The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect combination of strength and speed. Their ability to train and their protection instincts make them loved family pets.

If you are in search of a purebred German Shepherd select breeders who value the health of their dogs and practice ethical breeding. You can identify reputable breeders by requesting pedigree documents and prior was Kostet ein Reinrassiger schäferhund health clearances.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are powerful, intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They are incredibly loyal to their family members and can be fearless protectors of them. The breed standard states that the GSD must be steady of temperament, confident and courageous. It should also be obedient and willing to please.

The breed is medium in size with a slight elongation and is muscular. It has a double coat made up of a hard outer layer, and a soft undercoat. The almond-shaped eyes are dark and obliquely set. Its ears are wide and pointed at the base. The tail is slender and extends down to the hocks below when the dog is at rest. The long neck, with a slight slope, is characteristic. The chest is wide and deep. The ribs are well-sprung, and the spine is solid.

The breed is generally sound however, it does have some serious faults such as roached-backs and long pasterns that interfere with the correct movement. Its hindquarters must be powerful but not overexaggerated. The rear leg should not extend beyond the point at which the foot makes an impression.

As working dogs, GSDs naturally possess high drives. These are behaviors and needs that include territorial protection as well as the pursuit of prey. If these drives are not fulfilled in a particular way, like through work or playing and it can lead to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a manner that helps dampen these drives but they require a lot of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise and mental stimulation in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

GSDs are typically reserved around strangers and may be suspicious of them at first. This trait of protection makes them excellent guard dogs and requires proper training to avoid overreactions. They are wonderful pets for families when socialized properly from a young age and are generally good with children.

The GSD has an extremely high threshold for pain and is resistant to illnesses, but it does have certain health conditions that may affect its quality of living. These include seizures, epilepsy as well as bleeding disorders and immune-mediated diseases. Preventing these conditions by limiting your dog's exposure to UV rays and making sure it receives regular vaccinations can help.

Temperament

German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn. They are also highly trainable. They are a working dog breed that excels at many jobs, such as police work, herding, and search and How much does a purebred German Shepherd cost? rescue. They also excel at the detection of drugs and bombs, as well as helping blind people. They also make great family companions. However, this powerful and confident breed needs an unwavering sense of purpose and the attention of a confident owner to harness their energy and strength in a positive manner. They require a lot of space and exercise. They might not be suited to smaller living spaces.

The ideal German shepherd is confident and well-balanced, with a strong and stable temperament. They are loyal, vigilant, and suspicious of strangers. If not properly socialized and trained to be vigilant and protective, this behavior could turn into aggression. These dogs can be intelligent and independent, yet easily bored. They must find an avenue to satisfy their curiosity.

Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, used shorthaired and longhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This resulted in an animal that is receptive and well-behaved. Max von Stephanitz was not one of those who wanted to use German Shepherds to be a showpiece. He ensured that his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding impulses, and a sound body structure. He refused to breed dogs with unstable temperaments, or with steep angles on their croups, front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would hinder the ability of the breed to perform its traditional tasks.

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

You can prevent these diseases by maintaining the physical health of your German Shepherd. This includes giving him a balanced diet and regular exercise. It is important to give him plenty of time to play and run around in a secure area free of traffic. Regularly brush his double coat with the deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. It is recommended that you visit your vet regularly for belgischer schäFerhund welpen kaufen österreich regular health checks.

Health

German Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, however they do have certain health issues. They are prone to ear infections, and they can develop conditions affecting their eyes and ears, including degenerative myelopathy. They may also be affected by an illness that is genetic, known as hereditary von Willebrand's disorder that affects their capacity to clot blood. It can be found in females and males dogs.

As a working breed many GSDs undergo strenuous exercise during their training and can develop joint issues as a result. One of the most common is hip dysplasia, characterized by a lack of growth and development of the joint and cartilage that can result in pain, lameness and other signs. This is not a serious condition but can be painful to the dog.

Breeders with a good reputation are able to X-ray their dogs and use the results for breeding decisions. The x-rays help determine the health and genetic history of the puppy, as well as how likely it is to develop dysplasia. Dogs with a high likelihood of developing the disorder aren't breed.

Panosteitis can affect German Shepherds. The condition causes bones to grow rapidly and unevenly. This can lead to pain and schäFerhund Welpen österreich kaufen stiffness. This condition is most common in German Shepherd puppies and dogs less than 18 months old who are experiencing the midst of a massive growth spurt.

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

Avoid feeding animal bone or table food because they can cause vomiting, digestive upsets anorexia, and pancreatitis. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements that help break down proteins. A well-formulated AAFCO approved diet should include the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals.

Training

German Shepherds are highly trainable, biddable dogs that thrive under a skilled trainer's guidance. They are an excellent choice for police and military tasks, search and rescue and therapy dog roles, and many other specialized jobs. Their constant loyalty makes them a wonderful pet, if they are properly trained and socialized.

Socialization is the first step to raising a well-adjusted GSD. As a puppy expose your puppy different people and animals. Take your dog for walks frequently and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will help them feel comfortable and secure in a new place and will help them develop trust in humans from an early age.

It requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement to train to train a German shepherd. Avoid negative reinforcement methods such as yelling or physical punishment that could cause fear-based aggression. Use clicker training and rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.

Daily enrichment is important for your German Shepherd. Exercises for mental stimulation are just as important to a GSD as physical exercise, especially when you have a household with lots of people. This can help them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by road noises or storms as well as other dogs at the park, or crowds during competitions and public events.

German Shepherds are at risk of various health issues that include Hemangiosarcoma (cancer of bones, lungs and intestinal tract) as well as pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these conditions can be prevented by responsible breeding and lifestyle accommodations.

Despite their fearsome reputation German Shepherds are loving family pets. When they are around children from a young age, they can be friendly and gentle with smaller pets like cats. Nonetheless, belgischer Schäferhund welpen Kaufen österreich their size and strength make them excellent guardians and they should be watched over children younger than them. They may also show indications of a genetic predisposition toward aggression if they are not exposed to appropriate training and socialization opportunities. It is recommended to enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy class in the preschool or obedience to ensure that they receive the training and socialization they need to thrive.