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 beloved pets for families.
If you are looking for a purebred German Shepherd dog Choose breeders who are concerned about the health of their dogs and practice ethical breeding. You can determine reliable breeders by asking for pedigree documents and previous health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are incredibly strong intelligent dogs that are highly capable of being trained. They are loyal to their family and are able to be fearless guardians. The breed standard says that the GSD must be steady of temperament, self-assured and courageous. It must also be obedient and willing to please.
The breed is medium in size, slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a double coat made up of a hard outer layer, and a softer undercoat. Its eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and positioned in a oblique manner. Its ears are wide at the base and pointed. The tail is slender and extends to the hocks below when the dog is lying down. The long neck with a slightly sloping slope is characteristic. The chest is broad and deep. The ribs are strong and the spine is solid.
In general the breed is sound however, serious issues include roached backs and long pasterns that hinder correct movement. Its hindquarters must be powerful but not overexaggerated. The rear leg should never extend beyond the point at which the foot leaves an impression.
As working dogs as well as working dogs, the GSD has naturally high drives (behavioral tendencies and desires for things like territorial protection and the pursuit of prey). If these high-drives aren't satisfied in some way through work or play, it can lead to aggressive behavior. deutscher schäferhund kaufen schweiz -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 to live a healthy lifestyle.
GSDs are generally reserved and suspicious towards strangers at first. This protective trait makes them great guard dogs and requires proper training to avoid overreactions. When properly socialized from a young age they can make great pets for families. They also make great kids.
The GSD has a high pain threshold and is resilient against illness, however it has certain health issues that could affect its quality of life. These include epilepsy/seizures as well as bleeding disorders and immune-mediated diseases. To prevent these conditions, limiting your dog's exposure UV rays and making sure it is vaccinated regularly can help.
Temperament
German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn, and extremely capable of training. They are a working breed that excel in a variety jobs, including herding, police work, search and rescue detection of drugs and bombs and guiding blind. They also make great family members. However, this strong and confident breed requires an unwavering sense of purpose and the attention of an assertive owner to harness their energy and strength positively. They require a lot of space and exercise and might not be suitable for smaller living spaces.
The ideal German shepherd is well-balanced and confident with a strong temperament. They are loyal, vigilant and sceptical of strangers. This watchful and protective behavior can turn into aggression when not properly trained, socialized, and supervised. These dogs are very smart and can be self-sufficient and easily bored, and they require an outlet that can satisfy their curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, used shorthaired and longhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This resulted in a breed that is responsive and respectful. Max von Stephanitz disagreed with those who wanted to use German Shepherds to be used as a showcase and made sure that his dogs were calm, had strong herding impulses, and an ideal body structure. He refused to breed 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 fulfill its primary duties.
In addition to the hereditary ailments that can affect any breed of dog German Shepherds are also 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 ensure your German Shepherd's physical well-being by feeding him the right diet and exercise. Make sure he has plenty of opportunities to run and play outdoors, in a safe area free of traffic and other dangers. Keep him groomed by brushing his dense double coat regularly and using a de-shedding device or an undercoat rake to get rid of loose hairs. You should also make sure that you visit the vet on a regular basis for routine health checks.
Health
German Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, however they do have some health issues. They are prone to ear infections and can develop eye conditions and ears, like degenerative myelopathy. Both female and male dogs are susceptible to suffering from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic condition that limits the ability of dogs to clot blood.
GSDs are a working breed, and consequently, they are subject to rigorous training. In the process, they can develop joint problems. The most frequent is hip dysplasia, characterized by a lack of growth and development of cartilage and joint, leading to lameness, pain, and other symptoms. This is not always a serious condition however it can be painful for the dog.
Breeders who are reputable X-ray their dogs and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays aid in determining the health and genetic background of the puppy, including the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. german shepherd kaufen who are at a high risk of developing dysplasia aren't breeding.
Like many large breeds, German Shepherds also be affected by panosteitis, which causes bones to grow quickly and unevenly, causing pain and stiffness in the legs. deutscher schäferhund kaufen schweiz is most prevalent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs younger than 18 months who are going through an enormous growth spurt.
These dogs require an enriched diet rich in protein and a large mix of omega-fatty acids and balanced vitamins to maintain skin and coat health. They will benefit from joint support in their food like glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months should be given moderate exercise like walking and playing with another dog if they are compatible. However they shouldn't run at a high speed, as this could damage their joints that are growing.
Table food or animal bones should be avoided because they can cause digestive upset, vomiting anorexia, pancreatitis, and vomiting. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion and digestive enzyme supplements to help break down proteins. Mineral and vitamin supplements are not necessary since a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should contain the right amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are highly trainable, biddable dogs that thrive under a knowledgeable trainer's guidance. This makes them a great choice for military and police work, search and rescue as well as therapy dog roles and a myriad of other specialized roles. Their unwavering loyalty also 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 an early age, by taking them on frequent walks, playing games and visiting local dog parks. This will make them feel comfortable and secure in a new setting and help them develop trust in humans from a young age.
It requires patience, consistency, as well as positive reinforcement to train a German shepherd. It is important to avoid negative reinforcement methods, such as yelling and physical punishment because they can lead to fear-based aggression. Use clicker training and reward-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
Daily enrichment is crucial for your German Shepherd. The stimulation of the mind is as important as physical exercise for the GSD particularly in a chaotic or busy household. This helps them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by noises or thunderstorms or other dogs in the park, or crowds during competitions and public events.
Certain health conditions that are unique to German Shepherds include hemangiosarcoma and cancer of the bones as well as the lungs and intestinal tract, as well as pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these ailments can be prevented by responsible breeding and lifestyle changes.
German Shepherds are loyal family dogs, despite their reputation for being feared. When they are around children at a young age, they can be tender and loving towards smaller animals like cats. They are extremely effective guardians due their size and strength but they should be supervised when they are around young children. They may also show signs of a hereditary tendency to aggression if not given the proper training and socialization opportunities. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he receives the training and socialization he requires to thrive.