The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD represents the perfect balance of agility and strength. Their high trainability and the ability to protect make them cherished family pets.
If you are looking for a purebred German Shepherd dog, choose breeders who prioritize the health of their dogs and follow ethical breeding. You can determine reliable breeders by asking for pedigree documents and prior health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are strong intelligent dogs that are easily trainable. They are loyal to their families and can be fierce guardians. The breed standard states that a GSD should be self-confident and courageous. They should also have an unwavering temperament. It must also be able to be handled and willing to please.
The breed is medium in size slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a double coat made up of an outer layer of hardness, and a soft undercoat. The eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and set obliquely. Its ears are wide at the base and pointed. The tail is bushy and reaches to the hocks below when the dog is lying down. The neck of the breed is long and slightly sloping. The chest is wide and deep. The spine is solid and the ribs are well-sprung.
The breed is generally sound however it is prone to serious flaws, such as roached backs and long pasterns, which interfere with the correct movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong however, they should not be overly exaggerated. Likewise, the rear leg should never pass forward of the point where the forefoot leaves an imprint.
As working dogs, GSDs have naturally high drives. These are the behaviors and desires that include territorial protection and the pursuit of prey. If these drives aren't fulfilled in some way through work or play and it leads to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred to help dampen these urges. However, they still require a lot of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation in order to maintain a balance life.
GSDs are typically shy around strangers and can be suspicious of them at first. This trait of protection makes them great guard dogs and requires the right training to avoid triggering reactions. They are great family pets when properly socialized from a young age, and they're typically great with children.
The GSD is resilient to illnesses and has a high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can negatively impact the quality of its life. These include seizures and epilepsy, bleeding disorders, and immune-mediated diseases. The best way to prevent these diseases is to limit your dog's exposure to UV radiation and ensuring that you get regular vaccinations will help.
Temperament
German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn. They are also highly capable of training. They are a working breed and excel at a variety of tasks, including herding police work including search and rescue as well as bomb and drug detection, and guiding the blind. They also make great family members. However, this strong and confident breed requires a clear sense of purpose and the attention of a confident owner to use their strength and energy in a positive manner. They require a lot of exercise and room, and might not be suited for smaller living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a strong and stable temperament. They are loyal and alert and are sceptical of strangers. This watchful and protective behaviour can become aggressive when not properly trained, socialized and managed. These dogs are often intelligent and independent, yet easily bored. They must find an avenue to satisfy their curiosity.
The founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, as well as longhaired and shorthaired German Shepherds, in his breeding program to create the obedient and responsive breed that we know today. Max von Stephanitz was not one of those who wanted to use German Shepherds to be a showpiece. He made sure his dogs were calm, had strong herding instincts, and an ideal body structure. He also refused to breed with dogs that were temperamentally unstable or had sharp angles in their croups as well as front and rear pasterns, as he believed these traits would undermine the breed's ability to perform its traditional work.
In addition to the hereditary ailments that can affect any dog breed, German Shepherds are prone to cancers, including Hemangiosarcoma. It is a cancer that typically affects blood-rich organs such as the liver and spleen. They also can develop bone, lung or intestinal cancers.
To prevent these conditions, you should maintain your German Shepherd's physical health by feeding him a proper diet and exercise. Make sure he gets plenty of opportunities to run and play outdoors, in a safe area free of traffic and other hazards. Keep him clean by scrubbing his dense double coat on a regular basis, using a de-shedding tool or a rake undercoat to remove hairs that have fallen off. It is recommended that you visit your vet regularly for regular health checks.
Health
German Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, however they do have certain health issues. They are susceptible to ear infections and can develop conditions that affect their eyes and ears such as degenerative amyelopathy. They may also be affected by an illness that is genetic, known as hereditary von Willebrand's disorder, which impacts their ability to clot blood. It is present in both male and female dogs.
GSDs are a working breed and as such, they go through strenuous training. In the process, they may develop joint issues. Hip dysplasia is a typical condition that causes lameness, pain, and other signs. It's not a serious condition but can be painful for the dog.
A reputable breeder will X-ray their dog and utilize the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health of the puppy and its genetic background, including the possibility that it could develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high risk of developing the disorder aren't bred.
Panosteitis can affect German Shepherds. The condition causes bones to grow rapidly and unevenly. This can cause pain and stiffness. The condition is especially prevalent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs under 18 months of age who are going through an enormous growth spurt.
The dogs need an enriched diet rich in protein and a large mix of omega fatty acid and balanced vitamins for 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 old age should be exercising moderately including multiple walks and, if compatible with other dogs, playing together, but they should not run at full speed as this can damage growing joints.
Feeding table food or bones from animals should be avoided, since they can trigger vomiting, digestive upset anorexia, vomiting, and pancreatitis. Dogs of all ages could benefit from a probiotic supplement to aid digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements that aid with breaking down proteins. Mineral and vitamin supplements aren't necessary, as a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should contain the right amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are highly trainable and biddable dogs that thrive under a skilled guide's supervision. They are therefore a great choice for military, police search and rescue and therapy dog roles. However, their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a wonderful pet for the family when properly trained and socialized.
The first step in raising an appropriately adjusted GSD is socialization. As a puppy, expose your puppy to different animals and people. Take them for frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will make them feel more confident and comfortable and teach them to trust people at an early age.
Training schäferhund welpen österreich kaufen requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. It is important to avoid negative reinforcement methods such as yelling and physical punishment because they can cause fear-based aggression. Instead, opt for clicker training and rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.
It is also crucial to ensure that you provide your German Shepherd with a regular dose of enrichment. The exercises for mental stimulation are just as important for an GSD as physical exercise, particularly if you live in a household with lots of people. This will help them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by street noises or thunderstorms or other dogs in the park, or the crowds at competitions and public events.
Certain health conditions that are specific to German Shepherds are hemangiosarcoma and cancer of the bones, lungs, and intestinal tract, and pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these diseases are preventable with responsible breeding practices and appropriate lifestyle accommodations.
German Shepherds are loyal family dogs, despite their reputation as a feared breed. When they are exposed to children at a young age they can be friendly and gentle with smaller animals like cats. However, their size and strength make them formidable guardians and they should be supervised around younger children. If they're not exposed enough to training and socialization they could show signs of aggression. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he gets the training and socialization he needs to thrive.