10 Quick Tips About Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD embodies the ideal balance of agility and strength. Its training capabilities are high and its natural instincts to protect make them beloved family dogs.
When looking for a purebred German Shepherd dog select breeders who value the health of their dogs as well as practice ethical breeding. Requesting pedigree papers and prior health clearances can help you determine reputable breeders.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are intelligent, powerful dogs that are easy to train. They are loyal to their families and are able to be fierce guardians. The breed standard states that the GSD must be stable of temperament, self assured and courageous. It should also be obedient and willing to please.
The breed is strong, medium-sized and slightly extended. It has a double coat made up of a hard outer layer, and a softer undercoat. Its eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and set in a oblique manner. The ears are wide at the base and pointed. When the dog is resting on its back, the tail becomes large and bushy. It is a little below the hocks. The breed's long, slightly sloping neck is distinctive. The chest is large and deep. The spine is solid and the ribs are well-sprung.
In general, the breed is sound, but serious faults include roached backs and lengthy pasterns that hinder proper movement. Its hindquarters must be powerful but not overly so. The rear leg should never extend beyond the point at which the foot leaves a mark.
As working dogs, GSDs have naturally high drives. These are the behaviors and desires that include territorial protection and hunting of prey. If these high-drives aren't satisfied in some way through work or play this can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds were bred to help dampen these impulses. However, they need lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to maintain a balance life.
GSDs tend to be reserved and suspicious towards strangers initially. This trait of protection makes GSDs excellent guard dogs, however it requires proper training to prevent overreactions. When socialized properly from a young age they can make great pets for families. They are also great with kids.
The GSD is resistant to illness and has a high threshold for pain, however certain health conditions can impact the quality of its life. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders. Taking precautions such as limiting the dog's exposure to harmful UV rays and ensuring that it receives routine vaccinations should lower the chance of developing these conditions.
Temperament
German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn. They are also capable of training. They are an active dog breed that excels at many jobs, such as herding, police work and search and rescue. They also excel at bomb and drug detection and aiding blind people. They also make great companions for families. This ferocious and confident breed requires a clear purpose and the attention and focus of a responsible owner to channel their strength and energy positively. They require plenty of exercise and space, and might not be suited in smaller living spaces.
The ideal German shepherd is confident and well-balanced, with a strong temperament. They are loyal and alert and are sceptical of strangers. If they aren't properly socialized and trained to be vigilant and protective, this behavior could turn into aggression. These dogs are often intelligent, independent and easily bored. They must find an avenue to satisfy their natural curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, utilized shorthaired and longhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This led to a breed that is responsive and respectful. He did not agree with those who wanted German Shepherds to be a display dog, and he ensured that his dogs were stable in their temperaments and strong herding instincts and a solid body structure. He even resisted breeding some of his dogs who had temperaments that were unstable or had sharp angles in their croups, as well as front and rear pasterns because he believed that these characteristics could hamper the breed's ability to perform its traditional work.
German Shepherds are also susceptible to cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a frequent cancer that affects the spleen and liver organs that have a high blood supply. deutscher schäferhund zu verkaufen may also develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers.

You can avoid these ailments by ensuring the physical health of your German Shepherd. This includes providing him with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Make sure he gets plenty of opportunities to exercise and play outdoors in a secure area free of traffic and other hazards. Keep him looking neat by brushing his thick double coat regularly and using a de-shedding device or a rake undercoat to remove hairs that are loose. Also, make sure that you visit the vet regularly for routine health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, however they do have certain health issues. They are prone to ear infections and may develop eye conditions and ears, such as degenerative myelopathy. Both female and male dogs are susceptible to suffering from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic condition that limits the ability of clotting blood.
As a working breed, GSDs often engage in vigorous training and they may suffer from joint issues as a consequence. One of the most common is hip dysplasia, which is characterized by the inadvertent growth and development of the joint and cartilage, leading to pain, lameness and other signs. It's not always a serious problem but it can be painful for the dog.
Reputable breeders X-ray their dogs and utilize the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine 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 breeding.
Panosteitis can be a problem for German Shepherds. The condition causes bones to grow quickly and unevenly. This can cause pain and stiffness. This is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing a rapid growth spurt.
These dogs need an diet rich in protein, and an abundance of omega fatty acids as well as balanced vitamins to maintain a healthy skin and coat. These dogs will benefit from a diet that has joints-supporting ingredients, such as glucosamine or chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months age should be exercising moderately, such as multiple walks and, if compatible with other dogs playing together, but they should not be allowed to run at full speed, as this can damage growing joints.
Table food or bones from animals should be avoided since they can trigger vomiting, diarrhea anorexia, pancreatitis, and vomiting. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion as well as digestive enzyme supplements to help break down proteins. Vitamin and mineral supplements are not necessary, as a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should provide the proper amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are intelligent high-trained dogs who thrive when they're under the guidance of a knowledgeable handler. This makes them an excellent choice for military and police work in search and rescue, therapy dog roles, and a myriad of other specialized roles. Their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a great pet, if they are properly socialized and trained.
The first step to raising a well-adjusted GSD is socialization. From an early age expose your puppy to different animals and people. Take them for frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will help them feel more confident and comfortable and teach them to trust people from a young age.
It requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement to train the German shepherd. It is important to avoid negative reinforcement methods such as physical and verbal punishment, as they can cause fear-based aggression. Instead, you should use reward-based training and clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.
It is also crucial to give your German Shepherd with daily enrichment. Mental stimulation exercises are as essential for an GSD as physical exercise, especially if you live in an area with a lot of activity. This helps to keep their attention and focus, so they are less likely to become distracted by noises from the street or thunderstorms, other dogs in the park, or crowds at competitions and other public events.
Some of the health issues that are specific to German Shepherds are hemangiosarcoma, cancer of the bones lung, lungs, and the intestinal tract, and pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these ailments are preventable through responsible breeding and lifestyle changes.
German Shepherds are loving family dogs despite their reputation for being feared. When they are exposed to children as young as they can be incredibly affectionate and gentle towards smaller pets such as cats. They are extremely effective guardians due their size and strength but they should be supervised when they are around children. They could also exhibit indications of a genetic tendency towards aggression if not provided with appropriate training and socialization opportunities. schäferhund kaufen österreich is recommended that you enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy class or obedience classes to ensure that they are receiving the proper education and socialization they require to flourish.