The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect balance of speed and strength. Their ability to train and their protective instincts make these dogs cherished family pets.

If you are in search of a purebred German Shepherd dog, choose breeders who prioritize the health of their dogs and practice ethical breeding. You can find reliable breeders by asking for documents on pedigrees and previous health clearances.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are incredibly strong, intelligent dogs that are easily trainable. They are extremely loyal to their family members and are a fierce protector of them. Breed standard states the GSD should be self-confident, courageous, and have an unwavering temperament. It should also be able to be handled and willing to please.

The breed is medium-sized, slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a double coat made up of an outer layer of hardness and a softer undercoat. Its almond-shaped eyes are dark and obliquely set. The ears are large at the base and pointed. The tail is slender and extends to the hocks below when the dog is lying down. The long neck, with a slight slope, is characteristic. The chest is large and deep. The ribs are well-sprung and the spine is firm.

The breed is generally sound however, it does have some serious issues, like roached-backs and long pasterns that interfere with the correct movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful, but not excessively exaggerated. Likewise, the rear leg should never pass forward of the point where the forefoot makes an impression.

As working dogs, the GSD has high-drives that are naturally present (behavioral propensities and desires toward things like territorial protectiveness and the pursuit of prey). If these high-drives aren't fulfilled through play or work and it leads to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a manner that can help reduce these urges however they still require a lot 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 great guard dogs and requires appropriate training to avoid overreactions. When socialized properly at a young age they can be wonderful family pets. They also make great kids.

The GSD is resilient to disease and has a very high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can affect the quality of its life. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders. To prevent these conditions, limiting your dog's exposure to UV rays and ensuring that it receives regular vaccinations can help.

Temperament

German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn. They are also trainable. They are a working breed that excel in a variety tasks, including herding police work including search and rescue, drug and bomb detection, and guiding the blind. They are also excellent family members. However, this strong and confident breed requires an unwavering sense of purpose and the attention of an assertive owner to channel their energy and strength in a positive manner. They require plenty of exercise and space and may not be a good fit for Schäferhund beschützerinstinkt smaller living spaces.

The ideal German Shepherd is balanced and schäferhund welpen österreich kaufen confident, with a firm and steady temperament. They are loyal, vigilant, and suspicious of strangers. This watchful and protective behavior can escalate into aggression if not properly trained, socialized, and managed. Dogs with these traits can be smart and independent, but they can also be bored. They must find ways to satisfy their natural curiosity.

Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, utilized longhaired and shorterhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This resulted in an animal that is friendly and obedient. He disagreed with people who believed that German Shepherds should be a showpiece, and he made sure that his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding instincts, and sound body structure. He was against breeding dogs with temperaments that were unstable or with sharp angles on their croups, or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would undermine the ability of the breed to perform its usual tasks.

In addition to the hereditary disorders that affect every dog breed, German Shepherds are prone to cancers, such as Hemangiosarcoma, which typically affects blood-rich organs, SchäFerhund Welpen Kaufen Schweiz such as the spleen and liver. They also can develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers.

To avoid these ailments to avoid them, you must maintain your German Shepherd's physical health by providing him with the right diet and exercise. You should allow him ample time to play and run around in a safe area free of traffic. Keep him looking neat by scrubbing his dense double coat on a regular basis by using a de-shedding tool or a rake undercoat to remove loose hairs. You should also make sure that you take him to the veterinarian on a regular basis to have regular health check-ups.

Health

German Shepherds have a good health record, but some health problems are present. They are susceptible to ear infections, and they can develop ailments that affect their eyes and ears, like degenerative myelopathy. Female and male dogs can suffer from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that hinders their ability to clot the blood.

GSDs are a working breed and as such, they go through intense training. In the process, they can develop joint problems. Hip dysplasia is a typical condition that can cause pain, lameness and other signs. This is not a serious condition but can be painful for the dog.

Reputable breeders 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 at high likelihood of developing the disorder are not breed.

Panosteitis can affect German Shepherds. The condition causes the bones to grow rapidly and unevenly. This can result in stiffness and pain. The condition is particularly common in German Shepherd puppies and dogs under 18 months of age who are going through a large growth spurt.

The dogs need a diet high in protein with a generous mix of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins for a healthy coat and skin. Dogs with arthritis are able to benefit from a diet that has joint support, like chondroitin or glucosamine. Dogs under the age of 18 months should be given moderate exercise like walking and playing with another dog if they are compatible. However it is not recommended to run at full speed, as this could damage their joints that are growing.

Foods that are table-based or contain animal bones should be avoided since they can trigger vomiting, digestive upset anorexia, pancreatitis, and vomiting. Puppies and adults can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion and digestive enzyme supplements to aid in breaking down proteins. Mineral and vitamin supplements are not necessary, as a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should contain the right amount of these nutrients.

Training

German Shepherds are intelligent and highly trainable dogs that thrive under the guidance by a knowledgeable handler. They are a great choice for police, military search and rescue, and therapy dog roles. However, their unwavering loyalty also makes them a great pet for the family when properly trained and socialized.

The first step in raising a well-adjusted GSD is socialization. From a young age expose your puppy different people and animals. Take your dog for walks frequently and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will help them feel comfortable and secure in a new environment and help them become comfortable with humans from a young age.

Training a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Avoid negative reinforcement methods like yelling or physical punishment that could result in fear-based aggression. Use clicker training or rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.

Daily enrichment is essential for your German Shepherd. Mental stimulation exercises can be as important as physical exercise for an GSD, especially in a chaotic or busy household. This helps keep their attention and deutscher schäferhund Welpe kaufen focus so they are less likely to get distracted by street noises, thunderstorms or other dogs in the park, or the crowds at competitions and public events.

Certain health conditions that are specific to German Shepherds include Hemangiosarcoma, cancer of bones, lungs, schäferhund welpen kaufen schweiz and schäferhund welpen kaufen schweiz intestinal tract and pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these conditions are preventable with responsible breeding practices and proper lifestyle adjustments.

Despite their infamous reputation, German shepherd Kaufen German Shepherds make devoted family pets. They are usually affectionate with children and gentle with smaller pets, like cats, if they are exposed to them from the age of. They are powerful guardians due to their size and strength but they should be supervised when around young children. If they are not exposed enough to socialization and training they could show signs of aggression. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy school or obedience class will ensure that he receives the training and socialization that he needs to be successful.