The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect balance of speed and deutscher schäferhund pflege strength. Its training capabilities are high and its natural instincts to protect make them beloved family dogs.

When shopping for a purebred german shepherd Find breeders that have a commitment to ethical breeding and who are concerned about the health of their animals. Requesting pedigree papers as well as previous health clearances will help you determine reputable breeders.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are strong intelligent dogs that are highly trainable. They are loyal to their family and are able to be fearless guardians. The breed standard says that the GSD must be a steady temperament, self assured and courageous. It must also be respectful and willing to obey.

The breed is medium-sized slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a double coat made up of a hard outer layer, and a softer undercoat. The almond-shaped eyes are dark and obliquely set. The ears are pointed and wide at the base. The tail is slender and extends down to the hocks below when the dog is at rest. The dog's long neck with a slightly sloping slope is distinctive. The chest is large and deep. The ribs are strong and the spine is strong.

In general, the breed is sound However, it has some serious flaws. These include roached backs and lengthy pasterns that hinder correct movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong but not overexaggerated. The rear leg should never go beyond the point at which the foot makes an impression.

As working dogs as well 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 are not satisfied in some way, such as through work or playing and it can lead to aggression. Show-type German Shepherds have been created to help reduce these urges. However, they require a lot of positive reinforcement, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to keep their lives in balance.

GSDs are generally reserved around strangers and may be initially suspicious of them. This trait of protection makes GSDs excellent guard dogs, but requires proper training to avoid overreactions. When socialized properly early in life, they make wonderful pets for families. They also make great kids.

The GSD has a high pain threshold and is resilient against illness, but it does have certain health issues that could affect its quality of living. These include seizures, epilepsy as well as bleeding disorders and immune-mediated diseases. Preventing these conditions by limiting your dog's exposure UV rays and making sure it is vaccinated regularly can help.

Temperament

German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn, and extremely capable of being trained. They are an active breed that excels at a variety of jobs, such as herding, police work and search and rescue. They also excel in detection of explosives and drugs, and german shepherd schäferhunde kaufen (additional reading) guiding blind people. They also make great family members. This ferocious and confident breed requires a clear goal as well as the attention and focus of a confident owner to channel their strength and energy in a positive way. They require a lot of exercise and room, and might not be suited in smaller living spaces.

The ideal German shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a firm temperament. They are loyal, vigilant, and suspicious of strangers. If not properly socialized and trained to be vigilant and protective, this behavior can become aggression. These dogs can be intelligent and independent, but they can also be bored. They must find ways to satisfy their natural curiosity.

Founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, longhaired and short-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program to create the kind of dog that was obedient and responsive that we know today. He disagreed with people who believed that German Shepherds should be a display dog, and he ensured that his dogs had stable temperaments with strong herding instincts and sound body structure. He was against breeding dogs with unstable temperaments, or with a steep angle on their croups or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would impede the ability of the breed to carry out its traditional tasks.

German Shepherds can also be susceptible to cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a common cancer that affects the spleen and liver, organs with heightened blood supply. They can also develop lung, bone or intestinal cancers.

You can avoid these ailments by maintaining the physical health of your German Shepherd. This means providing him with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Make sure he gets plenty of opportunities to run and play outdoors in a safe space away from traffic and other dangers. Regularly brush his double coat, using tools for deshedding or an undercoat rake. You should also make sure that you take him to the veterinarian regularly for routine health checks.

Health

German Shepherds have a great health record, but some health problems are present. They are prone to ear infections and they can develop ailments that affect their eyes and ears such as degenerative amyelopathy. They may also be affected by a genetic disease known as hereditary von Willebrand's disorder, deutsche schäFerhunde kaufen which impacts their ability to clot blood, and is present in females and males dogs.

As a breed that is primarily used for work, many GSDs undergo strenuous exercise during their training, and they may suffer from joint issues as a result. One of the most common is hip dysplasia. It is characterized by the inadvertent growth and development of the cartilage and joint, leading to discomfort, lameness and other signs. This is not a serious condition but can be painful to the dog.

A reputable breeder will X-ray their dog and utilize the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health and genetic background of the puppy, including the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs with a high risk of developing the disorder aren't breed.

Like most large breeds, deutscher schäferhund Welpen kaufen German Shepherds also be affected by panosteitis, which causes bones to grow quickly and unevenly, altdeutscher schäferhund kaufen which causes 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 food that is rich in protein, and an abundance of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to maintain healthy coat and skin. Dogs with arthritis are able to benefit from a diet that contains joint support, such as chondroitin or glucosamine. Dogs under 18 months of age should exercise moderately including multiple walks and, if compatible with other dogs, playing together, but they should not be allowed to run at full speed as it can cause joint damage.

Avoid feeding animal bone or table food because they can cause digestive upsets, vomiting, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements to help break down proteins. Mineral and vitamin supplements are not necessary, as a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should contain the right amount of these nutrients.

Training

German Shepherds are smart, highly trainable dogs who thrive under the guidance of a knowledgeable handler. They are a great option for military, police search and rescue and therapy dog roles. Their constant loyalty makes them a wonderful pet, if properly socialized and trained.

Socialization is the first step towards raising a well adjusted GSD. From an early age expose your puppy different people and animals. Take your dog for walks frequently and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will make them feel comfortable and secure in a new environment and will help them develop trust in humans from an early age.

Training for a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. Avoid methods of negative reinforcement such as yelling, or physical punishment that could lead to fear based aggression. Instead, opt for reward-based training and clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.

It is also important to ensure that you provide your German Shepherd with a daily dose of enrichment. Exercises for mental stimulation can be equally important as physical exercise for the GSD particularly in a hectic or busy household. This can help them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by noises or thunderstorms, other dogs at the park, or the crowds at competitions and other public events.

German Shepherds are susceptible to various health issues that include hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the bones, lungs, and intestinal tract) as well as pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these diseases are preventable with responsible breeding practices and the right lifestyle adjustments.

Despite their infamous reputation German Shepherds are loving family pets. When they are around children at a young age they can be incredibly friendly and gentle with smaller animals like cats. They are extremely effective guardians due their size and strength but they should be supervised when around young children. If they're not sufficiently exposed to socialization and training they could show 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 require to thrive.