The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect combination of speed and strength. Their high trainability and protection instincts make them beloved pets for families.

If you are looking for a purebred German Shepherd Choose breeders who are concerned about the health of their dogs as well as practice ethical breeding. Requesting pedigree documents and prior health clearances can help you determine reputable breeders.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are strong intelligent dogs that are highly trainable. They are loyal to their families and can be fearless guardians. Breed standard states the GSD must be confident, courageous, Reinrassiger Deutscher SchäFerhund and have an unwavering temperament. It must also be obedient and willing to be obedient.

The breed is muscular, medium-sized and slightly longer. It has a double coat made up of an outer layer of hardness, and a softer undercoat. The almond-shaped eyes of the dog 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 extends below the hocks. The long neck, with a slight slope, is characteristic. The chest is broad and deep. The spine is strong and deutscher Schäferhund kaufen Schweiz 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 hinder the proper movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful however, they should not be overly exaggerated. The rear leg should never go in the direction of where the forefoot leaves an imprint.

As working dogs, GSDs naturally have high drive. These are the behaviors and desires that include territorial protection as well as the pursuit of prey. If these high-drives are not fulfilled in a particular way, such as through work or playing, it can lead aggression. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a way which helps to reduce these drives, but they still require lots of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise and mental stimulation to maintain a balanced life.

GSDs tend to be reserved and suspicious towards strangers initially. This protective trait makes them excellent guard dogs and requires proper training to avoid overreactions. If properly socialized at a young age they can be wonderful pets for families. They're also great with children.

The GSD has a high pain threshold and is able to fight off illnesses, but it is also susceptible to certain health conditions that may affect its quality of life. These include seizures and epilepsy, bleeding disorders, and immune-mediated diseases. Preventing these conditions by limiting your dog's exposure UV rays and ensuring that you get regular vaccinations will help.

Temperament

German Shepherds are smart, eager to learn, and extremely capable of being trained. They are a working breed that excel in a variety jobs, including herding, police work including search and rescue as well as drug and bomb detection and guiding blind. They are also excellent family members. However, this strong and confident breed requires a clear sense of purpose and the attention of a confident owner to harness their energy and strength positively. They require a lot of space and exercise and might not be suitable for apartments or other smaller living spaces.

The ideal German shepherd is confident and well-balanced, with a strong 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 very smart and can be independent and easily bored, which is why they require a good outlet for their natural curiosity.

Founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, longhaired and short-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program to develop the kind of dog that was obedient and responsive that we see today. He was opposed to those who believed that German Shepherds should be a showpiece and he ensured that his dogs were stable in their temperaments with strong herding instincts and sound body structure. He also refused to breed some of his dogs who were temperamentally unstable or had sharp angles in their croups and front and rear pasterns as he believed these traits could hinder the ability of the breed to perform its work.

German Shepherds are also susceptible to cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is the most common cancer that affects the liver and spleen organs, which have a higher blood supply. They also can develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers.

You can prevent these conditions by maintaining the physical health of your German Shepherd. This means giving him a balanced diet and regular exercise. You should give plenty of time to play and run around in a safe area away from traffic. Regularly brush your double coat with the deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. It is recommended that you take him to your veterinarian regularly for routine health checks.

Health

German Shepherds have a great health record, but some health issues are present. They are susceptible to ear infections, and they can develop ailments that affect their ears and eyes such as degenerative amyelopathy. They may also suffer from an illness that is genetic, known as von Willebrand's disease that is hereditary, which impacts their ability to clot blood, and is present 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 improper growth and development of the joint and cartilage which can cause discomfort, lameness and other signs. It isn't always a serious condition however it can be painful for the dog.

Breeders who are reputable have their dogs X-rayed and use the results to inform breeding decisions. The x-rays can aid in determining the health of the puppy and its genetic history, including the possibility that it could develop dysplasia. Dogs with a high risk of developing dysplasia do not bred.

Panosteitis can be a problem for German Shepherds. The condition causes bones to grow quickly and unevenly. This can cause pain and stiffness. This condition is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months old who are experiencing rapid growth.

The dogs require a diet that is high in protein, deutscher Schäferhund kaufen schweiz and a large amount of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to support healthy coat and skin. They will benefit from joint support in their food including glucosamine as well as chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months should be given moderate exercise such as walking and playing with another dog if they are compatible. However it is not recommended to run at full speed because this can damage their growing joints.

Avoid feeding animal bone or table food, as they can cause digestive upsets, vomiting, anorexia, deutscher schäferhund kaufen schweiz [simply click for source] and pancreatitis. Puppies and adults can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion and digestive enzyme supplements to aid in breaking down proteins. Vitamin and mineral supplements aren't necessary, as 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 guidance of a skilled handler. They are therefore a great choice for police, Deutschen SchäFerhund Kaufen military search and rescue and therapy dog roles. Their constant loyalty makes them a wonderful pet, if they are properly socialized and trained.

Socialization is the first step in raising a well adjusted GSD. Introduce your puppy to range of people and animals from a young age, taking them for frequent walks, playing games and going to local dog parks. This will make them feel confident and comfortable in a new environment and will help them become comfortable with humans at an early age.

It takes patience, consistency as well as positive reinforcement to train the German shepherd. Avoid methods of negative reinforcement like yelling or physical punishment, which could lead to fear based aggression. Instead, you should use clicker training and rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.

It is also essential to provide your German Shepherd with a daily dose of enrichment. Exercises for mental stimulation can be just as important as physical exercises for a GSD particularly in a busy or chaotic household. This helps to keep their attention and focus, so they are less likely to become distracted by street noises storms or other dogs in the park or crowds at sporting events and public events.

Certain health conditions that are specific to German Shepherds are Hemangiosarcoma, cancer of bones, lungs, and intestinal tract, as well as pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these ailments can be prevented by implementing responsible breeding practices and the right lifestyle choices.

Despite their fearsome reputation German Shepherds are loving family pets. They are often friendly with children and gentle with smaller pets, such as cats, when they are exposed to them from the age of. They are formidable guardians due to their size and strength but they should be watched when they are around young children. If they're not exposed enough to training and socialization and are not properly socialized, they could exhibit signs of aggression. It is recommended that you enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy preschool or obedience classes to ensure that they are receiving the proper training and socialization they need to thrive.