Adopting a Purebred German Shepherd
German Shepherds thrive on consistency, positive reinforcement, and rewarding training. They are smart and eager to please.
They naturally protect their family members due to their solid work ethic. They are able to be trained to ensure security. They are very active and require plenty of space to exercise. They also need early socialization and obedience training to develop into well-mannered, confident dogs.
Origin
In the latter half of 1800 Captain Max von Stephanitz was working to create a dog that would be unmatched in its herding capabilities. It took years to find a foundation breed that could satisfy his criteria — both physically and emotionally. Hektor Linksrhein was a German Shepherd, was finally discovered at a dog show in 1899. Hektor was the result of a few generations of selective breeding, altdeutscher Schäferhund Kaufen (championsleage.review) and he perfectly met Von Stephanitz’s vision of what a herding dog ought to be. Hektor was declared the first German Shepherd Dog, and von Stephanitz founded the Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde (or Society for the German Shepherd Dog).
In the second part of the 19th century, breed enthusiasts worked to standardize herding dogs. They were able to preserve many of the characteristics that attracted Von Stephanitz, and these traits still make the German Shepherd breed a cult. A study found that German Shepherds can master tasks with only five repetitions, and they follow the first command 90% of the time.
The same characteristics make this breed a beloved family pet, as well as one of the most effective working dogs for military and police. These dogs are great pets and companions for children if they’re properly trained and socialized. They are usually cautious around strangers, but are generally affectionate with people they love. If they are not socialized as puppies, however, a German Shepherd may have difficulty adapting to new environments later on in life, and can become anxious or stressed.
German Shepherds are good guard dogs due to their instincts to protect. They are generally highly smart and deutsche schäFerhunde kaufen eager to please, making them extremely adept at training. They are agile, strong and can run up to 30 miles per hour.
Due to their versatility and popularity, you’ll see a variety of German Shepherds around the world. The breed’s distinctive features are easy to recognize especially if you’re familiar with the standard of the breed. If you’re not sure, ask your veterinarian for help to determine the breed. The majority of veterinarians are familiar with the breed standards of the majority of dogs and will be able to assist you quickly.
Characteristics
If you’re considering purchasing or adopting a purebred German Shepherd it’s important that you choose an accredited German Shepherd breeder with pedigree documents that can be traced back many generations. Breeders with a good reputation are also members of organizations such as the American Kennel Club, which can give you further assurances of their credibility.
Purebred German Shepherd is characterized by a muscular, athletic body with distinctive black and tan colour. Adult males weigh 65 to 90 pounds and stand 24 to 26 inches high, deutschen schäferhund kaufen whereas females are typically smaller at 50-70 pounds and 22 to 25 inch tall. They have long, erect ear and an intense stare. A well-trained German Shepherd may seem intimidating, but it will remain loyal to the owner and will not display aggressive behavior towards humans or other dogs.
They are very intelligent and respond well to positive reinforcement-based training techniques which makes them fast learners. Socialization is crucial in their development to become confident well-mannered pets. They are natural guardians and will guard their family. However, they’ll accept strangers if they don’t pose a threat to them.
These powerful, agile dogs are suited to many types of work. They excel in police and military duty as well as as service dogs for the disabled. They possess an extremely strong prey drive and are likely to chase small animals, which is why creating a safe environment and ensuring lots of positive regular socialization is essential for families with pets.
German Shepherds are loyal, protective and obedient when they are properly socialized and trained. They are typically shy of strangers and other dogs, but can be taught to play with other pets through positive training and early socialization.
When evaluating the quality of a German Shepherd, look for an elongated head that is proportional to its height and perfectly chiseled. The shoulders should be straight and broad and straight with a back that is slightly sloped from the withers to the croup. A curved back or excessive curvature of the rear legs indicates an insufficient structural alignment. A well-built German Shepherd moves with an effortless smooth stride that is fueled by the forward thrust of its hindquarters.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent, curious dogs that are obedient and tolerant but not too eager to please. They have a steadfast devotion to their family members and are cautious of strangers, which makes them a very effective guard dog. They thrive with owners who challenge them physically and mentally. They require a lot of exercise and a large backyard to play in. If they are not adequately stimulated, they might resort to destructive behaviors like digging or chewing.
When selecting a breeder for your dog select a person who is enthusiastic about the breed and Schäferhund kaufen welpe has a thorough understanding of its temperament and personality. A reliable breeder can discuss the history of the parents and puppies. He or she can inform you if the litter has received obedience training and socialization. If a puppy has not been socialized, it will require extensive obedience and behavioral training to get it ready for a life as a pet for the family.
Puppies should be curious and outgoing, with an instinctual tendency to assert their rights. If one puppy is more timid than others, it is a warning. A good German Shepherd should also have a a firm, consistent grip when picked up.
The muzzle is strong and long with a well developed jaw and the chin. The eyes should be dark and almond-shaped. The nose must be black (blue or liver-colored noses are not acceptable). The teeth must be white and the top row should be slightly larger than the lower. The ears should be straight and wide at their base and have pointed tips that may drop slightly when resting.
The German Shepherd is a very adaptable dog that can be used in many different ways, such as herding or searching and rescue or bomb and drug detection, and guiding the blind. This versatility makes it among the most sought-after breeds across the entire world. It is crucial to remember that the temperament of a German Shepherd can be heavily affected by its environment and training.
Health
Purebred German Shepherds possess high levels of resilience and are able to thrive under a variety of different circumstances. This makes them ideal therapy dogs, service animals and faithful companions. They also excel in advanced obedience and security training as well as competitive dog sports. Their strong work ethic can result in careers in search and rescue, police work, or military careers. Despite their impressive abilities, as with most breeds, GSDs are prone to certain health issues.
GSDs, as larger breeds are more susceptible to joint problems like elbow dysplasia or hip dysplasia. These degenerative diseases can cause your dog to become lame and painful as they age. Responsible breeding and regular veterinary checkups can help minimize their effects.
Like other large breeds German Shepherds are also prone to Bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus) in which the stomach turns, filling with gas and cutting off the blood supply to the liver and spleen. If untreated, bloat can be an extremely serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Due to their long, thick coats and darker coloring, GSDs are also prone to heat stroke. On hot days, make sure to keep them well-hydrated and provide them with plenty of shade. We also evaluate their eyes during every visit for signs of pannus. It is an eye disease caused by immune system that can cause blindness if not treated promptly.
Many hereditary and inherited diseases can affect your German Shepherd’s digestive system, including hemangiosarcoma tumors of the blood vessels, exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI), von Willebrand disease, and intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). The last is when the jelly-like cushion that connects the vertebrae of your spine is ripped or sags, causing pressure on the spinal cord. Signs of IVDD include an inability to climb steps or jump, a hunched back, pain when touching, and dragging the rear feet.
Like all dogs, you will want to feed your German Shepherd a high quality diet and stay clear of table food which can lead to weight increase and nutritional deficiencies. It is also important to clean their coat frequently to keep it clean and healthy. It’s okay to give your dog a bath every now and again however, too much of it can strip away the natural oils which keep their coats healthy and shiny.