15 Inspiring Facts About Purebred German Shepherd You've Never Seen

Adopting a Purebred German Shepherd

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

Their work ethic and dedication ensures they are naturally attentive to family members and are able to assist in security. They are active and require ample space for exercise. They also need early socialization and obedience training to develop 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 ability to herd. It took a long time to find a foundation breed that could satisfy his criteria -- both physically and emotionally. Hektor Linksrhein was a German Shepherd, was finally discovered at a dog show in 1899. Hektor was the product of several generations of selective breeding, and he perfectly matched Von Stephanitz's vision for what a herding breed ought to be. Hektor was declared the first German Shepherd Dog, and von Stephanitz founded the Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde (or Society for the German Shepherd Dog).

During the second half of the 19th century, breed enthusiasts were working to standardize herding dogs. They were able to preserve many of the traits that caught Von Stephanitz's attention, and those traits are what make the breed famous today. A study revealed that German Shepherds can master tasks with only five repetitions, and they obey the first command 95% of the times.

The same traits make this breed among the best police and military working dogs, as well as a popular family pet. They make excellent pets and are great companions for children when they are properly socialized and taught. They are usually reserved with strangers but generally affectionate with the people they love. If they're not socialized as puppies,, a German Shepherd may have difficulty adapting to new situations later in life and become anxious or stressed.

Because of their strong instincts to protect, German Shepherds can be cautious around strangers and are good guard dogs. They are generally highly smart and eager to please, making them highly capable of being trained. They are strong, agile and can run up to 30 miles per hour.

Because of their versatility and popularity, you will see a lot of German Shepherds across the world. But the distinctive characteristics of the breed are generally easy to identify, especially if you are familiar with the standard of the breed. Ask your veterinarian for assistance identifying the breed if you aren't sure. The majority of veterinarians are familiar with the breed standards of the majority of dogs and will be capable of helping you quickly and easily.

Characteristics

Whether you're considering adopting or buying a purebred German Shepherd, it's important to find a reputable breeder who has pedigree papers that can be traced several generations back. Breeders who are reputable are also members of organizations like the American Kennel Club. This will give you more confidence about their integrity.

A purebred German Shepherd is characterized by an athletic, muscular build with a distinctive black and tan color. Adult males weigh between 65 to 90 pounds and are between 24 and 26 inches tall and females are typically smaller at 50 to 70 pounds and 22 to 25 inches tall. They have long, erect ears and a sharp stare. While they may 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. Regular and early socialization is essential to their development as well-mannered, confident family pets. They're natural guardians and are attentive to their families, however they'll most likely allow strangers to enter their homes if they don't pose an threat.

These powerful, agile dogs are suited to many types of work. They excel in police and military duty as well as as service dogs for the disabled. They possess a strong prey drive and are likely to chase smaller animals. Therefore, a secure environment that offers plenty of positive interactions with other pets is important.

When properly socialized and trained German Shepherds are affectionate, protective and extremely loyal companions. They are usually shy of strangers and other dogs but can be taught to play with other dogs with positive training and early socialization.

When assessing the German Shepherd's qualities look for a head shape that is proportional to the dog's size and is well chiseled. The shoulders should be straight and broad and straight with a back that slopes slightly from the croup to the croup. A curved 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 obedient and tolerant without being overly eager to please. They have a strong loyalty for their families and are wary of strangers, which makes them a highly effective guard dog. They thrive with owners who challenge them physically and mentally. They require plenty of daily exercise and a large yard to play in. If they aren't adequately stimulated, they could resort to destructive behaviors such as chewing or digging.

When selecting a breeder to work with choose one 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 the puppies. He or she will also tell you if the litter has received obedience training and socialization. If a puppy has not been socialized, it will likely require extensive obedience and behavior training to get it ready for life as a pet for the family.

Puppies must be curious and outgoing, with a natural tendency for asserting themselves. If one puppy is more reserved than the others and is more timid, it should be interpreted as an indication. 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 the chin.  schäferhunde kaufen  should be dark and almond-shaped. The nose should be dark (blue, liver or other colors are disqualifying). The teeth must be white and the top row should be slightly wider than the lower. The ears are large and erect at the base, with pointed tips. They may droop a little when at rest.

The German Shepherd can be used in a variety of ways. It is a versatile dog and can be employed to assist in herding or search and rescue, identify drugs and bombs, or guide the blind. This versatility makes it one of the most sought-after breeds across the world. It is essential to keep in mind that the temperament of the German Shepherd dog can be significantly affected by their training and upbringing.

Health

Purebred German Shepherds possess high levels of resilience and are able to thrive in a variety different situations. This makes them ideal therapy dogs, service animals, and loyal companions. They also excel at competitive dog sports advanced obedience, as well as protection training. Their dedication to work and instincts could inspire them to search and rescue missions as well as police work and military careers. Despite their impressive abilities, as with most breeds, GSDs can be susceptible to certain health conditions.

GSDs, being a larger breed are more susceptible to joint problems like elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These degenerative diseases may cause your dog to become lame and in pain as they get older. A healthy breeding program and regular veterinary checkups can help minimize their effects.

German Shepherds are prone to bloat, condition where the stomach twists and fills up with gas and cuts off blood flow to the liver and spleen. Bloat can be life-threatening when left untreated. It requires immediate medical care.

Because of 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 during hot days. Also, we should check their eyes for signs of pannus - an immune-mediated illness that could cause blindness if not treated immediately.

A variety of hereditary and inherited illnesses can impact your German Shepherd's digestive system, such as hemangiosarcoma tumors of the blood vessels, exocrine pancreatic dysfunction (EPI) as well as von Willebrand disease, and intervertebral disk disease (IVDD). The cushion of jelly between vertebrae of the spine could rupture or slip and pressurize the spinal cord. The symptoms of IVDD are an inability to climb stairs or jump.

In addition, like most dogs, it is important to ensure that you keep your German Shepherd on a high-quality diet and avoid eating table foods that can cause weight growth and nutritional deficiencies. It is also important to clean their coat frequently to keep it clean and healthy. It's fine to give your dog a bath every now and again however, too much of it can remove the natural oils that keep their coats clean and shiny.