The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD embodies the ideal combination of strength and agility. Their exceptional training capabilities and the ability to protect make them loved family pets.
If you are looking for a purebred German Shepherd dog select breeders who value the health of their dogs and follow ethical breeding. You can determine reputable breeders by requesting pedigree documents and prior health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are smart, powerful dogs that are easy to train. They are incredibly loyal to their family members and can be fearless protectors of them. The breed standard says that the GSD must be a steady temperament, confident, and courageous. It must also be tractable and willing to please.
The breed is muscular, medium-sized and slightly extended. 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 set obliquely. The ears are wide and pointed at the base. When the dog is lying down, the tail is bushy. It extends below the hocks. The breed's long, slightly sloping neck is a characteristic. The chest is broad and deep. The ribs are well-sprung, and the spine is solid.
The breed is generally sound, but it has serious issues, like roached-backs and long pasterns that hinder proper movement. Its hindquarters must be powerful but not overexaggerated. The rear leg should not extend beyond the point where the foot leaves an impression.
As working dogs, GSDs have naturally high drives. These are behaviors and needs that include territorial protection and the pursuit of prey. If these high-drives aren't fulfilled through work or play, it can lead to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are developed to reduce these drives. However, they require a lot of positive reinforcement, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to keep a balanced life.
GSDs tend to be shy and cautious towards strangers initially. This trait of protection makes GSDs great guard dogs, but requires proper training to prevent overreactions. If properly socialized from a young age they can be wonderful family pets. They also make great children.
The GSD has a high pain threshold and is resilient against illness, but it has certain health conditions that can impact its quality of life. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders. To prevent these conditions, limiting your dog's exposure UV rays and making sure it receives regular vaccinations can aid.
Temperament
German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn, and extremely capable of training. They are a working dog 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 are also great family pets. However, this powerful and confident breed needs an unwavering sense of purpose and the attention of an assertive owner to harness their energy and strength in a positive manner. They require a lot of space and exercise. They might not be suited to apartments or other smaller living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a firm and steady temperament. They are loyal, alert and sceptical of strangers. This watchful and protective behavior can turn into aggression when not properly trained, socialized, and controlled. They are extremely smart and can be insecure and bored, which is why they require a good outlet for their curiosity.
The founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, as well as longhaired and shorthaired German Shepherds in his breeding program to develop the kind of dog that was obedient and responsive that we know today. Max von Stephanitz disagreed with those who wanted German Shepherds to be used as a showcase and made sure his dogs had stable tempers, strong herding impulses, as well as an ideal body structure. He even resisted breeding some of his dogs who were temperamentally unstable or had sharp angles in their croups and rear and front pasterns since he believed that these traits could hamper the breed's ability to do its job as it is.
German Shepherds are also prone to cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a common cancer that affects the spleen and liver organs that have a high blood supply. They also can develop lung, bone or intestinal cancers.
To prevent these conditions, you should maintain your German Shepherd's physical well-being by feeding him proper diet and exercise. Make sure he has plenty of opportunities to run and play outdoors in a secure area away from traffic and other hazards. Regularly brush your double coat using a deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. You should also take him to your veterinarian regularly for regular health checks.
Health
German Shepherds have a healthy health record, but some health problems do exist. They are prone to ear infections, and may develop conditions that affect their ears and eyes such as degenerative amyelopathy. They may also be affected by an illness that is genetic, known as hereditary von Willebrand's disorder that affects their capacity to clot blood, and is present in both male and female dogs.
As a working breed, many GSDs undergo strenuous exercise during their training and can develop joint issues as a result. The most frequent is hip dysplasia. It is characterized by a lack of growth and development of the joint and cartilage that can result in discomfort, lameness and other signs. This is not always a serious condition, but it can cause pain for dogs.
Breeders who are trustworthy X-ray the dogs they breed and use the results to inform breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health and genetic background of the puppy, which includes the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs at high chance of developing the disorder aren't breeding.
Like all large breeds, German Shepherds may be affected by panosteitis, which causes bones to grow quickly and unevenly, causing pain and stiffness in the limbs. This condition is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months old who are experiencing an increase in growth speed.
These dogs need food that is rich in protein, as well as a large amount of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to help maintain the health of their coat and skin. Dogs with arthritis can benefit from food with joints-supporting ingredients, such as glucosamine or chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months should be given moderate exercise, such as walking and playing with another dog, if they are compatible. However they shouldn't run at a high speed, as this could damage their joints that are growing.
Avoid feeding animal bone or table food as they can trigger digestive upsets, vomiting, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements that aid in breaking down proteins. A well-formulated AAFCO approved diet should include the right amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are smart and highly trainable dogs that thrive under the direction of a knowledgeable handler. They are therefore a great choice for military, police search and rescue and therapy dog roles. Their dedication to their job makes them a wonderful family pet when properly trained and socialized.
Socialization is the first step in raising a well-adjusted GSD. From a young age expose your puppy to various animals and people. Take them for frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will make them feel comfortable and secure in a new setting and ensure that they become comfortable with humans from a young age.
It requires patience, consistency as well as positive reinforcement to train the German shepherd. deutscher schäferhund welpe kaufen is crucial to stay clear of negative reinforcement methods, such as physical and verbal punishment, as they can trigger fear-based aggression. Use clicker training or rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
Daily enrichment is important for your German Shepherd. The exercises for mental stimulation are just as important to the GSD as physical exercise, especially when you have a busy household. This will help them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by noises or thunderstorms, other dogs at the park, or the crowds at competitions and other public events.
Some of the health issues that are specific to German Shepherds are hemangiosarcoma and cancer of the bones lung, lungs, and the intestinal tract, and pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these diseases are preventable with responsible breeding practices and proper lifestyle accommodations.
German Shepherds are devoted family dogs, despite their reputation as a feared breed. They are often friendly with children and gentle with smaller pets, like cats, when exposed to them from the age of. They are formidable guardians due to their size and strength but they should be watched when they are around children. They could also display indications of a genetic predisposition to aggression if not provided with appropriate training and socialization opportunities. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy school or obedience class will ensure that he gets the training and socialization he requires to be successful.