Adopting a Purebred German Shepherd

Consistency, positive reinforcement, and reward-based dog training are crucial for German Shepherds. They are intelligent and eager to please.

Their strong work ethic makes them naturally vigilant of family members and can be trained to help in security. They are active and require plenty of room to exercise. They need early socialization, obedience classes and to become confident, well-mannered dogs.

Origin

Captain Max von Stephanitz worked to create a herding dog that was unmatched. It took years to find a foundation breed that could satisfy his criteria physically and temperamentally. Hektor Linksrhein is an German Shepherd, was finally found at a dogshow in 1899. Hektor was the result of many generations of selective breeding and he perfectly matched Von Stephanitz's vision of what a herding dog should be. Von Stephanitz declared Hektor the first German Shepherd Dog and founded the Verein fur deutsche schäferhundwelpen Schaferhunde.

Breed fanciers began to standardize herding dog breeds during the second half of 19th century. They were able to preserve certain traits that attracted Von Stephanitz, and these traits still make the German Shepherd breed a cult. A study has revealed that German Shepherds can learn tasks in just five repetitions, and they obey the first command 95% of the times.

These same traits also make this breed among the top military and police working dogs, as well as a beloved pet for families. If properly socialized and trained they can be ideal companions for children as well as other pets. They are usually reserved with strangers but generally affectionate with the people they love. If they are not socialized as puppies, however they German Shepherd may have difficulty adapting to new environments later in life and become stressed or anxious.

German Shepherds are great guard dogs because of their instincts for protection. They are smart and eager to please. This makes them extremely trainable. They are agile and strong and can run up to 30 miles per hour if they need to.

Due to their versatility and popularity, you will see a lot of German Shepherds around the world. But the distinctive characteristics of the breed are usually easy to identify, especially if you are familiar with the standard of the breed. Ask your veterinarian for assistance in identifying the breed if aren't sure. Most veterinarians are familiar with the breed standards of the majority of dogs and will be capable of helping you quickly and effectively.

Characteristics

If you're thinking about purchasing or adopting a purebred German Shepherd it's important that you find an accredited German Shepherd breeder with pedigree documents that can be traced back several generations. Reputable breeders are also part of organizations like the American Kennel Club. This will provide you with additional assurances about their integrity.

A purebred German Shepherd has a hearty muscular build, with a deep chest and distinctive black and tan coat. Adult males weigh between 65 to 90 pounds and are 24 to 26 inches tall and females are usually smaller at 50 to 70 pounds and 22 to 25 inches tall. They have long, erect ears and an intense gaze. A well-trained German Shepherd may seem intimidating however, it will remain loyal to the owner and will not display aggression towards people or other dogs.

They are extremely intelligent and respond well to positive reinforcement-based techniques for training and are quick learners. Early and consistent socialization is essential to their development as well-mannered, confident family pets. They are natural guardians, and will be watchful over their family members. However, they'll be tolerant of strangers as long as they don't frighten them.

These agile, powerful dogs excel at military and police work as well as being service dogs for those with disabilities. They possess a strong prey drive, and are likely to chase smaller animals. Therefore, a secure environment that provides plenty of socialization for other pets is essential.

When properly trained and socialized German Shepherds can be extremely protective, loving and extremely obedient pet companions. They are generally shy of strangers and other dogs, but they can be taught to play with other pets through positive training and early socialization.

When assessing the quality of a German Shepherd, look for a head with a wedge shape that is proportional to its height and well-chiseled. The shoulders should be large and square and have a straight, level back that's just slightly inclined from the withers to the croup. A curly back or excessive curvature of the rear legs indicates an insufficient structural alignment. A well-built German Shepherd moves with an effortless easy stride, which is fueled by the forward thrust of its hindquarters.

Temperament

German Shepherds are intelligent, curious dogs who are obedient and tolerant without being overly eager to please. They have a steadfast devotion for 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 need plenty of daily exercise and a large backyard to play in. If they aren't adequately stimulated, they may use destructive methods like digging or chewing.

When choosing a dog breeder, choose someone who is enthusiastic about the breed and has a good knowledge of its temperament and personality. A reputable breeder will be able discuss the history of the parents and the puppies. They can also tell you whether the litter has received obedience training and socialization. If a puppy is not socialized, it might require extensive training in obedience and behavior to prepare it for a future life as a family member.

Puppies should be curious and outgoing, with a natural tendency to assert themselves. If one of the puppies is more timid than others it should be taken as a warning signal. A good German Shepherd should also have a an unwavering, steady grip when being picked up.

The muzzle is long and strong with a well-developed jaw and chin. The eyes are dark and almond-shaped. The nose should be dark (blue liver, blue or other colors are disqualifying). The teeth must be white, and the top row should be slightly wider than the lower. The ears are erect and wide at their base with pointed tips that may be slightly droopy when in rest.

The German Shepherd can be used in many different ways. It is a flexible dog and can be used to herd as well as search and rescue, detect drugs and bombs or even guide blind people. This versatility makes it among the most popular breeds in the entire world. It is important to remember that the temperament of the German Shepherd dog can be heavily affected by its training and upbringing.

Health

Purebred German Shepherds are incredibly resilient, able to flourish in many different environments and roles. This makes them excellent therapy dogs, service animals, and loyal companions. They also excel in advanced obedience and protection 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 all breeds, GSDs are prone to certain health issues.

GSDs, as larger breeds are more susceptible to joint problems such as hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia. These degenerative diseases can cause discomfort and even lameness as your dog ages. A healthy breeding program and reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund züchter Baby deutscher schäferhund schwarz kaufen (Https://moparwiki.win/) regular vet checkups can reduce the impact of these diseases.

Like other large breeds German Shepherds are susceptible to bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus) in which the stomach turns, filling with gas and cutting off the blood supply to the spleen and liver. If not treated, bloat could be an extremely serious condition that requires immediate medical treatment.

GSDs can also suffer from heat stroke because of their long, thick dark coats. Keep them hydrated and offer plenty of shade on hot days. We also examine their eyes at every examination for indications of pannus, deutscher Schäferhund kaufen öSterreich an immune-mediated eye disease that can cause blindness if not treated promptly.

Many hereditary and inherited diseases can impact your German Shepherd's digestive system, including hemangiosarcoma tumors of the blood vessels, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) as well as von Willebrand disease, and intervertebral disk disease (IVDD). The jelly-like cushion between the vertebrae in the spine may rupture or slide and deutscher schäferhund pflege pressurize the spinal cord. The symptoms of IVDD are an inability to climb stairs or jump.

As with all dogs, you should feed your German Shepherd a high quality diet and avoid eating table food, which can cause weight growth and nutritional deficiencies. It is also important to clean their coat frequently to keep it clean and healthy. It's fine to give your dog bath every now and then however, too much of it can strip away the natural oils that keep their coat healthy and shiny.