The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect blend of speed and strength. Its high trainability and natural instincts to protect make them beloved family dogs.

When looking for a purebred German Shepherd dog select breeders who value the health of their dogs and practice ethical breeding. You can find reliable breeders by asking for documents on pedigrees and previous health clearances.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are strong intelligent dogs that are easily capable of being trained. They are loyal to their family and can be fearless guardians. The breed standard states that the GSD must be stable of temperament, self assured and brave. It should also be able to be handled and willing to please.

The breed is muscular, medium-sized and slightly elongated. It has a distinct double coat that consists of a hard outer layer as well as an undercoat that is soft. Its almond-shaped eyes are dark and obliquely set. Its ears are wide and pointed at the base. When the dog is resting in a shady position, the tail is big and swollen. It is a little below the hocks. The breed's neck is long and slightly sloping. The chest is wide and deep. The ribs are well-sprung, and the spine is solid.

In general the breed is healthy, but serious faults include roached backs as well as long pasterns that hinder proper movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful but not overly exaggerated. Likewise, the rear leg should never pass in the direction of where the forefoot leaves an imprint.

As working dogs, the GSD has high-drives that are naturally present (behavioral tendencies and desires for things like territorial protection and the pursuit of prey). If these high-drives aren't fulfilled through play or work and it leads to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred to help dampen these impulses. However, they need lots of positive reinforcement, deutsche schäferhunde belgischer schäferhund welpen kaufen österreich deutscher schäferhund schwarz kaufen österreich (Clinfowiki.win) physical exercise and mental stimulation in order to keep a balanced life.

GSDs are generally shy and cautious towards strangers initially. This protective trait makes GSDs excellent guard dogs, but requires proper training to prevent overreactions. When properly socialized at a young age they can make great family pets. They also make great kids.

The GSD has an extremely high threshold for pain and is resilient against illnesses, but it does have certain health issues that could impact its quality of life. These include seizures, epilepsy, bleeding disorders, and immune-mediated diseases. By taking precautions, such as limiting the dog's exposure to harsh UV rays, and ensuring it receives routine vaccinations should lower the risk of developing these diseases.

Temperament

German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn. They are also highly capable of being trained. They are an active breed that excels at many jobs, such as herding, police work and search and rescue. They also excel in detection of explosives and drugs, and guiding blind people. They also make great family companions. However, this strong and confident breed requires a clear sense of purpose and the attention of an assertive owner to harness their energy and strength positively. They need a lot of exercise and space, and may not be suitable in apartments or smaller living spaces.

The ideal German Shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a solid and steady temperament. They are loyal, alert, and suspicious of strangers. This protective and watchful behavior can turn into aggression if not properly trained, socialized and managed. These dogs are often intelligent and independent, but they can also be bored. They must find an avenue 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 obedient and responsive breed 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 with strong herding instincts and a solid body structure. He refused to breed dogs with temperaments that were unstable or with steep angles on their croups, or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would undermine the ability of the breed to carry out its primary duties.

In addition to the hereditary ailments that can plague any breed of dog German Shepherds are also susceptible to cancers, including hemangiosarcoma, which most commonly affects blood-rich organs such as the spleen and liver. They may also develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers.

To avoid these ailments to avoid them, you must maintain your German Shepherd's physical well-being by feeding him proper diet and exercise. It is important to give him ample time to run and play in a safe area free of traffic. Keep him groomed by scrubbing his dense double coat regularly, using a de-shedding tool or undercoat rake to remove hairs that are loose. It is recommended that you bring him to the vet regularly for routine health checks.

Health

German Shepherds have a healthy health record, but some health problems do exist. They are susceptible to ear infections, and may develop conditions that affect their ears and eyes like degenerative amyelopathy. Female and male dogs are susceptible to suffering from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that hinders the ability of dogs to clot blood.

GSDs are a working breed and consequently, they are subject to rigorous training. As a result, they may develop joint issues. A common one is hip dysplasia, which is characterized by the inadvertent growth and development of cartilage and joint, leading to pain, lameness, and other symptoms. This is not always a serious issue, but it can be painful for the dog.

Breeders who are reputable have their dogs X-rayed and use the results to inform breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health of the puppy and its genetic background, altdeutscher Schäferhund kaufen; motionentrance.edu.Np, including the probability that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high likelihood of developing the disorder aren't breed.

Like most large breeds, German Shepherds also suffer from panosteitis. This causes the bones to grow rapidly and unevenly, causing stiffness and pain in the limbs. This condition is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing an increase in growth speed.

They require a diet that is high in protein, and a large amount of omega fatty acids as well as balanced vitamins to support healthy coat and skin. Dogs with arthritis will benefit from a diet with joint support, such as glucosamine or chondroitin. Dogs under the age of 18 months must be given moderate exercise, such as walking and playing with a different dog, if they are compatible. However they shouldn't run at full speed, as this could damage their joints that are growing.

Table food or animal bones should be avoided, because they can cause digestive upset, vomiting, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements that aid in breaking down proteins. A properly-formulated AAFCO approved diet should have the proper amount of vitamins and minerals.

Training

German Shepherds are highly-trainable and biddable dogs that thrive under a skilled guide's supervision. They are a great choice for military, police, search and rescue and therapy dog roles. Their dedication to their job makes them a great pet for the family when properly trained and socialized.

The first step in establishing an appropriately adjusted GSD is socialization. From an early age, expose your puppy to different people and animals. Take them for frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will make them feel more comfortable and secure and teach them to trust people at an early age.

It requires patience, perseverance, as well as positive reinforcement to train a German shepherd. Avoid methods of negative reinforcement such as yelling or physical punishment that could lead to fear based aggression. Instead, you should use reward-based training and clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.

It is also important to provide your German Shepherd with a regular dose of enrichment. Mental stimulation exercises are just as important to a GSD as physical exercise, especially in the case of a household with lots of people. This can help them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by road noises or storms as well as other dogs at the park, or crowds during competitions and public events.

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

Despite their fearsome reputation German Shepherds are devoted family pets. When they are exposed to children at a young age they can be incredibly tender and loving towards smaller pets such as cats. They are powerful 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 predisposition towards aggression if not given the proper training and socialization opportunities. It is recommended to enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy class in the preschool or obedience to ensure that they are receiving the proper training and socialization they need to flourish.