The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect balance of strength and agility. Its training capabilities are high and its natural instincts to protect make them loved family dogs.

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

Characteristics

German Shepherds are powerful intelligent dogs that are easily capable of being trained. They are loyal to their families and are able to be fearless guardians. The breed standard states that the GSD must be steady of temperament, confident and courageous. It should also be able to be handled and willing to please.

The breed is medium-sized slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a distinctive double coat that consists of a hard outer layer as well as a soft undercoat. Its eyes are dark and almond-shaped, and set obliquely. Its ears are wide at the base and pointed. The tail is long and extends down to below the hocks when the dog is in a relaxed state. The neck of the breed is long and slightly sloping. The chest is large and deep. The ribs are well-sprung and the spine is firm.

The breed is generally healthy however it is prone to serious faults such as roached-backs and long pasterns, which hinder the proper movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong but not overexaggerated. The rear leg should never extend beyond the point where the foot makes an impression.

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

GSDs are generally reserved and suspicious towards strangers at first. This makes them great guard dogs. It requires the right training to avoid triggering reactions. They are great family pets when properly socialized from a young age and they're generally great with children.

The GSD is resilient to illnesses and has a high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can affect the quality of life. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders. To prevent these conditions, limiting your dog's exposure UV rays and making sure you get regular vaccinations will help.

Temperament

German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn, and extremely trainable. They are an active dog breed that excels at many tasks, including police work, herding and search and rescue. They also excel at the detection of drugs and bombs, as well as guiding blind people. They also make excellent family companions. However, this powerful and schäferhund welpe kaufen confident breed requires a clear sense of purpose and the attention of a confident owner to channel their energy and strength in a positive way. They require plenty of exercise and space and may not be suitable in smaller living spaces.

The ideal German shepherd is well-balanced and confident with a firm temperament. They are loyal, vigilant, and suspicious of strangers. This guardian and attentive behavior can escalate into aggression when not properly trained, socialized, and controlled. These dogs are often intelligent, independent and easily bored. They need to find an avenue to satisfy their curiosity.

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 know today. Max von Stephanitz did not agree with those who wanted to use German Shepherds to be a showpiece. He made sure that his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding instincts, and a sound body structure. He was against breeding dogs with unstable temperaments, or with sharp angles on their croups, front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would undermine the ability of the breed to carry out its primary duties.

German Shepherds can also be susceptible to cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a common cancer that affects the liver and spleen organs, which have a higher blood supply. They also can develop lung, schäFerhundwelpen kaufen bone, or intestinal cancers.

To avoid these ailments to avoid them, you must maintain your German Shepherd's physical health by feeding him a an appropriate diet and exercise. Make sure he has plenty of opportunities to run and Reinrassiger Deutscher schäFerhund play outdoors in a safe space free of traffic and other dangers. Keep him looking neat by scrubbing his dense double coat on a regular basis and using a de-shedding device or an undercoat rake to get rid of loose hairs. It is also important to ensure that you visit the vet on a regular basis for his routine health check-ups.

Health

German Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, however they do have certain health issues. They are prone to ear infections and they can develop ailments that affect their eyes and ears like degenerative amyelopathy. They also may suffer from a genetic disease known as hereditary von Willebrand's disease which affects their ability to clot blood and is found in both female and male dogs.

GSDs are a working breed, Deutsche schäferhunde Welpen Kaufen österreich and as such, they undergo rigorous training. In the process, they can develop joint problems. One of the most common is hip dysplasia. It is characterized by the inadvertent growth and development of the cartilage and joint which can cause pain, lameness, and other symptoms. This is not always a serious condition but it can be painful for the dog.

Breeders who are reputable are able to X-ray their dogs and use the results to inform breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health and genetic background of the puppy, as well as how likely it is to develop dysplasia. Dogs with a high likelihood of developing the disorder are not bred.

Panosteitis can be a problem for German Shepherds. The condition causes the bones to grow rapidly and unevenly. This can lead to stiffness and pain. The condition is particularly frequent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs under 18 months of age who are experiencing an enormous growth spurt.

The dogs need a diet high in protein and a large mix of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to maintain a healthy coat and skin. Dogs with arthritis will benefit from a diet with joint support, like chondroitin or glucosamine. Dogs younger than 18 months age should exercise moderately like walking on a regular basis and, if compatible with other dogs playing together, but they should not be allowed to run at full speed as this could cause damage to joints that are growing.

Avoid feeding animal bone or table food because they can cause digestive upsets, vomiting, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Puppies and adults can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements to aid in breaking down proteins. A properly-formulated AAFCO approved diet should include the proper amount of vitamins and minerals.

Training

German Shepherds are intelligent and German Shepherd puppies highly trainable dogs that thrive when they're under the supervision by a knowledgeable handler. They are therefore a good option for military, police, search and rescue and therapy dog roles. However, their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a wonderful pet for the family when properly trained and socialized.

The first step to raising an appropriately adjusted GSD is socialization. As a puppy expose your puppy various animals and people. Take them on frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will help them feel confident and comfortable in a new setting and help them learn to trust humans from an early age.

Training for a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. It is important to avoid negative reinforcement methods like shouting and physical punishment as they can cause fear-based aggression. Instead, use clicker training and schäferhundwelpen Kaufen rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.

Daily enrichment is important for your German Shepherd. The stimulation of the mind is equally important as physical exercise for the GSD, especially in a hectic or busy household. This helps them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by street noises or storms or other dogs in the park, or crowds during competitions and public events.

German Shepherds are prone to various health issues that include Hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the bones, lungs and intestinal tract), pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these conditions can be avoided through responsible breeding practices and appropriate lifestyle choices.

Despite their reputation for being a savage breed German Shepherds are loving family pets. They are generally loved by children and are gentle with smaller pets, such as cats, when exposed to them at a young age. However, their size and strength make them excellent guardians, and they should always be observed around children who are younger. If they're not sufficiently exposed to socialization and training they could show signs of aggression. It is recommended that you enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy class in the preschool or obedience to ensure they receive the training and socialization they need to thrive.