The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD represents the perfect balance of agility and strength. Its exceptional training ability and natural protective instincts make them loved 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 animals. Requesting pedigree documents and previous health clearances can help find reputable breeders.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are powerful, intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They are loyal to their family and are able to be a formidable guardian. The breed standard states that a GSD should be self-confident and courageous. They should also have an unwavering temperament. It must also be obedient and willing to be obedient.
The breed is muscular, medium-sized, and slightly longer. reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund züchter has a distinctive double coat, which is comprised of an outer layer of hardness and a soft undercoat. deutsche schäferhunde welpen kaufen österreich are dark and almond-shaped, and set obliquely. Its ears are wide and pointed at the base. When the dog is lying down, the tail is large and bushy. It is a little below the hocks. The long neck with a slightly sloping slope is a characteristic. The chest is wide and deep. The ribs are strong and the spine is firm.
In general, the breed is sound, but serious faults include roached backs and long pasterns that hinder proper movement. Its hindquarters must be powerful but not exaggerated. The rear leg should not extend beyond the point at which the foot leaves a mark.
As working dogs, GSDs have naturally high drive. These are the behaviors and desires that involve territorial protection and the pursuit of 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 developed to reduce these drives. However, they still require lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation to maintain a balance life.
GSDs tend to be shy and cautious towards strangers at first. This trait of protection makes them great guard dogs. It requires appropriate training to avoid overreactions. When properly socialized early in life they can make great pets for families. They also make great kids.
The GSD is resilient to illness and has a high threshold for pain, however certain health conditions can affect the quality of life. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders. The best way to prevent these diseases is to limit your dog's exposure UV rays and ensuring that you get regular vaccinations will aid.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn and extremely capable of being trained. They are an active breed that excels in a variety of jobs, such as herding, police work and search and rescue. They also excel in detection of explosives and drugs, and guiding blind people. They are also great pets for families. However, this powerful and confident breed needs an unwavering sense of purpose and the attention of an assertive owner to harness their energy and strength positively. They need a lot of exercise and room, and might not be suited in apartments or smaller living spaces.
The ideal German shepherd is confident and well-balanced, with a strong temperament. They are loyal and vigilant, and are sceptical of strangers. This protective and watchful behavior can turn into aggression when they are not properly trained, socialized, and controlled. Dogs with these traits can be smart and independent, but they can also be bored. They must find a way to satisfy their curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, utilized shorter and longer-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This created an animal that is friendly and well-behaved. Max von Stephanitz disagreed with those who wanted German Shepherds to be a showpiece. He made sure that his dogs had stable tempers, strong herding instincts, and an ideal body structure. He even refused to breed with dogs that had temperaments that were unstable or had sharp angles in their croups, as well as front and rear pasterns, since he believed that these traits could hamper the breed's ability to do its job as it is.
German Shepherds can also be susceptible to cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a frequent cancer that affects the spleen and liver, organs with heightened blood supply. They can also develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers.
You can prevent these conditions by maintaining the physical well-being of your German Shepherd. This means providing him with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Make sure that he has plenty of opportunities to exercise and play outdoors in a safe space away from traffic and other hazards. Keep him groomed by brushing his thick double coat regularly, using a de-shedding tool or a rake undercoat to remove loose hairs. Also, make sure that you take him to the vet on a regular basis for his routine health checks.
Health
German Shepherds have a healthy health history, however some health problems do exist. They are prone to ear infections and may develop conditions that affect their eyes and ears such as degenerative amyelopathy. They may also be affected by an inherited disease called von Willebrand's disease that is hereditary that affects their capacity to clot blood and can be found in both male and female dogs.
As a working breed many GSDs undergo strenuous training and they may suffer from joint issues as a consequence. Hip dysplasia is a typical condition that can cause lameness, pain, and other symptoms. It is not a major condition but can be painful for the dog.
Breeders who are reputable X-ray their dogs 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 background, including the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high likelihood of developing the disorder aren't breeding.
Panosteitis can affect German Shepherds. The condition causes bones to grow rapidly and unevenly. This can lead to pain and stiffness. This condition is most prevalent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs less than 18 months old who are experiencing the midst of a massive growth spurt.
These dogs require a diet high in protein with a generous mix of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to maintain skin and coat health. They will benefit from a diet that has joint support, like glucosamine or chondroitin. Dogs under 18 months of age should exercise moderately including multiple walks and, if compatible with other dogs, playing together, but they should not run at full speed as this could cause damage to joints that are growing.
Avoid feeding table food or animal bone, as they can cause vomiting, digestive upsets anorexia and pancreatitis. Adult dogs and puppies could benefit from a probiotic supplementation to help with digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements to assist with breaking down proteins. Vitamin and mineral supplements are not required in the sense that a well-formulated and approved AAFCO diet should contain the right amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are highly trainable and biddable dogs that thrive under a skilled handler's guidance. They are therefore a great choice for police, military search and rescue and therapy dog roles. Their inexplicably loyal nature makes them an excellent pet, if properly trained and socialized.
The first step to raising an equidistant GSD is socialization. From an early age expose your puppy to various animals and people. Take them on frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will make them feel more comfortable and secure and teach them to trust people at an early age.
It requires patience, perseverance, 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. Use clicker training and reward-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
Daily enrichment is important for your German Shepherd. The stimulation of the mind is equally important as physical exercise for the GSD, especially in a chaotic or busy household. This will help keep their attention and focus so that they are less likely to be distracted by noises from the street, thunderstorms, 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 intestinal tract) as well as pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these conditions can be prevented by responsible breeding and lifestyle changes.
German Shepherds are devoted family dogs despite their reputation as a feared breed. They are generally affectionate with children and gentle with smaller pets, such as cats, if they are exposed to them from a young age. However, their size and strength make them excellent guardians and they should be watched over children younger than them. If they are not exposed enough to training and socialization and are not properly socialized, they could exhibit signs of aggression. It is recommended to enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy preschool or obedience classes to ensure they are receiving the proper education and socialization they require to thrive.