The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect combination of strength and agility. Its high trainability and natural protective instincts make them beloved family dogs.
When you are shopping for a purebred german shepherd Look for breeders who have a commitment to ethical breeding and who are concerned about the health of their dogs. You can identify reputable breeders by requesting documents on pedigrees and previous health clearances.
schäferhund kaufen welpe are powerful intelligent dogs that are capable of training. They are loyal to their families and can be fierce guardians. Breed standard states the GSD must be confident and courageous. They should also have a calm and steady temperament. It must also be tractable and willing to be a pleasure to.
The breed is muscular, medium-sized, and slightly elongated. It has a double coat made up of an outer layer of hardness, and a soft undercoat. The almond-shaped eyes of the dog are dark and slightly set. The ears are wide and pointed at the base. The tail is long and extends to below the hocks when the dog is in a relaxed state. The breed's neck is long and slightly sloping. The chest is broad and deep. The spine is strong and the ribs are well-sprung.
The breed is generally sound however, it does have some serious faults such as roached-backs and long pasterns that interfere with the correct movement. Its hindquarters must be powerful but not overexaggerated. The rear leg should not extend beyond the point where the foot makes an impression.
As working dogs as well as working dogs, the GSD has naturally high drives (behavioral tendencies and desires towards things like territorial protectiveness and chasing prey). If these high-drives are not fulfilled in a particular way, such as playing or at work or playing, it can result in aggression. Show-type German Shepherds were created to help reduce these urges. However, they still need lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation in order to keep their lives in balance.
GSDs tend to be cautious and suspicious of strangers initially. This is a characteristic that makes them excellent guard dogs, but requires proper training to prevent overreactions. They are great family pets when properly socialized at a young age and they're typically great with children.
The GSD has an extremely high threshold for pain and is able to fight off illnesses, but it is also susceptible to certain health conditions that may impact its quality of life. These include epilepsy/seizures as well as bleeding disorders and immune-mediated diseases. By taking precautions, such as limiting the dog's exposure to harsh UV rays and ensuring that it receives routine vaccinations should lower the risk of developing these diseases.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn and highly capable of being trained. They are a working breed and excel at a variety of jobs, including herding, police work including search and rescue, drug and bomb detection and guiding blind. They also make great family members. However, this powerful and confident breed requires a clear sense of purpose and the attention of an assertive owner to use their strength and energy positively. They require a lot of exercise and room, and may not be a good fit in smaller living spaces.
The ideal German shepherd is well-balanced and confident with a firm temperament. They are loyal, vigilant, and suspicious of strangers. If they are not socialized properly and trained to be vigilant and protective, this behavior can turn into aggressive. These dogs are very intelligent and can be insecure and bored, so they need a good outlet for their natural curiosity.
Founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, longhaired and shorthaired German Shepherds in his breeding program to create the kind of dog that was obedient and responsive 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 with strong herding instincts and a solid body structure. He was against breeding dogs with unstable temperaments, or with steep 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.
In addition to the hereditary ailments that can plague any dog breed German Shepherds are also prone to cancers such as Hemangiosarcoma, which typically affects blood-rich organs like the spleen and liver. They may also develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers.
You can avoid these ailments by ensuring the physical health of your German Shepherd. This includes giving him a balanced diet and regular exercise. It is important to give plenty of time to play and run outdoors in a safe area free of traffic. Regularly brush his double coat with the deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. It is also recommended to bring him to the vet regularly for routine health checks.
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, like degenerative myelopathy. Female and male can be affected by hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that affects their ability to clot the blood.
As a working breed, many GSDs undergo strenuous training and they can suffer from joint issues as a result. A common one is hip dysplasia. It is characterized by the inadvertent growth and development of the cartilage and joint which can cause pain, lameness, and other symptoms. This is not a serious condition, but it can be painful to the dog.
Breeders who are reputable X-ray the dogs they breed and use the results for 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 who are at a high risk of developing dysplasia aren't breeding.
Like most large breeds, German Shepherds can suffer from panosteitis, which causes the bones to grow rapidly and unevenly, which causes pain and stiffness in the limbs. The condition is particularly frequent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs less than 18 months old who are experiencing the midst of a massive growth spurt.
These dogs require an enriched diet rich in protein and a large mix of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to ensure a healthy coat and skin. These dogs can benefit from food that contains joint support, such as the glucosamine or chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months age should be exercising moderately, such as multiple walks and, if they are compatible with another dog playing together, but they should not be allowed to run at a high speed, as this can damage growing joints.
Avoid feeding bone from animals or table food as they can trigger vomiting, digestive upsets anorexia and pancreatitis. Puppies and adults can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion as well as digestive enzyme supplements that help break down proteins. A properly-formulated AAFCO approved diet should have the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are highly-trainable and biddable dogs who thrive under a knowledgeable guide's supervision. As such, they are an excellent choice for police and military tasks in search and rescue and therapy dog roles, and a myriad of other specialized roles. Their dedication to their job makes them a great pet for the family when properly trained and socialized.
The first step in raising a well-adjusted GSD is socialization. Expose your puppy to a variety of people and other animals from an early age, taking them on frequent walks, playing games, and going to local dog parks. This will help them feel secure and at ease in a new setting and ensure that they learn to trust humans from an early age.
It requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement to train a German shepherd. It is essential to avoid negative reinforcement methods such as shouting and physical punishment as they can trigger fear-based aggression. Use clicker training or rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
It is also important to provide your German Shepherd with a regular dose of enrichment. Mental stimulation exercises are just as important for an GSD as physical exercise, particularly in the case of a busy household. This can help them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by road sounds or storms as well as other dogs at the park, or crowds during competitions and public events.
German Shepherds are susceptible to various health issues such as hemangiosarcoma (cancer of bones, lungs and intestinal tract) as well as pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these conditions can be prevented by responsible breeding and lifestyle choices.
German Shepherds are loyal family dogs despite their reputation as being fearsome. They are usually friendly with children and gentle with smaller pets, like cats, if they are they are exposed to them from the age of. Nonetheless, their size and strength make them formidable guardians, and they should always be supervised around younger children. They could also display indications of a genetic tendency toward aggression if they are not provided with appropriate training and socialization opportunities. It is recommended to enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy preschool or obedience classes to ensure they are receiving the proper training and socialization they require to flourish.