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The Purebred German Shepherd Dog The GSD is the perfect blend of strength and speed. Its exceptional training ability and natural instincts to protect make them beloved family dogs. If you are looking for a purebred German Shepherd dog Choose breeders who are concerned about the health of their dogs and follow ethical breeding. You can determine reliable breeders by asking for documents on pedigrees and prior health clearances. Characteristics German Shepherds are powerful, intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They are loyal to their families and can 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 please. The breed is medium-sized slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a double coat that consists of an outer layer of hardness and a softer undercoat. The eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and positioned slightly obliquely. The ears are wide and pointed at the base. The tail is long and reaches to the hocks below when the dog is lying down. The neck of the breed is long and sloping slightly. The chest is wide and deep. The spine is firm and the ribs are well-sprung. In general, the breed is sound, but serious faults include roached backs and long pasterns that hinder correct movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful but not overly exaggerated. Likewise, the rear leg should not go in the direction of where the forefoot leaves a footprint. As working dogs, GSDs naturally possess high-energy drives. These are behaviors and desires that involve territorial protection and the pursuit of prey. If these high drives are not satisfied in some way, such as through work or playing or playing, it can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a way that can help reduce these urges, but they still require lots of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to live a healthy lifestyle. GSDs are typically shy around strangers and can be initially suspicious of them. This protective trait makes them great guard dogs and requires appropriate training to avoid overreactions. They are wonderful pets for families when socialized properly from a young age, and are generally good with children. The GSD is a resilient species to disease and has a very high threshold for pain, however certain health conditions can negatively impact the quality of life. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders. Preventing these conditions by limiting your dog's exposure UV rays, and ensuring it is vaccinated regularly can help. Temperament German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn and highly capable of being trained. They are an active breed that excels in a variety of tasks, including herding, police work and search and rescue. They also excel in detection of explosives and drugs, and guiding blind people. They are also great pet for families. This powerful and confident breed requires a clear goal as well as the attention and focus of a shrewd owner to harness their energy and strength in a positive manner. They require lots of space and exercise. They might not be suitable for apartments or other living spaces. The ideal German Shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a firm and steady temperament. They are loyal and vigilant, and they are sceptical of strangers. If they aren't properly socialized and trained, this protective and watchful behavior can turn into aggressive. These dogs are very smart and can be independent and easily bored, and they require an outlet that can satisfy their curiosity. The founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, longhaired and shorthaired German Shepherds in his breeding program to create the obedient and responsive breed that we see today. He was opposed to those who wanted German Shepherds to be a showpiece and he made sure his dogs had stable temperaments with strong herding instincts and sound body structure. He refused to breed dogs with unstable temperaments, or with a steep angle on their croups, or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would impede the ability of the breed to carry out its usual tasks. In addition to the hereditary diseases that can affect any dog breed, German Shepherds are prone to cancers, such as Hemangiosarcoma, which typically affects blood-rich organs, such as the spleen and liver. They may also develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers. You can prevent these diseases by maintaining 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 around in a safe area away from traffic. Make sure to regularly brush his double coat, using the deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. You should also make sure that you visit the vet regularly for routine health check-ups. Health German Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, but they do have certain health issues. They are susceptible to ear infections, and may develop conditions that affect their eyes and ears like degenerative amyelopathy. They also may suffer from an inherited disease called von Willebrand's disease that is hereditary which affects their ability to clot blood, and is present in females and males dogs. GSDs are a working breed, and consequently, they are subject to intense training. In the process, they are prone to developing joint issues. Hip dysplasia is an extremely common condition that can cause lameness, pain, and other symptoms. This is not a serious condition, but it can be painful to the dog. A reputable breeder will X-ray their dog and take the results into consideration when making breeding decisions. altdeutscher schäferhund kaufen -rays can help determine the health of the puppy as well as its genetic history, including the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high risk of developing dysplasia do not breeding. Panosteitis can be a problem for German Shepherds. The condition causes the bones to grow quickly and unevenly. This can cause pain and stiffness. 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 require a diet that is high in protein, as well as a large amount of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to maintain a healthy skin and coat. They will benefit from a diet with joint support, like the glucosamine or chondroitin. Dogs under the age of 18 months should get moderate exercise, such as walking and playing with a different dog if they're compatible. However, they should not run at full speed since this could cause damage to their joints that are growing. Foods that are table-based or contain animal bones should be avoided, because they can cause vomiting, digestive upset, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion and digestive enzyme supplements that aid in breaking down proteins. A well-formulated AAFCO approved diet should include the right amount of vitamins and minerals. Training German Shepherds are smart, highly trainable dogs who thrive under the supervision of a skilled handler. As such, they are a great choice for military and police tasks in search and rescue as well as therapy dog roles and a myriad of other specialized roles. Their constant loyalty makes them an excellent pet, if they are properly trained and socialized. The first step to raising an appropriately adjusted GSD is socialization. From a young age expose your puppy to various animals and people. Take your dog for walks frequently and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will make them feel more comfortable and secure and help them trust people from an early age. 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. Instead, opt for clicker training and rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands. Daily enrichment is crucial for your German Shepherd. The exercises for mental stimulation are as essential for the GSD as physical exercise, especially when you have a household with lots of people. This can help them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by road noises or storms as well as other dogs at the park, or crowds at competitions and public events. Certain health conditions that are specific to German Shepherds include hemangiosarcoma, cancer of the bones as well as the lungs and intestinal tract, and pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these diseases can be prevented by responsible breeding and lifestyle accommodations. Despite their reputation for being a savage breed German Shepherds are loving family pets. When they are around children from a young age, they can be tender and loving towards smaller animals like cats. They are extremely effective guardians due their size and strength but they should be watched when they are around children. They could also display signs of a hereditary tendency to aggression if 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 that they receive the training and socialization they need to thrive.