Long-haired German Shepherd for sale

Long-haired German Shepherd for sale: breed

The German Shepherd, also known as the Alsatian in the UK and parts of Europe, is among the top 10 most popular dog breeds in the United States, and probably one of the most recognizable breeds in the world.

They owe some of their fame to a small dog that was plucked from a breeding kennel in France during World War I by Corporal Lee Duncan. At the end of the war, Duncan returned the puppy to his hometown in Los Angeles, trained him, and turned him into one of the most famous dogs in show biz: Rin Tin Tin. Rin Tin Tin went on to appear in dozens of movies and, receiving 10,000 fan letters a week.

The German Shepherd has held many jobs other than movie star - guiding the blind, sniffing out criminals and illegal substances, serving in the military, visiting the sick and guarding flocks are just a few of the jobs held by this versatile breed.

The dog has even taken on the role of national hero as a search and rescue dog for World Trade Center survivors.

The German Shepherd may embody some of the best dog traits, but it's not for everyone. Originally bred to guard herds, this is a high-energy dog that needs plenty of activity and exercise. Without that, it's likely to express its boredom and frustration in ways you don't like, like barking and chewing things.

The breed also has a aloof and sometimes suspicious nature, making it great for a guard dog, but not the kind of family dog that will make guests feel welcome.

If you adopt a puppy, you will get a slightly different type of German Shepherd, depending on whether they are descended from dogs that come from American or German breeders. In general, American breeders often aim to create champions, and they breed more for the distinctive appearance than for the German Shepherd's other talents.

Fans say the American-bred German Shepherd is calmer than its German counterpart, but critics say the dog has lost some of its talent for working traditional jobs and is more prone to behavioral problems like separation anxiety.

On the other hand, German breeders breed them for working skills as well as to fit the traditional look of the breed. Before a German Shepherd is bred in Germany, he must pass numerous tests to prove that he measures up to the physical and mental benchmarks for which the breed is known. German Shepherds tend to have a more energetic personality.

Long-haired German Shepherd for sale: brief history

The German shepherd is a relatively new breed, dating back to 1899 and owing its existence to one man: Captain Max von Stephanitz, a career captain in the German cavalry.

Centuries before von Stephanitz came along, farmers in Germany, as in the rest of Europe, relied on dogs to herd and protect their flocks. Some dogs were legendary for their prowess, and shepherds traveled many days to breed their females with notable males. However, as von Stephanitz noted, no one developed herding dogs into a distinct breed.

In 1898, von Stephanitz retired from military life and began his second career, what would prove to be his passion: experimenting with dog breeding to create a superior German Shepherd. Stephanitz studied the breeding techniques of the British, noted for their exceptional herding dogs, and traveled throughout Germany attending dog shows. Von Stephanitz saw many fine shepherd dogs, dogs that were athletic, intelligent or capable. What he didn't see was a dog that embodied all these traits.

One day in 1899, von Stephanitz was visiting a dog show when a wolf-like dog caught his eye. He immediately bought the dog, named Hektor Linksrhein. Later renamed Horand v Grafeth, the dog's strong physique and intelligence so impressed von Stephanitz that he formed a society - the Verein fur deutsche Schaferhunde - to find a breed from Horand's descendants.

Although he had intended his breed to function as shepherd dogs, as Germany became increasingly industrialized, von Stephanitz saw the need for such dogs to fade. He was determined that his breed would continue as working dogs, and he decided that the dog's future would be in police work and military service.

Making good use of his military connections, von Stephanitz convinced the German government to use the breed. During the First World War, the German Shepherd Dog served as a Red Cross dog, messenger, rescuer, guard, supply carrier and sentry.

Although German shepherds made their way to the United States before the war, it wasn't until during the war that the breed became popular in the U.S. Allied servicemen noticed the dog's bravery and intelligence, and a number of dogs went home with these soldiers.

One such dog was a five-day-old puppy snatched from a kennel full of bombs in France by an American corporal in Los Angeles. The corporal took the puppy home, trained him and turned him into one of Hollywood's most recognizable four-legged stars - Rin Tin Tin, who appeared in 26 movies and helped popularize the breed in America.

Although the Allies were impressed by German dogs, they weren't so pleased with the dog's German roots. During the war, all things German were stigmatized, and in 1917, the American Kennel Club (AKC) changed the breed's name to Shepherd Dog.

