10 Facts About Purebred German Shepherd Dog That Will Instantly Put You In A Positive Mood

The Purebred German Shepherd Dog The GSD is the perfect blend of strength and speed. Its exceptional training ability and natural protective instincts make them beloved family dogs. When shopping for a purebred german shepherd dog Find breeders that adhere to ethical breeding practices and are committed to the health of their dogs. You can find reputable breeders by requesting pedigree papers and previous health clearances. Characteristics German Shepherds are smart, powerful dogs that are easy to train. They are loyal to their families and are able to be a formidable guardian. Breed standard states the GSD should be self-confident and courageous. They should also have an unwavering temperament. It should also be able to be handled and willing to please. german shepherd kaufen is medium-sized slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a double coat made up of an outer layer of hardness, and a soft undercoat. The almond-shaped eyes are dark and slightly set. The ears are pointed and wide at the base. The tail is bushy and reaches to below the hocks when the dog is lying down. The neck of the breed is long and slightly sloping. The chest is wide and deep. The ribs are strong and the spine is strong. The breed is generally healthy however, it does have some serious flaws, such as roached backs and long pasterns that hinder proper movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong but not overly so. The rear leg should never extend beyond the point at which the foot leaves a mark. As working dogs, GSDs have naturally high drives. These are behaviors and desires that include territorial protection and hunting of prey. If these drives aren't fulfilled in some way through play or work, it can lead to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a manner that helps dampen these drives, but they still require a lot of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise and mental stimulation to maintain a healthy lifestyle. GSDs are generally reserved around strangers and may be initially suspicious of them. This protective trait makes them excellent guard dogs and requires the right training to avoid triggering reactions. When socialized properly early in life they can be wonderful pets for the family. 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 life. This includes seizures and epilepsy, as well as bleeding disorders. The best way to prevent these diseases is to limit your dog's exposure to UV radiation, and ensuring it is vaccinated regularly can help. Temperament German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn. They are also trainable. They are a working breed and excel at a variety of tasks, such as herding, police work including search and rescue as well as detection of drugs and bombs, and guiding the blind. They also make great companions for families. This ferocious and confident breed requires a clear goal and the attention and focus of a responsible owner to channel their strength and energy positively. They require plenty of exercise and space, and may not be suitable for smaller living spaces. The ideal German Shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a firm and stable temperament. They are loyal, vigilant, and suspicious of strangers. If they are not socialized properly and trained in this manner, their protective and vigilant behavior could turn into aggressive. These dogs can be intelligent and independent, but they can also be bored. They need to find ways to satisfy their natural curiosity. Founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, longhaired and short-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program to develop the kind of dog that was obedient and responsive that we see today. Max von Stephanitz disagreed with those who wanted to use German Shepherds to be a showpiece. He ensured that his dogs had stable tempers, strong herding impulses, as well as an ideal body structure. He refused to breed dogs with unstable temperaments, or with sharp angles on their croups, front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would undermine the ability of the breed to carry out its primary duties. German Shepherds can also be prone to cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is the most common cancer that affects the liver and spleen organs, which have a higher blood supply. They can also develop lung, bone or intestinal cancers. You can avoid these ailments by ensuring the physical health of your German Shepherd. This includes providing him with a healthy diet and regular exercise. You should give plenty of time to play and run outdoors in a safe area away from traffic. Keep him looking neat by brushing his dense double coat regularly and using a de-shedding device or undercoat rake to remove hairs that have fallen off. It is recommended that you visit your vet regularly for regular health checks. Health German Shepherds have a healthy health history, however some health problems do exist. They are prone to ear infections and can develop conditions that affect their eyes and ears such as degenerative amyelopathy. They may also suffer from an illness that is genetic, known as von Willebrand's disease that is hereditary that affects their capacity to clot blood, and can be found in both male and female dogs. As a working breed, GSDs often engage in vigorous exercise during their training, and can develop joint issues as a consequence. One of the most common is hip dysplasia, which is characterized by improper growth and development of the joint and cartilage, leading to pain, lameness and other signs. It's not always a serious problem, but it can cause pain for dogs. Breeders who are reputable X-ray their dogs and utilize 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 risk of developing the disorder aren't bred. Panosteitis can affect German Shepherds. The condition causes bones to grow quickly and unevenly. This can result in stiffness and pain. The condition is especially prevalent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing the midst of a massive growth spurt. The dogs need food that is high in protein with a generous mix of omega-fatty acids and balanced vitamins to maintain a healthy coat and skin. They can benefit from food that contains joint support, such as chondroitin or glucosamine. Dogs who are less than 18 months old age should exercise moderately like walking on a regular basis and, if compatible with other dogs, playing together, but should not be allowed to run at a high speed, as it can cause joint damage. Feeding table food or bones from animals should be avoided because they can cause digestive upset, vomiting anorexia, vomiting, and pancreatitis. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements that aid in breaking down proteins. A well-formulated AAFCO approved diet should contain the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals. Training German Shepherds are intelligent high-trained dogs who thrive under the guidance of a skilled handler. As such, they are ideal for military and police tasks such as search and rescue as well as therapy dog roles and many other specialized jobs. Their inexplicably loyal nature makes them an excellent pet, if they are properly trained and socialized. The first step to raising an appropriately adjusted GSD is socialization. Introduce your puppy to variety of people and animals from an early age, taking them on frequent walks, playing games and even visiting local dog parks. This will make them feel more confident and comfortable and teach them to trust people from an early age. Training a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. Avoid methods of negative reinforcement such as yelling, or physical punishment, which could lead to fear based aggression. Use clicker training and reward-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands. Daily enrichment is important for your German Shepherd. Mental stimulation exercises can be as important as physical exercise for the GSD especially in a hectic or busy household. This can help them keep their attention and focus so they are less likely to be distracted by noises from the street storms and other dogs in the park, or the crowds at competitions and other public events. Some health conditions that are exclusive to German Shepherds include hemangiosarcoma, cancer of the bones, lungs, and intestinal tract, as well as pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these ailments can be prevented by implementing responsible breeding practices and the right lifestyle adjustments. Despite their infamous reputation, German Shepherds make devoted family pets. They are generally affectionate with children and gentle with smaller pets, such as cats, if they are they are exposed to them from the age of. They are formidable guardians due to their size and strength, but they should be supervised when they are around children. If they aren't exposed enough to socialization and training, they may show signs of aggression. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he receives the training and socialization that he needs to thrive.