The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect blend of strength and speed. Their high trainability and protection instincts make them cherished family pets.

If you are in search of a purebred German Shepherd dog Choose breeders who are concerned about the health of their dogs and practice ethical breeding. You can find trustworthy breeders by requesting documents on pedigrees and previous health clearances.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are smart, powerful dogs that are easy to train. They are incredibly loyal to their family members and are a fierce protector of them. The breed standard states that the GSD must be stable of temperament, self assured and courageous. It should also be obedient and willing to obey.

The breed is muscular, medium-sized, and slightly extended. It has a double coat that consists of a hard outer layer, and a soft undercoat. The almond-shaped eyes of the dog are dark and obliquely set. The ears are wide and pointed at the base. When the dog is laying down in a shady position, the tail is bushy. It extends below the hocks. 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.

In general, the breed is sound However, it has some serious flaws. These include roached backs and lengthy pasterns that hinder proper movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful but not overly exaggerated. Likewise, deutscher schäferhund welpe kaufen deutsche schäferhunde welpen kaufen österreich einen deutschen schäferhund kaufen schweiz (www.kaseisyoji.com) the rear leg should not go forward of the point where the forefoot makes an impression.

As working dogs, GSDs naturally have high drives. These are behaviors and needs that involve territorial protection and chasing of prey. If these drives aren't satisfied in some way through work or play this can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a way which helps to reduce these drives but they require a lot of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to live an enlightened lifestyle.

GSDs tend to be reserved and suspicious towards strangers at first. This protective trait makes them great guard dogs and requires the right training to avoid triggering reactions. When properly socialized early in life they can make great pets for families. They also make great children.

The GSD has an extremely high threshold for pain and is resistant to illness, however it does have certain health conditions that may affect its quality of living. These include epilepsy/seizures and bleeding disorders. To prevent these conditions, limiting your dog's exposure UV rays and ensuring that it is vaccinated regularly can help.

Temperament

German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn and highly trainable. They are a working dog breed that excels at a variety of tasks, including herding, police work and search and rescue. They also excel in the detection of drugs and bombs, as well as guiding blind people. They are also great family pets. This powerful and confident breed requires a clear goal and the attention and deutscher schäferhund kaufen österreich focus of a confident owner to harness their energy and strength in a positive way. They require a lot of exercise and room, and might not be suited in apartments or smaller living spaces.

The ideal German shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a firm temperament. They are loyal and alert, and they are suspicious of strangers. If not properly socialized and trained, this protective and watchful behavior can become aggressive. These dogs are very intelligent and schäferhund welpen kaufen schweiz can be self-sufficient and easily bored, so they need a good outlet for their curiosity.

Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, employed shorthaired and longhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This created an animal that is friendly and respectful. Max von Stephanitz did not agree with those who wanted German Shepherds to be a showpiece. He made sure his dogs were calm, had strong herding instincts, and an ideal body structure. He was kostet ein reinrassiger schäferhund against breeding dogs with temperaments that were unstable or with steep angles on their croups, front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would undermine the ability of the breed to fulfill its primary duties.

In addition to the hereditary diseases that affect every dog breed German Shepherds are also susceptible to cancers such as Hemangiosarcoma, which typically affects blood-rich organs such as the liver and spleen. They can also develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers.

To avoid these ailments, you should maintain your German Shepherd's physical well-being by feeding him an appropriate diet and exercise. It is important to give him plenty of time to run and play in a secure area away from traffic. Make sure to regularly brush his double coat, using a deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. It is also important to ensure that you take him to the vet on a regular basis to have regular health checks.

Health

German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, however they do have some health issues. They are susceptible to ear infections, and they can develop eye conditions and ears, such as degenerative myelopathy. They may also be affected by an inherited disease called von Willebrand's disease that is hereditary which affects their ability to clot blood, and is present in both female and male dogs.

As a breed that is primarily used for work, GSDs are often involved in strenuous exercise during their training, and can develop joint issues as a consequence. Hip dysplasia is a common condition that causes pain, lameness and other signs. It's not always a serious issue, but it can be painful for the dog.

Reputable breeders X-ray their dogs and take the results into consideration when making breeding decisions. The x-rays aid in determining the health and genetic background of the puppy, which includes the likelihood to develop dysplasia. Dogs with a high risk of developing the disorder aren't breeding.

Like all large breeds, German Shepherds can suffer from panosteitis, which causes bones to grow rapidly and unevenly, causing stiffness and pain in the limbs. This condition is more common in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing a rapid growth spurt.

The dogs require food that is rich in protein, and a generous blend of omega fatty acids as well as balanced vitamins to support a healthy skin and coat. They may benefit from joint-support in their food like glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months old age should have moderate exercise 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 can damage growing joints.

Avoid feeding bone from animals or table food because they can cause digestive upsets, vomiting, anorexia and pancreatitis. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion as well as digestive enzyme supplements to help break down proteins. A properly-formulated AAFCO approved diet should have the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals.

Training

German Shepherds are smart, highly trainable dogs who thrive under the supervision of a skilled handler. This makes them ideal for police and military work, search and rescue, therapy dog roles, and many other specialized jobs. Their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a great family pet when properly trained and socialized.

Socialization is the first step towards creating a well-adjusted GSD. Expose your puppy to a variety of people and other animals from an early age, by taking them on frequent walks, playing games and even visiting local dog parks. This will help them feel more secure and confident and will teach them to trust people at an early age.

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

Daily enrichment is crucial for your German Shepherd. Exercises for mental stimulation can be as important as physical exercise for a GSD, especially in a hectic or busy household. This will help them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by road noises or storms or other dogs in the park, or crowds at competitions and public events.

Certain health conditions that are unique to German Shepherds include hemangiosarcoma and cancer of the bones lung, lungs, and the intestinal tract, and pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these conditions are preventable with responsible breeding practices and appropriate lifestyle choices.

German Shepherds are devoted family dogs, despite their reputation as a feared breed. They are often friendly with children and gentle with smaller pets, such as cats, when exposed to them from an early age. They are powerful guardians due to their size and strength however, they must be monitored when they are around children. They could also display indications of a genetic predisposition toward aggression if they are not provided with appropriate training and socialization opportunities. It is recommended that you enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy preschool or obedience classes to ensure they receive the education and socialization they require to thrive.