The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect balance of speed and strength. Their exceptional training capabilities and protection instincts make them cherished family pets.
If you are in search of a purebred German Shepherd, choose breeders who prioritize the health of their dogs as well as practice ethical breeding. You can identify reputable breeders by requesting documents on pedigrees and previous health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are powerful, intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They are loyal to their families and are able to be a formidable guardian. The breed standard states that the GSD must be confident and courageous. They should also have a calm and steady temperament. It should also be obedient and willing to please.
The breed is muscular, medium-sized, and slightly extended. It has a double coat consisting of an outer layer of hardness, and a softer undercoat. Its eyes are dark and almond-shaped, and positioned in a oblique manner. The ears are wide at the base and pointed. The tail is slender and extends down to the hocks below when the dog is lying down. The neck of the breed is long and sloping slightly. The chest is broad and deep. The spine is strong and the ribs are well-sprung.
In general the breed is healthy However, it has some serious flaws. These include roached backs as well as long pasterns that hinder correct movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful however, they should not be overly exaggerated. Likewise, the rear leg should never pass in the direction of where the forefoot leaves an imprint.
As working dogs as well 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 drives are not satisfied in some way, for example through play or work or playing, it can result in aggression. Show-type German Shepherds have been developed to reduce these drives. However, they still require lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to keep a balanced life.
GSDs tend to be reserved and suspicious towards strangers initially. This trait of protection makes them excellent guard dogs and requires appropriate training to avoid overreactions. They are great family pets when socialized properly at a young age and they're typically great with children.
The GSD is resistant to illnesses and has a high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can affect the quality of life. These include seizures and epilepsy and bleeding disorders as well as immune-mediated diseases. By taking precautions, such as limiting the dog's exposure to harsh UV rays, and ensuring it is regularly vaccinated will help reduce the risk of these conditions.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn. They are also trainable. They are a working breed that excel in a variety of tasks, including herding police work such as search and rescue as well as bomb and drug detection and guiding blind people. They also make excellent family pets. This powerful and confident breed requires a clear purpose and the attention and focus of a confident owner to channel their strength and energy positively. They require a lot of exercise and space, and may not be suitable in smaller living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is balanced and confident, with a firm and steady temperament. They are loyal, vigilant and sceptical of strangers. If they are not socialized properly and trained, this protective and watchful behavior can turn into aggressive. These dogs can be intelligent and independent, yet easily bored. They must find a way to satisfy their natural curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, utilized shorter and longer-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This created an animal that is receptive and obedient. He did not agree with those who wanted German Shepherds to be a showpiece, and he made sure that his dogs had stable temperaments and strong herding instincts and a solid body structure. He did not 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 dog breed, German Shepherds are prone to cancers such as Hemangiosarcoma, which typically affects blood-rich organs like the liver and spleen. They can also develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers.
To prevent these conditions ensure your German Shepherd's physical health by feeding him a proper diet and exercise. Make sure he gets plenty of opportunities to exercise and play outdoors in a secure area away from traffic and other hazards. Keep him looking neat by brushing his thick double coat on a regular basis by using a de-shedding tool or a rake undercoat to remove loose hairs. Also, make sure that you take him to the vet on a regular basis for routine health checks.
Health
German Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, but they do have certain health issues. They are prone to ear infections and can develop conditions affecting their eyes and ears, such as degenerative myelopathy. They may also be affected by a genetic disease known as von Willebrand's disease that is hereditary, which impacts their ability to clot blood and is present in both female and male dogs.
As a working breed, GSDs often engage in vigorous training and can develop joint issues as a consequence. A common one is hip dysplasia. It is characterized by a lack of growth and development of the joint and cartilage, leading to pain, lameness, and other symptoms. This is not always a serious condition, but it can cause pain for dogs.
Breeders with a good reputation have their dogs X-rayed and use the results for breeding decisions. The x-rays help determine the health and genetic background of the puppy, including how likely it is to develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high risk of developing dysplasia are not bred.
Panosteitis can affect German Shepherds. The condition causes the bones to grow quickly and unevenly. This can lead to pain and stiffness. deutscher schäferhund kaufen is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months old who are experiencing a rapid growth spurt.
The dogs need a diet high in protein, with a good mix of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins for skin and coat health. They may benefit from joint-support in their food including glucosamine as well as chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months should be given moderate exercise, such as walking and playing with another dog, if they are compatible. However they shouldn't run at full speed, since this could cause damage to their growing joints.
Table food or animal bones should be avoided, as these can cause digestive upset, vomiting anorexia, vomiting, and pancreatitis. Adult dogs and puppies could benefit by a probiotic supplementation program to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements to aid with breaking down proteins. A properly-formulated AAFCO approved diet should contain the right amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are smart high-trained dogs who thrive under the direction by a knowledgeable handler. They are a great choice for military and police work in search and rescue as well as therapy dog roles and a myriad of other specialized roles. Their unwavering loyalty also makes them a great pet to have when properly trained and socialized.
Socialization is the first step to raising a well-adjusted GSD. Expose your puppy to a variety of people and animals from a young age, taking them for frequent walks, playing games and visiting local dog parks. This will make them feel more confident and comfortable and will teach them to trust people at an early age.
It takes patience, consistency as well as positive reinforcement to train the German shepherd. Avoid negative reinforcement methods such as yelling or physical punishment, which could cause fear-based aggression. Use clicker training and rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
It is also important to give your German Shepherd with a daily dose of enrichment. Exercises for mental stimulation can be as important as physical exercise for an GSD, especially in a hectic or busy household. This can help them keep their attention and focus so that they are less likely to become distracted by street noises, thunderstorms or other dogs in the park or crowds at sporting events or public events.
Certain health conditions that are specific to German Shepherds are hemangiosarcoma, cancer of the bones, lungs, and intestinal tract, and pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these diseases can be prevented by implementing responsible breeding practices and appropriate lifestyle accommodations.
Despite their fearsome reputation German Shepherds are devoted family pets. When they are around children at a young age they can be incredibly tender and loving towards smaller pets like cats. They are extremely effective guardians due their size and strength, however, they must be monitored when they are around children. If deutsche schäferhunde welpen kaufen österreich 're not sufficiently exposed to socialization and training and are not properly socialized, they could exhibit signs of aggression. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy school or obedience class will ensure that he gets the training and socialization he needs to be successful.