The Purebred German Shepherd Dog<br /><br />The GSD is the perfect balance of strength and speed. Its high trainability and natural protective instincts make them loved family dogs.<br /><br />When looking for a purebred German Shepherd dog select breeders who value the health of their dogs and practice ethical breeding. Requesting pedigree documents and prior health clearances can help you find reputable breeders.<br /><br />Characteristics<br /><br />German Shepherds are powerful, intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They are loyal to their families and are able to be fierce guardians. The breed standard states that the GSD must be steady of temperament, self assured and courageous. It should also be obedient and willing to be obedient.<br /><br />The breed is medium in size, slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a double coat consisting of a hard outer layer, and a softer undercoat. The almond-shaped eyes of the dog are dark and slightly set. <a href="https://entzückendescäferhundwelpen.de/">www.entzückendescäferhundwelpen.de</a> are large at the base and pointed. When the dog is resting on its back, the tail becomes big and swollen. It is a little below the hocks. The neck of the breed is long and sloping slightly. The chest is wide and deep. The ribs are strong and the spine is strong.<br /><br /><br /><br />In general the breed is healthy However, it has some serious flaws. These include roached backs as well as long pasterns that interfere with correct movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong but not overly exaggerated. The rear leg should never pass in the direction of where the forefoot leaves a footprint.<br /><br />As working dogs As working dogs, the GSD has naturally high drives (behavioral tendencies and desires towards things like territorial protection and chasing prey). If these drives are not satisfied in some way, such as through work or playing, it can lead aggression. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a way which helps to reduce these drives but they require lots of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise and mental stimulation in order to maintain a balanced life.<br /><br />GSDs are generally cautious around strangers and could be initially suspicious of them. This trait of protection makes GSDs excellent guard dogs, however it requires proper training to avoid overreactions. When socialized properly at a young age, they make wonderful pets for families. They are also great with kids.<br /><br />The GSD has an elevated pain threshold and is able to fight off illnesses, but it has certain health conditions that can affect its quality of life. These include epilepsy/seizures and 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 aid.<br /><br />Temperament<br /><br />German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn. They are also trainable. They are a working breed that excel in a variety of tasks, including herding police work such as search and rescue drug and bomb detection and guiding blind. They are also great family pets. However, this powerful and confident breed needs an unwavering sense of purpose and the attention of a confident owner to channel their energy and strength in a positive way. They require a lot of exercise and room, and may not be a good fit in apartments or smaller living spaces.<br /><br />The ideal German Shepherd is balanced and confident, with a solid and steady temperament. They are loyal, vigilant, and suspicious of strangers. If they aren't properly socialized and trained to be vigilant and protective, this behavior can become aggression. They are extremely intelligent and can be very independent and easily bored, and they require a good outlet for their natural curiosity.<br /><br />Founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, as well as longhaired and shorthaired German Shepherds in his breeding program to develop the responsive and obedient breed that we have today. Max von Stephanitz was not one of those who wanted to use German Shepherds to be used as a showcase and made sure his dogs had stable tempers, strong herding impulses, as well as an ideal body structure. He was against breeding dogs with temperaments that were unstable or with steep angles on their croups, front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would impede the ability of the breed to perform its usual tasks.<br /><br />German Shepherds are also susceptible to cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a common cancer that affects the liver and spleen, organs with heightened blood supply. They also can develop lung, bone or intestinal cancers.<br /><br />To prevent these conditions to avoid them, you must maintain your German Shepherd's physical health by feeding him a proper diet and exercise. Make sure that he has plenty of opportunities to run and play outside in a secure area away from traffic and other dangers. Regularly brush your double coat, using a deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. You should also make sure that you take him to the veterinarian on a regular basis to have regular health check-ups.<br /><br />Health<br /><br />German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, however they do have certain health issues. They are prone to ear infections and can develop eye conditions and ears, including degenerative myelopathy. Female and male dogs can suffer from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that affects their ability to clot the blood.<br /><br />GSDs are a working breed, and as such, they go through intense training. In the process, they may develop joint issues. Hip dysplasia is a common condition that causes pain, lameness and other signs. This is not always a serious issue, but it can be painful for dogs.<br /><br />Reputable breeders X-ray their dogs and utilize the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health and genetic history of the puppy, as well as the likelihood to develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high risk of developing dysplasia are not breeding.<br /><br />Like all large breeds, German Shepherds can suffer from panosteitis. This causes the bones to expand rapidly and unevenly, causing pain and stiffness in the legs. This condition is most prevalent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs less than 18 months old who are going through a large growth spurt.<br /><br />They require a diet high in protein with a generous mix of omega-fatty acids and balanced vitamins for skin and coat health. These dogs will benefit from a diet that contains joint support, like chondroitin or glucosamine. Dogs under the age of 18 months should be given moderate exercise like walking and playing with a different dog if they're compatible. However it is not recommended to run at a high speed, since this could cause damage to their growing joints.<br /><br />Table food or animal bones must be avoided, because they can cause vomiting, digestive upset anorexia, vomiting, and pancreatitis. Puppies and adults can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion and digestive enzyme supplements to aid in breaking down proteins. A well-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. They are an excellent choice for police and military tasks, search and rescue and therapy dog roles, and many other specializations. Their inexplicably loyal nature makes them an excellent pet, provided they are well-socialized and properly trained.<br /><br />The first step in raising an equidistant GSD is socialization. As a puppy, expose your puppy to different animals and people. Take your dog for walks frequently and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will help them feel more secure and confident and teach them to trust people at 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 shouting and physical punishment as they can trigger fear-based aggression. Use clicker training or rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.<br /><br />It is also essential to ensure that you provide your German Shepherd with daily enrichment. Mental stimulation exercises are as essential for the GSD as physical exercise, especially in the case of a household with lots of people. This can help them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by street sounds or storms as well as other dogs at the park, or crowds at competitions and public events.<br /><br />Some of the health issues that are specific to German Shepherds are hemangiosarcoma, cancer of the bones as well as the lungs and intestinal tract and pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these conditions can be avoided through responsible breeding practices and the right lifestyle adjustments.<br /><br />Despite their fearsome reputation, German Shepherds make devoted family pets. When they are around children as young as they can be incredibly friendly and gentle with smaller pets like cats. They are extremely effective guardians due their size and strength however, they must be monitored when they are around young children. They could also exhibit signs of a hereditary tendency toward aggression if they are not given the proper training and socialization opportunities. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he is getting the education and socialization he requires to thrive.<br /><br />