There's Enough! 15 Things About Purebred German Shepherd Dog We're Sick Of Hearing

The Purebred German Shepherd Dog The GSD represents the perfect combination of strength and agility. Its training capabilities are high and its natural protective instincts make them cherished family dogs. When looking for a purebred German Shepherd Choose breeders who are concerned about the health of their dogs and follow ethical breeding. Requesting pedigree documents and prior health clearances can help you identify reputable breeders. Characteristics German Shepherds are powerful, intelligent dogs that are easily capable of being trained. They are loyal to their families and are able to be fearless guardians. The breed standard states that the GSD must be stable of temperament, confident, and courageous. schäferhund welpen österreich kaufen should also be able to be handled and willing to be a pleasure to. 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 an undercoat that is soft. Its eyes are dark and almond-shaped, and positioned in a oblique manner. Its ears are wide at the base and pointed. When the dog is resting in a shady position, the tail is big and swollen. It is a little below the hocks. The neck of the breed is long and slightly sloping. The chest is wide and deep. The spine is strong and the ribs are well-sprung. The breed is generally sound, but it has serious faults such as roached-backs and long pasterns that interfere with the correct movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful however, they should not be overly exaggerated and the rear leg should never go in the direction of where the forefoot leaves an imprint. As working dogs, GSDs naturally possess high drives. These are behaviors and needs that include territorial protection as well as the pursuit of prey. When 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 require a lot of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise, and mental stimulation in order to maintain a balanced life. GSDs are generally cautious around strangers and could be suspicious of them at first. This makes them great guard dogs and requires proper training to avoid overreactions. When properly socialized at a young age they can be wonderful pets for families. They also make great children. The GSD is a resilient species to disease and has a very high threshold for pain, however certain health conditions can impact the quality of its life. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders. To prevent these conditions, limiting your dog's exposure to UV radiation and making sure it receives regular vaccinations can aid. Temperament German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn, and highly capable of training. They are a working breed and excel in a variety tasks, including herding police work, search and rescue as well as drug and bomb detection and guiding blind. They also make great family companions. This strong and confident breed requires a clear and precise goal as well as the attention and focus of a shrewd owner to channel their strength and energy positively. They require a lot of space and exercise, and might not be suitable for apartments or other smaller living spaces. The ideal German Shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a firm and steady temperament. They are loyal, vigilant and sceptical of strangers. This watchful and protective behavior can turn into aggression when not properly trained, socialized and supervised. These dogs can be intelligent and independent, but they can also be bored. They need to find ways to satisfy their curiosity. Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, employed shorter and longer-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This led to an animal that is friendly and obedient. Max von Stephanitz did not agree with those who wanted German Shepherds to be used as a showcase and made sure that his dogs were calm, had strong herding instincts, and a sound body structure. He did not breed dogs with temperaments that were unstable, or with steep angles on their croups or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would hinder the ability of the breed to carry out its traditional tasks. In addition to the hereditary ailments that can plague any breed of dog German Shepherds are also susceptible to cancers, such as hemangiosarcoma, which most commonly affects blood-rich organs, such as the spleen and liver. They may also develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers. To prevent these conditions, you should maintain your German Shepherd's physical health by providing him with the right diet and exercise. Make sure he has plenty of opportunities to run and play outside, in a safe area away from traffic and other hazards. Keep him looking neat by brushing his dense double coat on a regular basis by using a de-shedding tool or an undercoat rake to get rid of hairs that have fallen off. It is also important to ensure that you take him to the vet regularly to have regular health checks. Health German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, however they do have some health issues. They are susceptible to ear infections, and can develop conditions that affect their eyes and ears such as degenerative amyelopathy. Both male and female dogs are susceptible to suffering from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that affects the ability of dogs to clot blood. As a working breed many GSDs undergo strenuous exercise during their training and they can suffer from joint issues as a consequence. Hip dysplasia is an extremely common condition that causes pain, lameness and other symptoms. It is not a major condition, but it can be painful for the dog. 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, as well as how likely it is to develop dysplasia. Dogs with a high chance of developing the disorder aren't breed. Panosteitis can affect German Shepherds. The condition causes bones to grow quickly and unevenly. This can result in stiffness and pain. The condition is particularly prevalent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs less than 18 months old who are experiencing the midst of a massive growth spurt. They require an diet rich in protein, and an abundance of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to maintain healthy coat and skin. They can benefit from joint support in their diet, such as glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months should get moderate exercise, such as walking or playing with a dog if they're compatible. However it is not recommended to run at full speed since this could cause damage to the joints they are developing. Avoid feeding table food or animal bone, as they can cause vomiting, digestive upsets, anorexia and pancreatitis. Adult dogs and puppies may benefit by a probiotic supplementation program to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements to assist in breaking down proteins. A properly-formulated AAFCO approved diet should include the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals. Training German Shepherds are intelligent, highly trainable dogs who thrive when they're under the direction of a knowledgeable handler. They are therefore a good choice for military, police, search and rescue and therapy dog roles. Their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a great pet, if properly trained and socialized. The first step to raising an appropriately adjusted GSD is socialization. Expose your puppy to a range of people and animals from a young 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 a young age. It requires patience, perseverance as well as positive reinforcement to train to train a German shepherd. It is essential to avoid negative reinforcement methods such as shouting and physical punishment as they can trigger 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. The exercises for mental stimulation are just as important to a GSD as physical exercise, especially in the case of a household with lots of people. This can help them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by sounds or storms, other dogs at the park, or the crowds at competitions or public events. German Shepherds are at risk of a number of health conditions that include hemangiosarcoma (cancer of bones, lungs and the intestinal tract) as well as pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these conditions are preventable with responsible breeding practices and appropriate lifestyle adjustments. Despite their infamous reputation German Shepherds are loving family pets. They are often friendly with children and gentle with smaller pets, like cats, if they are exposed to them at a young age. They are formidable guardians due to their size and strength, however, they must be monitored when around young children. If they are not exposed enough to training and socialization and are not properly socialized, they could exhibit signs of aggression. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he receives the training and socialization he requires to be successful.