The Purebred German Shepherd Dog<br /><br />The GSD is the perfect balance of strength and speed. Their high trainability and protective instincts make these dogs loved family pets.<br /><br />When looking for a purebred German Shepherd Choose breeders who are concerned about the health of their dogs as well as practice ethical breeding. You can identify reputable breeders by requesting pedigree papers and prior health clearances.<br /><br />Characteristics<br /><br />German Shepherds are powerful intelligent dogs that are highly trainable. They are loyal to their families and are able to be fearless guardians. The breed standard states that a GSD must be confident, courageous, and have a steady temperament. It must also be able to be handled and willing to be a pleasure to.<br /><br />The breed is muscular, medium-sized, and slightly elongated. It has a double coat made up of a hard outer layer, and a soft undercoat. The almond-shaped eyes are dark and obliquely set. The ears are wide and pointed at the base. When the dog is resting in a shady position, the tail is bushy. It reaches below the hocks. The breed's neck is long and slightly sloping. The chest is wide and deep. The spine is strong and the ribs are well-sprung.<br /><br />In general the breed is sound however, serious issues include roached backs as well as long pasterns that hinder correct movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong, but not excessively exaggerated. Likewise, the rear leg should never go ahead of the point at which the forefoot leaves a footprint.<br /><br />As working dogs, the GSD has high-drives that are naturally present (behavioral tendencies and desires for things like territorial protection and hunting prey). If these high drives are not satisfied in a certain way, like playing or at work and it can lead to aggression. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a way which helps to reduce these drives, but they still require a lot of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to live an enlightened lifestyle.<br /><br />GSDs are generally shy and cautious towards strangers at first. This protective trait makes GSDs excellent guard dogs, however it requires proper training to prevent overreactions. They are wonderful pets for families when properly socialized from a young age, and they're typically great with children.<br /><br />The GSD is a resilient species to illness and has a high threshold for pain, however certain health conditions can affect the quality of its life. These include seizures, epilepsy, bleeding disorders, and immune-mediated diseases. Making sure to limit the dog's exposure to harsh UV rays and making sure that it is regularly vaccinated will reduce the chance of developing these conditions.<br /><br />Temperament<br /><br /><br /><br />German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn, and extremely capable of training. They are an active breed that excels at a variety of jobs, such as police work, herding, and search and rescue. <a href="https://entzückendescäferhundwelpen.de/">Entzückende Schäferhund Welpen</a> excel in detection of explosives and drugs, and aiding blind people. They are also great pets for families. However, this strong and confident breed requires an unwavering sense of purpose and the attention of an assertive owner to harness their energy and strength in a positive manner. They require plenty of exercise and room, and might not be suited for smaller living spaces.<br /><br />The ideal German Shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a solid and steady temperament. They are loyal and vigilant, and they are suspicious of strangers. If they are not socialized properly and trained in this manner, their protective and vigilant behavior could turn into aggressive. They are extremely intelligent and can be insecure and bored, which is why they require an outlet to satisfy their natural curiosity.<br /><br />Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, utilized shorter and longer-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This created an animal that is friendly and well-behaved. Max von Stephanitz was not one of those who wanted German Shepherds to be used as a showcase and made sure his dogs were calm, had strong herding instincts, and an ideal body structure. He even refused to breed some of his dogs who had temperaments that were unstable or had sharp angles in their croups, as well as front and rear pasterns, as he believed these traits could hamper the breed's ability to do its job as it is.<br /><br />In addition to the hereditary diseases that affect every breed of dog, German Shepherds are prone to cancers such as Hemangiosarcoma, which typically affects blood-rich organs, such as the liver and spleen. They can also develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers.<br /><br />You can avoid these ailments by maintaining the physical health of your German Shepherd. This means giving him a balanced diet and regular exercise. You should give plenty of time to play and run around in a secure area away from traffic. Keep him clean by brushing his dense double coat on a regular basis, using a de-shedding tool or an undercoat rake to get rid of hairs that are loose. It is also recommended to visit your vet regularly for regular health check-ups.<br /><br />Health<br /><br />German Shepherds have a healthy health history, however some health problems are present. They are susceptible to ear infections, and can develop conditions that affect their eyes and ears such as degenerative amyelopathy. Female and male can be affected by hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that affects the ability of clotting blood.<br /><br />GSDs are a working breed, and as such, they undergo intense training. This means that they may develop joint issues. Hip dysplasia is an extremely common condition that can cause lameness, pain and other signs. This is not a serious condition but can be painful for the dog.<br /><br />Breeders who are reputable X-ray the dogs they breed and use the results to make 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 who are at a high risk of developing dysplasia do not breed.<br /><br />Like many large breeds, German Shepherds also be affected by panosteitis, which causes bones to expand rapidly and unevenly, causing pain and stiffness in the limbs. This condition is more common in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing an increase in growth speed.<br /><br />They require an enriched diet rich in protein, with a good mix of omega fatty acid and balanced vitamins to ensure a healthy coat and skin. They can benefit from joint support in their diet including glucosamine as well as chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months should be given moderate exercise such as walking and playing with another dog if they are compatible. However, they should not run at a high speed, since this could cause damage to their joints that are growing.<br /><br />Avoid feeding bone from animals or table food, as they can cause digestive upsets, vomiting, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Puppies and adult dogs can benefit by a probiotic supplementation program to aid digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements that aid in breaking down proteins. A properly-formulated AAFCO approved diet should have the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals.<br /><br />Training<br /><br />German Shepherds are highly-trainable, biddable dogs that thrive under a knowledgeable handler's guidance. This makes them a great choice for military and police work such as search and rescue, therapy dog roles, and a myriad of other specialized roles. But their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a wonderful pet for the family when properly trained and socialized.<br /><br />The first step to raising a well-adjusted GSD is socialization. Expose your puppy to a variety of people and animals from a young age, taking them for frequent walks, playing games, and going to local dog parks. This will help them feel secure and at ease in a new environment and will help them learn to trust humans from an early age.<br /><br />Training for a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. It is crucial to stay clear of negative reinforcement methods, such as physical and verbal punishment, as they can lead to fear-based aggression. Use clicker training or rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.<br /><br />Daily enrichment is important for your German Shepherd. The exercises for mental stimulation are just as important to the GSD as physical exercise, especially when you have a busy household. This helps them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by road noises or thunderstorms, other dogs at the park, or crowds at competitions and other public events.<br /><br />German Shepherds are at risk of various health issues such as hemangiosarcoma (cancer of bones, lungs and the intestinal tract), pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these ailments can be avoided through responsible breeding practices and proper lifestyle accommodations.<br /><br />Despite their infamous reputation German Shepherds are loving family pets. When they are around children from a young age, they can be friendly and gentle with smaller animals like cats. They are extremely effective guardians due their size and strength but they should be supervised when around young children. If they aren't sufficiently exposed to training and socialization, they may show signs of aggression. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he gets the training and socialization that he needs to be successful.<br /><br />