The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect combination of speed and strength. Their exceptional training capabilities and protective instincts make these dogs beloved pets for families.

If you are looking for a purebred German Shepherd Choose breeders who are concerned about the health of their dogs and practice ethical breeding. Requesting pedigree papers as well as prior health clearances can help identify reputable breeders.

Characteristics


German Shepherds are strong intelligent dogs that are easily capable of being trained. They are incredibly loyal to their family members and are a fierce protector of them. The breed standard says that the GSD must be steady of temperament, confident and brave. It must 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 as well as a soft undercoat. The almond-shaped eyes of the dog are dark and slightly set. Its ears are pointed and wide at the base. The tail is bushy and reaches to below the hocks when the dog is at rest. The neck of the breed is long and slightly sloping. The chest is broad and deep. The spine is firm and the ribs are well-sprung.

The breed is generally sound however, it does have some serious issues, like roached-backs and long pasterns, which hinder the proper movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful however, they should not be overly exaggerated. Likewise, the rear leg should never go ahead of the point at which the forefoot makes an impression.

As working dogs as well as working dogs, the GSD has naturally high drives (behavioral tendencies and desires towards 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. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a way that helps dampen these drives, but they still require a lot of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise and mental stimulation to live a healthy lifestyle.

GSDs are generally shy around strangers and can be initially suspicious of them. This trait of protection makes GSDs excellent guard dogs, however it requires proper training to avoid overreactions. They are wonderful pets for families when properly socialized from a young age and they're typically great with children.

The GSD has a high pain threshold and is able to fight off illness, however it is also susceptible to certain health conditions that may impact its quality of life. These include seizures and epilepsy as well as bleeding disorders and immune-mediated diseases. Making sure to limit the dog's exposure UV rays and ensuring that regular vaccinations are given to the dog will help reduce the risk of developing these diseases.

Temperament

German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn and highly capable of being trained. They are a working breed and excel in a variety of tasks, including herding police work including search and rescue, drug and bomb detection and guiding blind people. They are also excellent family pets. This powerful and confident breed requires a clear purpose as well as the attention and focus of a shrewd owner to harness their energy and strength positively. They require lots of space and exercise, and may not be suitable for smaller living spaces.

The ideal German Shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a strong and stable temperament. They are loyal, alert and sceptical of strangers. If not properly socialized and trained to be vigilant and protective, this behavior can become aggressive. They are extremely intelligent and can be independent and easily bored, and they require an outlet to satisfy their natural curiosity.

Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, utilized shorthaired and longhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This led to an animal that is friendly and well-behaved. He disagreed with people who believed that German Shepherds should be a showpiece, and he made sure that his dogs were stable in their temperaments and strong herding instincts and a sound body structure. He refused to breed dogs with temperaments that were unstable or with sharp angles on their croups, front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would undermine the ability of the breed to perform its primary duties.

German Shepherds can also be prone to cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a common cancer that affects the spleen and liver organs that have a high blood supply. They can also develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers.

You can prevent these conditions by ensuring the physical health of your German Shepherd. This means providing him with a nutritious diet and regular exercise. It is important to give him ample time to run and play in a secure area free of traffic. Make sure to regularly brush his double coat, using tools for deshedding or an undercoat rake. It is also recommended to bring him to the vet regularly for routine health checks.

Health

German Shepherds have a healthy health history, however some health problems do exist. They are susceptible to ear infections and they can develop ailments that affect their ears and eyes such as degenerative amyelopathy. They may also be affected by an illness that is genetic, known as hereditary von Willebrand's disease, which impacts their ability to clot blood, and is found in females and males dogs.

As a working breed, GSDs often engage in vigorous training and can develop joint problems as a result. A common one is hip dysplasia, which is characterized by improper growth and development of the cartilage and joint that can result in discomfort, lameness and other signs. It isn't always a serious condition, but it can cause pain for dogs.

Breeders with a good reputation have their dogs X-rayed and use the results to inform breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health and genetic background of the puppy, which includes the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs at high risk of developing the disorder aren't breed.

Like many large breeds, German Shepherds also be affected by panosteitis, which causes the bones to expand rapidly and unevenly, causing pain and stiffness in the joints. This condition is most frequent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs younger than 18 months who are going through the midst of a massive growth spurt.

These dogs require a diet high in protein, with a good mix of omega fatty acid and balanced vitamins for a healthy coat and skin. They can benefit from joint support in their diet including glucosamine as well as chondroitin. Dogs under 18 months of age should exercise 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 could cause damage to joints that are growing.

Avoid feeding animal bone or table food, as they can cause digestive upsets, vomiting, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Puppies and adult dogs could benefit from a probiotic supplementation to aid digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements to assist with breaking down proteins. Mineral and vitamin supplements are not required, as a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should provide the proper amount of these nutrients.

Training

was kostet ein reinrassiger schäferhund are smart and highly trainable dogs that thrive under the direction by a knowledgeable handler. They are therefore a great choice for police, military search and rescue and therapy dog roles. Their constant loyalty makes them a great pet, if they are well-socialized and properly trained.

The first step in establishing a well-adjusted GSD is socialization. Introduce your puppy to variety of people and animals from a young age, taking them for frequent walks, playing games and visiting local dog parks. This will help them feel more confident and comfortable and will teach them to trust people at an early age.

It requires patience, consistency as well as positive reinforcement to train the German shepherd. It is important to avoid negative reinforcement methods like physical and verbal punishment, as they can lead to fear-based aggression. Use clicker training and rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.

Daily enrichment is essential for your German Shepherd. Mental stimulation exercises are just as important to the GSD as physical exercise, especially when you have a busy household. This can help them keep their attention and focus, so they are less likely to be distracted by noises from the street or thunderstorms, other dogs in the park or the crowds at competitions and other public events.

German Shepherds are prone to a number of health conditions, including hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the bones, lungs and the intestinal tract) and pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these diseases can be prevented through responsible breeding and lifestyle accommodations.

German Shepherds are loving family dogs despite their reputation as a feared breed. They are often loved by children and are gentle with smaller pets, such as cats, when exposed to them from the age of. They are extremely effective guardians due their size and strength, but they should be supervised when around young children. They could also exhibit signs of a hereditary tendency to aggression if not exposed to appropriate training and socialization opportunities. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he gets the training and socialization he needs to thrive.