Adopting a Purebred German Shepherd
German Shepherds thrive when they are consistent positive reinforcement, a steady diet, and reward-based training. They are intelligent and eager to please.
Their work ethic and dedication makes them naturally watchful of family members and are able to help in security. They are active and require plenty of room to exercise. They require early socialization, obedience classes and to develop into 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 years to find a foundation breed that would meet his standards -- both physically and in temperament. Hektor Linksrhein is a German Shepherd, was finally discovered at a dog show in 1899. Hektor was the result of a few generations of selective breeding and he matched perfectly with Von Stephanitz's vision of what a herding dog should be. Von Stephanitz declared Hektor the first German Shepherd Dog and founded the Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde.
Breed fanciers began to standardize herding dog breeds in the second half of 19th century. They were able to preserve a lot of the traits that drew Von Stephanitz's attention. those traits still make the breed popular today. For instance, a research study showed that German Shepherds master tasks in just five repetitions and obey the first command that is given 95% of the time.
The same characteristics make this breed a beloved family pet and one of the best working dogs for police and military. If properly socialized and trained they can be excellent companions for children and other pets. They are reserved around strangers, however, they are incredibly affectionate towards the ones they love. If they're not socialized as puppies, they German Shepherd may have difficulty adapting to new situations later in life and become stressed or anxious.
German Shepherds are excellent guard dogs due to their instincts to protect. They are intelligent and eager to be loved by others. This makes them very trainable. They are agile, strong and can run at speeds up 30 miles per hour.
Due to their versatility and popularity you'll find a wide variety of German Shepherds across the world. However, the distinctive traits of the breed are usually easy to identify particularly if you are familiar with the breed standard. Ask your veterinarian for assistance in identifying the breed, if you aren't certain. Most veterinarians are knowledgeable of the breed standards of the majority of dogs and are capable of helping you quickly and efficiently.
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If you're considering adopting or purchasing a purebred German Shepherd it's important that you locate an established German Shepherd breeder with pedigree documents that can be traced back several generations. Reputable breeders are also part of organizations such as the American Kennel Club. This will provide you with additional assurances about their integrity.
Purebred German Shepherd is characterized by an athletic, muscular build with a distinctive black and tan color. Adult males typically weigh 65 to 90 pounds and are between 24 and 26 inches tall, while females are generally smaller at 50 to 70 pounds and 22 to 25 inches tall. They have a long, straight ears and a stern stare. 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 quick learners and extremely intelligent. Socialization is essential in their development to become confident well-mannered pets. They are natural guardians, and will guard their family members. However, they'll accept strangers as long as they don't pose a threat to them.
These agile, powerful dogs are suited to many types of work and excel in police and military duty as well as serving as service dogs for the disabled. They have a strong prey drive, and are likely to chase smaller animals. Therefore, a secure environment that offers plenty of positive interaction with other pets is important.
If properly trained and socialized, German Shepherds can be affectionate, protective, and incredibly obedient companions. They are typically shy of strangers and other dogs, but with early socialization and positive training, they can be taught to engage in playful interactions with other pets.
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 large and square and have an even, straight back that is only slightly sloped from the croup to the croup. A curving or curved rear or back legs are a sign of an imbalance in the structural structure. A well-built German Shepherd moves with an effortless easy stride, which is driven 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 have a steadfast devotion to their families and are wary of strangers, which makes them an excellent guard dog. They thrive when their owners are active and test them physically and mentally. They require a lot of exercise as well as a large backyard to play in. If deutscher schäferhund pflege are not sufficiently stimulated, they might resort to destructive behaviors like chewing or digging.
When selecting a breeder for your dog pick someone who is passionate about the breed and has a thorough knowledge of its temperament and personality. A reputable breeder will be able to talk about the background of both parents and pups. They will also be able tell you whether the puppies have been socialized and has received obedience training. If a puppy hasn't been socialized, it will likely require extensive obedience and behavior training to prepare it for life as a family pet.
Puppy must be curious and outgoing and have a natural capacity for asserting themselves. If one of the puppies is more timid than the others and is not confident, it could be an indication of danger. A good German Shepherd should also have a a firm, consistent grip when taken up.
The muzzle is strong and long with a well-developed jaw and 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 the top row should be slightly larger than the lower. The ears are erect and wide at the bottom, with pointed tips that may be slightly droopy when in rest.
The German Shepherd can be used in many different ways. It is a flexible dog and can be used to herd or search and rescue, identify explosives and drugs or even guide blind people. This flexibility is the reason it is one of the most sought-after breeds in the world. But, it is important to keep in mind that the personality of a German Shepherd can be heavily affected by its environment and training.
Health
Purebred German Shepherds possess a high level of resilience and can thrive in a variety different situations. They are excellent companions, therapy dogs, and service animals. They also excel in sporting competition advanced obedience and training in protection. Their strong work ethic and instincts can even lead them to missions of search and rescue or police work as well as military careers. GSDs, like most breeds, are susceptible to certain health problems despite their amazing capabilities.
As a larger breed, GSDs are susceptible 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. Regular veterinary checkups can help minimize their effects.
Like other large breeds German Shepherds are also prone to Bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus) that is when the stomach twists to fill with gas, cutting off the blood supply to the liver and spleen. If untreated, bloat can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical care.
Due to their long, thick coats as well as their darker coloring GSDs are also more prone to heat stroke. On hot days, make sure to keep them hydrated and give them plenty of shade. We also evaluate their eyes on every exam for indications of pannus, an immune-mediated eye disease that causes blindness if not treated 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 vertebrae in the spine can rupture or slide and cause pressure to the spinal cord. The symptoms of IVDD include the inability to climb stairs or jump.
As with most dogs you should feed your German Shepherd a high quality diet and avoid eating table food, which can lead to weight growth and nutritional deficiencies. It is also important to brush their coat regularly to keep it clean and healthy. It's okay to give your dog a bath every now and then however, too much of it can strip away the natural oils that keep their coat healthy and shiny.