The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect combination of speed and strength. Its training capabilities are high and its natural protective instincts make them loved family dogs.

When shopping for a purebred german shepherd dog, look for breeders who have a commitment to ethical breeding and who are concerned about the health of their animals. You can identify reliable breeders by asking for pedigree papers and Deutscher SchäFerhund Kaufen Schweiz previous health clearances.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are powerful, intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They are loyal to their family and can be fierce guardians. The breed standard states that a GSD must be confident and courageous, as well as possess a steady temperament. It must also be able to be handled and willing to be a pleasure to.

The breed is muscular, medium-sized, and slightly extended. It has a double coat that consists of an outer layer of hardness and a softer undercoat. The almond-shaped eyes of the dog are dark and slightly set. The ears are wide and pointed at the base. When the dog is laying down on its back, the tail becomes large and bushy. It is a little below the hocks. The neck of the breed is long and sloping slightly. The chest is large and deep. The ribs are well-sprung and the spine is solid.

In general the breed is sound however, serious issues include roached backs and long pasterns that hinder correct movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong however, they should not be overly exaggerated. The rear leg should never pass in the direction of where the forefoot makes an impression.

As working dogs, GSDs naturally possess high drive. These are behaviors and desires that include territorial protection as well as hunting of prey. If these high-drives aren't fulfilled in some way through play or work this can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds have been created to help reduce these drives. However, they need lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation to keep a balanced life.

GSDs tend to be cautious and suspicious of strangers at first. This protective trait makes them excellent guard dogs and requires proper training to avoid overreactions. When socialized properly early in life they can make great pets for the family. They are also great with kids.

The GSD is a resilient species to illness and has a high threshold for pain, however certain health conditions can negatively impact the quality of its life. These include epilepsy/seizures, bleeding disorders, and immune-mediated diseases. By taking precautions, such as limiting the dog's exposure to harmful UV rays, and ensuring it is regularly vaccinated will reduce the chance of developing these conditions.

Temperament

German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn. They are also highly capable of training. They are a working breed that excel in a variety of tasks, including herding police work, search and rescue bomb and drug detection, and guiding the blind. They also make great companions for families. This powerful and confident breed requires a clear and precise goal and the attention and focus of a confident owner to harness their energy and strength in a positive way. They need a lot of exercise and space and might not be suited for smaller living spaces.

The ideal German Shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a solid and stable temperament. They are loyal, alert, and suspicious of strangers. If they are not socialized properly and trained in this manner, their protective and vigilant behavior can become aggression. These dogs are often intelligent, independent and easily bored. They must find an avenue to satisfy their natural curiosity.

Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, utilized longhaired and shorterhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This resulted in an animal that is receptive and obedient. Max von Stephanitz was not one of those who wanted German Shepherds to be used as a showcase and ensured that his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding instincts, and an ideal body structure. He even resisted breeding certain dogs that were temperamentally unstable or had sharp angles in their croups, as well as front and rear pasterns, since he believed that these traits could hamper the breed's ability to perform its traditional work.

In addition to the hereditary diseases that affect every dog breed German Shepherds are also prone to cancers such as Hemangiosarcoma. It is a cancer that typically affects blood-rich organs such as the liver and spleen. They may also develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers.

You can avoid these ailments by maintaining the physical well-being of your German Shepherd. This means providing him with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Make sure that he has plenty of opportunities to run and play outdoors, in a safe area free of traffic and other dangers. Keep him clean by brushing his dense double coat on a regular basis by using a de-shedding tool or undercoat rake to remove hairs that have fallen off. It is recommended that you bring him to the vet regularly for regular health check-ups.

Health

German Shepherds have a good health record, but some health problems are present. They are susceptible to ear infections and may develop conditions that affect their ears and eyes like degenerative amyelopathy. Both male and female dogs are susceptible to suffering from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that affects their ability to clot the blood.

GSDs are a working breed, and as such, they go through strenuous training. As a result, they are prone to developing joint issues. Hip dysplasia is an extremely common condition that causes lameness, pain and other symptoms. It's not always a serious issue but it can cause pain for dogs.

Breeders who are reputable X-ray their dogs and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health of the puppy as well as its genetic history, german Shepherd kaufen which includes the possibility that it could develop dysplasia. Dogs at high risk of developing the disorder are not breeding.

Panosteitis can be a problem for German Shepherds. The condition causes bones to grow quickly and unevenly. This can cause stiffness and pain. This condition is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing rapid growth.

They require an diet rich in protein, as well as a large amount of omega fatty acids as well as balanced vitamins to maintain healthy coat and skin. They can benefit from food with joint support, such as chondroitin or glucosamine. Dogs who are less than 18 months should be given moderate exercise, such as walking and playing with a different dog if they are compatible. However they shouldn't run at a high speed, since this could cause damage to the joints they are developing.

Avoid feeding animal bone or table food as they can trigger digestive upsets, vomiting, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Puppies and adult dogs may benefit from a probiotic supplementation to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements to aid with breaking down proteins. Vitamin and mineral supplements are not required since a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should supply the appropriate amount of these nutrients.

Training

German Shepherds are highly trainable and biddable dogs who thrive under a skilled trainer's guidance. They are therefore a great choice for military, german shepherd dog care police search and rescue, and therapy dog roles. However, their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a great family pet when properly trained and socialized.

Socialization is the first step towards raising a well adjusted GSD. Introduce your puppy to variety of people and other animals from an early age, taking them for frequent walks, playing games, and even visiting local dog parks. This will make them feel secure and at ease in a new environment and help them become comfortable with humans from an early age.

Training for a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. It is important to avoid negative reinforcement methods, Was Kostet Ein Reinrassiger SchäFerhund such as shouting and physical punishment as they can trigger fear-based aggression. Use clicker training and reward-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.

Daily enrichment is essential for your German Shepherd. The exercises for mental stimulation are just as important for a GSD as physical exercise, particularly when you have an area with a lot of activity. This will help them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by street noises or storms as well as other dogs at the park, or crowds during competitions and public events.

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

Despite their reputation for being a savage breed German Shepherds are loving family pets. When they are exposed to children from a young age they can be incredibly affectionate and gentle towards smaller pets like cats. They are powerful guardians due to their size and strength however, they must be monitored when they are around young children. They could also exhibit indications of a genetic predisposition to aggression if not provided with appropriate training and socialization opportunities. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he gets the training and socialization he requires to be successful.