The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect combination of strength and agility. Their high trainability and protection instincts make them cherished family pets.
When looking for a purebred German Shepherd, choose breeders who prioritize the health of their dogs and follow ethical breeding. Requesting pedigree papers as well as previous health clearances can help you identify reputable breeders.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are powerful, intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They are loyal to their family and can be a formidable guardian. The breed standard states that the GSD must be a steady temperament, self assured, and courageous. It must also be respectful and willing to please.
The breed is medium in size, slightly elongated, and muscular. schäferhund kaufen has a double coat made up of an outer layer of hardness and a soft undercoat. The eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and positioned in a oblique manner. The ears are wide and pointed at the base. When the dog is resting in a shady position, the tail is large and bushy. It reaches below the hocks. The neck of the breed is long and sloping slightly. The chest is wide and deep. The spine is solid and the ribs are well-sprung.
In general the breed is sound, but serious faults include roached backs and lengthy pasterns that interfere with correct movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong however, they should not be overly exaggerated and the rear leg should not go ahead of the point at which the forefoot makes an impression.
As working dogs, GSDs naturally possess high drives. These are behaviors and needs that involve territorial protection and chasing of prey. If these drives are not fulfilled in a particular way, for example through play or work or playing, it can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds have been created to help reduce these drives. However, they require a lot of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation in order to keep their lives in balance.
GSDs are usually cautious around strangers and could be suspicious of them at first. This trait of protection makes GSDs excellent guard dogs, but requires proper training to avoid overreactions. They make wonderful family pets when they are socialized properly at a young age and they're generally great with children.
The GSD is resilient to illnesses and has a high threshold for pain, however certain health conditions can affect the quality of life. These include seizures and epilepsy and bleeding disorders as well as immune-mediated diseases. 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 highly capable of being trained. They are a working breed and excel at a variety of jobs, including herding, police work, search and rescue, bomb and drug detection, and guiding the blind. They are also excellent pets for families. This ferocious and confident breed requires a clear and precise goal as well as the attention and focus of a responsible owner to harness their energy and strength in a positive way. They require lots of space and exercise and might not be suitable for apartments or other smaller living spaces.
The ideal German shepherd is well-balanced and confident with a strong temperament. They are loyal, alert and sceptical of strangers. This watchful and protective behaviour can become aggressive when not properly trained, socialized, and managed. They are extremely intelligent and can be self-sufficient and easily bored, which is why they require a good outlet for their natural curiosity.
The founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, longhaired and shorthaired German Shepherds in his breeding program to create the kind of dog that was obedient and responsive that we see today. He did not agree with those who believed that German Shepherds should be a showpiece, and he made sure his dogs were stable in their temperaments and strong herding instincts and a sound body structure. He even refused to breed certain dogs that were temperamentally unstable or had sharp angles in their croups and front and rear pasterns because he believed that these characteristics could hinder the ability of the breed to perform its work.
German Shepherds can also be prone to cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a frequent cancer that affects the liver and spleen organs that have a high blood supply. They can also develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers.
You can prevent these conditions by maintaining the physical health of your German Shepherd. This means providing him with a nutritious diet and regular exercise. You should allow plenty of time to run and play in a secure area away from traffic. Make sure to regularly brush his double coat, using the deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. It is also recommended to take him to your veterinarian regularly for routine health checks.
Health
German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, but they do have some health issues. They are susceptible to ear infections, and they can develop eye conditions and ears, including degenerative myelopathy. Both male and female can be affected by hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that affects the ability of clotting blood.
As a working breed GSDs often engage in vigorous exercise during their training, and they may suffer from joint issues as a consequence. Hip dysplasia is a common condition that causes lameness, pain and other signs. It isn't always a serious condition, but it can cause pain for dogs.
Breeders who are reputable X-ray the dogs they breed and use the results for breeding decisions. The x-rays help determine the health of the puppy as well as its genetic history, including the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high chance of developing the disorder aren't breeding.
Panosteitis can affect German Shepherds. The condition causes the bones to grow quickly and unevenly. This can lead to pain and stiffness. This condition is most frequent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs under 18 months of age who are going through an enormous growth spurt.
These dogs need food that is rich in protein, with a large amount of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to support a healthy skin and coat. Dogs with arthritis are able to benefit from a diet that has joints-supporting ingredients, such as glucosamine or chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months old age should exercise moderately like walking on a regular basis and, if they are compatible with other dogs, playing together, but should not be allowed to run at full speed as this could cause damage to joints that are growing.
Feeding table food or bones from animals should be avoided, as these can cause digestive upset, vomiting anorexia, pancreatitis, and vomiting. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion as well as digestive enzyme supplements that help break down proteins. A well-formulated AAFCO approved diet should have the proper amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are smart, highly trainable dogs who thrive when they're under the guidance of a skilled handler. They are a great choice for military, police search and rescue and therapy dog roles. Their constant loyalty makes them a wonderful pet, provided they are properly socialized and trained.
Socialization is the first step to raising a well adjusted GSD. Introduce your puppy to a range of people and animals at an early age, taking them on frequent walks, playing games and even visiting local dog parks. This will make them feel confident and comfortable in a new place and will help them become comfortable with humans from an early age.
Training a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. Avoid methods of negative reinforcement like yelling or physical punishment, which could lead to fear based aggression. Use clicker training or rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
Daily enrichment is crucial for your German Shepherd. The exercises for mental stimulation are just as important for a GSD as physical exercise, particularly if you live in an area with a lot of activity. This will help them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by street noises or storms, other dogs at the park, or crowds at competitions and public events.
German Shepherds are prone to a number of health conditions that include Hemangiosarcoma (cancer of bones, lungs, and intestinal tract), pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these diseases can be prevented by responsible breeding and lifestyle changes.
Despite their reputation for being a savage breed, German Shepherds make devoted family pets. They are usually friendly with children and gentle with smaller pets, such as cats, if they are they are exposed to them from the age of. They are extremely effective guardians due their size and strength, but they should be supervised when they are around children. They could also exhibit indications of a genetic predisposition to aggression if not exposed to appropriate training and socialization opportunities. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he receives the training and socialization that he needs to flourish.