The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD represents the perfect combination of strength and agility. Its high trainability and natural protective instincts make them beloved family dogs.

If you are looking for purebred german shepherd dogs, look for breeders who practice ethical breeding and prioritize the health of their animals. You can determine trustworthy breeders by requesting documents on pedigrees and prior health clearances.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are strong, intelligent dogs that are highly trainable. They are extremely affectionate to their families and are a fierce protector of them. The breed standard states that the GSD must be confident and courageous. They should also have a steady temperament. It must also be respectful and willing to obey.

The breed is strong, medium-sized and slightly extended. It has a distinct double coat, which is comprised of a hard outer layer and a soft undercoat. Its almond-shaped eyes are dark and slightly set. Its ears are wide at the base and pointed. The tail is slender and reaches to below the hocks when the dog is in a relaxed state. The breed's neck is long and slightly sloping. The chest is wide and deep. The ribs are well-sprung and the spine is strong.

In general the breed is sound however, serious issues include roached backs as well as long pasterns that interfere with correct movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong but not exaggerated. The rear leg should never extend beyond the point where the foot leaves an impression.

As working dogs, GSDs naturally possess high-energy drives. These are the behaviors and desires that include territorial protection as well as hunting of prey. If these drives are not satisfied in some way, like through play or work, it can lead aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds have been created to help reduce these urges. However, they need lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation to maintain a balance life.

GSDs are generally shy and cautious towards strangers at first. This protective trait makes them excellent guard dogs and schäferhund beschützerinstinkt requires the right training to avoid triggering reactions. They are wonderful pets for families when they are socialized properly at a young age and are generally good with children.

The GSD is a resilient species to illness and has a high threshold for pain, however certain health conditions can impact the quality of life. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders as well as immune-mediated diseases. Taking precautions such as limiting the dog's exposure to harsh UV rays and making sure that it is regularly vaccinated will reduce the risk of these conditions.

Temperament

German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn, and extremely trainable. They are a working breed that excel at a variety of jobs, including herding, police work, search and rescue drug and bomb detection, and guiding the blind. They are also great family pets. However, this powerful and confident breed requires a clear sense of purpose and the attention of a confident owner to use their strength and energy in a positive way. They require plenty of exercise and space, and may not be a good fit in apartments or 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 watchful and protective behavior can turn into aggression if not properly trained, socialized and supervised. They are extremely intelligent and can be self-sufficient and easily bored, and they require an outlet that can satisfy their natural curiosity.

Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, utilized shorter and longer-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This resulted in an animal that is receptive and deutscher schäferhund kaufen österreich belgischer schäferhund welpen kaufen österreich deutscher schäferhund welpe kaufen schäferhund welpen kaufen schweiz (atavi.com) obedient. Max von Stephanitz was not one of those who wanted to use German Shepherds to be a showpiece. He made sure that his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding impulses, as well as solid body structure. He also refused to breed some of his dogs who had unstable temperaments or sharp angles in their croups and front and rear pasterns, as he believed these traits would undermine the breed's ability to do its job as it is.

In addition to the hereditary ailments that can plague any dog breed German Shepherds are also susceptible to cancers such as hemangiosarcoma, which most commonly affects blood-rich organs, such as the liver and spleen. They may also develop lung, bone or intestinal cancers.

You can prevent these conditions by maintaining the physical health of your German Shepherd. This includes providing him with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Make sure that he has plenty of opportunities to exercise and play outdoors in a secure area free of traffic and other dangers. Regularly brush your double coat, using the deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. It is recommended that you bring him to the vet regularly for regular health checks.

Health

German Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, however they do have some health issues. They are prone to ear infections and can develop conditions that affect their ears and eyes such as degenerative amyelopathy. Female and male dogs can suffer from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that affects their ability to clot the blood.

GSDs are a working breed, and Deutscher SchäFerhund Kaufen Schweiz as such, they undergo rigorous training. This means that they can develop joint problems. The most frequent is hip dysplasia, characterized by a lack of growth and development of the cartilage and joint that can result in lameness, pain and other signs. It is not a major condition but can be painful to the dog.

Breeders who are reputable X-ray their dogs and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays help determine the health of the puppy and its genetic background, including the probability 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 bones to grow quickly and unevenly. This can cause pain and stiffness. This condition is most 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, with a good mix of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to ensure skin and coat health. They can benefit from joint support in their diet, such as glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months should get moderate exercise such as walking and playing with another dog if they're compatible. However it is not recommended to run at a high speed, since this could cause damage to their joints that are growing.

Avoid feeding table food or animal bone as they can trigger digestive upsets, vomiting, anorexia and pancreatitis. Dogs of all ages can benefit from a probiotic supplement to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements to aid in breaking down proteins. Mineral and vitamin supplements aren't necessary in the sense that a well-formulated and approved AAFCO diet should provide the proper amount of these nutrients.

Training

German Shepherds are highly-trainable and biddable dogs who thrive under a skilled guide's supervision. They are an excellent choice for police and military work, search and rescue as well as therapy dog roles and many other specialized jobs. Their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a great pet, if properly socialized and trained.

Socialization is the first step in creating a well-adjusted GSD. From an early age, expose your puppy to different people and Deutscher SchäFerhund Kaufen Schweiz animals. Take them for frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will make them feel confident and comfortable in a new place and ensure that they develop trust in humans at an early age.

Training a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. It is essential to avoid negative reinforcement methods, such as physical and verbal punishment, as they can cause fear-based aggression. Use clicker training or rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.

It is also essential to provide your German Shepherd with a regular dose of enrichment. Mental stimulation exercises are just as important for an GSD as physical exercise, especially if you live in a household with lots of people. This will help to keep their attention and focus, so they are less likely to become distracted by noises from the street, thunderstorms, other dogs in the park, or crowds at sporting events and public events.

German Shepherds are prone to a number of health conditions such as Hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the bones, lungs and the intestinal tract) as well as pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these ailments can be prevented by implementing responsible breeding practices and the right lifestyle choices.

Despite their infamous reputation German Shepherds are devoted family pets. They are usually friendly with children and gentle with smaller pets, such as cats, if they are exposed to them from an early age. They are extremely effective guardians due their size and strength, but they should be supervised when they are around young children. If they aren't exposed enough to training and socialization and are not properly socialized, they could exhibit signs of aggression. It is recommended to enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy class in the preschool or obedience to ensure that they receive the education and socialization they require to thrive.