The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect combination of strength and speed. Their exceptional training capabilities and protection instincts make them loved family pets.
If you are looking for a purebred german shepherd dog, look for breeders who have a commitment to ethical breeding and who are concerned about the health of their dogs. You can identify trustworthy breeders by requesting pedigree papers and prior health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are incredibly strong, intelligent dogs that are capable of training. They are loyal to their family and can be fearless guardians. The breed standard says that the GSD must be a steady temperament, confident and brave. It should also be obedient and willing to be obedient.
The breed is strong, medium-sized and slightly extended. It has a distinct double coat that consists of a hard outer layer and an undercoat that is soft. Its almond-shaped eyes are dark and obliquely set. The ears are large at the base and pointed. schäferhundwelpen is long and reaches to the hocks below when the dog is lying down. The breed's neck is long and slightly sloping. The chest is wide and deep. The ribs are strong and the spine is firm.
In schäferhund kaufen welpe is sound, but serious faults include roached backs as well as long pasterns that hinder correct movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful however, they should not be overly exaggerated. The rear leg should never pass ahead of the point at which the forefoot leaves a footprint.
As working dogs as well as working dogs, the GSD has naturally high drives (behavioral tendencies and desires towards things like territorial protection and the pursuit of prey). When these high drives aren't fulfilled through work or play and it leads to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds have been bred to help dampen these urges. However, they need lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation in order to keep a balanced life.
GSDs tend to be reserved and suspicious towards strangers initially. This trait of protection makes them great guard dogs. It requires the right training to avoid triggering reactions. They make wonderful family pets when properly socialized from a young age and they're typically great with children.
The GSD has an extremely high threshold for pain and is resilient against illness, but it has certain health conditions that may affect its quality of life. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders. Taking precautions such as limiting the dog's exposure to harmful UV rays and making sure that regular vaccinations are given to the dog will help reduce the risk of developing these diseases.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn, and highly trainable. They are a working breed and excel in a variety of tasks, including herding police work including search and rescue bomb and drug detection, and guiding the blind. They are also great pet for families. This ferocious and confident breed requires a clear purpose and the attention and focus of a shrewd owner to channel their strength and energy in a positive way. They require plenty of space and exercise. They might not be suited to apartments or other living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a firm and steady temperament. They are loyal and vigilant, and they are sceptical of strangers. If they are not socialized properly and trained in this manner, their protective and vigilant behavior could turn into aggressive. These dogs are often intelligent, independent and easily bored. They must find a way to satisfy their natural curiosity.
The founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, as well as longhaired and short-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program to develop the responsive and obedient breed that we know today. Max von Stephanitz was not one of those who wanted to use German Shepherds as a showpiece and made sure that his dogs were calm, had strong herding impulses, and a sound body structure. He was against breeding dogs with temperaments that were unstable, or with a steep angle on their croups or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would impede the ability of the breed to perform its traditional tasks.
German Shepherds can also be susceptible to developing cancers. schäferhunde kaufen is a frequent cancer that affects the spleen and liver organs, which have a higher blood supply. They also can develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers.
You can prevent these diseases by maintaining the physical health of your German Shepherd. This means providing him with a nutritious diet and regular exercise. It is important to give him ample time to play and run outdoors in a safe area free of traffic. Keep him looking neat by scrubbing his dense double coat regularly by using a de-shedding tool or undercoat rake to remove hairs that have fallen off. Also, make sure that you visit the vet regularly for routine health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, however they do have certain health issues. They are susceptible to ear infections and can develop ailments that affect their eyes and ears, including degenerative myelopathy. They may also be affected by an illness that is genetic, known as hereditary von Willebrand's disorder, which impacts their ability to clot blood. It is present in both male and female dogs.
As a working breed, GSDs are often involved in strenuous exercise during their training, and can develop joint issues as a result. The most frequent is hip dysplasia. It is characterized by the inadvertent growth and development of cartilage and joint, leading to pain, lameness, and other symptoms. It's not a serious condition, but it can be painful for the dog.
Reputable breeders X-ray their dogs and utilize the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays help determine the health of the puppy and its genetic history, including the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high risk of developing dysplasia aren't breed.
Like all large breeds, German Shepherds can suffer from panosteitis. This causes the bones to grow quickly and unevenly, causing pain and stiffness in the limbs. This is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months old who are experiencing rapid growth.
They require a diet that is high in protein, with a generous blend of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to support the health of their coat and skin. They can benefit from joint support in their diet, such as glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months old age should exercise moderately like walking on a regular basis and, if they are compatible with other dogs playing together, but should not run at full speed, as this can damage growing joints.
Table food or animal bones should be avoided, as these can cause digestive upset, vomiting anorexia, vomiting, and pancreatitis. Puppies and adult dogs could benefit from a probiotic supplementation to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements to assist in the breakdown of proteins. Mineral and vitamin supplements are not required since a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should provide the proper amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are intelligent, highly trainable dogs who thrive under the direction by a knowledgeable handler. They are ideal for police and military work such as search and rescue and therapy dog roles, and a myriad of other specialized roles. Their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a wonderful pet to have when properly trained and socialized.
The first step in raising an equidistant GSD is socialization. Introduce your puppy to a range of people and animals from an early age, taking them on frequent walks, playing games and even visiting local dog parks. This will make them feel more secure and confident and will teach them to trust people from a young age.
It requires patience, consistency as well as positive reinforcement to train a German shepherd. Avoid methods of negative reinforcement such as yelling, or physical punishment that could lead to fear based aggression. Instead, you should use rewards-based training and clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.
It is also important to provide your German Shepherd with a regular dose of enrichment. The exercises for mental stimulation are just as important for a GSD as physical exercise, especially in the case of a household with lots of people. This can help them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by noises or thunderstorms, other dogs at the park, or crowds at competitions or public events.
Some of the health issues that are exclusive to German Shepherds include hemangiosarcoma and cancer of the bones as well as the lungs and intestinal tract, and pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these diseases are preventable through responsible breeding and lifestyle changes.
Despite their reputation for being a savage breed, German Shepherds make devoted family pets. They are often affectionate with children and gentle with smaller pets, like cats, when exposed to them from an early age. However, their size and strength make them formidable guardians, and they should always be watched over children younger than them. They may also show signs of a hereditary tendency 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 class or obedience classes to ensure that they are receiving the proper training and socialization they need to flourish.