The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD represents the perfect balance of agility and strength. Their high trainability and protective instincts make these dogs loved family pets.
If you are looking for purebred german shepherd dogs Look for breeders who adhere to ethical breeding practices and are committed to the health of their dogs. You can determine reliable breeders by asking for documents on pedigrees and previous health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are smart, powerful dogs that are easy to train. They are loyal to their family and are able to be a formidable guardian. Breed standard states the GSD must be confident and courageous, as well as possess a steady temperament. It must also be obedient and willing to be obedient.
The breed is medium in size, slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a distinctive double coat, which is comprised of a hard outer layer and an undercoat that is soft. The eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and positioned in a oblique manner. The ears are wide at the base and pointed. When the dog is lying down on its back, the tail becomes big and swollen. It reaches below the hocks. The breed's neck is long and sloping slightly. The chest is wide and deep. The ribs are strong and the spine is strong.
The breed is generally sound, but it has serious faults such as roached-backs and long pasterns that hinder proper movement. The hindquarters of the dog must be strong but not overexaggerated. The rear leg should never extend beyond the point at which the foot leaves a mark.
As working dogs, GSDs naturally have high drives. These are the behaviors and desires that involve territorial protection and chasing of prey. When these high drives aren't fulfilled through work or play, it can lead to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a way that can help reduce these urges however they still require lots of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to live an enlightened lifestyle.
GSDs are generally reserved around strangers and may be cautious at first. This protective trait makes them great guard dogs. It requires appropriate training to avoid overreactions. They are wonderful pets for families when they are socialized properly from a young age, and they're typically great with children.
The GSD has a high pain threshold and is resistant to illness, but it does have certain health conditions that may impact its quality of life. These include seizures, epilepsy, bleeding disorders, and immune-mediated diseases. Making sure to limit the dog's exposure to harmful UV rays, and ensuring regular vaccinations are given to the dog will reduce the chance of developing these conditions.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn, and extremely capable of training. They are a working dog breed that excels at many tasks, including police work, herding and search and rescue. They also excel in detection of explosives and drugs, and helping blind people. They also make excellent pets for families. This ferocious and confident breed requires a clear goal and the attention and focus of a confident owner to harness their energy and strength positively. They require a lot of space and exercise and might not be suited to apartments or other living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a strong and steady temperament. They are loyal, vigilant and sceptical of strangers. This protective and watchful behavior can turn into aggression when not properly trained, socialized, and supervised. They are extremely intelligent and can be independent and easily bored, so they need an outlet to satisfy their curiosity.
The founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, longhaired and shorthaired German Shepherds in his breeding program to create the obedient and responsive breed that we have today. deutscher schäferhund welpen kaufen disagreed with people who wanted German Shepherds to be a display dog, and he made sure that his dogs were stable in their temperaments with strong herding instincts and a sound body structure. He did not breed dogs with temperaments that were unstable, or with a steep angle on their croups, front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would hinder the ability of the breed to carry out its usual tasks.
German Shepherds are also susceptible to developing cancers. belgischer schäferhund welpen kaufen österreich is the most common cancer that affects the spleen and liver organs that have a high blood supply. They may also develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers.
To avoid these ailments to avoid them, you must maintain your German Shepherd's physical well-being by feeding him proper diet and exercise. You should give him ample time to play and run around in a safe area free of traffic. Keep him clean by brushing his thick double coat on a regular basis and using a de-shedding device or an undercoat rake to get rid of hairs that have fallen off. You should also make sure that you take him to the veterinarian regularly for his routine health checks.
Health
German Shepherds have a good health history, however some health problems do exist. They are prone to ear infections and they can develop ailments that affect their eyes and ears like degenerative amyelopathy. 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, many GSDs undergo strenuous exercise during their training and they may suffer from joint issues as a consequence. A common one is hip dysplasia, which is characterized by the inadvertent growth and development of the cartilage and joint which can cause discomfort, lameness, and other symptoms. This is not a serious condition but can be painful to the dog.
Breeders who are reputable X-ray their dogs and utilize the results to make breeding decisions. deutscher schäferhund welpen kaufen -rays can help determine the health and genetic background of the puppy, including how likely it is to develop dysplasia. Dogs at high risk of developing dysplasia do not breed.
Panosteitis can affect German Shepherds. The condition causes bones to grow rapidly and unevenly. This can lead to pain and stiffness. This condition is most prevalent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs less than 18 months old who are experiencing the midst of a massive growth spurt.
These dogs require an enriched diet rich in protein and a large mix of omega-fatty acids and balanced vitamins to maintain skin and coat health. Dogs with arthritis are able to benefit from a diet with joint support, such as chondroitin or glucosamine. Dogs who are less than 18 months must be given moderate exercise, such as walking and playing with another dog if they're compatible. However, they should not run at a high speed, as this could damage the joints they are developing.
Avoid feeding animal bone or table food as they can trigger vomiting, digestive upsets anorexia, and pancreatitis. 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 appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are highly-trainable and biddable dogs that thrive under a knowledgeable trainer's guidance. They are an excellent choice for police and military work, search and rescue as well as therapy dog roles and many other specializations. Their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a great pet, if they are properly socialized and trained.
Socialization is the first step in raising a well adjusted GSD. From an early age expose your puppy to different animals and people. Take them for frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will make them feel more comfortable and secure and help them trust people at an early age.
It requires patience, perseverance, as well as positive reinforcement to train the German shepherd. It is important to avoid negative reinforcement methods such as shouting and physical punishment as they can lead to fear-based aggression. Use clicker training and reward-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
It is also important to ensure that you provide your German Shepherd with a daily dose of enrichment. Exercises for mental stimulation can be just as important as physical exercises for the GSD, especially in a chaotic or busy household. This helps them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by road noises or thunderstorms, other dogs at the park, or the crowds at competitions or public events.
Some health conditions that are specific to German Shepherds are hemangiosarcoma, cancer of the bones, lungs, and intestinal tract and pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these diseases are preventable with responsible breeding practices and proper lifestyle accommodations.
German Shepherds are devoted family dogs despite their reputation as a feared breed. They are often loved by children and are gentle with smaller pets, like cats, if they are exposed to them at a young age. They are formidable guardians due to their size and strength but they should be watched when 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 that you enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy preschool or obedience classes to ensure that they receive the training and socialization they require to thrive.