Adopting a Purebred German Shepherd

Consistency, positive reinforcement, and reward-based dog training are crucial for German Shepherds. They are smart, eager to please, and are quick learners.

Their dedication to work makes them naturally vigilant of family members and are able to help with security. They are energetic, and require plenty of space to exercise. They need early socialization, obedience training and to become confident, well-mannered dogs.

Origin

Captain Max von Stephanitz worked to create a herding dog unmatched. It took years to find a foundation breed that would meet his requirements physically and in temperament. Finally, at the dog show in 1899, he came across a German shepherd named Hektor Linksrhein. Hektor was the result of a few generations of selective breeding and Reinrassiger Deutscher SchäFerhund he perfectly met Von Stephanitz's idea of what a herding dog should be. Von Stephanitz declared Hektor the first German Shepherd Dog and founded the Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde.

Breed enthusiasts began to standardize herding dog breeds in the second half 19th century. They were able to preserve many of the traits that drew Von Stephanitz's attention, and those traits still make the breed popular today. For instance, a study showed that German Shepherds master tasks in just five times and follow the first command that is given 95% of the time.

The same traits make the breed one of the top police and military working dogs, as well as a popular family pet. They make excellent pets and can be great companions for children when they are well-socialized and taught. They are reserved around strangers, however, they are incredibly affectionate towards the ones they love. A German Shepherd that is not socialized early in life may have difficulty adapting to new environments and may become stressed or anxious.

Due to their strong instincts to protect, German Shepherds can be cautious around strangers and are good guard dogs. They are generally extremely sensitive and eager to please, which makes them extremely trainable. They are agile, strong and can run at speeds up to 30 miles per hour.

Because of their wide range of uses and popularity, you'll see a variety of German Shepherds around the world. The distinctive characteristics of the breed are easy to identify, especially if familiar with the standard of the breed. Ask your veterinarian for assistance identifying the breed if you aren't sure. Most veterinarians are familiar with the breed standards for most dogs and will be in a position to assist you quickly and easily.

Characteristics

If you're thinking about adopting or purchasing a purebred German Shepherd it's important that you locate a reputable German Shepherd breeder with pedigree documents that can be traced back many generations. Reputable breeders are also members of organizations such as the American Kennel Club. This will give you more confidence about their credibility.

A purebred German Shepherd is characterized by a strong, athletic build with a distinctive black and tan colour. Adult males weigh between 65 to 90 pounds and are 24 to 26 inches tall and females are typically smaller, weighing between 50 and 70 pounds and 22 to 25 inches tall. They have a long, erect ears and a sharp stare. While they may look intimidating, a properly trained German Shepherd will remain loyal to its owner and not display aggressive behavior towards other dogs or even people.

They are highly smart and are able to respond to positive reinforcement-based training methods which makes them fast learners. Early and consistent socialization is crucial to their growth as a well-mannered, confident family pets. They are naturally guardians and will watch over their family members. However, they'll accept strangers as long as they don't pose a threat to them.

These agile, powerful dogs excel in military and police tasks, as well as service dogs for the handicapped. They have an exceptionally powerful prey drive and are likely to chase small animals, so creating a safe and secure environment and providing plenty of positive ongoing socialization is key for families with pets.

German Shepherds are loyal, protective and respectful when properly socialized and taught. They're typically cautious of strangers and other dogs however, through early socialization and positive training, they can be taught to have fun with other pets.

If you are evaluating the quality of a German Shepherd, look for an elongated head that is proportional to its size, and well-chiseled. The shoulders should be broad and square and straight, with a back that is slightly sloped from the withers down to the croup. A curly back or a large curvature of the rear legs indicates poor structural alignment. A well-built German Shepherd moves with an effortless smooth stride that is driven by the forward thrust of its hindquarters.

Temperament

German Shepherds are intelligent, curious dogs who are gentle and respectful without being overly eager to please. They have a steadfast devotion for Reinrassiger Deutscher schäferhund their families and schäFerhund Welpe kaufen 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 and a large backyard to play in. If they aren't sufficiently stimulated, they could resort to destructive behaviors such as digging or chewing.

When choosing a breeder, look for someone who is dedicated to the breed and is aware of its temperament and Schäferhund Kaufen österreich personality. A reputable breeder can discuss the history of both the parents and the puppies. He or she will determine if the litter has received obedience training and socialization. If the puppy hasn't been socialized, it will likely require extensive obedience and behavior training to get it ready to be pet for the family.

Puppies should be curious and outgoing and have a natural capacity to assert their rights. If one of the puppies is more timid than others, this should be considered an indication of danger. Also, a great German Shepherd should have a strong and steady grasp 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 must be black (blue or red-colored noses are a disqualification). The teeth must be white and have a strong scissor-like bite with the upper row of teeth slightly bigger than the bottom. The ears are erect and wide at their base, with pointed tips that can drop slightly when resting.

The German Shepherd is a very adaptable dog that is employed in a variety of different tasks like herding as well as search and rescue, bomb and drug detection, and guiding blind people. This versatility makes it among the most sought-after breeds across the world. It is crucial to keep in mind that the temperament of a German Shepherd can be heavily affected by its environment and training.

Health

Purebred German Shepherds have an impressive level of resilience and can thrive in a variety of different conditions. They make excellent companions, therapy dogs, and service animals. They are also adept in advanced obedience and protection training and competitive dog sports. Their dedication to work can lead to careers in search and rescue, police work or military careers. GSDs, like most breeds, are susceptible to certain health issues despite their remarkable talents.

GSDs, because they are larger breeds, are more prone to joint problems such as elbow dysplasia or hip dysplasia. These degenerative diseases can cause lameness and pain as your dog ages. A healthy breeding program and regular vet exams can help reduce the effects.

Like other large breeds German Shepherds are also prone to Bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus) in which the stomach twists in a way, releasing gas and reinrassiger deutscher SchäFerhund cutting off blood flow to the spleen and liver. Bloat can be life-threatening when left untreated. It requires immediate medical attention.

GSDs also can suffer from heat stroke because of their long, thick, darker coats. On hot days, ensure they are hydrated and offer them plenty of shade. We also evaluate their eyes during every exam for indications of pannus, an eye disease caused by immune system that causes blindness if not addressed promptly.

A variety of hereditary and inherited illnesses can impact your German Shepherd's digestive system, including Hemangiosarcoma cancer of blood vessels, exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI), von Willebrand disease, and intervertebral disk disease (IVDD). The jelly-like cushion between vertebrae in the spine can rupture or slide 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 stay clear of table food which can cause weight gain and nutritional deficiencies. Clean their coat frequently to keep an appearance that is clean and healthy. It's okay to give your dog a bath every now and again, schäferhund welpen kaufen Schweiz but too much can strip away the natural oils that keep their coats clean and shiny.