The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect balance of speed and strength. Its exceptional training ability and natural protective instincts make them loved family dogs.
If you are in search of a purebred German Shepherd dog, choose breeders who prioritize the health of their dogs and practice ethical breeding. You can identify reliable breeders by asking for pedigree documents and prior health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are incredibly strong, intelligent dogs that are highly capable of being trained. They are extremely affectionate to their families and are a fierce protector of them. The breed standard says that the GSD must be steady of temperament, self assured and brave. It should also be able to be handled and willing to be a pleasure to.
The breed is strong, medium-sized and slightly extended. It has a double coat made up of a hard outer layer, and a softer undercoat. The eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and set obliquely. Its ears are pointed and wide at the base. schäferhundwelpen is long and extends to the hocks below when the dog is lying down. The long neck, with a slight slope, is a characteristic. The chest is large and deep. The spine is firm and the ribs are well-sprung.
In general, the breed is sound However, it has some serious flaws. These include roached backs and long pasterns that hinder proper movement. Its hindquarters must be powerful but not exaggerated. The rear leg should never extend beyond the point where the foot leaves an impression.
As working dogs, GSDs have naturally high-energy drives. These are behaviors and desires that include territorial protection and hunting of prey. When these high drives aren't fulfilled in some way through work or play and it leads to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds have been bred to help dampen these impulses. However, belgischer schäferhund welpen kaufen österreich need lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation to keep their lives in balance.
GSDs are usually cautious around strangers and could be cautious at first. This makes them great guard dogs. It requires proper training to avoid overreactions. They are wonderful pets for families when socialized properly from a young age, and they're typically great with children.
The GSD is resilient to disease and has a very high threshold for pain, however certain health conditions can impact the quality of its life. These include epilepsy/seizures and bleeding disorders as well as immune-mediated diseases. The best way to prevent these diseases is to limit your dog's exposure UV rays and ensuring that you get regular vaccinations will help.
Temperament
German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn, and highly capable of being trained. They are an active dog breed that excels at a variety of jobs, such as police work, herding, and search and rescue. They also excel at the detection of drugs and bombs, as well as aiding blind people. They are also excellent pet for families. However, this strong and confident breed needs an unwavering sense of purpose and the attention of a confident owner to channel 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 confident and well-balanced, with a strong and stable temperament. They are loyal and vigilant, and they are sceptical of strangers. If not properly socialized and trained in this manner, their protective and vigilant behavior can turn into aggression. These dogs are often intelligent, independent and easily bored. They must find ways to satisfy their curiosity.
Founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, as well as longhaired and short-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program to create the kind of dog that was obedient and responsive that we know today. Max von Stephanitz disagreed with those who wanted to use German Shepherds to be a showpiece. He made sure his dogs had stable tempers, strong herding instincts, and a sound 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 usual tasks.
In addition to the hereditary ailments that affect every dog breed German Shepherds are also susceptible to cancers, including Hemangiosarcoma. It is a cancer that typically affects blood-rich organs like the liver and spleen. They also can develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers.
You can avoid these ailments by maintaining the physical health of your German Shepherd. This means providing him with a nutritious diet and regular exercise. You should allow him plenty of time to play and run outdoors in a safe area away from traffic. Keep him groomed by scrubbing his dense double coat regularly, using a de-shedding tool or an undercoat rake to get rid of hairs that have fallen off. It is recommended that you take him to your veterinarian regularly for routine health checks.
Health
German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, but they do have some health issues. They are susceptible to ear infections and may develop ailments that affect their eyes and ears, like degenerative myelopathy. Both female and male dogs are susceptible to suffering from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that hinders the ability of clotting blood.
GSDs are a working breed, and consequently, they are subject to intense training. As a result, they may develop joint issues. The most frequent is hip dysplasia, characterized by improper growth and development of the joint and cartilage which can cause pain, lameness and other signs. It's not a serious condition, but it can be painful to the dog.
Breeders who are trustworthy have their dogs X-rayed and use the results for breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health and genetic background of the puppy, which includes the likelihood to develop dysplasia. Dogs at high risk of developing dysplasia do not bred.
Like many large breeds, German Shepherds can suffer from panosteitis, which causes bones to grow rapidly and unevenly, which causes pain and stiffness in the joints. The condition is especially common in German Shepherd puppies and dogs less than 18 months old who are experiencing the midst of a massive growth spurt.
They require a diet high in protein with a generous mix of omega fatty acid and balanced vitamins to ensure skin and coat health. They may benefit from joint-support in their diet like glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months old age should be exercising moderately including multiple walks and, if they are compatible with other dogs, playing together, but should not be allowed to run at full speed, as this can damage growing joints.
Foods that are table-based or contain animal bones should be avoided, since they can trigger vomiting, digestive upset anorexia, pancreatitis, and vomiting. Adult dogs and puppies could benefit from a probiotic supplementation to aid digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements that aid in breaking down proteins. Mineral and vitamin supplements are not required, as a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should supply the appropriate amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are smart high-trained dogs who thrive under the supervision by a knowledgeable handler. They are an excellent choice for police and military tasks in search and rescue as well as therapy dog roles and a myriad of other specialized roles. Their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a wonderful pet for the family when properly trained and socialized.
Socialization is the first step in raising a well adjusted GSD. Expose your puppy to a range of people and animals at an early age, taking them on frequent walks, playing games, and even visiting local dog parks. This will make them feel more comfortable and secure and help them trust people from a young age.
Training for a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. It is crucial to stay clear of negative reinforcement methods like shouting and physical punishment as they can trigger fear-based aggression. Instead, you should use clicker training and rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.
Daily enrichment is essential for your German Shepherd. Exercises for mental stimulation can be as important as physical exercise for a GSD particularly in a chaotic or busy household. This can help them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by noises or thunderstorms as well as other dogs at the park, or crowds during competitions and public events.
German Shepherds are at risk of a number of health conditions that include hemangiosarcoma (cancer of bones, lungs and intestinal tract) as well as pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these diseases can be avoided through responsible breeding practices and proper lifestyle accommodations.
Despite their fearsome reputation German Shepherds are devoted family pets. When they are exposed to children from a young age, they can be tender and loving towards smaller pets like cats. They are formidable guardians due to their size and strength but they should be supervised when they are around children. If they are not sufficiently exposed to training and socialization and are not properly socialized, they could exhibit signs of aggression. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy school or obedience class will ensure that he gets the training and socialization he needs to thrive.