The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD represents the perfect balance of strength and agility. Its high trainability and natural instincts to protect make them cherished family dogs.
When looking for a purebred German Shepherd dog Choose breeders who are concerned about the health of their dogs as well as practice ethical breeding. Requesting pedigree papers as well as previous health clearances can help you find reputable breeders.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are powerful, intelligent dogs that are capable of being trained. They are incredibly affectionate to their families and are fearless guardians of them. The breed standard states that a GSD must be confident and courageous. They should also have an unwavering temperament. It must also be respectful and willing to obey.
The breed is strong, medium-sized and slightly extended. It has a double coat consisting of an outer layer of hardness, and a soft undercoat. Its eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and set slightly obliquely. The ears are pointed and wide at the base. When the dog is laying down, the tail is large and bushy. It extends below the hocks. The breed’s long neck with a slightly sloping slope is a characteristic. The chest is wide and deep. The spine is strong and the ribs are well-sprung.
In general the breed is sound, but serious faults include roached backs and long pasterns that hinder correct movement. Its hindquarters must be powerful but not overly so. The rear leg should not extend beyond the point at which the foot makes an impression.
As working dogs as well as working dogs, the GSD has naturally high drives (behavioral propensities and desires toward things like territorial protection and the pursuit of prey). When these high drives aren’t fulfilled in some way through work or play and it leads to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a manner that helps dampen these drives, but they still require a lot of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
GSDs tend to be shy and cautious towards strangers at first. This is a characteristic that makes them excellent guard dogs, but requires proper training to avoid overreactions. When properly socialized early in life they can be wonderful family pets. They’re also great with children.
The GSD is a resilient species to illness and has a high threshold for pain, however certain health conditions can impact the quality of its life. These include epilepsy/seizures, bleeding disorders, and immune-mediated diseases. Taking precautions such as limiting the dog’s exposure UV rays and ensuring that it is regularly vaccinated will help reduce the risk of these conditions.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent, eager to learn, and extremely capable of training. They are an active dog breed that excels at many tasks, including herding, police work and search and rescue. They also excel in the detection of drugs and bombs, as well as helping blind people. They also make excellent companions for families. However, this strong and confident breed needs an unwavering sense of purpose and the attention of an assertive owner to harness their energy and strength positively. They require a lot of exercise and room, and might not be suited for smaller living spaces.
The ideal German shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a strong and stable temperament. They are loyal, vigilant and sceptical of strangers. If not properly socialized and trained to be vigilant and protective, this behavior could turn into aggressive. They are extremely intelligent and can be self-sufficient and easily bored, which is why they require an outlet to satisfy their curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, employed shorthaired and longhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This led to an animal that is friendly and respectful. Max von Stephanitz was not one of those who wanted to use German Shepherds as a showpiece and made sure that his dogs were calm, had strong herding impulses, and solid 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 fulfill its traditional tasks.
In addition to the hereditary diseases that affect every dog breed German Shepherds are also prone to cancers, such as Hemangiosarcoma, which typically affects blood-rich organs like the spleen and liver. They also can develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers.
To avoid these issues, you should maintain your German Shepherd’s physical well-being by feeding him proper diet and exercise. You should allow him ample time to run and play in a safe area free of traffic. Keep him groomed by brushing his thick double coat on a regular basis and using a de-shedding device or a rake undercoat to remove loose hairs. You should also make sure that you take him to the vet regularly for his routine health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, however they do have certain health issues. They are prone to ear infections and can develop eye conditions and ears, like degenerative myelopathy. They may also suffer from a genetic disease known as von Willebrand’s disease that is hereditary that affects their capacity to clot blood, and is found in both female and male dogs.
As a working breed, GSDs often engage in vigorous exercise during their training, and they may suffer from joint problems as a result. Hip dysplasia is a typical condition that can cause lameness, pain, and other symptoms. This is not a serious condition but can be painful for the dog.
A reputable breeder will X-ray their dog and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays help determine the health of the puppy and its genetic background, including the probability that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs with a high risk of developing dysplasia aren’t breeding.
Like all large breeds, German Shepherds may suffer from panosteitis, which causes the bones to grow rapidly and unevenly, which causes pain and stiffness in the joints. The condition is particularly common in German Shepherd puppies and dogs less than 18 months old who are experiencing an enormous growth spurt.
These dogs need food that is rich in protein, as well as an abundance of omega fatty acids as well as balanced vitamins to support the health of their coat and skin. They can benefit from food with joint support, like glucosamine or chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months should be given moderate exercise, such as walking or playing with a dog if they are compatible. However they shouldn’t run at full speed, as this could damage their joints that are growing.
Avoid feeding table food or animal bone because they can cause vomiting, digestive upsets, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion as well as digestive enzyme supplements that help break down proteins. Vitamin and mineral supplements aren’t necessary in the sense that a well-formulated and approved AAFCO diet should contain the right amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are highly trainable and biddable dogs who thrive under a skilled trainer’s guidance. They are therefore a great choice for police, military, search and rescue and therapy dog roles. Their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a great family pet when properly trained and socialized.
The first step in raising a well-adjusted GSD is socialization. Expose your puppy to a variety of people and schäferhundwelpen Kaufen other animals from a young age, by taking them on frequent walks, playing games, and even visiting local dog parks. This will help them feel more comfortable and secure and will teach them to trust people at an early age.
It requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement to train the German king shepherd kaufen. Avoid negative reinforcement methods such as yelling or physical punishment, which can lead to fear based aggression. Use clicker training and reward-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
Daily enrichment is important for your German Shepherd. Exercises for mental stimulation are just as important for the GSD as physical exercise, especially if you live in a busy household. This will help them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by street noises or thunderstorms as well as other dogs at the park, or the crowds at competitions and public events.
Some health conditions that are exclusive to German Shepherds include hemangiosarcoma and cancer of the bones as well as the lungs and intestinal tract, and pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these ailments are preventable with responsible breeding practices and the right lifestyle accommodations.
German Shepherds are loyal family dogs despite their reputation for being feared. They are often loved by children and deutscher Schäferhund welpen kaufen are gentle with smaller pets, like cats, if they are exposed to them from the age of. Their size and strength make them excellent guardians, and they should always be watched over children younger than them. If they aren’t being exposed to enough training and socialization and are not properly socialized, they could exhibit signs of aggression. It is recommended that you enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy class or obedience classes to ensure that they are receiving the proper training and socialization they need to thrive.