The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect balance of speed and strength. schäferhund baby kaufen to train and their protective instincts make these dogs loved family pets.
If you are looking for a purebred german shepherd dog Look for breeders who practice ethical breeding and prioritize the health of their dogs. You can identify reliable breeders by asking for pedigree documents and previous health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are smart, powerful dogs that are easy to train. They are extremely loyal to their family members and are fearless guardians of them. The breed standard states that a GSD must be confident and courageous, as well as possess an unwavering temperament. It should also be able to be handled and willing to be a pleasure to.
The breed is medium-sized with a slight elongation and is muscular. It has a distinctive double coat, which is comprised of a hard outer layer as well as a soft undercoat. Its almond-shaped eyes are dark and obliquely set. The ears are pointed and wide at the base. When the dog is laying down, the tail is large and bushy. It extends below the hocks. The neck of the breed is long and slightly sloping. The chest is broad and deep. The ribs are well-sprung and the spine is solid.
The breed is generally healthy, but it has serious flaws, such as roached backs and long pasterns, which hinder the proper movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful, but not excessively exaggerated and the rear leg should never pass in the direction of where the forefoot makes an impression.
As working dogs as well as working dogs, the GSD has high-drives that are naturally present (behavioral propensities and desires toward things like territorial protectiveness and hunting prey). If these high-drives are not satisfied in some way, such as through work or playing, it can lead aggression. Show-type German Shepherds have been bred to help dampen these drives. However, they still require a lot of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation in order to maintain a balance life.
GSDs are typically reserved around strangers and may be initially suspicious of them. This is a characteristic that makes them excellent guard dogs, but requires proper training to avoid overreactions. When socialized properly from a young age, they make wonderful pets for the family. They also make great children.
The GSD has an elevated pain threshold and is resistant to illnesses, but it does have certain health conditions that may affect its quality of life. This includes seizures and epilepsy, as well as bleeding disorders. To prevent these conditions, limiting your dog's exposure UV rays and making sure it receives regular vaccinations can help.
Temperament
German Shepherds are smart, eager to learn, and highly capable of being trained. They are a working breed that excel in a variety of jobs, including herding, police work, search and rescue, drug and bomb detection and guiding blind. They also make excellent family members. However, this powerful and confident breed requires an unwavering focus and the attention of a confident owner to use their strength and energy in a positive way. They require plenty of space and exercise, and may not be suitable for apartments or other living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a strong and stable temperament. They are loyal and alert, and they are sceptical of strangers. If they are not socialized properly and trained, this protective and watchful behavior can become aggressive. These dogs are often intelligent, independent and easily bored. They must find ways 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 a breed that is responsive and respectful. Max von Stephanitz disagreed 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 instincts, and a sound body structure. He also refused to breed some of his dogs who were temperamentally unstable or had sharp angles in their croups as well as front and rear pasterns because he believed that these characteristics could hinder the ability of the breed to perform its work.
German Shepherds are also prone to cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a common cancer that affects the spleen and liver organs that have a high blood supply. They may also develop bone, lung or intestinal cancers.
To avoid these issues to avoid them, you must maintain your German Shepherd's physical health by providing him with proper diet and exercise. Make sure that he has plenty of opportunities to run and play outside in a secure area away from traffic and other dangers. Keep him looking neat by brushing his dense double coat on a regular basis and using a de-shedding device or undercoat rake to remove hairs that have fallen off. You should also bring him to the vet regularly for routine health checks.
Health
German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, however they do have some health issues. They are prone to ear infections and may develop conditions affecting their eyes and ears, including degenerative myelopathy. They may also suffer from an inherited disease called hereditary von Willebrand's disease, which impacts their ability to clot blood. It is present in both male and female dogs.
As a working breed GSDs often engage in vigorous training and they can suffer from joint problems as a result. The most frequent is hip dysplasia, characterized by a lack of growth and development of cartilage and joint which can cause discomfort, lameness, and other symptoms. This is not a serious condition, but it can be painful to the dog.
Breeders who are reputable are able to X-ray their dogs and use the results to inform breeding decisions. The x-rays help determine the health of the puppy and its genetic history, including the probability that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high chance of developing the disorder are not breeding.
Like all large breeds, German Shepherds also be affected by panosteitis, which causes bones to grow rapidly and unevenly, which causes pain and stiffness in the joints. The condition is especially common in German Shepherd puppies and dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing the midst of a massive growth spurt.
They require an enriched diet rich in protein and a large mix of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to maintain a healthy coat and skin. They may benefit from joint-support in their food, such as glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months age should exercise moderately, such as multiple walks and, if compatible with another dog, playing together, but should not be allowed to run at full speed, as it can cause joint damage.
Foods that are table-based or contain bones from animals should be avoided, as these can cause digestive upset, vomiting anorexia, pancreatitis, and vomiting. Dogs of all ages can benefit from a probiotic supplement to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements to assist in the breakdown of proteins. A properly-formulated AAFCO approved diet should contain the proper amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are highly-trainable and biddable dogs who thrive under a skilled handler's guidance. They are therefore a great choice for police, military search and rescue and therapy dog roles. But their dedication to their job makes them a great family pet when properly trained and socialized.
Socialization is the first step to raising a well adjusted GSD. From an early age expose your puppy to different people and animals. Take them for frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will make them feel secure and at ease in a new environment and help them develop trust in humans from an early age.
Training for a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. It is important to avoid negative reinforcement methods, such as physical and verbal punishment, as they can lead to fear-based aggression. Instead, opt for reward-based training and clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.
Daily enrichment is essential for your German Shepherd. The exercises for mental stimulation are just as important for a GSD as physical exercise, particularly when you have an area with a lot of activity. This helps 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 and other public events.
German Shepherds are at risk of various health issues, including hemangiosarcoma (cancer of bones, lungs and intestinal tract), pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these ailments can be prevented by responsible breeding and lifestyle changes.
German Shepherds are loving family dogs, despite their reputation as being fearsome. When they are exposed to children from a young age they can be friendly and gentle with smaller animals like cats. They are extremely effective guardians due their size and strength however, they must be monitored when they are around children. They could also display signs of a hereditary tendency to aggression if not given the proper training and socialization opportunities. It is recommended that you 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.