In England, the dog was renamed the Alsatian Wolf, after the German-French border area of Alsace-Lorraine. The AKC reverted to using the German Shepherd's original name in 1931; it took until 1977 for the British Kennel Club to do the same.

Von Stephanitz remained closely involved in the development of the breed, and as early as 1922, he became alarmed by some of the traits that appeared in dogs, such as poor temperament and a tendency for teeth to decay. He developed a strict quality control system: before any German Shepherd was bred, it needed to pass numerous tests for intelligence, temperament, athleticism and good health.

American breeding of the German shepherd, on the other hand, was not so regulated. In the United States, dogs were bred to win shows, and breeders put more emphasis on the dogs' appearance and gait, or how they moved.

After World War II, American and German-bred German Shepherds began to diverge dramatically. At one point, U.S. police departments and the military began importing German shepherds because domestically bred ones failed performance tests and affected genetic health conditions.

In recent decades, some U.S. breeders have begun to emphasize the breed's abilities rather than its looks, importing working dogs from Germany.

Long-haired German Shepherd for sale: size

Males are 61 to 66 cm; females are 56 to 61 cm. Weight ranges from 34 to 43 kg.

Long-haired German Shepherd for sale: personality

The personality of the German Shepherd is not usually aggressive. They are reserved dogs; they don't make friends right away, but once they get the hang of it, they are extremely loyal. With their family, they are approachable, but when threatened, they can be strong and protective, making them excellent guard dogs.

This highly intelligent and trainable breed thrives to have a job. German Shepherds can be trained to do almost anything, from alerting a deaf person to sniffing out avalanche victims.

One thing they are not good at is being alone for long periods of time. Without the companionship they need - as well as exercise and a chance to put their wits to work - they become bored and frustrated. A German Shepherd who is underexercised and ignored by his family is likely to express energy in ways you don't like, such as barking and chewing things.

Just like any dog, the German Shepherd needs early socialization: exposure to lots of people, sights, sounds and experiences when young.

Regularly inviting visitors and taking him to busy parks, dog-friendly shops and on leisurely walks to meet other people will also help him polish his social skills.

Long-haired German Shepherd for sale: health

German Shepherds are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they are prone to certain health conditions. Not all dogs will have any of these diseases, but it is important to be aware of them if you are considering this breed.

If you buy a puppy, find a good breeder who will show you the health papers of the puppy's parents. Health certificates show that a dog has been tested and recovered from a particular ailment.

• Hip dysplasia is an inherited condition in which the thigh does not fit snugly into the hip joint. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both hind legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. As the dog ages, arthritis may develop. Hip dysplasia is hereditary, but can be aggravated by environmental factors such as rapid growth due to a high-calorie diet or injury.
• Elbow dysplasia: this is a hereditary condition common to large-breed dogs. It is thought to be caused by different growth rates of the three bones that make up the dog's elbow, causing joint laxity. This can cause great pain. Your veterinarian may recommend surgery to correct the problem or medication to control the pain.
• Gastric dilatation: This is a life-threatening condition that can affect a German Shepherd, especially if he is fed a large meal a day, eats quickly, drinks large amounts of water and then exercises vigorously after eating. Some believe that many meals a day and the type of food could also be factors for dilation. This problem occurs more commonly in older dogs, but can occur at any age. Gastric dilatation occurs when the stomach is expanded with gas or air and then twisted. The dog can't burp or vomit to get rid of the excess air in the stomach, and the normal return of blood to the heart is prevented. Blood pressure drops and the dog goes into shock. Without immediate medical attention, the dog may die. Gastric dilatation may be suspected when your dog has a distended abdomen, drools excessively and burps without vomiting. He may also be restless, depressed, lethargic and sluggish with a rapid heart rate. It's important that your pet gets to the vet as soon as possible. There are some indications that gastric dilatation is inherited, so neutering dogs that develop this condition is recommended.
• Degenerative myelopathy (DM): degenerative myelopathy is a progressive disease of the spinal cord, especially the part of the cord that communicates information to the brain about the hind legs. Dogs with DM act like they don't know where their hind legs are and can't move them correctly. The disease progresses to the point where the dog cannot walk. Most of the time, there is no treatment. However, in a few rare cases, the condition is linked to a lack of vitamin 12 or vitamin E. If this is the case, vitamin supplements could stabilize the condition.
• Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency: is a genetic disease of the pancreas in which cells that produce digestive enzymes are destroyed. As a result, the dog can no longer digest and absorb food. The first signs of the condition are gas, loss of appetite, weight loss and stool changes. The dog becomes very thin and very hungry. Exocrine pancreatic pancreatic insufficiency is diagnosed with a simple blood test, and the treatment is also simple: pancreatic enzymes are added to the dog's food. With proper drug monitoring, most dogs recover.
• Allergies: Some German shepherds suffer from a range of allergies, from contact allergies to food allergies. Allergy symptoms in dogs are similar to those in humans. If your German shepherd scratches, licks his paws or rubs his face a lot, take him to the vet.

