The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD represents the perfect balance of strength and agility. Their ability to train and their protection instincts make them cherished family pets.

When shopping for a purebred german shepherd dog, look for breeders who practice ethical breeding and prioritize the health of their dogs. You can determine reliable breeders by asking for pedigree papers and prior German Shepherd for sale health clearances.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are strong, intelligent dogs that are trainable. They are loyal to their family and can be a formidable guardian. The breed standard states that the GSD must be steady of temperament, self-assured and courageous. It must also be tractable and willing to be a pleasure to.

The breed is muscular, medium-sized, and slightly longer. It has a distinct double coat, which is comprised of an outer layer of hardness and a soft undercoat. Its eyes are dark and almond-shaped, and positioned obliquely. Its ears are wide and pointed at the base. The tail is long and reaches to the hocks below when the dog is lying down. The breed's neck is long and sloping slightly. The chest is wide and deep. The ribs are well-sprung, and the spine is solid.

In general the breed is sound, but serious faults include roached backs as well as 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 at which the foot makes an impression.

As working dogs As working dogs, the GSD has naturally high drives (behavioral tendencies and desires towards things like territorial protectiveness and hunting prey). If these high-drives aren't satisfied in some way through play or work this can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds were developed to reduce these impulses. However, they still require a lot of positive reinforcement, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to keep a balanced life.

GSDs are generally shy and cautious towards strangers at first. This trait of protection makes GSDs excellent guard dogs, however it requires proper training to avoid overreactions. If properly socialized at a young age they can be wonderful family pets. They are also great with children.

The GSD has an extremely high threshold for pain and is resistant to illness, however it is also susceptible to certain health issues that could affect its quality of living. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders as well as immune-mediated diseases. Preventing these conditions by limiting your dog's exposure UV rays and making sure it receives regular vaccinations can aid.

Temperament

German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn. They are also highly capable of training. They are a working breed that excel at a variety of jobs, including herding, police work such as search and rescue, detection of drugs and bombs and guiding blind people. They also make excellent family pets. This strong and confident breed requires a clear and precise goal and the attention and purebred German Shepherd dog focus of a confident owner to harness their energy and strength positively. They require plenty of space and exercise. They may not be suitable for smaller living spaces.

The ideal German Shepherd is balanced and confident, with a solid and stable temperament. They are loyal and alert and they are suspicious of strangers. This watchful and protective behaviour can become aggressive when not properly trained, socialized and supervised. These dogs are very intelligent and can be very independent and easily bored, so they need a good outlet for their natural curiosity.

Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, employed longhaired and shorterhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This created a breed that is responsive and respectful. He was opposed to those who believed that German Shepherds should be a display dog, and he made sure his dogs had stable temperaments and strong herding instincts and a sound body structure. He refused to breed dogs with temperaments that were unstable, or with sharp angles on their croups, Schäferhund Welpen kaufen schweiz or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would impede the ability of the breed to carry out its primary duties.

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

To prevent these conditions to avoid them, you must maintain your German Shepherd's physical well-being by feeding him the right diet and exercise. It is important to give him plenty of time to play and run outdoors in a secure area free of traffic. Make sure to regularly brush his double coat with the deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. It is also recommended to take him to your veterinarian regularly for regular health checks.

Health

German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, but they do have certain health issues. They are prone to ear infections and they can develop ailments that affect their eyes and ears such as degenerative amyelopathy. They may also suffer from an illness that is genetic, known as hereditary von Willebrand's disorder, which impacts their ability to clot blood. It is present in both male and female dogs.

As a breed that is primarily used for work, GSDs are often involved in strenuous training and they may suffer from joint problems as a result. The most frequent is hip dysplasia, characterized by the inadvertent growth and development of cartilage and joint that can result in pain, lameness and other signs. This is not always a serious issue, but it can be painful for the dog.

Breeders with a good reputation are able to X-ray their dogs and use the results to inform breeding decisions. The x-rays can aid in determining the health of the puppy and its genetic history, including the possibility that it could develop dysplasia. Dogs at high risk of developing dysplasia aren't bred.

Panosteitis can be a problem for German Shepherds. The condition causes the bones to grow rapidly and unevenly. This can result in pain and stiffness. The condition is particularly prevalent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs less than 18 months old who are experiencing a large growth spurt.

They require an diet rich in protein, as well as an abundance of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to support the health of their coat and skin. They can benefit from joint support in their diet including glucosamine as well as chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months should be given moderate exercise such as walking and playing with a different dog if they're compatible. However they shouldn't run at full speed as this could damage their joints that are growing.

Foods that are table-based or contain animal bones should be avoided, because they can cause vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Adults and puppies 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 appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals.

Training

German Shepherds are highly-trainable and biddable dogs that thrive under a knowledgeable handler's guidance. They are a great choice for police, military, search and rescue and therapy dog roles. However, their dedication to their job makes them a great family pet when properly trained and socialized.

Socialization is the first step towards raising a well adjusted GSD. From a young age, expose your puppy to different animals and people. Take them for frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will help them feel comfortable and secure in a new setting and will help them develop trust in humans at an early age.

Training for a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. Avoid negative reinforcement methods such as yelling, or physical punishment, which could lead to fear based aggression. Instead, opt for rewards-based training and clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.

Daily enrichment is essential for your German Shepherd. Exercises for mental stimulation can be as important as physical exercise for an GSD particularly in a hectic or busy household. This will help keep their attention and focus so that they are less likely to be distracted by street noises storms and other dogs in the park, or the crowds at competitions and public events.

German Shepherds are prone to a number of health conditions, Deutscher SchäFerhund Kaufen including Hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the bones, lungs and intestinal tract) as well as pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these ailments are preventable through responsible breeding and lifestyle accommodations.

German Shepherds are devoted family dogs, despite their reputation as being fearsome. They are often loved by children and are gentle with smaller pets, such as cats, if they are exposed to them at an early age. Nonetheless, their size and strength make them excellent guardians and they should be supervised around younger children. They may also show indications of a genetic tendency to aggression if not given the proper training and socialization opportunities. It is recommended that you enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy class in the preschool or obedience to ensure that they receive the training and socialization they need to flourish.