The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect combination of speed and strength. Its high trainability and natural instincts to protect make them loved family dogs.

If you are in search of a purebred German Shepherd select breeders who value the health of their dogs and follow ethical breeding. You can find reputable breeders by requesting pedigree papers and prior health clearances.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are powerful intelligent dogs that are highly capable of training. They are incredibly loyal to their family members and are a fierce protector of them. The breed standard states that a GSD should be self-confident, courageous, and have a calm and steady temperament. It must also be obedient and willing to obey.

The breed is strong, medium-sized and slightly longer. It has a distinctive double coat that consists of a hard outer layer as well as a soft undercoat. The eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and positioned obliquely. The ears are wide at the base and pointed. When the dog is laying down on its back, the tail becomes big and swollen. It reaches below the hocks. The breed's neck is long and sloping slightly. The chest is broad and deep. The spine is firm and the ribs are well-sprung.

In general the breed is healthy, but serious faults include roached backs and lengthy pasterns that interfere with correct movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful, but not excessively exaggerated and the rear leg should never go ahead of the point at which the forefoot leaves a footprint.

As working dogs As working dogs, the GSD has high-drives that are naturally present (behavioral tendencies and desires for things like territorial protection and chasing prey). If these high-drives aren't fulfilled in some way through play or work this can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds have been created to help reduce these urges. However, they require a lot of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation in order to maintain a balance life.

GSDs are generally cautious around strangers and could be cautious at first. This protective trait makes GSDs great guard dogs, but requires proper training to avoid overreactions. When socialized properly early in life they can be wonderful pets for the family. They also make great children.

The GSD is resistant to illnesses and has a high threshold for pain, however certain health conditions can impact the quality of life. These include epilepsy/seizures and bleeding disorders. To prevent these conditions, limiting your dog's exposure to UV rays, and ensuring it is vaccinated regularly can help.

Temperament

German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn. They are also highly capable of being trained. They are a working breed that excel at a variety of jobs, schäFerhundwelpen Kaufen including herding, police work such as search and rescue drug and bomb detection and guiding blind. They also make excellent pet for families. However, this powerful and confident breed requires a clear sense of purpose and the attention of an assertive owner to channel their energy and strength positively. They need a lot of exercise ag or an undercoat rake. You should also visit your vet regularly for regular health check-ups.

Health

German Shepherds have a great health record, but health problems are present. They are prone to ear infections and they can develop ailments that affect their ears and eyes such as degenerative amyelopathy. They may also be affected by a genetic disease known as von Willebrand's disease that is hereditary that affects their capacity to clot blood. It is present in females and males dogs.

As a breed that is primarily used for work, many GSDs undergo strenuous exercise during their training and can develop joint issues as a result. Hip dysplasia is a typical condition that can cause lameness, pain, and other signs. It's not always a serious issue however it can be painful for dogs.

Breeders who are reputable have their dogs X-rayed and use the results for breeding decisions. The x-rays can aid in determining the health of the puppy and its genetic background, including the probability that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs with a high risk of developing dysplasia do not breed.

Panosteitis can affect German Shepherds. The condition causes the bones to grow rapidly and unevenly. This can result in pain and stiffness. This condition is more common in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months old who are experiencing rapid growth.

The dogs need an enriched diet rich in protein and a large mix of omega fatty acid and balanced vitamins to ensure skin and coat health. They are able to benefit from a diet that has joints-supporting ingredients, such as glucosamine or Buy German Shepherd Dog Austria chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months should get moderate exercise like walking and playing with another dog if they are compatible. However it is not recommended to run at a high speed, Deutsche SchäFerhunde Kaufen since this could cause damage to the joints they are developing.

Feeding table food or animal bones should be avoided as these can cause digestive upset, vomiting, anorexia, Schäferhund kaufen and pancreatitis. Adult dogs and puppies could benefit from a probiotic supplement to aid digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements to assist with breaking down proteins. Vitamin and mineral supplements are not necessary in the sense that a well-formulated and approved AAFCO diet should contain the right amount of these nutrients.

Training

German Shepherds are intelligent, highly trainable dogs who thrive under the supervision by a knowledgeable handler. This makes them an excellent choice for police and military work, search and rescue, therapy dog roles, and many other specializations. Their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a great pet to have when properly trained and socialized.

Socialization is the first step towards raising a well adjusted GSD. From a young age, expose your puppy to different animals and people. Take them on frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will help them feel confident and comfortable in a new place and will help them develop trust in humans from an early age.

It takes patience, consistency as well as positive reinforcement to train to train a German shepherd. Avoid negative reinforcement methods such as yelling, or physical punishment, which can result in fear-based aggression. Instead, you should use clicker training and rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.

Daily enrichment is crucial for your German Shepherd. Mental stimulation exercises are just as important for an GSD as physical exercise, especially in the case of an area with a lot of activity. This helps keep their attention and focus, so they are less likely to be distracted by street noises or thunderstorms and other dogs in the park, or crowds at sporting events and public events.

German Shepherds are prone to various health issues that include hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the bones, lungs and the intestinal tract), pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these diseases can be avoided through responsible breeding practices and proper lifestyle adjustments.

Despite their fearsome reputation German Shepherds are loving family pets. They are usually affectionate with children and gentle with smaller pets, like cats, when exposed to them at a young age. They are formidable guardians due to their size and strength, but they should be watched when they are around children. If they aren't sufficiently exposed to socialization and training 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 they are receiving the proper education and socialization they require to thrive.