The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD represents the perfect balance of strength and agility. Its training capabilities are high and its natural instincts to protect make them cherished family dogs.
If you are in search of a purebred German Shepherd Choose breeders who are concerned about the health of their dogs and practice ethical breeding. Requesting pedigree papers and prior health clearances can help find reputable breeders.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are powerful intelligent dogs that are easily trainable. They are incredibly affectionate to their families and are fearless guardians of them. Breed standard states the GSD should be self-confident, courageous, and have a calm and steady temperament. It should also be able to be handled and willing to please.
The breed is medium-sized, slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a distinct double coat that consists of a hard outer layer and a soft undercoat. Its almond-shaped eyes are dark and obliquely set. Its ears are wide and pointed at the base. When the dog is laying down on its back, the tail becomes bushy. It is a little below the hocks. The neck of the breed is long and sloping slightly. The chest is large and deep. king shepherd kaufen are well-sprung, and the spine is strong.
The breed is generally healthy, but it has serious faults such as roached-backs and long pasterns, which interfere with the correct movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful, but not excessively exaggerated and the rear leg should never pass in the direction of where the forefoot leaves an imprint.
As working dogs, GSDs naturally have high-energy drives. These are behaviors and desires that include territorial protection as well as hunting of prey. If these high drives are not fulfilled in a particular way, for example through work or playing or playing, it can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a way that can help reduce these urges however they still require lots of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to live an enlightened lifestyle.
GSDs are generally reserved and suspicious towards strangers at first. This trait of protection makes them great guard dogs and requires proper training to avoid overreactions. When socialized properly at a young age, they make wonderful family pets. They also make great kids.
The GSD is a resilient species to illnesses and has a high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can negatively impact the quality of its life. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders. The best way to prevent these diseases is to limit your dog's exposure to UV rays and ensuring that it receives regular vaccinations can help.
Temperament
German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn. They are also highly trainable. They are an active breed that excels at many jobs, such as herding, police work and search and rescue. They also excel in detection of explosives and drugs, and aiding blind people. They also make excellent pet for families. This strong and confident breed requires a clear purpose and the attention and focus of a confident owner to channel their strength and energy in a positive way. They require a lot of exercise and space and may not be suitable for smaller living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a strong and steady temperament. They are loyal, alert, and suspicious of strangers. This watchful and protective behaviour can become aggressive when not properly trained, socialized and managed. They are extremely intelligent and can be very insecure and bored, which is why they require an outlet to satisfy their curiosity.
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. He did not agree with those who believed that German Shepherds should be a display dog, and he made sure that his dogs were stable in their temperaments, strong herding instincts, and a sound body structure. He even refused to breed with dogs that had unstable temperaments or steep angles in their croups and front and rear pasterns, as he believed these traits could hinder the ability of the breed to perform its work.
In addition to the hereditary disorders that can plague any dog breed, German Shepherds are prone to cancers such as hemangiosarcoma, which most commonly affects blood-rich organs, such as the spleen and liver. They can also develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers.
To prevent these conditions, you should 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 hazards. Regularly brush your double coat using tools for deshedding or an undercoat rake. It is also important to ensure that you take him to the veterinarian regularly for routine health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, however they do have certain health issues. They are susceptible to ear infections and they can develop ailments that affect their eyes and ears such as degenerative amyelopathy. They may also be affected by a genetic disease known as hereditary von Willebrand's disorder which affects their ability to clot blood. It is present in both female and male dogs.
As a working breed, GSDs often engage in vigorous exercise during their training and can develop joint problems as a result. The most frequent is hip dysplasia, which is characterized by the inadvertent growth and development of cartilage and joint, leading to lameness, pain, and other symptoms. It is not a major condition but can be painful for the dog.
Breeders with a good reputation have their dogs X-rayed and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays aid in determining the health and genetic history of the puppy, as well as how likely it is to develop dysplasia. Dogs with a high chance of developing the disorder aren't breed.
Panosteitis can be a problem for German Shepherds. The condition causes bones to grow quickly and unevenly. This can result in pain and stiffness. The condition is especially common in German Shepherd puppies and dogs less than 18 months old who are going through a large growth spurt.
They require food that is rich in protein, and a large amount of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to support a healthy skin and coat. They may benefit from joint-support in their diet, such as glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs under 18 months of age should be exercising moderately, such as multiple walks and, if compatible with other dogs playing together, but should not run at a high speed, as this could cause damage to joints that are growing.
Table food or animal bones must be avoided, because they can cause vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and pancreatitis. 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, as a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should supply the appropriate amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are intelligent and highly trainable dogs that thrive when they're under the direction by a knowledgeable handler. They are therefore a good choice for military, police, search and rescue and therapy dog roles. However, their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a great pet for the family when properly trained and socialized.
Socialization is the first step in raising a well adjusted GSD. Introduce your puppy to a variety of people and animals from an early age, by taking them on frequent walks, playing games and going to local dog parks. This will help them feel more confident and comfortable and will teach them to trust people from an early age.
It requires patience, perseverance as well as positive reinforcement to train to train a German shepherd. It is essential to avoid negative reinforcement methods such as shouting and physical punishment as they can trigger fear-based aggression. Instead, use rewards-based training and clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.
It is also crucial to give your German Shepherd with a daily dose of enrichment. The stimulation of the mind is just as important as physical exercises for a GSD especially in a chaotic or busy household. This can help them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by noises or storms or other dogs in the park, or crowds at competitions and public events.
German Shepherds are at risk of a number of health conditions such as Hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the bones, lungs and the intestinal tract) and pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these conditions are preventable through responsible breeding and lifestyle accommodations.
Despite their infamous reputation German Shepherds are loving family pets. They are generally friendly with children and gentle with smaller pets, like cats, when exposed to them at the age of. They are extremely effective guardians due their size and strength however, they must be monitored when they are around children. If they aren't exposed enough to socialization and training they could show signs of aggression. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy school or obedience class will ensure that he is getting the education and socialization he requires to flourish.