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.

They naturally protect their family members due to their solid work ethic. They are able to be trained to ensure security. They are energetic and need ample space for exercise. They also require early socialization and obedience training in order to grow into well-mannered, confident dogs.

Origin

In the late 1800s, Captain Max von Stephanitz was working to develop a dog that would be unmatched in its herding capabilities. It took a long time to find a foundation dog that could satisfy his criteria -- both physically and emotionally. Finally, at an exhibition for dogs in 1899, he came across an adorable German shepherd named Hektor Linksrhein. Hektor was the result of a few generations of selective breeding and he matched perfectly with Von Stephanitz's idea of what a herding animal should be. Hektor was declared to be the first German Shepherd Dog, and von Stephanitz founded the Verein fur deutsche schäferhunde welpen kaufen österreich Schaferhunde (or Society for the German Shepherd Dog).

During the second half of the 19th century, breed fanciers worked to standardize herding dogs. They were able to preserve a lot of the traits that drew Von Stephanitz's attention. And those traits still make the breed famous today. For instance, a study found that German Shepherds can learn tasks after only five times and follow the first command that is given 95% of the time.

These same traits also make this breed among the best police and military working dogs, as well as a beloved pet for families. If properly trained and socialized they can be great companions for children and other pets. They are reserved around strangers but affectionate towards those they love. If they're not socialized as puppies, they German Shepherd may have difficulty adapting to new environments later in life and deutscher schäferhund Zu verkaufen become stressed or anxious.

Because of their strong instincts to protect German Shepherds are wary around strangers and are good guard dogs. They are generally extremely intelligent and eager to please, which makes them highly capable of being trained. They are strong, schäFerhund kaufen welpe agile and can run at speeds of up to 30 miles an hour.

You will find many different German Shepherds in the globe due to their variety and popularity. However, the distinctive traits of the breed are usually easy to recognize, schäFerhund kaufen österreich especially if you are familiar with the standard of the breed. Ask your veterinarian for help in identifying the breed, if you are not certain. Most veterinarians are familiar with the breed standards of the majority of dogs and will be able to help you quickly and efficiently.

Characteristics

If you're thinking about purchasing or adopting a purebred German Shepherd, it's important to find a reputable breeder who has pedigree papers that can be traced many generations back. Breeders who are reputable are also members of organizations like the American Kennel Club. This can give you additional assurances about their integrity.

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, straight ears and a sharp stare. A well-trained German king shepherd kaufen may seem intimidating but it will be loyal to the owner and not display aggressive behavior towards people or other dogs.

They are extremely intelligent and respond well to positive reinforcement-based training techniques, making them quick learners. Regular and early socialization is crucial to their growth as a well-mannered, confident family pets. They're naturally guardians and watchful over their families, but will likely accept strangers who don't pose a threat.

These agile, powerful dogs excel at police and military work as well as being aid dogs for people with disabilities. They have an exceptionally strong prey drive and will likely chase small animals, therefore making sure they are in a secure area and ensuring lots of positive interactions is crucial for families with pets.

If properly trained and socialized German Shepherds are affectionate, protective, and incredibly obedient companions. They're typically wary of other dogs and strangers, but with early socialization and regular positive training, they can be taught to engage in playful interactions with other pets.

When assessing the quality of a German Shepherd, look for a wedge-shaped head proportional to its size, and perfectly chiseled. The shoulders should be broad and square and straight, with a back that is slightly sloped from the withers to the croup. A curved or excessively curving rear or back legs are a sign of an insufficient structural alignment. A well-constructed German Shepherd moves with a smooth, easy stride driven by a forward thrust of the hindquarters.

Temperament

German Shepherds are intelligent and curious dogs that are well-behaved, but not too eager to please. They have an unwavering loyalty for their family members and are cautious of strangers, which makes them a highly effective guard dog. They thrive when their owners are active and will challenge them mentally and physically. They need daily exercise, and a large area to play in. If they aren't adequately stimulated, they could use destructive methods such as chewing or digging.

When selecting a breeder to work with, look for someone who is dedicated to the breed and knows 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 will likely require a lot of obedience and behavioral training to prepare it for life as a family pet.

Puppies should be curious and outgoing with an instinctual tendency to assert their rights. If one puppy is more timid than the others, this should be considered an indication of danger. Also, a great German Shepherd should have a strong and steady grip when picked up.

The muzzle is large and strong with a well-developed jaw and Deutscher SchäFerhund Kaufen Schweiz chin. The eyes should be dark and almond shaped. The nose should be black (blue or red-colored noses are disqualifying). The teeth must be white and have a strong scissor-like bite with the upper row of teeth slightly wider than the lower. The ears should be straight and wide at the bottom with pointed tips that drop slightly when resting.

The German Shepherd is a very versatile dog that can be employed in a variety of different tasks including herding or searching and rescue as well as drug and bomb detection, and even guiding blind people. This versatility is what makes it one of the most sought-after breeds in the world. But, it is important to keep in mind that the temperament of a German Shepherd can be heavily influenced by its upbringing and training.

Health

Purebred German Shepherds are incredibly resilient, able to flourish in a variety of environments and roles. This makes them excellent therapy dogs, service animals, and affectionate companions. They also excel at sporting competition advanced obedience and protection training. Their work ethic and instincts can even inspire them to search and rescue missions as well as police work and military careers. GSDs, like most breeds, are susceptible to certain health problems despite their impressive capabilities.

As a larger breed GSDs are more susceptible to joint problems such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. These degenerative conditions can cause pain and lameness as your dog gets older. A healthy breeding program and regular medical examinations by a veterinarian can reduce the effects.

Like other large breeds German Shepherds are susceptible to bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus) in which the stomach twists in a way, releasing gas and cutting off the blood supply to the spleen and liver. Bloat can be fatal if left untreated. It requires immediate medical attention.

GSDs may also suffer from heat stroke because of their thick, long, darker coats. On hot days, make sure to keep them hydrated and give them plenty of shade. We also evaluate their eyes on every exam for signs of pannus, an immune-mediated eye disease that can cause blindness if not treated promptly.

Intervertebral disc (IVDD) disease, von Willebrand's disease, and hemangiosarcoma, a cancerous blood vessel, can all affect your German Shepherd. The last is when the cushion of jelly that separates the vertebrae of the spine breaks or sags creating pressure on the spinal cord. The symptoms of IVDD include the inability to climb stairs or jump.

Like all dogs, you will need to feed your German Shepherd a high quality diet and avoid eating table food, which can lead to weight increase and nutritional deficiencies. It is also important to clean their coat frequently to keep it clean and healthy. A bath is okay every now and then, but overdoing it can remove the natural oils that keep the coat shiny and healthy.