The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect combination of speed and strength. Its exceptional training ability and natural instincts to protect make them cherished family dogs.
When looking for a purebred German Shepherd dog select breeders who value the health of their dogs and follow ethical breeding. You can identify trustworthy breeders by requesting documents on pedigrees and previous health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are strong, intelligent dogs that are easily capable of being trained. They are extremely affectionate to their families and are fearless guardians of them. The breed standard says that the GSD must be stable of temperament, self assured and courageous. It must also be able to be handled and willing to please.
The breed is muscular, medium-sized and slightly extended. It has a double coat made up of an outer layer of hardness and a soft undercoat. Its eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and set obliquely. The ears are wide at the base and pointed. The tail is bushy and extends to below the hocks when the dog is at rest. belgischer schäferhund welpen kaufen österreich is long and sloping slightly. The chest is wide and deep. The spine is solid and the ribs are well-sprung.
The breed is generally sound, but it has serious flaws, such as roached backs and long pasterns that hinder proper movement. Its hindquarters must be powerful but not overly so. The rear leg should never go beyond the point where the foot makes an impression.
As working dogs, the GSD has naturally high drives (behavioral propensities and desires toward things like territorial protection and hunting prey). If schäferhundwelpen -drives are not satisfied in a certain way, like through work or playing or playing, it can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds were created to help reduce these urges. However, they require a lot of positive reinforcement, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to keep a balanced life.
GSDs tend to be reserved and suspicious towards strangers initially. This makes them excellent guard dogs and requires proper training to avoid overreactions. When properly socialized from a young age, they make wonderful family pets. They also make great kids.
The GSD has a high pain threshold and is resilient against illnesses, but it has certain health conditions that can impact its quality of life. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders as well as immune-mediated diseases. The best way to prevent these diseases is to limit your dog's exposure to UV rays and ensuring that you get regular vaccinations will help.
Temperament
German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn, and highly trainable. They are an active dog breed that excels at many jobs, such as police work, herding, and search and rescue. They also excel at the detection of drugs and bombs, as well as helping blind people. They are also great pet for families. This strong and confident breed requires a clear and precise goal and the focus and attention of a shrewd owner to harness their energy and strength positively. They require plenty of space and exercise, and may not be suitable for apartments or other smaller living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is balanced and confident, with a strong and steady temperament. They are loyal and alert and they are sceptical of strangers. If they are not socialized properly and trained in this manner, their protective and vigilant behavior could turn into aggressive. These dogs are very intelligent and can be self-sufficient and easily bored, and they require a good outlet for their natural curiosity.
The founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, as well as longhaired and short-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program to develop the responsive and obedient breed that we have today. He was opposed to those who believed that German Shepherds should be a showpiece and he ensured that his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding instincts, and a solid body structure. He even refused to breed certain dogs that had temperaments that were unstable or had steep angles in their croups and front and rear pasterns since he believed that these traits could hinder the ability of the breed to perform its traditional work.
German Shepherds can also be prone to cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a frequent cancer that affects the spleen and liver organs, which have a higher 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. Make sure he has plenty of opportunities to exercise and play outdoors, in a safe area away from traffic and other dangers. Keep him looking neat by brushing his dense double coat regularly by using a de-shedding tool or undercoat rake to remove loose hairs. It is also recommended to visit your vet regularly for regular health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds have a healthy health history, however some health issues are present. They are susceptible to ear infections and may develop conditions that affect their eyes and ears such as degenerative amyelopathy. They may also suffer from a genetic disease known as hereditary von Willebrand's disorder that affects their capacity to clot blood. It is found in both female and male dogs.
GSDs are a working breed and as such, they go through rigorous training. In the process, they can develop joint problems. A common one is hip dysplasia, which is characterized by improper growth and development of the joint and cartilage that can result in discomfort, lameness and other signs. This is not always a serious condition but it can be painful for the dog.
Breeders who are reputable 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 possibility that it could develop dysplasia. Dogs with a high risk of developing dysplasia are not breeding.
Panosteitis can affect German Shepherds. The condition causes the bones to grow quickly and unevenly. This can result in stiffness and pain. This is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months old who are experiencing a rapid growth spurt.
These dogs require food that is high in protein, with a good mix of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to maintain a healthy coat and skin. They may benefit from joint-support in their food including glucosamine as well as chondroitin. Dogs under the age of 18 months must be given moderate exercise like walking and playing with another dog if they are compatible. However they shouldn't run at full speed, since this could cause damage to the joints they are developing.
Avoid feeding animal bone or table food because they can cause vomiting, digestive upsets anorexia, and pancreatitis. Puppies and adults can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements to help break down proteins. Mineral and vitamin supplements aren't necessary in the sense that a well-formulated and approved AAFCO diet should contain the right amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are highly trainable and biddable dogs who thrive under a knowledgeable handler's guidance. This makes them an excellent choice for military and police 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, if they are properly socialized and trained.
The first step in establishing a well-adjusted GSD is socialization. From a young age expose your puppy various 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 environment and help them learn to trust humans at an early age.
It requires patience, perseverance as well as positive reinforcement to train the German shepherd. It is essential to avoid negative reinforcement methods, such as yelling and physical punishment because they can cause fear-based aggression. Instead, opt for rewards-based training and clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.
Daily enrichment is important for your German Shepherd. The exercises for mental stimulation are just as important for an GSD as physical exercise, especially when you have a busy household. This will help to keep their attention and focus so they are less likely to be distracted by noises from the street, thunderstorms or other dogs in the park or crowds at sporting events and other public events.
German Shepherds are prone to a number of health conditions, including Hemangiosarcoma (cancer of bones, lungs and the intestinal tract) as well as pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these ailments can be avoided through responsible breeding practices and proper lifestyle choices.
Despite their reputation for being a savage breed German Shepherds are loving family pets. When they are exposed to children as young as, they can be affectionate and gentle towards smaller animals like cats. Nonetheless, their size and strength make them excellent guardians and they should be watched over children younger than them. If they are not exposed enough to training and socialization they could show signs of aggression. It is recommended to enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy preschool or obedience classes to ensure they receive the training and socialization they require to thrive.