The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect blend of speed and strength. Their exceptional training capabilities and the ability to protect make them beloved pets for families.
When looking for a purebred German Shepherd, choose breeders who prioritize the health of their dogs and follow ethical breeding. You can find reliable breeders by asking for pedigree documents and prior health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are incredibly strong intelligent dogs that are highly capable of being trained. They are loyal to their families and can be a formidable guardian. The breed standard says that the GSD must be stable of temperament, self-assured and brave. It must also be obedient and willing to obey.
The breed is strong, medium-sized and slightly longer. It has a double coat consisting of an outer layer of hardness, and a softer undercoat. Its eyes are dark and almond-shaped, and set slightly obliquely. Its ears are wide and pointed at the base. The tail is long and extends to below the hocks when the dog is in a relaxed state. The neck of the breed is long and slightly sloping. The chest is broad and deep. The spine is firm and the ribs are well-sprung.
In general the breed is sound, but serious faults include roached backs and lengthy pasterns that hinder proper movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong however, they should not be overly exaggerated. The rear leg should never pass forward of the point where the forefoot leaves a footprint.
As working dogs, GSDs have naturally high drives. These are the behaviors and desires that involve territorial protection and chasing of prey. If these drives are not fulfilled in a particular way, for example playing or at work or playing, it can result in aggression. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a way which helps to reduce these drives, but they still require lots of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to live a healthy lifestyle.
GSDs are usually shy around strangers and can be cautious at first. This trait of protection makes them great guard dogs. deutscher schäferhund welpe kaufen requires appropriate training to avoid overreactions. They are wonderful pets for families when they are socialized properly from a young age, and are generally good with children.
The GSD has an elevated pain threshold and is resistant to illness, however it has certain health issues that could affect its quality of life. These include epilepsy/seizures and bleeding disorders. Taking precautions such as limiting the dog's exposure to harmful UV rays and making sure that it receives routine vaccinations should help reduce the risk of developing these diseases.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn and highly trainable. They are a working breed and excel in a variety of tasks, such as herding, police work including search and rescue bomb and drug detection and guiding blind. They also make excellent pet for families. However, this strong and confident breed requires an unwavering sense of purpose and the attention of a confident owner to channel their energy and strength in a positive manner. They require a lot of exercise and room, and might not be suited for smaller living spaces.
The ideal German shepherd is confident and well-balanced, with a firm temperament. They are loyal and alert, and they are suspicious of strangers. If not properly socialized and trained, this protective and watchful behavior could turn into aggressive. Dogs with these traits can be smart, independent and easily bored. They need to find a way to satisfy their curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, used shorter and longer-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This created an animal that is receptive and obedient. He disagreed with people who wanted German Shepherds to be a display dog, and he made sure that his dogs were stable in their temperaments, strong herding instincts, and a solid body structure. He did not breed dogs with temperaments that were unstable or with a steep angle on their croups or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would undermine the ability of the breed to carry out its usual tasks.
German Shepherds can also be susceptible to developing cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is the most common cancer that affects the liver and spleen, organs with heightened blood supply. They can also develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers.
To prevent these conditions, you should maintain your German Shepherd's physical health by providing him with the right diet and exercise. Make sure he has plenty of opportunities to run and play outside, in a safe area free of traffic and other hazards. Regularly brush his double coat with a deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. You should also make sure that you take him to the vet on a regular basis for his routine health checks.
Health
German Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, but they do have certain health issues. 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 a genetic disease known as von Willebrand's disease that is hereditary which affects their ability to clot blood and can be found in both male and female dogs.
GSDs are a working breed and as such, they go through strenuous training. As a result, they may develop joint issues. Hip dysplasia is a common condition that can cause lameness, pain, and other signs. It is not a major condition, but it can be painful to the dog.
Reputable breeders X-ray their dogs and utilize the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays can aid in determining the health of the puppy as well as its genetic history, which includes the possibility that it could develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high chance of developing the disorder are not breeding.
Like most large breeds, German Shepherds also be affected by panosteitis, which causes bones to grow rapidly and unevenly, causing stiffness and pain in the limbs. This condition is most frequent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs younger than 18 months who are going through a large growth spurt.
These dogs need food that is rich in protein, and a large amount of omega fatty acids as well as balanced vitamins to help maintain healthy coat and skin. They will benefit from joint support in their diet, such as glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months old age should be exercising moderately including multiple walks and, if they are compatible with other dogs, playing together, but should not be allowed to run at a high speed, as this could cause damage to joints that are growing.
Avoid feeding bone from animals or table food, as they can cause digestive upsets, vomiting, anorexia and pancreatitis. Adult dogs and puppies may benefit from a probiotic supplementation to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements that aid with breaking down proteins. A properly-formulated AAFCO approved diet should contain the proper amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are highly trainable, biddable dogs that thrive under a skilled guide's supervision. They are an excellent choice for military and police tasks such as search and rescue and therapy dog roles, and many other specializations. Their constant loyalty makes them an excellent pet, provided they are properly socialized and trained.
Socialization is the first step towards creating a well-adjusted GSD. Expose your puppy to a variety of people and animals from a young age, taking them on frequent walks, playing games and going to local dog parks. This will make them feel more secure and confident and will teach them to trust people at an early age.
Training for a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. Avoid methods of negative reinforcement like yelling or physical punishment that could cause fear-based aggression. Use clicker training and reward-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
It is also essential to give your German Shepherd with a regular dose of enrichment. Mental stimulation exercises can be as important as physical exercise for the GSD particularly in a busy or chaotic household. This helps them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by street sounds or storms or other dogs in the park, or crowds during competitions and other public events.
Some health conditions that are exclusive to German Shepherds include hemangiosarcoma, cancer of the bones lung, lungs, and the intestinal tract, as well as pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these conditions are preventable through responsible breeding and lifestyle changes.
Despite their fearsome reputation German Shepherds are devoted family pets. When they are exposed to children as young as they can be tender and loving towards smaller pets like cats. They are formidable guardians due to their size and strength but they should be watched when they are around young children. They may also show indications of a genetic predisposition toward aggression if they are not given the proper training and socialization opportunities. It is recommended that you enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy class in the preschool or obedience to ensure they receive the education and socialization they require to flourish.