The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect blend of strength and speed. Its high trainability and natural protective instincts make them cherished family dogs.
When looking for a purebred German Shepherd dog Choose breeders who are concerned about the health of their dogs and practice ethical breeding. You can find reputable breeders by requesting pedigree documents and previous health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are powerful, intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They are extremely loyal to their family members and can be fearless protectors of them. The breed standard states that the GSD must be confident and courageous, as well as possess a calm and steady temperament. It must also be obedient and willing to be obedient.
The breed is muscular, medium-sized and slightly elongated. It has a double coat that consists of an outer layer of hardness, and a soft undercoat. Its eyes are dark and almond-shaped, and positioned obliquely. The ears are pointed and wide at the base. When the dog is resting in a shady position, the tail is big and swollen. It is a little below the hocks. The neck of the breed is long and slightly sloping. The chest is wide and deep. The spine is strong and the ribs are well-sprung.
In general, the breed is sound However, it has some serious flaws. These include roached backs and long pasterns that interfere with correct movement. The hindquarters of the dog must be strong but not exaggerated. The rear leg should not extend beyond the point at which the foot leaves an impression.
As working dogs As working dogs, the GSD has naturally high drives (behavioral propensities and desires toward things like territorial protection and hunting prey). If these drives are not satisfied in a certain way, for example playing or at work and it can lead to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are created to help reduce these drives. However, they still require a lot of positive reinforcement, physical exercise, and mental stimulation in order to maintain a balance life.
GSDs are generally reserved around strangers and may be cautious at first. This protective trait makes GSDs great guard dogs, but requires proper training to avoid overreactions. They are wonderful pets for families when properly socialized at a young age and are generally good with children.
The GSD is a resilient species to illnesses and has a high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can negatively impact the quality of its life. These include epilepsy/seizures, bleeding disorders, and immune-mediated diseases. Making sure to limit the dog's exposure UV rays, and ensuring regular vaccinations are given to the dog will reduce the risk of developing these diseases.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn. They are also highly capable of being trained. They are an active breed that excels at a variety of jobs, such as police work, herding, and search and rescue. They also excel at detection of explosives and drugs, and helping blind people. They also make excellent family pets. This ferocious and confident breed requires a clear purpose and the focus and attention of a responsible owner to harness their energy and strength positively. They require a lot of exercise and room, and may not be a good fit in apartments or smaller living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is balanced and confident, with a strong and stable temperament. They are loyal and vigilant, and they are suspicious of strangers. This guardian and attentive behavior can escalate into aggression when they are not properly trained, socialized, and supervised. They are extremely intelligent and can be insecure and bored, and they require an outlet to satisfy their natural curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, used shorter and longer-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This resulted in a breed that is responsive and well-behaved. He did not agree with those who wanted German Shepherds to be a showpiece, and he made sure his dogs were stable in their temperaments with strong herding instincts and a solid body structure. He was against breeding dogs with temperaments that were unstable, or with steep angles on their croups or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would hinder the ability of the breed to carry out its usual tasks.
German Shepherds are also susceptible to developing cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a common cancer that affects the spleen and liver organs, which have a higher blood supply. They may also develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers.
To avoid these ailments, you should maintain your German Shepherd's physical health by providing him with an appropriate diet and exercise. Make sure he gets plenty of opportunities to run and play outdoors, in a safe area away from traffic and other hazards. Keep him groomed by scrubbing his dense double coat regularly and using a de-shedding device or undercoat rake to remove hairs that are loose. It is recommended that you bring him to the vet regularly for regular health checks.
Health
German Shepherds have a great health history, however some health problems are present. They are prone to ear infections and may develop conditions affecting their eyes and ears, such as degenerative myelopathy. Female and male dogs can suffer from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that hinders the ability of dogs to clot blood.
GSDs are a working breed and as such, they go through intense training. In the process, they are prone to developing joint issues. Hip dysplasia is an extremely common condition that causes lameness, pain, and other symptoms. It is not a major condition but can be painful to the dog.
Reputable breeders X-ray their dogs and take the results into consideration when making breeding decisions. The x-rays can aid in determining the health of the puppy and its genetic background, including the possibility that it could develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high likelihood of developing the disorder aren't bred.
Panosteitis can affect German Shepherds. The condition causes the bones to grow rapidly and unevenly. This can result in stiffness and pain. The condition is especially common in German Shepherd puppies and dogs less than 18 months old who are going through an enormous growth spurt.
These dogs need a diet that is high in protein, and a generous blend of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to help maintain a healthy skin and coat. They can benefit from joint support in their diet including glucosamine as well as chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months should get moderate exercise, such as walking and playing with a different dog, if they are compatible. However they shouldn't run at full speed because this can damage their joints that are growing.
Foods that are table-based or contain bones from animals should be avoided, as these can cause vomiting, digestive upset anorexia, vomiting, and pancreatitis. Adult dogs and puppies could benefit by a probiotic supplementation program to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements that aid in the breakdown of proteins. Vitamin and mineral supplements aren't necessary since a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should provide the proper amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are highly-trainable, biddable dogs that thrive under a knowledgeable guide's supervision. As such, they are a great choice for police and military tasks such as search and rescue as well as therapy dog roles and many other specialized jobs. However, their dedication to their job makes them a great pet to have when properly trained and socialized.
Socialization is the first step in creating a well-adjusted GSD. As a puppy expose your puppy different animals and people. Take your dog for walks frequently and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will help them feel confident and comfortable in a new environment and ensure that they become comfortable with humans from an early age.
Training a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency, www.entzückendescäferhundwelpen.de and positive reinforcement. It is important to avoid negative reinforcement methods such as physical and verbal punishment, as they can lead to fear-based aggression. Instead, you should use rewards-based training and clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.
Daily enrichment is essential for your German Shepherd. The exercises for mental stimulation are just as important to a GSD as physical exercise, especially in the case of an area with a lot of activity. This can help them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by sounds or storms, other dogs at the park, or crowds during competitions and other public events.
Some health conditions that are exclusive to German Shepherds are hemangiosarcoma and cancer of the bones, lungs, and intestinal tract and pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these diseases can be avoided through responsible breeding practices and the right lifestyle adjustments.
Despite their fearsome reputation German Shepherds are loving family pets. When they are around children from a young age, they can be affectionate and gentle towards smaller animals like cats. However, their size and strength make them formidable guardians and they should be supervised around younger children. They could also display signs of a hereditary tendency toward aggression if they are not given the proper training and socialization opportunities. It is recommended to enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy class in the preschool or obedience to ensure that they are receiving the proper training and socialization they need to flourish.