Adopting a Purebred German Shepherd

Consistency, positive reinforcement, and rewarding dog training are vital for German Shepherds. They are intelligent, eager to please, and are quick learners.

They naturally protect their family members due to their strong work ethics. They are able to be trained to ensure security. They are energetic and need plenty of space to exercise. They require early socialization, obedience training, and to become confident and well-mannered dogs.

Origin

Captain Max von Stephanitz worked to create a herding dog unmatched. It took a long time to find a foundation dog that could satisfy his criteria physically and in temperament. Hektor Linksrhein, an German Shepherd, was finally discovered at a dog show in 1899. Hektor was the result of several generations of selective breeding and he perfectly matched Von Stephanitz's vision of what a herding breed ought to be. Hektor was declared the first German Shepherd Dog, and von Stephanitz founded the Verein fur deutsche schäferhundwelpen Schaferhunde (or Society for the German Shepherd Dog).

In the second part of the 19th century, breeders tried to standardize herding dog breeds. They were able to preserve many of the characteristics that attracted Von Stephanitz's attention. And these traits continue to make the breed popular in the present. A study revealed that German Shepherds can learn tasks with just five repetitions, and follow the first command 95percent of the time.

These traits also make the breed one of the best police and military working dogs, and also a loved pet for families. If properly socialized and trained they can be great companions for children and other pets. They are reserved around strangers however, they are incredibly affectionate towards the ones they love. A German Shepherd that is not socialized from a young age may later have trouble adjusting to new circumstances and schäferhund kaufen may be anxious or stressed.

German Shepherds are excellent guard dogs because of their protective instincts. They are intelligent and eager to please. This makes them extremely capable of being trained. They are strong and agile, and can run up to 30 miles an hour, if they are required to.

Because of their versatility and popularity you will see a lot of German Shepherds across the world. The breed's distinctive features are easy to identify, especially if familiar with the breed standard. If you're not sure, consult your veterinarian to help you determine the breed. Most veterinarians are familiar with the breed standards for the majority of dogs and will be able to help you quickly and easily.

Characteristics

If you're thinking about buying or adopting a purebred German Shepherd, it's important to find a reliable breeder who has pedigree papers that can be traced many generations back. Reputable breeders are also part of organizations such as the American Kennel Club. This will provide you with additional assurances about their integrity.

A purebred German Shepherd has a hearty athletic build, deep-chested and a distinctive coat of black and tan. Adult males weigh 65 to 90 lbs and are approximately 24 to 26 inches tall and females are usually smaller, weighing between 50 and 70 pounds and 22-25 inches tall. They have long, erect ears and a sharp, erect gaze. Although they can appear intimidating, a properly trained German Shepherd will remain loyal to its owner and not exhibit aggressive behavior towards dogs or people.

They are extremely intelligent and respond well to positive reinforcement-based training methods and are quick learners. Regular and early socialization is crucial to their growth as confident, well-mannered family pets. They're naturally guardians and reinrassiger deutscher schäFerhund welpe watchful over their families, however they'll likely accept strangers who don't pose an threat.

These powerful, agile dogs excel at police and military work as well as being aid dogs for people with disabilities. They possess an extremely strong prey drive, and will likely chase small animals, so creating a safe and secure environment and ensuring lots of positive regular socialization is essential for households with pets.

When properly trained and schäFerhund kaufen socialized German Shepherds can be loving, protective and extremely obedient pet companions. They are typically wary of strangers or other dogs, but can be taught to play with other dogs through positive training and early socialization.

If you are evaluating the quality of a German Shepherd, look for a head with a wedge shape that is proportional to its size, and cleanly chiseled. The shoulders should be straight and broad, with a straight back that is slightly sloped from the withers down to the croup. A curved back or excessive curvature of the rear legs is a sign of poor structural alignment. A well-built German Shepherd moves with an effortless easy stride, which is fueled by the forward thrust of its hindquarters.

Temperament

German Shepherds are intelligent and curious dogs who are well-behaved, but not too eager to please. They are loyal to their families and sceptical of strangers. This makes them an effective guard dog. They thrive when their owners are active and will test them physically and mentally. They require daily exercise and a large yard to play in. If they aren't sufficiently stimulated, they could use destructive methods such as chewing or digging.

When choosing a dog breeder select a person who is committed to the breed and has an excellent knowledge of its temperament and personality. A trustworthy breeder can discuss the background of the parents as well as the puppies. He or she will also be able determine if the puppies have been socialized and has received obedience training. If the puppy isn't socialized, it might require extensive training in obedience and behavior to prepare it for its future as a family member.

Puppy should be curious and outgoing, with an instinctual tendency to assert their rights. If one puppy is more timid than others this should be taken as an indication. A good German Shepherd will also have an unwavering, steady grip when being held.

The muzzle is long and strong 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 should be white and join in an imposing scissor bite with the upper row of teeth slightly bigger than the bottom. The ears are wide and erect at the base, with pointed tips. They can droop a little when at rest.

The German Shepherd is a very versatile dog that can be used in many different ways including herding or searching and rescue, bomb and drug detection, and guiding blind people. This versatility makes it one of the most sought-after breeds in the entire world. It is important to remember that the temperament of the German Shepherd dog can be greatly affected by its training and environment.

Health

Purebred German Shepherds have high levels of resilience and can thrive in a variety of different conditions. This makes them excellent therapy dogs, service animals and affectionate companions. They are also adept at advanced obedience and protection training as well as competitive dog sports. Their strong work ethic can result in careers in search and rescue, reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund Kaufen police work, or military careers. Despite these impressive talents, as with most breeds, GSDs are susceptible to certain health issues.

GSDs, being larger breeds are more prone to joint problems such as elbow dysplasia or hip dysplasia. These degenerative diseases may cause your dog to become slack and in pain as they get older. Responsible breeding and regular vet exams can help reduce the impact.

Like other large breeds German Shepherds are susceptible to Bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus) in which the stomach expands, filling with gas and cutting off blood flow to the liver and spleen. Bloat can be life-threatening when left untreated. It requires immediate medical treatment.

GSDs also can suffer from heat stroke because of their long, thick dark coats. On hot days, make sure to keep them hydrated and offer them plenty of shade. We also examine their eyes at every examination for schäFerhund kaufen signs of pannus. It is an eye disease that is immune-mediated and causes blindness if not addressed promptly.

Intervertebral disc (IVDD) disease Von Willebrand's Disease, and hemangiosarcoma, which is a cancerous blood vessel, can all affect your German Shepherd. The jelly-like cushion between the vertebrae in the spine can rupture or slip and cause pressure to the spinal cord. The symptoms of IVDD include an inability to climb stairs or jump.

As with most dogs you should feed your German Shepherd a high quality diet and avoid table food, which can lead to weight growth and nutritional deficiencies. Clean their coat frequently to keep a healthy and clean appearance. A bath is fine occasionally, but overdoing it can take away the natural oils which keep a dog's coat healthy and shiny.