The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect balance of agility and strength. Their high trainability and protection instincts make them beloved pets for families.

If you are in search of a purebred German king shepherd kaufen dog select breeders who value the health of their dogs as well as practice ethical breeding. Requesting pedigree papers as well as prior health clearances can help determine reputable breeders.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are smart, powerful dogs that are easy to train. They are loyal to their family and are able to be fierce guardians. Breed standard states the GSD should be self-confident and courageous. They should also have a steady temperament. It must also be tractable and willing to be a pleasure to.

The breed is strong, medium-sized and slightly extended. It has a double coat consisting of an outer layer of hardness and a softer undercoat. Its almond-shaped eyes are dark and slightly set. The ears are wide at the base and pointed. The tail is bushy and extends to below the hocks when the dog is in a relaxed state. The breed's neck is long and sloping slightly. The chest is wide and deep. The ribs are strong and the spine is solid.

In general the breed is sound, but serious faults include roached backs as well as long pasterns that hinder proper movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong but not overexaggerated. The rear leg should never extend beyond the point at which the foot leaves a mark.

As working dogs as well as working dogs, the GSD has naturally high drives (behavioral propensities and desires toward things like territorial protectiveness and the pursuit of prey). If these high drives are not fulfilled in a particular way, like through play or work or playing, it can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a way which helps to reduce these drives however they still require a lot of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise and mental stimulation to live a healthy lifestyle.

GSDs tend to be reserved and suspicious towards strangers at first. This is a characteristic that makes them excellent guard dogs, however it requires proper training to prevent overreactions. When properly socialized at a young age they can make great pets for families. They are also great with children.

The GSD is resistant to disease and has a very high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can affect the quality of life. These include epilepsy/seizures and bleeding disorders. Preventing these conditions by limiting your dog's exposure to UV radiation and ensuring that it receives regular vaccinations can help.

Temperament

German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn. They are also capable of being trained. They are an active dog breed that excels at many jobs, such as police work, herding and search and rescue. They also excel at detection of explosives and drugs, and aiding blind people. They also make great family members. This strong and confident breed requires a clear purpose as well as the attention and focus of a shrewd owner to harness their energy and strength in a positive manner. They require a lot of exercise and room, and may not be suitable in apartments or smaller living spaces.

The ideal German shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a strong temperament. They are loyal, vigilant, and suspicious of strangers. This protective and watchful behavior can turn into aggression if not properly trained, socialized and controlled. They are extremely smart and can be insecure and king shepherd kaufen bored, and they require an outlet that can satisfy their natural curiosity.

The founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, longhaired and shorthaired German Shepherds, in his breeding program to develop the kind of dog that was obedient and responsive that we know today. Max von Stephanitz did not agree with those who wanted to use German Shepherds as a showpiece and ensured that his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding impulses, and an ideal body structure. He also refused to breed certain dogs that had temperaments that were unstable or had steep angles in their croups, as well as front and rear pasterns since he believed that these traits could hinder the ability of the breed to perform its work.

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

To avoid these ailments, you should maintain your German Shepherd's physical health by providing him with the right diet and exercise. You should give him ample time to run and play in a safe area away from traffic. Regularly brush your double coat with a deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. It is recommended that you visit your vet regularly for routine health checks.

Health

German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, however they do have certain health issues. They are prone to ear infections, and they can develop ailments that affect their ears and eyes like degenerative amyelopathy. They also may suffer from an inherited disease called von Willebrand's disease that is hereditary which affects their ability to clot blood, and is present in females and males dogs.

As a working breed many GSDs undergo strenuous training and they may suffer from joint problems as a result. The most frequent is hip dysplasia. It is characterized by improper growth and development of the joint and cartilage, leading to pain, schäferhund Kaufen welpe lameness, and other symptoms. It is not a major condition but can be painful to the dog.

Breeders who are reputable X-ray their dogs and take the results into consideration when making breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health and genetic background of the puppy, including the likelihood to develop dysplasia. Dogs at high chance of developing the disorder are not bred.

Panosteitis can be a problem for German Shepherds. The condition causes bones to grow rapidly and unevenly. This can result in stiffness and pain. This condition is more common in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months old who are experiencing rapid growth.

The dogs require food that is rich in protein, with a large amount of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to help maintain a healthy skin and coat. They will benefit from joint support in their diet, such as glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months old age should exercise moderately like walking on a regular basis and, if compatible with other dogs playing together, but they should not be allowed to run at full speed, as this could cause damage to joints that are growing.

Avoid feeding bone from animals 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. Vitamin and mineral supplements are not required, as a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should supply the appropriate amount of these nutrients.

Training

German Shepherds are highly trainable and biddable dogs that thrive under a skilled guide's supervision. As such, they are ideal for military and police work, search and rescue and therapy dog roles, and a myriad of other specialized roles. However, their dedication to their job makes them a wonderful pet for the family when properly trained and socialized.

Socialization is the first step towards raising a well adjusted GSD. Introduce your puppy to variety of people and other animals from a young age, by taking them on frequent walks, playing games and going to local dog parks. This will make them feel more secure and confident and will teach them to trust people at an early age.

Training for a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency and schäferhund abzugeben positive reinforcement. Avoid methods of negative reinforcement such as yelling or deutsche Schäferhunde welpen kaufen österreich physical punishment, which can cause fear-based aggression. Use clicker training or rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.

Daily enrichment is essential for your German Shepherd. Exercises for mental stimulation can be just as important as physical exercises for an GSD especially in a busy or chaotic household. This helps 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 and other public events.

Some of the health issues that are unique to German Shepherds include Hemangiosarcoma, cancer of bones lung, lungs, and the intestinal tract as well as pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these ailments can be prevented by implementing responsible breeding practices and proper lifestyle adjustments.

Despite their infamous reputation German Shepherds are loving family pets. When they are exposed to children at a young age they can be tender and loving towards smaller animals like cats. Their size and strength make them excellent guardians, and they should always be watched over children younger than them. If they aren't exposed enough to training and Blaue SchäFerhunde socialization they could show signs of aggression. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he receives the training and was kostet ein reinrassiger schäferhund socialization he requires to flourish.