The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect balance of speed and strength. Their ability to train and their protection instincts make them loved family pets.
When shopping for a purebred german shepherd dog, look for breeders who adhere to ethical breeding practices and are committed to the health of their animals. You can determine reliable breeders by asking for pedigree documents and previous health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are smart, powerful dogs that are easy to train. deutschen schäferhund kaufen are loyal to their families and can be fierce guardians. The breed standard states that the GSD must be stable of temperament, self assured and brave. It should also be able to be handled and willing to please.
The breed is muscular, medium-sized and slightly extended. 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 in a shady position, the tail is large and bushy. It is a little below the hocks. The breed's neck is long and sloping slightly. The chest is large and deep. The spine is solid and the ribs are well-sprung.
In general, the breed is sound however, serious issues include roached backs and long pasterns that interfere with correct movement. The hindquarters of the dog must be strong but not overly so. The rear leg should never extend beyond the point where the foot leaves a mark.
As working dogs, GSDs have naturally high drives. These are the behaviors and desires that include territorial protection and the pursuit of prey. If these high drives are not satisfied in some way, for example through play or work and it can lead to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds were bred to help dampen these drives. However, they require a lot of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation in order to keep a balanced life.
GSDs are generally shy and cautious towards strangers initially. This protective trait makes them great guard dogs and requires appropriate training to avoid overreactions. They are great family pets when socialized properly at a young age and they're typically great with children.
The GSD is resilient to illness and has a high threshold for pain, however certain health conditions can affect the quality of its life. These include seizures, epilepsy as well as bleeding disorders and immune-mediated diseases. Taking precautions such as limiting the dog's exposure UV rays, and ensuring it is regularly vaccinated will help reduce the risk of developing these diseases.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn and extremely trainable. They are an active breed that excels at many jobs, such as herding, police work and search and rescue. They also excel in detection of explosives and drugs, and helping blind people. They are also great pet for families. This strong and confident breed requires a clear and precise goal and the attention and focus of a responsible owner to harness their energy and strength in a positive way. They need a lot of exercise and room, and may not be suitable in smaller living spaces.
The ideal German shepherd is well-balanced and confident with a firm temperament. They are loyal and alert, and they are suspicious of strangers. This watchful and protective behavior can turn into aggression when not properly trained, socialized and managed. These dogs are very smart and can be self-sufficient and easily bored, so they need an outlet to satisfy their curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, employed longhaired and shorterhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This led to a breed that is responsive and well-behaved. Max von Stephanitz did not agree with those who wanted to use German Shepherds to be used as a showcase and made sure that his dogs had stable tempers, strong herding impulses, as well as an ideal body structure. He also refused to breed certain dogs that were temperamentally unstable or had sharp angles in their croups as well as rear and front pasterns because he believed that these characteristics could hamper the breed's ability to perform its work.
In addition to the hereditary ailments that affect every dog breed German Shepherds are also prone to cancers such as Hemangiosarcoma. It is a cancer that typically affects blood-rich organs, such as the liver and spleen. They also can develop bone, lung or intestinal cancers.
You can avoid these ailments by maintaining the physical well-being of your German Shepherd. This includes providing him with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Make sure he has plenty of opportunities to run and play outside, in a safe area free of traffic and other hazards. Keep him groomed by scrubbing his dense double coat regularly, using a de-shedding tool or undercoat rake to remove hairs that have fallen off. It is also recommended to take him to your veterinarian regularly for regular health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, however they do have some health issues. They are susceptible to ear infections and can develop conditions that affect their ears and eyes such as degenerative amyelopathy. They may also suffer from a genetic disease known as hereditary von Willebrand's disease that affects their capacity to clot blood, and can be found in both female and male dogs.
GSDs are a working breed and as such, they go through rigorous training. This means that they are prone to developing joint issues. One of the most common is hip dysplasia, characterized by the inadvertent growth and development of the cartilage and joint, leading to pain, lameness and other signs. This is not always a serious condition but it can cause pain for dogs.
Breeders who are reputable are able to X-ray their dogs and use the results to inform breeding decisions. The x-rays can aid in determining the health of the puppy as well as its genetic history, which includes the possibility that it could develop dysplasia. Dogs at high risk of developing the disorder are not breed.
Panosteitis can affect German Shepherds. The condition causes the bones to grow quickly and unevenly. This can lead to stiffness and pain. This 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 and a large mix of omega fatty acid and balanced vitamins for skin and coat health. They will benefit from joint support in their food like glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months age should exercise moderately, such as multiple walks and, if compatible with other dogs, playing together, but they should not run at full speed, as it can cause joint damage.
Avoid feeding animal bone 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 contain the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are smart high-trained dogs who thrive under the supervision of a knowledgeable handler. They are a great choice for police, military search and rescue, and therapy dog roles. But their unwavering loyalty also makes them a wonderful pet to have when properly trained and socialized.
The first step in establishing a well-adjusted GSD is socialization. Expose your puppy to a variety of people and other animals from a young age, taking them on frequent walks, playing games, and even visiting local dog parks. This will help them feel comfortable and secure in a new place and help them develop trust in humans from a young age.
Training for a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. It is crucial to stay clear of negative reinforcement methods, such as shouting and physical punishment as they can trigger fear-based aggression. Instead, you should use reward-based training and clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.
It is also important to give your German Shepherd with a daily dose of enrichment. The exercises for mental stimulation are just as important for the GSD as physical exercise, especially when you have a household with lots of people. This will help to keep their attention and focus so they are less likely to get distracted by street noises storms and other dogs in the park, or the crowds at competitions or public events.
Some health conditions that are specific 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 conditions are preventable with responsible breeding practices and proper lifestyle choices.
Despite their reputation for being a savage breed German Shepherds are devoted family pets. They are often friendly with children and gentle with smaller pets, like cats, when they are exposed to them from the age of. They are powerful guardians due to their size and strength, but they should be watched when around young children. They may also show indications of a genetic tendency to aggression if not given the proper training and socialization opportunities. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he receives the training and socialization that he needs to flourish.
