The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect blend of strength and speed. Their ability to train and their the ability to protect make them loved family pets.

When you are shopping for purebred german shepherd dogs, look for breeders who adhere to ethical breeding practices and are committed to the health of their dogs. Requesting pedigree documents and previous health clearances can help you identify reputable breeders.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are strong intelligent dogs that are highly capable of training. They are incredibly loyal to their families and are a fierce protector of them. The breed standard says that the GSD must be a steady temperament, confident and courageous. It must also be obedient and willing to obey.

The breed is medium in size with a slight elongation and is muscular. It has a distinct double coat that consists of a hard outer layer as well as an undercoat that is soft. The almond-shaped eyes are dark and slightly set. The ears are pointed and wide at the base. When the dog is lying down in a shady position, the tail is big and swollen. It reaches below the hocks. The dog's long, slightly sloping neck is distinctive. The chest is wide and deep. The spine is strong and the ribs are well-sprung.

In general the breed is sound However, it has some serious flaws. These include roached backs and long pasterns that hinder proper movement. The hindquarters of the dog must be strong but not exaggerated. The rear leg should never go beyond the point where the foot leaves a mark.

As working dogs, the GSD has high-drives that are naturally present (behavioral tendencies and desires towards things like territorial protectiveness and hunting prey). When these high drives aren't fulfilled in some way through work or play this can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a way that can help reduce these urges, deutscher schäferhund pflege schäferhund welpen kaufen schweiz schäferhund welpe kaufen reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund kaufen (a fantastic read) but they still require lots of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise and mental stimulation to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

GSDs are typically cautious around strangers and could be initially suspicious of them. This trait of protection makes GSDs great guard dogs, but requires proper training to prevent overreactions. If properly socialized from a young age they can make great pets for families. They are also great with children.

The GSD is resistant to disease and has a very high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can negatively impact the quality of life. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders. By taking precautions, such as limiting the dog's exposure UV rays and making sure that it is regularly vaccinated will help reduce the risk of developing these diseases.

Temperament

German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn, and extremely capable of training. They are a working dog breed that excels at a variety of tasks, including police work, herding, and search and rescue. They also excel at the detection of drugs and bombs, as well as helping blind people. They are also great pets for families. However, this powerful and confident breed needs a clear sense of purpose and the attention of an assertive owner to channel their energy and strength in a positive manner. They require a lot of exercise and space and may not be a good fit in smaller living spaces.

The ideal German shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a strong temperament. They are loyal, alert, and suspicious of strangers. If they are not socialized properly and trained, this protective and watchful behavior can turn into aggression. These dogs are often intelligent and independent, but they can also be bored. They need to find an avenue to satisfy their curiosity.

Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, employed shorter and longer-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This led to a breed that is responsive and respectful. Max von Stephanitz disagreed with those who wanted German Shepherds to be used as a showcase and ensured that his dogs were calm, had strong herding impulses, and solid body structure. He was against breeding dogs with temperaments that were unstable or with steep angles on their croups, or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would hinder the ability of the breed to fulfill its primary duties.

In addition to the hereditary ailments that can plague any dog breed, German Shepherds are prone to cancers, including Hemangiosarcoma. It is a cancer that typically affects blood-rich organs like the spleen and liver. They also can develop bone, lung or intestinal cancers.

To avoid these issues to avoid them, you must maintain your German Shepherd's physical health by providing him with an appropriate diet and exercise. You should give plenty of time to play and run around in a safe area away from traffic. Keep him groomed by scrubbing his dense double coat on a regular basis, using a de-shedding tool or an undercoat rake to get rid of loose hairs. It is recommended that you visit your vet regularly for routine health checks.

Health

German Shepherds have a healthy health history, however some health problems are present. They are prone to ear infections, and they can develop eye conditions and ears, such as degenerative myelopathy. Both female and male dogs can suffer from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that affects their ability to clot the blood.

As a working breed GSDs often engage in vigorous exercise during their training and they can suffer from joint issues as a consequence. One of the most common is hip dysplasia, characterized by the inadvertent growth and development of the joint and cartilage, leading to pain, lameness and other signs. It's not a serious condition, but it can be painful to the dog.

Breeders who are trustworthy X-ray the dogs they breed and use the results to inform breeding decisions. The x-rays help determine the health of the puppy and its genetic history, including the probability that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs at high likelihood of developing the disorder aren't breed.

Like most large breeds, German Shepherds may suffer from panosteitis, which causes bones to grow rapidly and unevenly, causing stiffness and pain in the joints. This is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing an increase in growth speed.

These dogs require a diet high in protein with a generous mix of omega-fatty acids and balanced vitamins to ensure a healthy coat and skin. They will benefit from a diet that has joint support, such as the glucosamine or chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months old age should have moderate exercise including multiple walks and, if compatible with another dog playing together, but they should not run at a high speed, as it can cause joint damage.

Table food or animal bones must be avoided, since they can trigger vomiting, digestive upset anorexia, pancreatitis, and vomiting. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion as well as digestive enzyme supplements that aid in breaking down proteins. A properly-formulated AAFCO approved diet should include the right amount of vitamins and minerals.

Training

German Shepherds are highly trainable and biddable dogs that thrive under a knowledgeable trainer's guidance. This makes them ideal for military and police work such as search and rescue and therapy dog roles, and many other specialized jobs. Their unwavering loyalty makes them a wonderful pet, provided they are well-socialized and properly trained.

The first step to raising a well-adjusted GSD is socialization. Introduce your puppy to variety of people and other animals from a young age, by taking them on frequent walks, playing games and even visiting local dog parks. This will make them feel more secure and confident and help them trust people from a young age.

Training a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. Avoid methods of negative reinforcement such as yelling, or physical punishment, which can result in fear-based aggression. Instead, use reward-based training and clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.

It is also important to provide your German Shepherd with a daily dose of enrichment. Exercises for mental stimulation can be just as important as physical exercises for the GSD, especially in a chaotic or busy household. This helps them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by street noises or storms as well as other dogs at the park, or the crowds at competitions and public events.

Some health conditions that are specific to German Shepherds are hemangiosarcoma and cancer of the bones as well as the lungs and intestinal tract, and pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these ailments can be prevented through responsible breeding and lifestyle choices.

German Shepherds are loving family dogs despite their reputation as being fearsome. When they are exposed to children as young as they can be incredibly tender and loving towards smaller pets such as cats. Nonetheless, their size and strength make them formidable guardians and they should be watched over children younger than them. If they aren't being exposed to enough socialization and training they could show signs of aggression. It is recommended to enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy class in the preschool or obedience to ensure that they are receiving the proper education and socialization they require to flourish.