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Blog entry by Helaine Minter

Purebred German Shepherd 101 Your Ultimate Guide For Beginners

Purebred German Shepherd 101 Your Ultimate Guide For Beginners

52539386684_8437767790_h-1024x732.jpgAdopting a Purebred German Shepherd

German Shepherds thrive on consistency, positive reinforcement, and rewarding training. They are smart and eager to please.

Their work ethic and dedication makes them naturally vigilant of family members and are able to help in security. They are active and need plenty of space to exercise. They require early socialization, obedience training, and to become 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 herding capabilities. It took years to find a foundation breed that would meet his standards -- both physically and temperamentally. Hektor Linksrhein is one of the German Shepherd, was finally found at a dogshow in 1899. Hektor was kostet ein reinrassiger schäferhund the result of a few generations of selective breeding and he matched perfectly with Von Stephanitz's vision of what a herding animal should be. Hektor was named 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).

In the second part of the 19th century, breeders worked to standardize herding dogs. They were able to preserve many of the traits that caught Von Stephanitz's attention. those traits are what make the breed popular today. A study found that German Shepherds can learn tasks with just five repetitions, and follow the first command 95% of the times.

The same traits make this breed a favorite pet for the family, as well as one of the most effective working dogs for military and police. These dogs are great pets and companions for children if they're well-socialized and taught. They are reserved around strangers, but they are affectionate with those they love. If they're not socialized as puppies, they German Shepherd may have difficulty adapting to new environments later in life and become stressed or anxious.

German Shepherds are great guard dogs because of their protective instincts. They are smart and eager to please. This makes them very capable of being trained. They are agile and strong, and can run up to 30 miles an hour if they need to.

Because of their versatility and popularity, you'll find a wide variety of different German Shepherds in the world. The breed's distinctive features are easy to recognize especially if familiar with the standard of the breed. If you are unsure you are, ask your veterinarian for assistance to determine the breed. Most veterinarians are familiar with breed standards of a majority of dogs and can assist you quickly.

Characteristics

Whether you're considering purchasing or adopting a purebred German Shepherd, it's important to locate a reputable breeder with pedigree papers that can be traced for several generations back. Breeders who are reputable are also members of associations like the American Kennel Club. This can give you additional assurances regarding their honesty.

A true purebred German Shepherd has a hearty, deep-chested athletic build and distinctive black and tan coat. Adult males weigh between 65 to 90 pounds and stand between 24 and 26 inches tall and females are usually smaller at 50 to 70 pounds and 22 to 25 inches tall. They have long, erect ears and a sharp, erect gaze. Although they can appear intimidating, a well-trained German Shepherd will remain loyal to its owner and will not display aggressive behavior towards other dogs or even people.

They are quick learners and very intelligent. Socialization is crucial to their development into confident, well-mannered pets. They are natural guardians and will guard their family members. However, they will be tolerant of strangers as long as they don't pose a threat to them.

These powerful, agile dogs excel at military and police work as well as being service dogs for the handicapped. They possess an extremely strong prey drive, and are likely to chase small animals, therefore creating a safe and secure environment and ensuring plenty of regular socialization is essential for households with pets.

If properly trained and socialized, German Shepherds can be loving, protective, and incredibly obedient companions. They are typically shy of strangers and other dogs, but they can be taught to play with other dogs through positive training and early socialization.

When assessing the German Shepherd's qualities, look for a wedge shaped head that is proportional to the dog's height and is well chiseled. The shoulders should be broad and square and deutscher schäferhund Lebenserwartung straight with a back that slopes slightly from the withers to the croup. A curved back or excessive curvature of the rear legs indicates poor 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 who are loyal and not overly eager to please. They are loyal to their family and are wary of strangers. This makes them a great guard dog. They thrive when their owners are active and test them physically and mentally. They require daily exercise and a large yard to play in. If they aren't sufficiently stimulated, they could resort to destructive behaviors such as digging or chewing.

When choosing a dog breeder, choose someone who is committed to the breed and has an excellent understanding of its temperament and personality. A reputable breeder can discuss the history of both the parents and pups. He or she can inform you whether the litter has received obedience training and socialization. If a puppy isn't socialized, it may need extensive obedience and behavior training to prepare it for its future life as a family member.

Puppies must be curious and outgoing with a natural inclination to assert their rights. If one of the puppies is more timid than the others and is not confident, it could be a warning sign. Additionally, a good German Shepherd should be able to maintain a firm and schäferhund welpen kaufen schweiz Welpen österreich einen deutschen schäferhund kaufen; Telegra.ph, consistent grip when being picked 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 a disqualification). The teeth must be white and the upper row should be slightly larger than the lower. The ears are erect and wide at the bottom, with pointed tips that droop slightly when at rest.

The German Shepherd can be used in many different ways. It is a flexible dog and can be employed to herd as well as search and rescue, identify explosives and drugs, or guide the blind. This flexibility is the reason why it is among the most sought-after breeds in the world. It is essential to remember that the temperament of a German Shepherd dog can be greatly affected by its training and environment.

Health

Purebred German Shepherds possess a high level of resilience and can thrive under a variety of different situations. This makes them ideal therapy dogs, service animals, and affectionate companions. They also excel at competition dog sports, advanced obedience, and protection training. Their dedication to work and innate instincts may lead them to search and rescue missions as well as police work and military careers. Despite these amazing talents, as with most breeds, GSDs are susceptible to certain health issues.

GSDs, as larger breeds, are more susceptible to joint problems such as elbow dysplasia or hip dysplasia. These degenerative conditions can cause discomfort and even lameness as your dog gets older. A healthy breeding program and regular health checks by your veterinarian can help reduce the impact of these diseases.

Like other large breeds German Shepherds are susceptible to bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus) in which the stomach expands to fill with gas, cutting off the blood supply to the liver and spleen. Bloat can be fatal in the event that it is not treated. It requires immediate medical attention.

GSDs may also suffer from heat stroke due to their thick, long dark coats. On hot days, ensure they are hydrated and offer them plenty of shade. We also examine their eyes for signs of pannus, an immune-mediated illness that could cause blindness if it is not treated promptly.

Intervertebral disc (IVDD) disease, von Willebrand's disease, and hemangiosarcoma, which is a blood vessel that is cancerous, can all affect your German Shepherd. The jelly-like cushion between vertebrae in the spine may break or fall off, causing pressure to the spinal cord. The symptoms of IVDD include an inability to climb stairs or jump.

49567287583_f1cc4cc932_b.jpgAs with most dogs you will want to feed your German Shepherd a high quality diet and avoid table food, which can lead to weight increase and nutritional deficiencies. You should also clean their coat frequently to keep it healthy and clean. A bath is fine occasionally, but overdoing it can strip the natural oils that keep the coat healthy and shiny.

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