The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD represents the perfect balance of strength and agility. Their exceptional training capabilities and protection instincts make them beloved pets for families.
If you are in search of a purebred German Shepherd, choose breeders who prioritize the health of their dogs and practice ethical breeding. You can identify reliable breeders by asking for pedigree documents and previous health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are strong, intelligent dogs that are capable of being trained. They are loyal to their families and are able to be fierce guardians. The breed standard states that the GSD must be confident and courageous. They should also have a calm and steady temperament. It should also be able to be handled and willing to please.
The breed is strong, medium-sized and slightly longer. It has a double coat consisting of an outer layer of hardness and a soft undercoat. The almond-shaped eyes are dark and slightly set. Its ears are pointed and wide at the base. When the dog is resting on its back, the tail becomes bushy. It extends below the hocks. The breed's neck is long and sloping slightly. The chest is wide and deep. The spine is strong and the ribs are well-sprung.
The breed is generally healthy however, it does have some serious faults such as roached-backs and long pasterns that interfere with the correct movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong however, they should not be overly exaggerated. Likewise, the rear leg should not go forward of the point where the forefoot leaves a footprint.
As working dogs as well as working dogs, the GSD has high-drives that are naturally present (behavioral tendencies and desires towards things like territorial protectiveness and hunting prey). When these high drives aren't satisfied in some way through work or play and it leads to 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 a healthy lifestyle.
GSDs are generally reserved and suspicious towards strangers at first. This makes them great guard dogs and requires proper training to avoid overreactions. When socialized properly from a young age, they make wonderful pets for families. They also make great children.
The GSD is resilient to illness and has a high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can negatively impact the quality of life. These include seizures, epilepsy, bleeding disorders, and immune-mediated diseases. Taking precautions such as limiting the dog's exposure UV rays and ensuring that regular vaccinations are given to the dog will reduce the risk of developing these diseases.
Temperament
German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn and highly trainable. They are a working breed that excel at a variety of jobs, including herding, police work including search and rescue, detection of drugs and bombs and guiding blind. They also make excellent family pets. However, this powerful and confident breed requires an unwavering sense of purpose and the attention of a confident owner to use their strength and energy in a positive manner. They require plenty of space and exercise and might not be suitable for apartments or other smaller living spaces.
The ideal German shepherd is confident and well-balanced, with a firm temperament. They are loyal, vigilant and sceptical of strangers. If they aren't properly socialized and trained, this protective and watchful behavior can become aggression. They are extremely smart and can be self-sufficient and easily bored, so they need an outlet that can satisfy their natural curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, used longhaired and shorterhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This led to a breed that is responsive and obedient. Max von Stephanitz was not one of those who wanted German Shepherds as a showpiece and made sure his dogs had stable tempers, strong herding impulses, as well as solid body structure. He refused to breed dogs with unstable temperaments, or with sharp angles on their croups, front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would impede the ability of the breed to perform its primary duties.
German Shepherds are also susceptible to developing cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is the most common cancer that affects the spleen and liver organs, which have a higher blood supply. They also can develop lung, bone or intestinal cancers.
You can avoid these ailments by maintaining the physical well-being of your German Shepherd. This means providing him with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Make sure he gets plenty of opportunities to run and play outdoors in a safe space away from traffic and other hazards. Make sure to regularly brush his double coat, using the deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. You should also make sure that you visit the vet on a regular basis for routine health checks.
Health
German Shepherds have a good health record, but health problems do exist. They are prone to ear infections, and can develop conditions that affect their ears and eyes like degenerative amyelopathy. Both female and male dogs can suffer from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that hinders the ability of clotting blood.
As a working breed, GSDs often engage in vigorous exercise during their training, and they can suffer from joint problems as a result. Hip dysplasia is a common condition that can cause lameness, pain and other signs. It's not a serious condition, but it 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 and genetic background of the puppy, which includes the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs at high risk of developing the disorder aren't bred.
Panosteitis can affect German Shepherds. The condition causes bones to grow quickly and unevenly. This can lead to stiffness and pain. This condition is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months old who are experiencing rapid growth.
They require food that is rich in protein, as well as a generous blend of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to maintain healthy coat and skin. They can benefit from joint support in their food, such as glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months old age should be exercising moderately, such as multiple walks and, if they are compatible with other dogs playing together, but should not run at full speed as this can damage growing joints.
Feeding table food or animal bones should be avoided, because they can cause vomiting, digestive upset anorexia, vomiting, and pancreatitis. Puppies and adult dogs could benefit from a probiotic supplementation to help with digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements that aid in breaking down proteins. A properly-formulated AAFCO approved diet should contain the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are highly trainable, biddable dogs that thrive under a skilled handler's guidance. schäferhund baby kaufen are a great option for military, police, search and rescue and therapy dog roles. Their constant loyalty makes them a wonderful pet, if properly trained and socialized.
The first step in raising an appropriately adjusted GSD is socialization. As a puppy, expose your puppy to different animals and people. Take your dog for walks frequently and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will make them feel comfortable and secure in a new place and help them learn to trust humans from an early age.
It takes patience, consistency as well as positive reinforcement to train to train a German shepherd. Avoid negative reinforcement methods such as yelling or physical punishment, which could cause fear-based aggression. Use clicker training or rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
Daily enrichment is essential for your German Shepherd. Mental stimulation exercises can be as important as physical exercise for the GSD, especially in a hectic or busy household. This will help keep their attention and focus, so they are less likely to be distracted by noises from the street, thunderstorms or other dogs in the park or crowds at competitions or public events.
German Shepherds are prone to various health issues that include 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 responsible breeding and lifestyle choices.
Despite their reputation for being a savage breed German Shepherds are loving family pets. When they are around children as young as they can be incredibly tender and loving towards smaller pets like cats. Their size and strength make them formidable guardians, and they should always be observed around children who are younger. They may also show signs of a hereditary tendency towards aggression if not exposed to appropriate 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 are receiving the proper education and socialization they require to flourish.