The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect balance of strength and agility. Their high trainability and protection instincts make them loved family pets.
When looking for a purebred German Shepherd Choose breeders who are concerned about the health of their dogs and follow ethical breeding. Requesting pedigree documents and prior health clearances will help you find reputable breeders.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are smart, powerful dogs that are easy to train. They are incredibly loyal to their family members and are a fierce protector of them. Breed standard states the GSD must be confident and courageous. They should also have an unwavering temperament. It must also be tractable and willing to be a pleasure to.
The breed is medium in size, slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a distinct double coat that consists of a hard outer layer as well as a soft undercoat. The eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and positioned in a oblique manner. The ears are pointed and wide at the base. When the dog is laying down on its back, the tail becomes bushy. It extends below the hocks. The neck of the breed is long and sloping slightly. The chest is wide and deep. The spine is firm and the ribs are well-sprung.
The breed is generally sound however, it does have some serious issues, like roached-backs and long pasterns that interfere with the correct movement. Its hindquarters must be powerful but not overexaggerated. The rear leg should never go beyond the point where the foot makes an impression.
As working dogs as well as working dogs, the GSD has naturally high drives (behavioral tendencies and desires for things like territorial protection and hunting prey). If these drives aren't fulfilled through work or play this can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds were bred to help dampen these impulses. However, they still require a lot of positive reinforcement, physical exercise, and mental stimulation in order to maintain a balance life.
GSDs are generally cautious and suspicious of strangers initially. This makes them excellent guard dogs and requires the right training to avoid triggering reactions. When socialized properly early in life, they make wonderful pets for the family. They also make great children.
The GSD is resilient to disease and has a very high threshold for pain, however certain health conditions can negatively impact the quality of life. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders. Making sure to limit the dog's exposure to harmful UV rays, and ensuring regular vaccinations are given to the dog will lower the risk of these conditions.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent, eager to learn, and extremely trainable. They are a working breed that excel in a variety jobs, including herding, police work such as search and rescue as well as drug and bomb detection, and guiding the blind. They also make excellent pet for families. However, this strong and confident breed needs an unwavering sense of purpose and the attention of an assertive owner to harness their energy and strength in a positive way. They require a lot of exercise and room, and may not be a good fit in apartments or smaller living spaces.
The ideal German shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a strong temperament. They are loyal, vigilant, and suspicious of strangers. If they aren't properly socialized and trained to be vigilant and protective, this behavior can turn into aggression. These dogs can be intelligent and independent, but they can also be bored. They need to find ways to satisfy their natural curiosity.
The founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, longhaired and shorthaired German Shepherds, in his breeding program to develop the obedient and responsive breed that we see today. Max von Stephanitz was not one of those who wanted German Shepherds to be used as a showcase and made sure that his dogs had stable tempers, strong herding impulses, as well as a sound body structure. He even resisted breeding with dogs that had unstable temperaments or steep angles in their croups, as well as front and rear pasterns since he believed that these traits could hinder the ability of the breed to perform its work.
German Shepherds are also susceptible to cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is the most common cancer that affects the spleen and liver organs that have a high blood supply. They may also develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers.
You can prevent these diseases by ensuring the physical health of your German Shepherd. This includes giving him a balanced diet and regular exercise. You should give plenty of time to run and play in a safe area free of traffic. Keep him clean by brushing his dense double coat on a regular basis by using a de-shedding tool or a rake undercoat to remove hairs that are loose. You should also take him to your veterinarian regularly for routine health checks.
schäferhund kaufen have a good health record, but some health issues are present. They are prone to ear infections and can develop conditions that affect their eyes and ears like degenerative amyelopathy. They also may suffer from an inherited disease called hereditary von Willebrand's disease, which impacts their ability to clot blood, and can be found in females and males dogs.
As a working breed, many GSDs undergo strenuous training and can develop joint issues as a result. Hip dysplasia is an extremely common condition that causes lameness, pain and other symptoms. It is not a major condition but can be painful to the dog.
A reputable breeder will X-ray their dog and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health and genetic background of the puppy, including how likely it is to develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high risk of developing dysplasia do not breed.
Like many large breeds, German Shepherds can suffer from panosteitis, which causes bones to grow rapidly and unevenly, which causes stiffness and pain in the legs. This is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing a rapid growth spurt.
These dogs require a diet high in protein and a large mix of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to maintain skin and coat health. These dogs are able to benefit from a diet with joint support, like glucosamine or chondroitin. Dogs under the age of 18 months should get moderate exercise like walking and playing with a different dog if they are compatible. However they shouldn't run at full speed because this can damage their joints that are growing.
Avoid feeding bone from animals or table food, as they can cause digestive upsets, vomiting, anorexia and pancreatitis. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion and digestive enzyme supplements to aid in breaking down proteins. A properly-formulated AAFCO approved diet should have the right amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are highly trainable and biddable dogs that thrive under a skilled trainer's guidance. This makes them ideal for military and police work, search and rescue as well as therapy dog roles and many other specializations. But their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a wonderful pet for the family when properly trained and socialized.
The first step in establishing an appropriately adjusted GSD is socialization. Introduce your puppy to variety of people and animals at an early age, taking them for frequent walks, playing games and visiting local dog parks. This will help them feel secure and at ease in a new setting and will help them learn to trust humans from an early age.
Training for a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. It is crucial to stay clear of negative reinforcement methods, such as physical and verbal punishment, as they can lead to fear-based aggression. Use clicker training or rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
It is also important to give your German Shepherd with a daily dose of enrichment. Mental stimulation exercises are just as important to a GSD as physical exercise, especially in the case of a busy household. This will help them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by road sounds or storms, other dogs at the park, or crowds during competitions and public events.
German Shepherds are at risk of a number of health conditions that include Hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the bones, lungs and the intestinal tract) as well as pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these diseases can be prevented through responsible breeding and lifestyle accommodations.
German Shepherds are loyal family dogs, despite their reputation for being feared. They are often loved by children and are gentle with smaller pets, like cats, if they are exposed to them from the age of. They are formidable guardians due to their size and strength, but they should be watched when around young children. They may also show signs of a hereditary tendency towards aggression if not given the proper training and socialization opportunities. It is recommended that you enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy preschool or obedience classes to ensure they receive the training and socialization they need to flourish.