The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect balance of strength and speed. Its exceptional training ability and natural instincts to protect make them beloved family dogs.
When looking for a purebred German Shepherd select breeders who value the health of their dogs as well as practice ethical breeding. Requesting pedigree documents and prior health clearances will help you determine reputable breeders.
schäferhund kaufen österreich are incredibly strong intelligent dogs that are easily trainable. They are incredibly loyal to their families and can be fearless protectors of them. Breed standard states the GSD must be confident and courageous. They should also have a calm and steady temperament. It must also be able to be handled and willing to be a pleasure to.
The breed is muscular, medium-sized and slightly elongated. It has a double coat that consists of an outer layer of hardness and a soft undercoat. Its eyes are dark and almond-shaped, and positioned in a oblique manner. Its ears are wide at the base and pointed. The tail is slender and extends down to the hocks below when the dog is lying down. The dog's long, slightly sloping neck is distinctive. The chest is wide and deep. The ribs are strong and the spine is solid.
In general, the breed is sound, but serious faults include roached backs and lengthy pasterns that hinder proper movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong however, they should not be overly exaggerated. Likewise, the rear leg should never pass ahead of the point at which the forefoot leaves a footprint.
As working dogs, the GSD has naturally high drives (behavioral tendencies and desires for things like territorial protectiveness and the pursuit of prey). If these drives aren't fulfilled in some way through play or work this can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds have been bred to help dampen these impulses. However, they require lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise, and mental stimulation in order to keep their lives in balance.
GSDs tend to be cautious and suspicious of strangers at first. This is a characteristic that makes them excellent guard dogs, but requires proper training to avoid overreactions. They are great family pets when socialized properly from a young age and are generally good with children.
The GSD is resistant to disease and has a very high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can affect the quality of its life. These include epilepsy/seizures and bleeding disorders. Preventing these conditions by limiting your dog's exposure to UV radiation and making sure it is vaccinated regularly can aid.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn. They are also highly capable of training. They are a working breed and excel in a variety tasks, such as herding, police work, search and rescue, drug and bomb detection, and guiding the blind. They are also excellent pets for families. However, this powerful and confident breed needs a clear sense of purpose and the attention of a confident owner to harness their energy and strength positively. They require a lot of space and exercise, and might not be suited to apartments or other living spaces.
The ideal German shepherd is confident and well-balanced, with a strong and stable temperament. They are loyal and alert and they are sceptical of strangers. If they are not socialized properly and trained in this manner, their protective and vigilant behavior could turn into aggressive. These dogs are very intelligent and can be self-sufficient and easily bored, and they require an outlet that can satisfy their natural curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, used shorter and longer-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This created an animal that is receptive and well-behaved. Max von Stephanitz was not one of those who wanted German Shepherds as a showpiece and made sure that his dogs were calm, had strong herding instincts, and solid body structure. He also refused to breed some of his dogs who had unstable temperaments or sharp angles in their croups and rear and front pasterns since he believed that these traits would undermine the breed's ability to perform its work.
In addition to the hereditary diseases that affect every dog breed German Shepherds are also prone to cancers, including Hemangiosarcoma, which typically affects blood-rich organs like the liver and spleen. They can also develop lung, bone or intestinal cancers.
To avoid these ailments, you should maintain your German Shepherd's physical health by feeding him a proper diet and exercise. Make sure he has plenty of opportunities to run and play outside, in a safe area away from traffic and other dangers. Keep him groomed by brushing his thick double coat on a regular basis, using a de-shedding tool or a rake undercoat to remove hairs that have fallen off. Also, make sure that you visit the vet on a regular basis to have regular health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, but they do have certain health issues. They are prone to ear infections, and they can develop conditions affecting their eyes and ears, such as degenerative myelopathy. They also may suffer from an inherited disease called hereditary von Willebrand's disease which affects their ability to clot blood, and is present in females and males dogs.
As a working breed, many GSDs undergo strenuous exercise during their training, and can develop joint issues as a result. One of the most common is hip dysplasia, which is characterized by improper growth and development of the cartilage and joint, leading to discomfort, lameness and other signs. It's not always a serious issue however it can be painful for the dog.
Breeders who are reputable X-ray their dogs and take the results into consideration when making breeding decisions. The x-rays help determine the health of the puppy as well as its genetic background, including the possibility that it could develop dysplasia. Dogs at high chance of developing the disorder are not breeding.
Like many large breeds, German Shepherds can suffer from panosteitis, which causes the bones to expand rapidly and unevenly, which causes stiffness and pain in the legs. This condition is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing rapid growth.
These dogs require an enriched diet rich in protein with a generous mix of omega fatty acid and balanced vitamins to ensure a healthy coat and skin. Dogs with arthritis are able to benefit from a diet with joint support, such as chondroitin or glucosamine. Dogs under the age of 18 months must be given moderate exercise like walking and playing with a different dog if they are compatible. However it is not recommended to run at full speed since this could cause damage to the joints they are developing.
Foods that are table-based or contain animal bones must be avoided, since they can trigger digestive upset, vomiting anorexia, vomiting, and pancreatitis. Puppies and adults can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion as well as digestive enzyme supplements to aid in breaking down proteins. A well-formulated AAFCO approved diet should contain the right amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are highly trainable and biddable dogs who thrive under a knowledgeable trainer's guidance. This makes them an excellent choice for military and police work, search and rescue, therapy dog roles, and a myriad of other specialized roles. However, their unwavering loyalty also makes them a great pet to have when properly trained and socialized.
Socialization is the first step in creating a well-adjusted GSD. Introduce your puppy to range of people and animals from an early age, taking them on frequent walks, playing games, and visiting local dog parks. This will help them feel comfortable and secure in a new place and help them become comfortable with humans from an early age.
It requires patience, consistency, as well as positive reinforcement to train a German shepherd. It is crucial to stay clear of negative reinforcement methods such as yelling and physical punishment because 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 important for your German Shepherd. The exercises for mental stimulation are just as important for the GSD as physical exercise, particularly in the case of a busy household. This will help them stay 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 susceptible to various health issues such as Hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the bones, lungs, and intestinal tract), pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these ailments can be avoided through responsible breeding practices and appropriate lifestyle adjustments.
Despite their fearsome reputation German Shepherds are devoted family pets. They are often affectionate with children and gentle with smaller pets, like cats, when they are exposed to them from a young age. They are extremely effective guardians due their size and strength, but they should be supervised when they are around children. They could also exhibit indications of a genetic tendency toward aggression if they are not exposed to appropriate training and socialization opportunities. It is recommended to enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy preschool or obedience classes to ensure they receive the education and socialization they require to thrive.