Adopting a Purebred German Shepherd

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

They are naturally protective of their family members due to their solid work ethics. They can be trained to protect themselves. They are energetic and need ample space to exercise. They also need early socialization and obedience training to mature into confident, well-mannered dogs.

Origin

In the latter half of 1800, Captain Max von Stephanitz was working to create a dog that would be unmatched in its ability to herd. It took a long time to find a foundation dog that could satisfy his criteria -- both physically and temperamentally. Hektor Linksrhein, a German Shepherd, was finally found at a dogshow in 1899. Hektor was the result of several generations of selective breeding and He was perfectly in line with Von Stephanitz's vision for what a herding dog should be. Hektor was declared to be the first German Shepherd Dog, and von Stephanitz founded the Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde (or Society for the German Shepherd Dog).

Breed enthusiasts began to standardize herding dog breeds during the second half 19th century. They were able to preserve a lot of the traits that drew Von Stephanitz's attention. And those traits still make the breed popular today. For example, a study found that German Shepherds master tasks after just five repetitions and obey the first command given 95% of the time.

The same traits make this breed a favorite family pet and one of the most effective working dogs for military and police. If properly socialized and trained, these dogs are great companions for children and other pets. They tend to be reserved with strangers but are generally affectionate with those they love. A German Shepherd that is not socialized from a young age may have difficulty adapting to new circumstances and may become anxious or stressed.

Because of their strong instincts to protect German Shepherds are extremely cautious around strangers and make good guard dogs. They are generally very smart and eager to please, which makes them highly capable of being trained. They are agile and strong, and can run up to 30 miles an hour if they need to.

Due to their wide range of uses and popularity, you'll see a variety of German Shepherds across the world. However, the distinctive traits of the breed are usually easy to recognize particularly if you are familiar with the standard of the breed. Ask your veterinarian for assistance in identifying the breed if are not certain. The majority of veterinarians are familiar with the breed standards of the majority of dogs and can help you quickly.

Characteristics

If you're considering buying or adopting a purebred German Shepherd it's important that you find an established German Shepherd breeder with pedigree documents that can be traced back many generations. Breeders with a good reputation are also members of organizations like the American Kennel Club, which will give you additional assurances of their honesty.

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

They are very smart and are able to respond to positive reinforcement-based training methods, making them quick learners. Socialization is vital to their development into confident and well-mannered pets. They are naturally guardians and Reinrassiger Deutscher SchäFerhund Welpe will be watchful over their family members. However, they'll accept strangers if they don't pose a threat to them.

These agile, powerful dogs are well-suited to a variety of kinds of jobs and excel in military and police duty as well as serving as service dogs for the disabled. They have a powerful prey drive, and will likely chase smaller animals. Therefore, a safe environment that offers plenty of positive interactions with other pets is essential.

German Shepherds are loyal, protective and respectful when properly socialized and taught. They are typically cautious of strangers and other dogs, but can be taught to play with other pets through positive training and early socialization.

When evaluating the quality of a German Shepherd, look for an elongated head that is proportional to its size, and cleanly chiseled. The shoulders should be broad and square and have a straight, level back that's only slightly sloped from the croup to the croup. A curly 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 driven by the forward thrust of its 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 an excellent guard dog. They thrive in a home with active owners who will challenge them physically and mentally. They require regular exercise and a large area to play in. If they aren't adequately stimulated, they could engage in destructive behavior such as digging or chewing.

When selecting a breeder for your dog, choose someone who is passionate about the breed and has a thorough understanding of its temperament and personality. A reliable breeder will be able discuss the background of the parents and the puppies. He or she will also be able determine if the puppies have been socialized and received obedience training. If the puppy isn't socialized, it may need extensive training in obedience and behavior to prepare it for a future life as an adult member of the family.

Puppy should be curious and outgoing with a natural tendency to assert themselves. If one of the puppies is more timid than the others, this should be considered a warning signal. A good German Shepherd will also have a firm, consistent grasp when being taken up.

The muzzle is strong and long with a well-developed jaw and chin. The eyes are dark and almond-shaped. The nose should be black (blue or red-colored noses are not acceptable). The teeth should be white and join in a strong scissor-like bite with the top row of teeth being slightly larger than the lower. The ears should be straight and wide at the base, with pointed tips that may drop slightly when resting.

The German Shepherd is a very adaptable dog that can be employed in a variety of different tasks like herding as well as search and rescue or bomb and drug detection, and even guiding blind people. This versatility 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 have a high level of resilience and are able to thrive under a variety of different circumstances. This makes them ideal therapy dogs, service animals, and affectionate companions. They also excel at competition dog sports advanced obedience, as well as training for protection. Their strong work ethic can lead to careers in search and rescue, police work, or military careers. Despite these amazing talents, as with most breeds, GSDs are susceptible to certain health conditions.

GSDs, because they are larger breeds are more prone to joint issues such as elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These degenerative conditions can cause lameness and pain as your dog ages. A healthy breeding program and regular veterinary examinations can help minimize the impact.

Like other large breeds German Shepherds are susceptible to Bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus) that is when the stomach turns, filling with gas and cutting off the blood supply to the spleen and liver. If not treated, bloat could be life-threatening and requires immediate medical care.

Due to their thick, long coats and darker colors GSDs are also more prone to heat stroke. On hot days, make sure to keep them hydrated and offer them plenty of shade. Also, we should check their eyes for signs of pannus, an immune-mediated condition that can cause blindness if it is not treated promptly.

Many hereditary and inherited diseases can impact your German Shepherd's digestive system, such as hemangiosarcoma tumors of the blood vessels, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), von Willebrand disease, and intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). The jelly-like cushion between the vertebrae in the spine may break or fall off, causing pressure to the spinal cord. The symptoms of IVDD include the inability to climb stairs or jump.

In addition, like most dogs, you'll need to keep your German Shepherd on a high-quality diet and avoid eating table foods, which can contribute to weight gain and nutritional deficiencies. Clean their coat frequently to keep the appearance of a healthy and tidy. It's okay to give your dog bath every now and then, but too much can take away the natural oils which keep their coat clean and shiny.