The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect balance of agility and strength. Their ability to train and their the ability to protect make them loved family pets.
If you are looking for a purebred german shepherd, look for breeders who adhere to ethical breeding practices and are committed to the health of their animals. You can determine reputable breeders by requesting documents on pedigrees and previous health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are incredibly strong, intelligent dogs that are highly capable of being trained. They are incredibly loyal to their family members and can be fearless protectors of them. Breed standard states the GSD should be self-confident and courageous, as well as possess a calm and steady temperament. It must also be able to be handled and willing to be a pleasure to.
The breed is medium-sized slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a distinct double coat, which is comprised of an outer layer of hardness and a soft undercoat. The eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and set in a oblique manner. Its ears are wide at the base and pointed. When the dog is lying down, the tail is big and swollen. It extends below the hocks. The long neck, with a slight slope, is distinctive. The chest is large and deep. The ribs are strong and the spine is strong.
The breed is generally healthy however it is prone to serious flaws, such as roached backs and long pasterns that interfere with the correct movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong but not overly so. The rear leg should not extend beyond the point where the foot leaves a mark.
As working dogs As working dogs, the GSD has naturally high drives (behavioral tendencies and desires for things like territorial protectiveness and hunting prey). If these drives aren't fulfilled through work or play, it can lead to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are developed to reduce these impulses. However, they require lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation in order to maintain a balance life.
GSDs are generally shy and cautious towards strangers initially. This protective trait makes GSDs excellent guard dogs, but requires proper training to avoid overreactions. When properly socialized early in life they can be wonderful pets for the family. They're also great with children.
The GSD has a high pain threshold and is able to fight off illness, but it is also susceptible to certain health conditions that may affect its quality of living. This includes seizures and epilepsy, as well as bleeding disorders. To prevent these conditions, limiting your dog's exposure UV rays and ensuring that it receives regular vaccinations can help.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn, and extremely capable of being trained. They are a working dog breed that excels in a variety of jobs, such as police work, herding, and search and rescue. They also excel in the detection of drugs and bombs, as well as guiding blind people. They also make excellent pets for families. However, this powerful and confident breed needs an unwavering focus and the attention of an assertive owner to use their strength and energy in a positive way. They require lots of space and exercise. They might not be suited to smaller living spaces.
The ideal German shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a strong and stable temperament. They are loyal, alert, and suspicious of strangers. If not properly socialized and trained in this manner, their protective and vigilant behavior could turn into aggressive. These dogs are very intelligent and can be independent and easily bored, so they need an outlet that can satisfy their curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, utilized longhaired and shorterhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This led to an animal that is receptive and respectful. He disagreed with people who wanted German Shepherds to be a showpiece and he made sure his dogs were stable in their temperaments and strong herding instincts and a sound body structure. He even refused to breed some of his dogs who were temperamentally unstable or had sharp angles in their croups, as well as rear and front pasterns as he believed these traits would undermine the breed's ability to do its job as it is.
German Shepherds can also be susceptible to cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a common cancer that affects the liver and spleen organs, which have a higher blood supply. They can also develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers.
You can prevent these conditions by ensuring the physical health of your German Shepherd. This includes providing him with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Make sure he has plenty of opportunities to exercise and play outdoors in a secure area away from traffic and other dangers. Keep him groomed by brushing his thick double coat on a regular basis, using a de-shedding tool or an undercoat rake to get rid of hairs that are loose. You should also make sure that you take him to the veterinarian on a regular basis to have regular health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, but they do have some health issues. They are susceptible to ear infections, and they can develop eye conditions and ears, like degenerative myelopathy. They also may suffer from an inherited disease called von Willebrand's disease that is hereditary, which impacts their ability to clot blood. It is present in both male and female dogs.
As a working breed, many GSDs undergo strenuous exercise during their training and they can suffer from joint issues as a consequence. One of the most common is hip dysplasia, which is characterized by the inadvertent growth and development of cartilage and joint that can result in lameness, pain, and other symptoms. This is not always a serious condition but it can be painful for dogs.
Breeders with a good reputation have their dogs X-rayed and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health of the puppy and its genetic background, including the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs with a high likelihood of developing the disorder aren't breeding.
Like most large breeds, German Shepherds also be affected by panosteitis, which causes bones to grow quickly and unevenly, causing pain and stiffness in the joints. This is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing an increase in growth speed.
These dogs require an enriched diet rich in protein, with a good mix of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to maintain skin and coat health. They can benefit from joint support in their diet like glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs who are less 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 a high speed, because this can damage the joints they are developing.
Avoid feeding bone from animals or table food as they can trigger digestive upsets, vomiting, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Dogs of all ages can benefit by a probiotic supplementation program to aid digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements that aid in breaking down proteins. A properly-formulated AAFCO approved diet should have the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are highly-trainable and biddable dogs who thrive under a knowledgeable handler's guidance. As such, they are an excellent choice for police and military work, search and rescue as well as therapy dog roles and a myriad of other specialized roles. Their unwavering loyalty also makes them a wonderful family pet when properly trained and socialized.
Socialization is the first step in raising a well-adjusted GSD. From an early age expose your puppy different animals and people. Take them on frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will make them feel more secure and confident and teach them to trust people from an early age.
Training deutscher schäferhund pflege requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. It is essential to avoid negative reinforcement methods such as shouting and physical punishment as they can trigger fear-based aggression. Instead, you should use clicker training and rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.
It is also important to give your German Shepherd with a daily dose of enrichment. The stimulation of the mind is just as important as physical exercises for a GSD particularly in a busy or chaotic household. This helps keep their attention and focus so that they are less likely to get distracted by noises from the street storms, other dogs in the park or crowds at competitions and other public events.
German Shepherds are at risk of various health issues, including hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the bones, lungs and intestinal tract) as well as pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these conditions can be avoided through responsible breeding practices and appropriate lifestyle accommodations.
Despite their infamous reputation German Shepherds are loving family pets. When they are exposed to children at a young age they can be incredibly friendly and gentle with smaller animals like cats. They are extremely effective guardians due their size and strength but they should be watched when they are around children. If they're not sufficiently exposed to socialization and training they could show signs of aggression. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he is getting the education and socialization he requires to be successful.