses. However, they still require lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation to maintain a balance life.
GSDs tend to be cautious and suspicious of strangers at first. This trait of protection makes GSDs excellent guard dogs, but requires proper training to avoid overreactions. When properly socialized at a young age they can make great pets for families. They also make great children.
deutsche schäferhunde kaufen has an extremely high threshold for pain and is resistant to illness, however it does have certain health issues that could affect its quality of life. These include seizures and epilepsy as well as bleeding disorders and immune-mediated diseases. Preventing these conditions by limiting your dog's exposure to UV radiation and ensuring that it receives regular vaccinations can help.
Temperament
German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn. They are also capable of being trained. They are a working breed that excel at a variety of tasks, such as herding, police work, search and rescue as well as drug and bomb detection and guiding blind people. They also make excellent family companions. However, this strong and confident breed requires an unwavering sense of purpose and the attention of an assertive owner to harness their energy and strength in a positive manner. They require a lot of exercise and space, and may not be suitable in apartments or smaller living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is balanced and confident, with a strong and stable temperament. They are loyal, alert, and suspicious of strangers. This protective and watchful behavior can escalate into aggression when they are not properly trained, socialized, and supervised. These dogs are very intelligent and can be very self-sufficient and easily bored, so they need an outlet that can satisfy their curiosity.
The founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, as well as longhaired and shorthaired German Shepherds in his breeding program to develop the obedient and responsive breed that we have today. Max von Stephanitz was not one of those who wanted German Shepherds to be used as a showcase and ensured that his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding instincts, and an ideal body structure. He did not breed dogs with temperaments that were unstable or with a steep angle on their croups, front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would undermine the ability of the breed to perform its usual tasks.
German Shepherds are also susceptible to cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a common cancer that affects the liver and spleen organs that have a high blood supply. They may also develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers.
You can avoid these ailments by maintaining the physical well-being of your German Shepherd. This includes providing him with a healthy diet and regular exercise. You should give him ample time to play and run outdoors in a safe area away from traffic. Keep him clean by brushing his dense double coat regularly, using a de-shedding tool or an undercoat rake to get rid of loose hairs. You should also bring him to the vet regularly for regular health checks.
Health
German Shepherds have a healthy health history, however some health issues do exist. They are prone to ear infections and can develop conditions that affect their ears and eyes such as degenerative amyelopathy. Both female and male can be affected by hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that affects the ability of clotting blood.
As a working breed GSDs are often involved in strenuous exercise during their training and can develop joint issues as a consequence. Hip dysplasia is an extremely common condition that can cause lameness, pain, and other signs. It's not always a serious problem however it can be painful for the dog.
Breeders who are trustworthy are able to X-ray their dogs and use the results for breeding decisions. The x-rays can aid in determining the health of the puppy and its genetic history, including the probability that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high likelihood of developing the disorder aren't breeding.
Like most large breeds, German Shepherds also suffer from panosteitis. This causes the bones to expand rapidly and unevenly, causing pain and stiffness in the legs. This condition is more common in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing rapid growth.
These dogs need an diet rich in protein, with an abundance of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to help maintain healthy coat and skin. They may benefit from joint-support in their diet including glucosamine as well as chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months must be given moderate exercise like walking and playing with another dog, if they are compatible. However it is not recommended to run at full speed because this can damage their joints that are growing.
Avoid feeding animal bone or table food because they can cause vomiting, digestive upsets, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Puppies and adults can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements to aid in breaking down proteins. Vitamin and mineral supplements are not necessary since a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should supply the appropriate amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are smart and highly trainable dogs that thrive when they're under the guidance of a knowledgeable handler. They are therefore a great choice for police, military search and rescue and therapy dog roles. But their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a great family pet when properly trained and socialized.
Socialization is the first step to raising a well-adjusted GSD. Introduce your puppy to a variety of people and animals from a young age, by taking them on frequent walks, playing games, and visiting local dog parks. This will help them feel confident and comfortable in a new place and will help them learn to trust humans at an early age.
It requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement to train the German shepherd. It is essential to avoid negative reinforcement methods like yelling and physical punishment because they can lead to fear-based aggression. Instead, use rewards-based training and clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.
It is also important to give your German Shepherd with a daily dose of enrichment. Exercises for mental stimulation can be equally important as physical exercise for a GSD particularly in a busy or chaotic household. This can help them to keep their attention and focus so that they are less likely to be distracted by noises from the street, thunderstorms or other dogs in the park, or crowds at competitions or public events.
German Shepherds are prone to a number of health conditions such as hemangiosarcoma (cancer of bones, lungs and intestinal tract) as well as pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these diseases are preventable through responsible breeding and lifestyle choices.
Despite their reputation for being a savage breed German Shepherds are loving family pets. They are usually friendly with children and gentle with smaller pets, like cats, if exposed to them from a young age. They are extremely effective guardians due their size and strength but they should be watched when they are around young children. They could also display indications of a genetic tendency toward aggression if they are not exposed to appropriate training and socialization opportunities. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he is getting the education and socialization that he needs to flourish.