The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD embodies the ideal balance of strength and agility. Their high trainability and the ability to protect make them loved family pets.
When you are shopping for a purebred german shepherd dog Look for breeders who practice ethical breeding and prioritize the health of their animals. You can find trustworthy breeders by requesting documents on pedigrees and prior health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are strong, intelligent dogs that are easily trainable. They are loyal to their families and can be a formidable guardian. The breed standard states that the GSD must be confident, courageous, and have a calm and steady temperament. It should also be obedient and willing to be obedient.
The breed is muscular, medium-sized, and slightly longer. It has a distinctive double coat made up of an outer layer of hardness and an undercoat that is soft. Its eyes are dark and almond-shaped, and positioned in a oblique manner. The ears are large at the base and pointed. The tail is slender 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 wide and deep. The ribs are strong and the spine is strong.
The breed is generally sound, but it has serious faults such as roached-backs and long pasterns that interfere with the correct movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong however, they should not be overly exaggerated. Likewise, the rear leg should not go ahead of the point at which the forefoot leaves a footprint.
As working dogs, GSDs naturally possess high drive. These are behaviors and desires that include territorial protection and chasing of prey. If these high-drives are not satisfied in a certain way, such as through play or work and it can lead to aggression. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a way which helps to reduce these drives, but they still require a lot of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to live an enlightened lifestyle.
GSDs are typically shy around strangers and can be initially suspicious of them. This makes them great guard dogs and requires proper training to avoid overreactions. They are great family pets when they are socialized properly from a young age and are generally good with children.
The GSD is resistant to illness and has a high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can affect the quality of life. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders. Preventing these conditions by limiting your dog's exposure to UV rays and ensuring that it is vaccinated regularly can help.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent, eager to learn, and extremely capable of training. They are a working dog breed that excels at a variety of jobs, such as herding, police work and search and rescue. They also excel in detection of explosives and drugs, and guiding blind people. They also make excellent companions for families. This powerful and confident breed requires a clear and precise goal and the focus and attention of a confident owner to harness their energy and strength in a positive way. They require plenty of space and exercise and might not be suitable for apartments or other smaller living spaces.
The ideal German shepherd is confident and well-balanced, with a strong and stable temperament. They are loyal and vigilant, and they are sceptical of strangers. If not properly socialized and trained in this manner, their protective and vigilant behavior can turn into aggressive. These dogs are very intelligent and can be very independent and easily bored, and they require an outlet to satisfy their curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, utilized shorthaired and longhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This created an animal that is friendly and respectful. Max von Stephanitz disagreed with those who wanted to use German Shepherds to be used as a showcase and made sure that his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding impulses, as well as a sound body structure. He also refused to breed certain dogs that had temperaments that were unstable or had sharp angles in their croups as well as rear and front pasterns because he believed that these characteristics could hamper the breed's ability to do its job as it is.
In addition to the hereditary diseases that can affect any breed of dog German Shepherds are also susceptible to cancers, including Hemangiosarcoma. It is a cancer that typically affects blood-rich organs such as the spleen and liver. They can also develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers.
You can prevent these diseases by maintaining the physical well-being of your German Shepherd. This includes providing him with a nutritious diet and regular exercise. You should allow him plenty of time to play and run around in a secure area free of traffic. Keep him clean by scrubbing his dense double coat regularly by using a de-shedding tool or a rake undercoat to remove loose hairs. You should also make sure that you take him to the veterinarian on a regular basis to have regular health checks.
Health
German Shepherds have a good health history, however some health problems are present. They are prone to ear infections and may develop conditions that affect their ears and eyes like degenerative amyelopathy. They may also suffer from an inherited disease called von Willebrand's disease that is hereditary that affects their capacity to clot blood, and can be found in both female and male dogs.
As schäferhund beschützerinstinkt working breed, many GSDs undergo strenuous exercise during their training and they can suffer from joint problems as a result. Hip dysplasia is a typical condition that can cause lameness, pain and other signs. It is not a major condition but can be painful to the dog.
Breeders with a good reputation have their dogs X-rayed and use the results to inform breeding decisions. The x-rays help determine the health of the puppy as well as its genetic background, including the possibility that it could develop dysplasia. Dogs at high risk of developing the disorder are not breeding.
Panosteitis can affect German Shepherds. The condition causes the bones to grow rapidly and unevenly. This can lead to stiffness and pain. The condition is especially common in German Shepherd puppies and dogs younger than 18 months who are going through the midst of a massive growth spurt.
They require 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 can benefit from joint support in their diet including glucosamine as well as chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months age should have moderate exercise including multiple walks and, if compatible with other dogs playing together, but should not run at full speed as this can damage growing joints.
Foods that are table-based or contain bones from animals should be avoided since they can trigger vomiting, digestive upset, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Puppies and adults can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements to aid in breaking down proteins. A well-formulated AAFCO approved diet should contain the proper amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are smart and highly trainable dogs that thrive under the supervision of a skilled handler. They are a great choice for military and police work such as search and rescue as well as therapy dog roles and many other specializations. Their unwavering loyalty makes them an excellent pet, if they are properly socialized and trained.
Socialization is the first step in creating a well-adjusted GSD. As a puppy expose your puppy different people and animals. Take them on frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will make them feel more comfortable and secure and help them trust people at an early age.
Training a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. It is essential to avoid negative reinforcement methods such as yelling and physical punishment because they can trigger fear-based aggression. Instead, opt for rewards-based training and clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.
It is also important to provide your German Shepherd with a daily dose of enrichment. The exercises for mental stimulation are just as important to an GSD as physical exercise, particularly in the case of a household with lots of people. This can help them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by street sounds or storms, other dogs at the park, or the crowds at competitions and other public events.
German Shepherds are prone to various health issues such as hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the bones, lungs and intestinal tract) and pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these ailments can be prevented by responsible breeding and lifestyle changes.
Despite their infamous 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. However, their size and strength make them excellent guardians and they should be watched over children younger than them. They may also show indications of a genetic tendency to aggression if not given the proper training and socialization opportunities. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he gets the training and socialization that he needs to flourish.