The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect balance of speed and strength. Its training capabilities are high and its natural protective instincts make them beloved family dogs.

When shopping for purebred german shepherd dogs, look for breeders who adhere to ethical breeding practices and are committed to the health of their animals. Requesting pedigree papers and previous health clearances can help you determine reputable breeders.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are strong intelligent dogs that are easily capable of being trained. They are incredibly loyal to their family members and can be fearless protectors of them. The breed standard says that the GSD must be stable of temperament, confident and courageous. It must also be respectful and willing to be obedient.

The breed is medium in size, slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a double coat consisting of an outer layer of hardness, and a softer undercoat. The almond-shaped eyes are dark and slightly set. Its ears are wide at the base and pointed. When the dog is lying down on its back, the tail becomes big and swollen. It is a little below the hocks. The breed's neck is long and sloping slightly. The chest is wide and deep. The spine is strong and the ribs are well-sprung.

The breed is generally healthy however, it does have some serious issues, like roached-backs and long pasterns, which interfere with the correct movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful but not overly exaggerated. Likewise, the rear leg should never pass ahead of the point at which the forefoot leaves an imprint.

As working dogs, GSDs have naturally high drives. These are behaviors and needs that include territorial protection as well as chasing of prey. If these high-drives are not satisfied in some way, like through play or work, it can lead aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a way that helps dampen these drives, but they still require lots of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise, Deutsche Schäferhundwelpen and belgischer Schäferhund welpen kaufen öSterreich mental stimulation in order to maintain a balanced life.

GSDs tend to be reserved and suspicious towards strangers at first. This trait of protection makes GSDs great guard dogs, but requires proper training to avoid overreactions. When properly socialized early in life they can be wonderful pets for the family. They're also great with kids.

The GSD is a resilient species to illness and has a high threshold for pain, however certain health conditions can affect the quality of life. These include epilepsy/seizures, bleeding disorders, and immune-mediated diseases. By taking precautions, such as limiting the dog's exposure to harmful UV rays, and ensuring it is regularly vaccinated will lower the risk of developing these diseases.

Temperament

German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn, and highly capable of being trained. They are a working breed and excel in a variety of tasks, such as herding, police work including search and rescue, bomb and drug detection and guiding blind. They are also excellent companions for families. This powerful and confident breed requires a clear and precise goal and the attention and focus of a shrewd owner to channel their strength and energy in a positive way. They require a lot of exercise and room, and may not be suitable in smaller living spaces.

The ideal German shepherd is well-balanced and confident with a strong temperament. They are loyal and vigilant, and are sceptical of strangers. This protective and watchful behavior can escalate into aggression when not properly trained, socialized and managed. They are extremely intelligent and can be insecure and bored, which is why they require an outlet to satisfy their natural curiosity.

Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, employed longhaired and shorterhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This led to a breed that is responsive and respectful. Max von Stephanitz was not one of those who wanted German Shepherds as a showpiece and made sure that his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding impulses, as well as a sound body structure. He refused to breed dogs with temperaments that were unstable, or with a steep angle on their croups or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would hinder the ability of the breed to fulfill its traditional tasks.

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

To prevent these conditions to avoid them, you must maintain your German Shepherd's physical well-being by feeding him the right diet and exercise. You should allow him plenty of time to run and play in a secure area free of traffic. Regularly brush his double coat with a deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. It is also recommended to visit your vet regularly for routine health checks.

Health

German Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, but they do have certain health issues. They are susceptible to ear infections and can develop conditions that affect their ears and eyes like degenerative amyelopathy. Both male and female 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 can suffer from joint issues as a result. Hip dysplasia is a common condition that can cause pain, lameness and other symptoms. This is not a serious condition, but it can be painful for the dog.

Breeders who are trustworthy have their dogs X-rayed 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 history, including the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs at high chance of developing the disorder are not breeding.

Panosteitis can affect German Shepherds. The condition causes bones to grow quickly and unevenly. This can result in pain and stiffness. The condition is particularly frequent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs under 18 months of age who are going through an enormous growth spurt.

They require an enriched diet rich in protein, Belgischer SchäFerhund Welpen Kaufen öSterreich with a good mix of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to maintain skin and coat health. They can benefit from joint support in their food including glucosamine as well as chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months must be given moderate exercise like walking and playing with another dog if they are compatible. However, they should not run at full speed, as this could damage their joints that are growing.

Table food or bones from animals should be avoided, as these can cause vomiting, digestive upset, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Adult dogs and puppies may benefit from a probiotic supplementation to help with digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements that aid with breaking down 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 guide's supervision. As such, belgischer schäferhund welpen kaufen öSterreich they are a great choice for police and military tasks in search and rescue as well as therapy dog roles and a myriad of other specialized roles. Their inexplicably loyal nature makes them an excellent pet, Deutscher Schäferhund welpe kaufen if they are properly socialized and trained.

The first step in raising a well-adjusted GSD is socialization. Introduce your puppy to a range of people and animals from an early age, by taking them on frequent walks, deutscher Schäferhund welpen kaufen playing games, and even visiting local dog parks. This will make them feel more secure and schäferhund welpen öSterreich kaufen confident and help them trust people at an early age.

It takes patience, consistency, as well as 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 rewards-based training and clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.

It is also essential to provide your German Shepherd with a daily dose of enrichment. Mental stimulation exercises can be equally important as physical exercise for an GSD especially in a chaotic or busy household. This helps them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by street noises or storms, other dogs at the park, or crowds at competitions and public events.

German Shepherds are at risk of a number of health conditions, including hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the bones, lungs, and intestinal tract) and pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these diseases are preventable through responsible breeding and lifestyle changes.

Despite their reputation for being a savage breed German Shepherds are loving family pets. They are often friendly 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 watched when they are around young children. If they are not sufficiently exposed to training and socialization, they may show signs of aggression. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy school or obedience class will ensure that he receives the training and socialization he requires to flourish.