The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD represents the perfect balance of agility and SchäFerhundwelpen strength. Their exceptional training capabilities and protection instincts make them loved family pets.

When you are shopping for a purebred german shepherd Look for breeders who adhere to ethical breeding practices and belgischer schäferhund Welpen kaufen österreich are committed to the health of their dogs. You can determine reputable breeders by requesting pedigree papers and prior health clearances.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are incredibly strong, intelligent dogs that are capable of training. They are loyal to their family and can be a formidable guardian. The breed standard states that the GSD must be stable of temperament, confident and brave. It must also be able to be handled and willing to be a pleasure to.

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

In general, the breed is sound however, serious issues include roached backs and 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, GSDs naturally have high drive. These are behaviors and desires that include territorial protection and the pursuit of prey. When these high drives aren't satisfied in some way through play or work this can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a way that can help reduce these urges but they require lots of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to live an enlightened lifestyle.

GSDs are typically cautious around strangers and could be initially suspicious of them. This makes them great guard dogs. It requires appropriate training to avoid overreactions. When socialized properly early in life they can be wonderful pets for the family. They are also great with children.

The GSD has an extremely high threshold for pain and is resistant to illnesses, but it has certain health issues that could affect its quality of living. These include epilepsy/seizures and bleeding disorders as well as immune-mediated diseases. Preventing these conditions by limiting your dog's exposure UV rays, german Shepherd kaufen and ensuring it is vaccinated regularly can help.

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 a variety of jobs, such as police work, herding, and search and rescue. They also excel in detection of explosives and drugs, and aiding blind people. They also make excellent family pets. This strong and confident breed requires a clear goal as well as the attention and focus of a responsible owner to channel their strength and deutscher schäferhund lebenserwartung energy in a positive way. They require lots of space and exercise and may not be suitable for apartments or other living spaces.

The ideal German Shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a strong and stable temperament. They are loyal and alert, and they are suspicious of strangers. If not properly socialized and trained, this protective and watchful behavior can turn into aggression. These dogs are very intelligent and can be very insecure and bored, which is why they require an outlet that can satisfy their natural curiosity.

Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, employed longhaired and shorterhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This led to an animal that is friendly and well-behaved. He did not agree with those who wanted German Shepherds to be a display dog, and he ensured that his dogs had stable temperaments with strong herding instincts and a solid body structure. He also refused to breed certain dogs that were temperamentally unstable or had steep angles in their croups, as well as rear and front pasterns as he believed these traits would undermine the breed's ability to perform its traditional work.

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

You can prevent these diseases by maintaining the physical health of your German Shepherd. This includes providing him with a healthy diet and regular exercise. You should allow him ample time to play and run around in a secure area free of traffic. Regularly brush your double coat, using the deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. It is also recommended to take him to your veterinarian regularly for regular health checks.

Health

German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, however they do have some health issues. They are susceptible to ear infections, and they can develop ailments that affect their eyes and ears such as degenerative amyelopathy. Both female and male dogs are susceptible to suffering from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that hinders their ability to clot the blood.

As a breed that is primarily used for work, GSDs often engage in vigorous exercise during their training, and they can suffer from joint issues as a consequence. Hip dysplasia is a typical condition that can cause pain, lameness and other signs. This is not always a serious condition however it can be painful for dogs.

Reputable breeders X-ray their dogs and utilize the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays can aid in determining the health of the puppy as well as its genetic history, which includes the possibility that it could develop dysplasia. Dogs with a high risk of developing dysplasia aren't breed.

Like many large breeds, German Shepherds may be affected by panosteitis, which causes bones to expand rapidly and unevenly, which causes pain and stiffness in the limbs. This is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing a rapid growth spurt.

The dogs need an enriched diet rich in protein, with a good mix of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to maintain a healthy coat and skin. They may benefit from joint-support in their food like glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months must be given moderate exercise such as walking and playing with a different dog if they are compatible. However it is not recommended to run at full speed since this could cause damage to their joints that are growing.

Table food or bones from animals must be avoided, since they can trigger vomiting, diarrhea anorexia, vomiting, and pancreatitis. Dogs of all ages can benefit by a probiotic supplementation program to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements to aid in the breakdown of proteins. Vitamin and mineral supplements are not required since a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should contain the right amount of these nutrients.

Training

German Shepherds are smart high-trained dogs who thrive under the supervision of a skilled handler. They are ideal for police and military work, search and rescue, therapy dog roles, and many other specializations. Their inexplicably loyal nature makes them an excellent pet, if they are properly socialized and trained.

The first step to raising an appropriately adjusted GSD is socialization. From an early age expose your puppy various animals and people. Take your dog for walks frequently and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will help them feel more secure and schäferhund kaufen österreich confident and help them trust people from a young age.

It takes patience, consistency, altdeutscher schäferhund Kaufen as well as positive reinforcement to train the German shepherd. Avoid negative reinforcement methods such as yelling, altdeutscher SchäFerhund kaufen or physical punishment, which could lead to fear based aggression. Use clicker training and rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.

It is also essential to provide your German Shepherd with daily enrichment. Mental stimulation exercises can be as important as physical exercise for an GSD, especially in a chaotic or busy household. This helps them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by noises or storms or other dogs in the park, or crowds during competitions and public events.

Some health conditions that are specific to German Shepherds are hemangiosarcoma, cancer of the bones lung, lungs, and the intestinal tract as well as pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these diseases can be prevented by implementing responsible breeding practices and proper lifestyle adjustments.

German Shepherds are loving family dogs despite their reputation as being fearsome. When they are exposed to children at a young age they can be tender and loving towards smaller animals like cats. They are formidable guardians due to their size and strength but they should be watched when around young children. They could also display indications of a genetic tendency towards aggression if not exposed to appropriate training and socialization opportunities. It is recommended to enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy class in the preschool or obedience to ensure they are receiving the proper training and socialization they need to thrive.