The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect blend of strength and speed. Their ability to train and their protective instincts make these dogs cherished family pets.
When you are shopping for a purebred german shepherd dog, look for breeders who have a commitment to ethical breeding and who are concerned about the health of their dogs. You can determine reputable breeders by requesting pedigree papers and prior health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are intelligent, powerful dogs that are easy to train. They are loyal to their families and are able to be a formidable guardian. The breed standard says that the GSD must be stable of temperament, self-assured, and courageous. It must also be obedient and willing to be obedient.
The breed is medium-sized with a slight elongation and is muscular. It has a distinctive double coat, which is comprised of a hard outer layer and a soft undercoat. The eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and positioned obliquely. The ears are pointed and wide at the base. The tail is slender and reaches to below the hocks when the dog is in a relaxed state. The dog's long neck with a slightly sloping slope is a characteristic. The chest is broad and deep. deutscher schäferhund pflege are well-sprung and the spine is strong.
In general the breed is healthy, but serious faults include roached backs and lengthy pasterns that interfere with correct movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong but not overly exaggerated and the rear leg should not go ahead of the point at which the forefoot makes an impression.
As working dogs, GSDs naturally have high-energy drives. These are the behaviors and desires that include territorial protection and the pursuit of prey. If these high drives are not satisfied in a certain way, for example through play or work or playing, it can result in aggression. Show-type German Shepherds were created to help reduce these urges. However, they still require a lot of positive reinforcement, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to maintain a balance life.
GSDs are generally shy and cautious towards strangers at first. This makes them great guard dogs. It requires proper training to avoid overreactions. If properly socialized from a young age, they make wonderful pets for families. They are also great with children.
The GSD is a resilient species to illnesses and has a high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can impact the quality of its life. These include seizures, epilepsy as well as bleeding disorders and immune-mediated diseases. Making sure to limit the dog's exposure to harsh UV rays and making sure that regular vaccinations are given to the dog will reduce the risk of these conditions.
Temperament
German Shepherds are smart, eager to learn, and highly capable of training. deutscher schäferhund pflege are a working breed and excel at a variety of jobs, including herding, police work, search and rescue, detection of drugs and bombs and guiding blind people. They also make excellent pet for families. This powerful and confident breed requires a clear goal and the focus and attention of a shrewd 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 strong and stable temperament. They are loyal, alert, and suspicious of strangers. If they are not socialized properly and trained in this manner, their protective and vigilant behavior can turn into aggressive. Dogs with these traits can be smart and independent, yet easily bored. They need to find an avenue to satisfy their curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, used shorthaired and longhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This created an animal that is friendly and well-behaved. He disagreed with people who wanted German Shepherds to be a showpiece, and he made sure his dogs were stable in their temperaments, strong herding instincts, and a sound body structure. He even refused to breed some of his dogs who had unstable temperaments or sharp angles in their croups as well as front and rear pasterns as he believed these traits would undermine the breed's ability to do its job as it is.
In addition to the hereditary disorders that affect every breed of dog German Shepherds are also prone to cancers, including hemangiosarcoma, which most commonly affects blood-rich organs such as the liver and spleen. They may also develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers.
You can avoid these ailments by maintaining the physical well-being of your German Shepherd. This includes giving him a balanced diet and regular exercise. You should give him ample time to play and run outdoors in a secure area free of traffic. Keep him looking neat by brushing his thick double coat on a regular basis, using a de-shedding tool or an undercoat rake to get rid of loose hairs. Also, make sure that you visit the vet regularly for routine health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, but they do have certain health issues. They are susceptible to ear infections and may develop conditions that affect their eyes and ears such as degenerative amyelopathy. They may also 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 female and male dogs.
As a breed that is primarily used for work, GSDs often engage in vigorous training and they can suffer from joint problems as a result. Hip dysplasia is a typical condition that causes lameness, pain and other signs. It's not always a serious problem, but it can cause pain for dogs.
Breeders with a good reputation are able to X-ray their dogs and use the results to inform breeding decisions. The x-rays help determine the health of the puppy and its genetic history, including the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs at high chance of developing the disorder aren't bred.
Panosteitis can be a problem for German Shepherds. The condition causes the bones to grow rapidly and unevenly. This can result in pain and stiffness. The condition is particularly common in German Shepherd puppies and dogs under 18 months of age who are experiencing a large growth spurt.
These dogs require food that is high in protein and a large mix of omega-fatty acids and balanced vitamins to ensure a healthy coat and skin. Dogs with arthritis will benefit from a diet with joints-supporting ingredients, such as the glucosamine or chondroitin. Dogs under 18 months of age should exercise moderately like walking on a regular basis and, if they are compatible with another dog playing together, but they should not run at a high speed, as this can damage growing joints.
Foods that are table-based or contain animal bones should be avoided as these can cause vomiting, digestive upset, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Puppies and adult dogs can benefit by a probiotic supplementation program to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements to assist in the breakdown of proteins. Vitamin and mineral supplements are not required since a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should contain the right amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are smart, highly trainable dogs who thrive under the direction of a skilled handler. They are a great choice for military and police tasks such as search and rescue, therapy dog roles, and a myriad of other specialized roles. Their constant loyalty makes them a wonderful pet, if properly socialized and trained.
The first step in raising an appropriately adjusted GSD is socialization. As a puppy expose your puppy different people and animals. Take them for frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will help them feel comfortable and secure in a new environment and help them learn to trust humans from an early age.
It requires patience, perseverance, as well as positive reinforcement to train a German shepherd. Avoid negative reinforcement methods such as yelling, or physical punishment that could cause fear-based aggression. Use clicker training and rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
It is also essential to ensure that you provide your German Shepherd with a regular dose of enrichment. Exercises for mental stimulation are just as important to the GSD as physical exercise, especially when you have an area with a lot of activity. This can help them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by sounds or storms or other dogs in the park, or the crowds at competitions and other public events.
Certain health conditions that are unique to German Shepherds include Hemangiosarcoma, cancer of bones as well as the lungs and intestinal tract and pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these diseases can be prevented by responsible breeding and lifestyle changes.
Despite their infamous reputation, German Shepherds make devoted family pets. When they are around children at a young age, they can be affectionate and gentle towards smaller pets such as cats. They are formidable guardians due to their size and strength however, they must be monitored when they are around children. If they aren't exposed enough to training and socialization and are not properly socialized, they could exhibit signs of aggression. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he gets the training and socialization he requires to thrive.