Long-haired German Shepherd for sale: care

Originally bred for herding, German shepherds are built for action. This means they have lots of energy to burn off with daily exercise.

If you leave him alone for long periods without exercise, expect problems. Boredom and inactivity lead to behavior problems - chewing, digging and barking. German Shepherds desperately need to exercise both their body and their mind (training exercises such as agility or obedience competitions).

Like many herding breeds, German shepherds bark. Barking is not necessarily a problem, but it can be if the dog gets bored.

German Shepherds love to chew, and their powerful jaws can destroy most materials. If they pick the wrong thing to gnaw on, they can damage their teeth, swallow something that makes them sick or even choke. Save your dog and your possessions by giving them safe toys and chew bones so they can entertain themselves when you're not playing with them.

Long-haired German Shepherd for sale: feeding

A diet for the German Shepherd should be formulated for a large breed with high energy and exercise requirements. Please consult your veterinarian or professional nutritionist for feeding advice. His dietary needs will change as he grows. Stay up-to-date with these nutritional requirements.

Note: How much your dog eats depends on its size, age, build, metabolism and activity level. Dogs are individuals, just like humans, and not all dogs need the same amount of food. It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more food than a less active one. The quality of the dog food you buy also makes a difference - the better the dog food, the more nutrients and satiety it will provide, without you having to constantly check the bowl.

However, you'll need to take special care with a puppy's feeding and exercise. German Shepherds grow very rapidly between four and seven months of age, making them susceptible to bone disorders. They do well on a high-quality, low-calorie diet, which prevents them from growing too fast.

And don't let your puppy run, jump, or play on hard surfaces like the sidewalk until it's at least two years old and its joints are fully formed. It's fine for puppies to play on grass.

Long-haired German Shepherd for sale: coat color and brushing

The German Shepherd was originally bred for herding in harsh climates, and its medium-length double coat is perfectly suited to the task, acting as the dog's protection against rain and snow and resisting dirt.

The German Shepherd's coat types are as varied as its color. Some dogs are long-haired. However, the ideal "German Shepherd" has a medium-length double coat.

The coat comes in a variety of colors and patterns, including black; black and cream; black and red; black and silver; black and tan; blue; gray; and white. However, the American Kennel Club does not recognize white as a color for this breed and will not allow German Shepherds to compete in shows.

If you want a German Shepherd, be prepared for hair left all over your clothes, on your white couch and pretty much all over the house. There is no magic solution to this problem and we just have to accept it. However, brushing two to three times a week will do more to help your hair come out in a brush rather than in your house. It needs bathing quite infrequently.

Brush your dog's teeth at least two or three times a week to remove tartar buildup and the bacteria that lurks inside. Daily brushing is even better if you want to prevent gum disease and bad breath. Remove your nails once or twice a month. Start getting him used to being brushed and examined when he's a puppy. Frequently handle his paws and check his mouth. With a positive experience full of praise and rewards, you'll lay the groundwork for easy vet exams and other maneuvers when he's an adult.

Long-haired German Shepherd for sale: relationship with children and other animals

If it is well trained and has had plenty of exposure to children, especially when it was a puppy, a German Shepherd is a wonderful companion for children. In fact, some say they're a cross between a babysitter and a policeman, being gentle and protective of the children in their family.

This is a large dog, however, capable of striking a small child wrong. True to its reserved nature, it's not friendly with children it doesn't know, but they are generally trustworthy. As with every breed, however, you must teach children how to approach and touch dogs and always supervise any interaction between them to prevent any biting. Teach your child never to approach the dog while eating or sleeping or to try to take the dog's food. No dog, however friendly, should be left unattended with a child.

German Shepherds can also live peacefully with other dogs and pets, as long as they are taught to do so from childhood. Introducing an adult German Shepherd into a household with other pets can be more difficult if the dog is not used to getting along with other dogs or cats.