The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect blend of strength and speed. Its exceptional training ability and natural instincts to protect make them loved family dogs.
When looking for a purebred German Shepherd Choose breeders who are concerned about the health of their dogs as well as practice ethical breeding. You can determine reliable breeders by asking for pedigree papers and prior health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are strong, intelligent dogs that are easily trainable. They are extremely affectionate to their families and are fearless guardians of them. The breed standard says that the GSD must be steady of temperament, self assured and brave. It should also be able to be handled and willing to please.
The breed is muscular, medium-sized and slightly extended. It has a double coat made up of a hard outer layer, and a softer undercoat. The almond-shaped eyes are dark and slightly set. The ears are wide at the base and pointed. The tail is slender and extends to below the hocks when the dog is at rest. The dog's long, slightly sloping neck is distinctive. The chest is broad and deep. The ribs are well-sprung, and the spine is strong.
The breed is generally sound, but it has serious issues, like roached-backs and long pasterns that interfere with the correct movement. The hindquarters of the dog must be strong but not overexaggerated. The rear leg should never go beyond the point where the foot leaves a mark.
As working dogs, the GSD has high-drives that are naturally present (behavioral tendencies and desires for things like territorial protection and chasing prey). When these high drives aren't satisfied in some way through play or work and it leads to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds have been created to help reduce these drives. However, they still need lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise, and mental stimulation in order to keep their lives in balance.
GSDs tend to be reserved and suspicious towards strangers at first. This protective trait makes them excellent guard dogs and requires the right training to avoid triggering reactions. If properly socialized at a young age they can make great pets for the family. They are also great with children.
The GSD is a resilient species to disease and has a very high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can negatively impact the quality of its life. These include seizures, epilepsy as well as bleeding disorders and immune-mediated diseases. By taking precautions, such as limiting the dog's exposure to harsh UV rays and ensuring that it is regularly vaccinated will lower the risk of developing these diseases.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent, eager to learn, and highly capable of training. They are a working breed that excel in a variety jobs, including herding, police work including search and rescue bomb and drug detection and guiding blind people. They are also great pet for families. This powerful and confident breed requires a clear purpose and the attention and focus of a shrewd owner to channel their strength and energy in a positive way. They require a lot of space and exercise and may not be suitable for apartments or other living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is balanced and confident, with a strong and stable temperament. They are loyal and vigilant, and they are sceptical of strangers. This guardian and attentive behavior can escalate into aggression if not properly trained, socialized and managed. They are extremely intelligent and can be independent and easily bored, so they need an outlet that can satisfy their natural curiosity.
The founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, as well as longhaired and shorthaired German Shepherds in his breeding program to create the kind of dog that was obedient and responsive that we know today. Max von Stephanitz did not agree with those who wanted German Shepherds to be a showpiece. He ensured that his dogs had stable tempers, strong herding impulses, as well as a sound body structure. He was against breeding dogs with temperaments that were unstable or with sharp angles on their croups or front and rear pasterns. deutsche schäferhundwelpen believed that these traits would impede the ability of the breed to carry out its primary duties.
In addition to the hereditary disorders that affect every breed of dog German Shepherds are also prone to cancers, such as Hemangiosarcoma, which typically affects blood-rich organs such as the spleen and liver. They may also develop lung, bone or intestinal cancers.
You can prevent these conditions by maintaining the physical health of your German Shepherd. This includes providing him with a nutritious diet and regular exercise. Make sure he has plenty of opportunities to run and play outdoors in a secure area free of traffic and other hazards. Keep him looking neat by brushing his dense double coat regularly and using a de-shedding device or an undercoat rake to get rid of hairs that are loose. It is also recommended to bring him to the vet regularly for regular health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, however they do have some health issues. They are prone to ear infections, and can develop conditions that affect their eyes and ears such as degenerative amyelopathy. They may also be affected by a genetic disease known as hereditary von Willebrand's disease which affects their ability to clot blood and is found in females and males dogs.
As schäferhund abzugeben working breed GSDs often engage in vigorous training and can develop joint issues as a result. Hip dysplasia is a common condition that causes lameness, pain, and other signs. It is not a major condition but can be painful to the dog.
Breeders who are reputable X-ray their dogs and utilize the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health and genetic history of the puppy, which includes the likelihood to develop dysplasia. Dogs at high risk of developing dysplasia are not bred.
Like all large breeds, German Shepherds also be affected by panosteitis, which causes bones to grow quickly and unevenly, which causes stiffness and pain in the limbs. The condition is especially prevalent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs under 18 months of age who are experiencing the midst of a massive growth spurt.
They require a diet that is high in protein, and a large amount of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to help maintain the health of their coat and skin. Dogs with arthritis will benefit from a diet with joints-supporting ingredients, such as chondroitin or glucosamine. Dogs younger than 18 months should be given moderate exercise, such as walking or playing with a dog, if they are compatible. However it is not recommended to run at a high speed, since this could cause damage to their joints that are growing.
Avoid feeding bone from animals or table food, as they can cause vomiting, digestive upsets anorexia, and pancreatitis. Puppies and adults can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion and digestive enzyme supplements to aid in breaking down proteins. A properly-formulated AAFCO approved diet should include the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are highly-trainable, biddable dogs that thrive under a knowledgeable guide's supervision. They are a great choice for police, military search and rescue, and therapy dog roles. But their unwavering loyalty also makes them a wonderful family pet when properly trained and socialized.
Socialization is the first step in creating a well-adjusted GSD. As a puppy expose your puppy to various animals and people. Take your dog for walks frequently and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will help them feel secure and at ease in a new setting and help them develop trust in humans at an early age.
Training a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Avoid negative reinforcement methods such as yelling, or physical punishment, which can lead to fear based aggression. Instead, you should use clicker training and rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.
Daily enrichment is crucial for your German Shepherd. Mental stimulation exercises are just as important to a GSD as physical exercise, particularly in the case of a household with lots of people. This can help them keep their attention and focus so that they are less likely to become distracted by street noises storms and other dogs in the park or crowds at sporting events and public events.
Certain health conditions that are unique to German Shepherds are hemangiosarcoma and cancer of the bones lung, lungs, and the intestinal tract as well as pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these ailments are preventable with responsible breeding practices and appropriate lifestyle choices.
German Shepherds are loving family dogs despite their reputation as being fearsome. When they are around children from a young age they can be tender and loving towards smaller pets like cats. They are powerful guardians due to their size and strength but they should be watched when they are around young children. They could also display indications of a genetic tendency towards aggression if not given the proper training and socialization opportunities. It is recommended that you enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy preschool or obedience classes to ensure that they receive the training and socialization they need to thrive.