The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect balance of strength and speed. Their exceptional training capabilities and protective instincts make these dogs beloved pets for families.
When you are shopping for a purebred german shepherd Look for breeders who practice ethical breeding and prioritize the health of their animals. Requesting pedigree papers as well as previous health clearances can help you identify reputable breeders.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are incredibly strong intelligent dogs that are easily capable of training. They are incredibly loyal to their family members and can be fearless protectors of them. The breed standard states that the GSD must be confident and courageous, as well as possess a calm and steady temperament. It should also be obedient and willing to be obedient.
The breed is strong, medium-sized and slightly elongated. It has a distinctive double coat made up of an outer layer of hardness and a soft undercoat. The eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and positioned slightly obliquely. Its ears are pointed and wide at the base. The tail is bushy and reaches to below the hocks when the dog is at rest. The dog's long neck, with a slight slope, is a characteristic. The chest is large and deep. The spine is strong and the ribs are well-sprung.
The breed is generally sound, but it has serious faults such as roached-backs and long pasterns that interfere with the correct movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong but not overly so. The rear leg should not extend beyond the point where the foot leaves an impression.
As working dogs, the GSD has naturally high drives (behavioral propensities and desires toward things like territorial protection and chasing prey). If 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 that helps dampen these drives but they require a lot of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise and mental stimulation to live a balanced life.
GSDs are usually reserved around strangers and may be initially suspicious of them. This protective trait makes them excellent guard dogs and requires the right training to avoid triggering reactions. If properly socialized early in life, they make wonderful pets for families. They also make great kids.
The GSD is a resilient species to disease and has a very high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can affect the quality of life. These include epilepsy/seizures and bleeding disorders as well as immune-mediated diseases. Preventing these conditions by limiting your dog's exposure to UV rays and ensuring that you get regular vaccinations will aid.
Temperament
German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn. They are also trainable. They are a working breed and excel in a variety of tasks, such as herding, police work such as search and rescue detection of drugs and bombs, and guiding the blind. They are also great pet for families. However, this powerful and confident breed needs an unwavering focus and the attention of an assertive owner to channel their energy and strength in a positive way. They require plenty of space and exercise, and might not be suited to smaller living spaces.
The ideal German shepherd is confident and well-balanced, with a firm temperament. They are loyal, vigilant and sceptical of strangers. This guardian and attentive behavior can escalate into aggression if not properly trained, socialized and managed. These dogs are very intelligent and can be very self-sufficient and easily bored, so they need an outlet to satisfy their curiosity.
Founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, longhaired and shorthaired German Shepherds in his breeding program to develop the responsive and obedient breed that we have today. He did not agree with those who wanted German Shepherds to be a display dog, and he made sure his dogs had stable temperaments and strong herding instincts and a sound body structure. He even resisted breeding certain dogs that had temperaments that were unstable or had steep angles in their croups, as well as rear and front pasterns since he believed that these traits could hamper the breed's ability to perform its traditional work.
In addition to the hereditary disorders that affect every breed of dog German Shepherds are also susceptible to cancers, such as hemangiosarcoma, which most commonly affects blood-rich organs such as the liver and spleen. They also can develop lung, bone or intestinal cancers.
To avoid these issues ensure your German Shepherd's physical health by feeding him a proper diet and exercise. Make sure he has plenty of opportunities to run and play outdoors in a safe space away from traffic and other dangers. 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 veterinarian on a regular basis for his routine health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds have a good health record, but health problems do exist. They are prone to ear infections and may develop ailments that affect their eyes and ears, including degenerative myelopathy. They also may suffer from an illness that is genetic, known as von Willebrand's disease that is hereditary, which impacts their ability to clot blood and is found in both male and female dogs.
As a working breed, many GSDs undergo strenuous training and can develop joint problems as a result. Hip dysplasia is an extremely common condition that causes pain, lameness and other symptoms. It's not a serious condition, but it can be painful for the dog.
Breeders who are reputable have their dogs X-rayed and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays can aid in determining the health of the puppy as well as its genetic history, which includes the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs at high risk of developing the disorder aren't breed.
Like most large breeds, German Shepherds also be affected by panosteitis, which causes the bones to grow rapidly and unevenly, which causes stiffness and pain in the joints. This condition is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing a rapid growth spurt.
These dogs require a diet high in protein, with a good mix of omega fatty acid and balanced vitamins to maintain a healthy coat and skin. They will benefit from joint support in their food including glucosamine as well as chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months old age should have moderate exercise like walking on a regular basis and, if compatible with another dog playing together, but should not run at a high speed, as this can damage growing joints.
Foods that are table-based or contain bones from animals should be avoided because they can cause vomiting, diarrhea anorexia, vomiting, and pancreatitis. Adult dogs and puppies could benefit by a probiotic supplementation program to help with digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements that aid in the breakdown of proteins. A properly-formulated AAFCO approved diet should have the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are highly trainable, biddable dogs that thrive under a knowledgeable guide's supervision. This makes them a great choice for police and military tasks, search and rescue, therapy dog roles, and a myriad of other specialized roles. However, their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a wonderful pet for the family when properly trained and socialized.
The first step in establishing an appropriately adjusted GSD is socialization. As a puppy expose your puppy different people and animals. Take them for frequent walks and play games. schäferhund welpen österreich kaufen . This will make them feel secure and at ease in a new place and ensure that they become comfortable with humans at an early age.
Training a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. It is crucial to stay clear of negative reinforcement methods like yelling and physical punishment because they can lead to fear-based aggression. Instead, you should use rewards-based training and clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.
Daily enrichment is important for your German Shepherd. Exercises for mental stimulation can be as important as physical exercise for a GSD especially in a busy or chaotic household. This will help them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by road noises or thunderstorms or other dogs in the park, or the crowds at competitions and public events.
German Shepherds are prone to a number of health conditions, including Hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the bones, lungs and the intestinal tract) and pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these diseases can be prevented by responsible breeding and lifestyle accommodations.
Despite their fearsome reputation German Shepherds are devoted family pets. When they are around children from a young age they can be incredibly tender and loving towards smaller pets such as cats. Their size and strength make them excellent guardians, and they should always be supervised around younger children. If they're not sufficiently exposed to socialization and training, they may show signs of aggression. It is recommended to enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy class in the preschool or obedience to ensure they are receiving the proper training and socialization they need to flourish.