Adopting a Purebred German Shepherd

German Shepherds thrive with consistency positive reinforcement, a steady diet, and rewarding training. They are smart and eager to please and are quick learners.

Their dedication to work ensures they are naturally attentive to family members and can be trained to assist in security. They are lively and require plenty of room to exercise. They need early socialization, obedience training and to become confident, well-mannered dogs.

Origin

In the late 1800s, Captain Max von Stephanitz was working to create a dog that could not be matched in its ability to herd. It took him a long time to find a foundation stock that met his criteria, both physically and mentally. Finally, at an exhibition for dogs in 1899, he came across the appearance of a german shepherd kaufen shepherd named Hektor Linksrhein. Hektor was the result of many generations of selective breeding and He perfectly matched Von Stephanitz's vision of what a herding dog should be. Hektor schäferhund beschüTzerinstinkt was named the first German Shepherd Dog, and von Stephanitz founded the Verein fur deutsche schäferhunde kaufen Schaferhunde (or schäferhund Beschützerinstinkt Society for the German Shepherd Dog).

During the second period of the 19th century, breed fanciers tried to standardize herding dog breeds. They were able to preserve a lot of the traits that drew Von Stephanitz's attention. those traits are what make the breed famous today. A study revealed that German Shepherds can learn tasks in just five repetitions, and they obey the first command 90% of the time.

These same traits also make this breed one of the top military and police working dogs, as well as a loved pet for families. If properly trained and socialized they can be ideal companions for children as well as other pets. They are reserved around strangers, altdeutscher schäferhund kaufen but affectionate towards those they love. A German Shepherd that is not socialized at a young age may have difficulty adapting to new situations and become stressed or anxious.

Because of their strong protective instincts German Shepherds have a tendency to be cautious around strangers and are good guard dogs. They are intelligent and eager to be loved by others. This makes them highly capable of being trained. They are strong, agile and can run at speeds up 30 miles per hour.

Due to their versatility and popularity, you'll see a variety of different German Shepherds in the world. The distinctive characteristics of the breed are easy to identify, especially if familiar with the breed standard. Ask your veterinarian for help in identifying the breed, if you aren't sure. Most veterinarians are familiar with the breed standards of most dogs and will be able to help you quickly and easily.

Characteristics

If you're considering buying or adopting a purebred German Shepherd it's important that you find a reputable German Shepherd breeder with pedigree documents that can be traced back many generations. Reputable breeders are also part of organizations like the American Kennel Club. This can give you additional assurances 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. A well-trained German Shepherd may seem intimidating, but it will remain loyal to the owner and will not exhibit aggressive behavior towards people or other dogs.

They are quick learners and very intelligent. Socialization early and consistently is essential to their development as confident, well-mannered family pets. They're naturally guardians and vigilant over their families, however they'll likely accept strangers who don't pose danger.

These agile, powerful dogs are suitable for a variety of types of work and excel in police and military duty as well as serving in the capacity of service dogs for those who are disabled. They have a powerful prey drive, and are likely to chase smaller animals. Therefore, a safe environment with plenty of positive socialization for other pets is essential.

If properly trained and socialized German Shepherds are affectionate, protective and extremely obedient pet companions. They're typically wary of other dogs and strangers, but with early socialization and positive training, they'll be able to have fun with other pets.

When evaluating the quality of a German Shepherd look for a wedge shaped head that is proportional to the dog's height and has been chiseled cleanly. The shoulders should be wide and square and have a straight, level back that's just slightly inclined from the withers to the croup. A curly back or excessive curvature of the rear legs is a sign of an insufficient structural alignment. A well-constructed German Shepherd moves with a smooth, effortless stride that's driven by an upward thrust of the hindquarters.

Temperament

German Shepherds are intelligent, curious dogs that are loyal and gentle but not too eager to please. They have a strong loyalty for their family members and are cautious of strangers, which makes them a very effective guard dog. They thrive with owners who push them physically and mentally. They need plenty of daily exercise and a large backyard to play in. If they aren't properly stimulated, they may resort to destructive behaviors like chewing or digging.

When selecting a breeder to work with choose one who is committed to the breed and knows its temperament and personality. A reputable breeder can discuss the background of both parents and pups. He or she will also be able to determine if the puppies have been socialized and received obedience training. If a puppy is not socialized, it may need extensive obedience and behavior training to prepare it for its future life as an adult member of the family.

Puppies should be curious and outgoing, with a natural tendency to assert themselves. If one puppy is more timid than the others this should be taken as an indication. A good German Shepherd will also have solid, consistent grasp when being held.

The muzzle is strong and long with a well-developed jaw and the chin. The eyes should be dark and almond shaped. The nose should be dark (blue liver, blue or other colors are disqualifying). The teeth must be white and the upper row should be slightly bigger than the lower. The ears are wide and erect at their base, with pointed tips. They may be a bit droopy when they are at rest.

The German Shepherd is a very adaptable dog that is employed in a variety of different tasks like herding, search and rescue, bomb and drug detection, Buy German Shepherd Dog Austria and guiding blind people. This versatility makes it one of the most popular breeds in the entire world. It is crucial to keep in mind that the temperament of a German Shepherd dog can be greatly affected by its training and its upbringing.

Health

Purebred German Shepherds possess high levels of resilience and can thrive in a variety different conditions. They are excellent companions, therapy dogs and service animals. They also excel in sporting competition advanced obedience and protection training. Their dedication to work can lead to careers in search and rescue, police work or military careers. Despite their impressive abilities as with all breeds, GSDs are susceptible to certain health conditions.

As a larger breed GSDs are more prone to joint problems such as elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These degenerative diseases can cause your dog to become lame and painful as they get older. Regular vet checkups can reduce their impact.

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 cutting off blood flow to the spleen and liver. Bloat can be fatal in the event that it is not treated. It requires immediate medical care.

Due to their long, thick coats as well as their darker colors GSDs are also more prone to heat stroke. Keep them hydrated and provide plenty of shade on hot days. We also evaluate their eyes at every examination for signs of pannus, an eye disease that is immune-mediated and causes blindness if not addressed promptly.

Intervertebral disc (IVDD) disease, von Willebrand's disease, and hemangiosarcoma, a blood vessel that is cancerous, can all affect your German Shepherd. The last is when the cushion of jelly that connects the vertebrae of your spine ruptures or slips creating pressure on the spinal cord. The symptoms of IVDD include inability to go up steps or jump and a hunched back. discomfort when being touched, and dragging of the rear feet.

As with most dogs you will want to feed your German Shepherd a high quality diet and avoid table food, which can cause weight growth and nutritional deficiencies. It is also important to clean their coat frequently to keep it clean and healthy. A bath is acceptable every now and then but excessively doing it can remove the natural oils which keep a dog's coat shiny and healthy.