The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect combination of strength and speed. Their exceptional training capabilities and protective instincts make these dogs loved family pets.

When looking for a purebred German Shepherd Choose breeders who are concerned about the health of their dogs as well as practice ethical breeding. You can determine reliable breeders by asking for pedigree papers and previous health clearances.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are strong intelligent dogs that are highly capable of being trained. They are loyal to their families and are able to be fierce guardians. Breed standard states the GSD should be self-confident and courageous, as well as possess an unwavering temperament. It should also be obedient and willing to obey.

The breed is strong, medium-sized and slightly longer. It has a double coat that consists of an outer layer of hardness and SchäFerhund Welpen Kaufen Schweiz a soft undercoat. The eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and positioned obliquely. Its ears are wide at the base and pointed. When the dog is resting in a shady position, the tail is bushy. It extends below the hocks. The neck of the breed is long and slightly sloping. The chest is broad and deep. The ribs are strong and the spine is firm.

The breed is generally sound however, it does have some serious flaws, such as roached backs and long pasterns, which hinder the proper movement. The hindquarters of the dog must be strong but not overly so. The rear leg should never go beyond the point where the foot makes an impression.

As working dogs As working dogs, the GSD has high-drives that are naturally present (behavioral propensities and desires toward things like territorial protectiveness and hunting prey). When these high drives aren't fulfilled through play or work this can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a manner that helps dampen these drives however they still require a lot of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise, and mental stimulation in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

GSDs tend to be shy and cautious towards strangers initially. This is a characteristic that makes them excellent guard dogs, however it requires proper training to avoid overreactions. When socialized properly early in life, they make wonderful family pets. They're also great with children.

The GSD is a resilient species to illness and has a high threshold for pain, however certain health conditions can affect the quality of its life. These include seizures and epilepsy as well as bleeding disorders and immune-mediated diseases. To prevent these conditions, limiting your dog's exposure to UV rays and making sure you get regular vaccinations will aid.

Temperament

German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn. They are also highly capable of training. They are a working dog breed that excels at many jobs, such as police work, herding, and search and rescue. They also excel in bomb and drug detection and aiding blind people. They also make excellent companions for families. This ferocious and confident breed requires a clear goal and the attention and focus of a responsible owner to channel their strength and energy in a positive way. They require a lot of space and exercise and might not be suited to smaller living spaces.

The ideal German Shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a firm and steady temperament. They are loyal and alert, and are sceptical of strangers. This guardian and attentive behavior can turn into aggression when they are not properly trained, socialized and supervised. These dogs are very intelligent and can be very insecure and bored, Deutscher schäferhund zu verkaufen and they require a good outlet for their curiosity.

Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, employed longhaired and shorterhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This led to an animal that is receptive and obedient. He disagreed with people who believed that German Shepherds should be a showpiece, and he ensured that his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding instincts, and a sound body structure. He was against breeding 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 impede the ability of the breed to perform its traditional tasks.

In addition to the hereditary ailments that can plague any breed of dog, German Shepherds are prone to cancers such as Hemangiosarcoma. It is a cancer that typically affects blood-rich organs such as the liver and spleen. They may also develop bone, lung or intestinal cancers.

You can avoid these ailments by maintaining the physical health of your German Shepherd. This includes providing him with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Make sure that he has plenty of opportunities to exercise and play outdoors in a secure area free of traffic and other dangers. Keep him groomed by scrubbing his dense double coat regularly, using a de-shedding tool or an undercoat rake to get rid of loose hairs. It is also recommended to take him to your veterinarian regularly for regular health checks.

Health

German Shepherds have a healthy health record, but health problems do exist. They are prone to ear infections, and may develop conditions that affect their eyes and ears like degenerative amyelopathy. They may also suffer from a genetic disease known as hereditary von Willebrand's disorder, which impacts their ability to clot blood. It is present in females and males dogs.

GSDs are a working breed and consequently, they are subject to intense training. As a result, they may develop joint issues. The most frequent is hip dysplasia, characterized by a lack of growth and development of the joint and cartilage, leading to pain, lameness and other signs. It is not a major condition, but it can be painful to the dog.

Breeders with a good reputation X-ray the dogs they breed and use the results for breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health of the puppy and its genetic history, including the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs at high chance of developing the disorder are not breed.

Panosteitis can affect German Shepherds. The condition causes bones to grow quickly and unevenly. This can lead to stiffness and pain. The condition is especially prevalent in German Shepherd puppies and German Shepherd puppies for sale in Switzerland dogs under 18 months of age who are experiencing a large growth spurt.

The dogs require a diet that is high in protein, and an abundance of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to maintain the health of their coat and skin. They will benefit from joint support in their food, such as glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs under 18 months of age should exercise moderately like walking on a regular basis and, if compatible with another dog playing together, but should not be allowed to run at full speed, as this can damage growing joints.

Table food or animal bones should be avoided, as these can cause vomiting, diarrhea anorexia, vomiting, and pancreatitis. Puppies and adult dogs could benefit by a probiotic supplementation program to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements to assist with breaking down proteins. Mineral and vitamin supplements are not required in the sense that a well-formulated and approved AAFCO diet should supply the appropriate amount of these nutrients.

Training

German Shepherds are highly-trainable and biddable dogs who thrive under a skilled handler's guidance. They are a great choice for military, police search and rescue and therapy dog roles. Their constant loyalty makes them a wonderful pet, provided they are well-socialized and properly trained.

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

It requires patience, perseverance as well as positive reinforcement to train to train a German shepherd. It is essential to avoid negative reinforcement methods like yelling and physical punishment because they can cause fear-based aggression. Use clicker training and rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.

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

Some of the health issues that are unique to German Shepherds are hemangiosarcoma and cancer of the bones as well as the lungs and intestinal tract, and pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these conditions can be prevented through responsible breeding and lifestyle accommodations.

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