Adopting a Purebred German Shepherd

Consistency, positive reinforcement, and rewarding dog training are vital for German Shepherds. They are intelligent and eager to please.

They naturally protect their family members due to their solid work ethic. They can be trained to protect themselves. They are active and require plenty of space to exercise. They also need early socialization and obedience training to mature into confident, Deutsche schäFerhundwelpen well-mannered dogs.

Origin

In the late 1800s Captain Max von Stephanitz was working to create a dog that could not be matched in its herding capabilities. It took years to find foundation stock that would meet his requirements -- both physically and temperamentally. At an exhibition for dogs in 1899, he came across an adorable German shepherd named Hektor Linksrhein. Hektor was the result of many generations of selective breeding, and he perfectly matched Von Stephanitz's vision for what a herding breed ought to be. Hektor was declared the first German Shepherd Dog, and von Stephanitz founded the Verein fur Deutsche SchäFerhundwelpen Schaferhunde (or Society for deutsche Schäferhundwelpen the German Shepherd Dog).

Breed fanciers began to standardize herding dog breeds during the second half 19th century. They were able to preserve a lot of the traits that caught Von Stephanitz's attention. And those traits still make the breed famous today. A study revealed that German Shepherds can master tasks in just five repetitions, and they follow the first command 95% of the times.

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

Due to their strong instincts to protect German Shepherds are wary around strangers and are excellent guard dogs. They are generally highly sensitive and eager to please, which makes them highly adept at training. They are strong, agile and can run at speeds up 30 miles per hour.

Due to their versatility and popularity you will see a lot of different German Shepherds in the world. The distinctive characteristics of the breed are easy to recognize, especially if familiar with the breed standard. Ask your veterinarian for help identifying the breed if you are not certain. The majority of veterinarians are familiar with the breed standards for most dogs and will be in a position to assist you quickly and efficiently.

Characteristics

If you're considering purchasing or adopting a purebred German Shepherd it's important that you locate an accredited German Shepherd breeder with pedigree documents that can be traced back several generations. Reputable breeders will also be affiliated with organizations such as the American Kennel Club, which will provide you with additional assurances of their honesty.

A purebred German Shepherd is characterized by a muscular, athletic physique with a distinct black and tan hue. Adult males weigh 65 to 90 pounds and are approximately 24 to 26 inches tall and females are typically smaller at 50-70 pounds and 22 to 25 inch tall. They have erect ears, long and elongated and an intense gaze. A well-trained German Shepherd may seem intimidating but it will be loyal to its owner and will not display aggressive behavior towards humans or other dogs.

They are very sensitive and can be a good responder to positive reinforcement-based training techniques which makes them fast learners. Socialization is essential for their development into confident and well-mannered pets. They are naturally guardians and will guard their family members. However, they'll be tolerant of strangers as long as they don't frighten them.

These agile, powerful dogs are suitable for a variety of types of work and excel in police and military duty, as well as serving in the capacity of service dogs for those who are disabled. They have a strong prey drive, and are likely to chase smaller animals. Therefore, a safe environment with plenty of positive interactions with other animals is crucial.

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

When assessing a German Shepherd's quality look for deutscher schäferhund welpe kaufen a wedge shaped head that is proportional to the size of the dog and is cleanly chiseled. The shoulders should be square and broad and straight with a back that is slightly sloped from the withers to the croup. A curly back or a large curvature of the rear legs indicates poor structural alignment. A well-constructed German Shepherd moves with a easy, smooth stride that is driven by an upward thrust of the hindquarters.

Temperament

German Shepherds are intelligent, curious dogs who are gentle and respectful but not too eager to please. They are loyal to their family and wary of strangers. This makes them a great guard dog. They thrive when their owners are active and test them physically and mentally. They need daily exercise, deutsche schäferhunde kaufen and a huge yard to play in. If they aren't sufficiently stimulated, they could use destructive methods like chewing or digging.

When selecting a breeder for your dog select a person who is enthusiastic about the breed and has an excellent knowledge of its temperament and personality. A reliable breeder will be able to discuss the background of both parents and the puppies. They can inform you if the litter has received obedience training and socialization. If a puppy isn't socialized, it may need extensive obedience and behavior training 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 puppy is more timid than the others and is not confident, it could be a warning signal. A good German Shepherd should also have a a firm, consistent grip when being held.

The muzzle is long and strong with a well developed jaw and chin. The eyes should be dark and almond shaped. The nose must be black (blue or red-colored noses are a disqualification). The teeth should be white and the top row should be slightly wider than the lower. The ears should be straight and wide at their base, with pointed tips that droop slightly when at rest.

The German Shepherd can be used in many different ways. It is a versatile dog that can be used to assist in herding as well as search and rescue, detect bombs and drugs or help blind people. This versatility makes it one the most popular breeds in the world. It is important to remember that the temperament of the German Shepherd dog can be greatly affected by its training and its upbringing.

Health

Purebred German Shepherds are extremely resilient, able to thrive in a variety of settings and roles. This makes them ideal therapy dogs, service animals, and affectionate companions. They also excel in sporting competition advanced obedience, as well as training in protection. Their dedication to work can result in careers in search and rescue, police work, or Reinrassiger SchäFerhund military careers. Despite these amazing talents, as with most breeds, GSDs can be susceptible to certain health issues.

GSDs, as a larger breed are more susceptible to joint issues such as elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These degenerative diseases can cause your dog to become lame and in pain as they age. Responsible breeding and regular health checks by your veterinarian can help reduce their effects.

Like other large breeds, German Shepherds are prone to Bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus), in which the stomach twists to fill with gas, cutting off blood flow to the liver and spleen. If untreated, bloat can be an extremely serious condition that requires immediate medical treatment.

Due to their thick, long coats and darker coloration, GSDs are also prone to heat stroke. Keep them hydrated and provide plenty of shade on hot days. We also check their eyes for signs of pannus, an immune-mediated disease that can cause blindness if not treated promptly.

Many hereditary and inherited diseases can affect your German Shepherd's digestive system, such as hemangiosarcoma cancer of the blood vessels, exocrine pancreatic dysfunction (EPI) and von Willebrand disease, and intervertebral disk disease (IVDD). The last is when the cushion of jelly that divides the vertebrae of the spine breaks or falls, causing pressure on the spinal cord. The signs of IVDD are an inability to go up stairs or jump and a hunched back. discomfort when touched, and dragging the rear feet.

As with all dogs, it is important to ensure that you keep your German Shepherd on a high-quality diet and avoid table food which can lead to weight increase and nutritional deficiencies. Regularly brush their coats to keep an appearance that is clean and healthy. A bath is fine occasionally, but overdoing it can strip the natural oils that keep the coat looking shiny and healthy.