The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect blend of speed and strength. Their exceptional training capabilities and protection instincts make them cherished family pets.
When looking for a purebred German Shepherd dog select breeders who value the health of their dogs as well as practice ethical breeding. Requesting pedigree documents and prior health clearances can help you find reputable breeders.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are incredibly strong intelligent dogs that are highly trainable. They are extremely affectionate to their families and are fearless guardians of them. The breed standard says that the GSD must be stable of temperament, confident and brave. It must also be able to be handled and willing to be a pleasure to.
The breed is medium in size with a slight elongation and is muscular. It has a double coat made up of an outer layer of hardness, and a soft undercoat. Its eyes are dark and almond-shaped, and set obliquely. Its ears are pointed and wide at the base. The tail is long and reaches to the hocks below when the dog is at rest. The breed's neck is long and slightly sloping. The chest is broad and deep. The ribs are well-sprung and the spine is firm.
In general the breed is sound however, serious issues include roached backs and lengthy pasterns that hinder correct movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful, but not excessively exaggerated. Likewise, the rear leg should never go in the direction of where the forefoot leaves a footprint.
As working dogs, GSDs have naturally high drives. These are behaviors and desires that include territorial protection and hunting of prey. When these high drives aren't satisfied in some way through play or work this can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are created to help reduce these urges. However, they require a lot of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation in order to maintain a balance life.
GSDs are generally reserved and suspicious towards strangers initially. This protective trait makes GSDs excellent guard dogs, however it requires proper training to prevent overreactions. They are great family pets when they are socialized properly from a young age and are generally good with children.
The GSD is resilient to illness and has a high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can negatively impact the quality of its life. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders. Preventing these conditions by limiting your dog's exposure to UV radiation, and ensuring it receives regular vaccinations can aid.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn, and extremely capable of being trained. They are a working breed that excel in a variety of tasks, including herding police work, search and rescue drug and bomb detection, and guiding the blind. They also make great family members. This strong and confident breed requires a clear and precise goal and the focus and attention of a shrewd owner to channel their strength and energy positively. They require a lot of exercise and space and might not be suited in apartments or smaller living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is balanced and confident, with a solid and steady temperament. They are loyal and alert and are sceptical of strangers. This guardian and attentive behavior can escalate into aggression when not properly trained, socialized, and managed. These dogs are very intelligent and can be very insecure and bored, and they require an outlet that can satisfy their curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, utilized shorthaired and longhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This created an animal that is receptive and well-behaved. Max von Stephanitz did not agree with those who wanted German Shepherds to be a showpiece. He made sure his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding impulses, and solid body structure. He also refused to breed certain dogs that had temperaments that were unstable or had sharp angles in their croups as well as rear and front pasterns since he believed that these traits would undermine the breed's ability to perform its work.
German Shepherds are also prone to cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a common cancer that affects the liver and spleen organs that have a high blood supply. They also can develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers.
To prevent these conditions ensure your German Shepherd's physical well-being by feeding him an appropriate diet and exercise. You should give him plenty of time to run and play in a safe place free of traffic. Make sure to regularly brush his double coat, using the deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. Also, make sure that you visit the vet regularly to have regular health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, however they do have certain health issues. They are prone to ear infections and can develop conditions affecting their eyes and ears, like degenerative myelopathy. Both male and female dogs are susceptible to suffering from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that affects the ability of dogs to clot blood.
GSDs are a working breed, and as such, they undergo intense training. In the process, they are prone to developing joint issues. Hip dysplasia is an extremely common condition that can cause pain, lameness and other symptoms. It isn't always a serious issue, but it can be painful for dogs.
Breeders who are trustworthy are able to X-ray their dogs and use the results for breeding decisions. The x-rays help determine the health and genetic history of the puppy, which includes the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high likelihood of developing the disorder aren't breeding.
Like all large breeds, German Shepherds may be affected by panosteitis, which causes the bones to expand rapidly and unevenly, which causes pain and stiffness in the legs. This condition is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months old who are experiencing rapid growth.
The dogs need a diet high in protein, with a good mix of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins for skin and coat health. These dogs will benefit from a diet that contains joints-supporting ingredients, such as chondroitin or glucosamine. Dogs under the age of 18 months should be given moderate exercise such as walking and playing with a different dog if they are compatible. However they shouldn't run at a high speed, since this could cause damage to their growing joints.
Feeding table food or animal bones must be avoided, since they can trigger vomiting, digestive upset anorexia, pancreatitis, and vomiting. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion as well as digestive enzyme supplements that aid in breaking down proteins. Mineral and vitamin supplements are not necessary, as a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should provide the proper amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are smart high-trained dogs who thrive under the supervision of a skilled handler. They are therefore a great choice for military, police search and rescue and therapy dog roles. Their unwavering loyalty makes them a wonderful pet, if well-socialized and properly trained.
Socialization is the first step towards raising a well-adjusted GSD. Introduce your puppy to variety of people and other animals from a young age, taking them on frequent walks, playing games and visiting local dog parks. This will make them feel more secure and confident and teach them to trust people from a young age.
Training a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. It is important to avoid negative reinforcement methods such as physical and verbal punishment, as they can lead to fear-based aggression. Use clicker training and reward-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
Daily enrichment is essential for your German Shepherd. The stimulation of the mind is just as important as physical exercises for an GSD, especially in a hectic or busy household. This helps keep their attention and focus so that they are less likely to get distracted by noises from the street or thunderstorms or other dogs in the park or the crowds at competitions and public events.
German Shepherds are susceptible to a number of health conditions, including hemangiosarcoma (cancer of bones, lungs and intestinal tract) as well as pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these conditions are preventable through responsible breeding and lifestyle accommodations.
schäferhund kaufen österreich entzückendescäferhundwelpen.de are loyal family dogs, despite their reputation as a feared breed. When they are exposed to children as young as they can be incredibly affectionate and gentle towards smaller pets like cats. Nonetheless, their size and strength make them excellent guardians, and they should always be observed around children who are younger. If they are not 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 class in the preschool or obedience to ensure that they are receiving the proper training and socialization they need to thrive.