Adopting a Purebred German Shepherd

German Shepherds thrive with consistency positive reinforcement, as well as reward-based training. They are intelligent and eager to please.

Their strong work ethic makes them naturally watchful of family members and they can be trained to assist in security. They are very active and require plenty of space to exercise. They also require early socialization and obedience training to mature into well-mannered, confident dogs.

Origin

In the late 1800s, Captain Max von Stephanitz was working to create a dog who would be unmatched in its ability to herd. It took him a long time to find a foundation stock that met his criteria, physically as well as mentally. Hektor Linksrhein, a German Shepherd, was finally found at a dogshow in 1899. Hektor was the result of several generations of selective breeding, reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund deutscher schäferhund schwarz kaufen schäferhund kaufen österreich züchter (listen to this podcast) and He perfectly matched Von Stephanitz's vision of what a herding breed should be. Hektor was named the first German Shepherd Dog, and von Stephanitz founded the Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde (or Society for the German Shepherd Dog).

Breed enthusiasts began to standardize herding dog breeds during the second half of 19th century. They were able to preserve many of the characteristics that attracted Von Stephanitz, and schäferhunde schäferhund kaufen österreich - pattern-wiki.win, these traits still make the German Shepherd breed popular today. A study has revealed that German Shepherds can master tasks with only five repetitions, and they follow the first command 90% of the time.

These traits also make this breed among the best police and military working dogs, as well as a beloved pet for families. If properly socialized and trained they can be excellent companions for children and other pets. They are cautious around strangers, but they are affectionate with those they love. A German Shepherd that is not socialized at a young age might later have difficulty adjusting to new situations and be anxious or stressed.

German Shepherds are great guard dogs because of their instincts to protect. They are smart and eager to be loved by others. This makes them extremely capable of being trained. They are agile, strong and can run up to 30 miles an hour.

There are a variety of German Shepherds in the globe due to their wide range of uses and popularity. But the breed's distinctive characteristics are usually easy to identify and, in particular, if you're familiar with the breed standard. If you're unsure, ask your veterinarian to help you identify the breed. Most veterinarians are knowledgeable of the breed standards for the majority of dogs and are capable of helping you quickly and efficiently.

Characteristics

If you're thinking about adopting or purchasing a purebred German Shepherd it's important that you choose a reputable German Shepherd breeder with pedigree documents that can be traced back many generations. Reputable breeders are also members of associations like the American Kennel Club. This will provide you with additional assurances about their integrity.

A true purebred German Shepherd has a hearty athletic build, deep-chested and distinctive coats of black and tan. Adult males weigh between 65 to 90 pounds and stand between 24 and 26 inches tall and females are typically smaller, weighing between 50 and 70 pounds and 22 to 25 inches tall. They have erect ears, long and elongated and an intense gaze. A trained German Shepherd may seem intimidating but it will be loyal to its owner and will not display aggressive behavior towards humans or other dogs.

They are quick learners and very intelligent. Socialization is vital to their development into confident well-mannered pets. They're natural guardians and vigilant over their families, but they will likely accept strangers who don't pose an threat.

These powerful, agile dogs are suited to many types of work. They excel in police and military duty as well as serving in the capacity of service dogs for those who are disabled. They have a strong prey drive, and will likely chase smaller animals. Therefore, a secure environment that offers plenty of positive socialization for other pets is important.

German Shepherds are loyal, reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund züchter protective and obedient when they are properly socialized and trained. They are typically cautious of strangers and other dogs, but can be taught to play with other pets through positive training and early socialization.

When assessing a German Shepherd's quality look for a head with a wedge shape that is proportional to the dog's height and has been chiseled cleanly. The shoulders should be large and square and have an even, straight back that's only slightly sloped from the withers to the croup. A curly back or a large curvature of the rear legs indicates poor structural alignment. A well-constructed German Shepherd moves with a smooth, effortless stride that's driven by a forward thrust from the hindquarters.

Temperament

German Shepherds are intelligent, curious dogs who are loyal and gentle but not too eager to please. They have an unwavering loyalty for their families and are wary of strangers, which makes them an excellent guard dog. They thrive when their owners are active and be challenged both physically and mentally. They need plenty of daily exercise as well as a large backyard to play in. If they aren't properly stimulated, they could resort to destructive behaviors such as chewing or digging.

When selecting a breeder for your dog, reinrassiger deutscher SchäFerhund züchter choose someone who is passionate about the breed and has a good understanding of its temperament and personality. A reputable breeder will be able to talk about the history of both the parents and pups. He or she will inform you if the litter has received obedience training and socialization. If the puppy hasn't been socialized, it may require a lot of obedience and behavioral training to get it ready for a life as a family pet.

Puppies should be inquisitive and outgoing, with an instinctual tendency to assert their rights. If one of the puppies is more timid than others it should be taken as an indication of danger. Also, a great German Shepherd should be able to maintain a firm and consistent grip when being picked up.

The muzzle is strong and long with a well-developed jaw and the chin. The eyes are dark and almond-shaped. The nose should be dark (blue liver, blue or other colors are disqualifying). The teeth must be white and join in a strong scissor bite, with the top row of teeth being slightly larger than the bottom. The ears are erect and wide at the bottom with pointed tips that can droop slightly when at rest.

The German Shepherd is a very adaptable dog that can be used for many different activities, such as herding or searching and rescue as well as drug and bomb detection, and even guiding blind people. This versatility makes it among the most sought-after breeds in the entire world. It is essential to keep in mind that the temperament of the German Shepherd dog can be greatly affected by its training and environment.

Health

Purebred German Shepherds possess a high level of resilience and are able to thrive under a variety of different situations. This makes them excellent therapy dogs, service animals and loyal companions. They also excel in sporting competition advanced obedience and training in protection. Their commitment to work could result in careers in search and rescue, police work, or military careers. GSDs, as with all breeds, are susceptible to certain health problems despite their amazing talents.

As a larger breed GSDs are more prone to joint issues like elbow dysplasia or hip dysplasia. These degenerative conditions can cause your dog to become lame and painful as they get older. A healthy breeding program and regular veterinary examinations can help minimize the impact.

Like other large breeds, German Shepherds are prone to Bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus) that is when the stomach expands to fill with gas, cutting off the blood supply to the spleen and liver. If untreated, bloat can be an extremely serious condition that requires immediate medical treatment.

Due to their long, thick coats and darker coloration, GSDs are also prone to heat stroke. On hot days, make sure to keep them hydrated and offer them plenty of shade. We also evaluate their eyes during every exam for signs of pannus, an eye disease caused by immune system that can cause blindness if not treated promptly.

A variety of hereditary and inherited illnesses can impact your German Shepherd's digestive system, including hemangiosarcoma tumors of the blood vessels, exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) and von Willebrand disease, and intervertebral disk disease (IVDD). The jelly-like cushion between vertebrae in the spine can rupture or slip and cause pressure to the spinal cord. The symptoms of IVDD are the inability to climb stairs or jump.

Like all dogs, you will want to feed your German Shepherd a high quality diet and avoid table food, which can lead to weight increase and nutritional deficiencies. Brush their coat regularly to keep a healthy and clean appearance. A bath is fine every now and then but excessively doing it can remove the natural oils that keep the coat shiny and healthy.