The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect combination of speed and strength. Its high trainability and natural protective instincts make them cherished family dogs.
When you are shopping for a purebred german shepherd Find breeders that have a commitment to ethical breeding and who are concerned about the health of their dogs. Requesting pedigree documents and previous health clearances will help you identify reputable breeders.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are intelligent, powerful dogs that are easy to train. They are incredibly affectionate to their families and are fearless guardians of them. Breed standard states the GSD should be self-confident and courageous. They should also have an unwavering temperament. It must also be tractable and willing to please.
The breed is muscular, medium-sized, and slightly elongated. It has a double coat that consists of an outer layer of hardness and a soft undercoat. Its eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and set slightly obliquely. The ears are large at the base and pointed. When the dog is laying down, the tail is big and swollen. It is a little below the hocks. The dog's long, slightly sloping neck is a characteristic. The chest is broad and deep. The spine is firm and the ribs are well-sprung.
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. Its hindquarters should be powerful but not overly exaggerated and the rear leg should never pass in the direction of where the forefoot leaves an imprint.
As working dogs As working dogs, the GSD has naturally high drives (behavioral tendencies and desires for things like territorial protection and chasing prey). If these drives aren't fulfilled through play or work, it can lead to aggressive behavior. 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 a healthy lifestyle.
GSDs are generally shy around strangers and can be cautious at first. This trait of protection makes GSDs excellent guard dogs, but requires proper training to avoid overreactions. When properly socialized early in life, they make wonderful family pets. They're also great with children.
The GSD is resilient to illness and has a high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can impact the quality of life. This includes seizures and epilepsy, as well as bleeding disorders. Preventing these conditions by limiting your dog's exposure to UV radiation, and ensuring you get regular vaccinations will help.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn. They are also trainable. They are an active breed that excels at a variety of tasks, including police work, herding and search and rescue. They also excel in bomb and drug detection and helping blind people. They are also excellent family pets. However, this strong and confident breed requires a clear sense of purpose and the attention of an assertive owner to channel their energy and strength in a positive manner. They require lots of space and exercise, and might not be suited to apartments or other smaller living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is balanced and confident, with a firm and steady temperament. They are loyal, vigilant and sceptical of strangers. If they aren't properly socialized and trained to be vigilant and protective, this behavior can turn into aggression. These dogs are very intelligent and can be independent and easily bored, and they require an outlet to satisfy their natural curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, used shorthaired and longhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This led to a breed that is responsive and respectful. He did not agree with those who wanted German Shepherds to be a showpiece, and he made sure that his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding instincts, and a solid body structure. He was against breeding dogs with temperaments that were unstable, or with sharp angles on their croups or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would impede the ability of the breed to perform its primary duties.
German Shepherds can also be susceptible to developing cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a common cancer that affects the liver and spleen organs that have a high blood supply. They may also develop bone, lung or intestinal cancers.
To avoid these issues, you should maintain your German Shepherd's physical health by feeding him a proper diet and exercise. It is important to give plenty of time to play and run around in a safe area free of traffic. Regularly brush your double coat with a deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. It is also recommended to bring him to the vet regularly for regular health checks.
Health
German Shepherds have a great health history, however some health issues do exist. They are susceptible to ear infections and they can develop ailments that affect their eyes and ears like degenerative amyelopathy. Female and male can be affected by hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that affects their ability to clot the blood.
As a working breed, GSDs often engage in vigorous exercise during their training and they may suffer from joint problems as a result. A common one is hip dysplasia, characterized by the inadvertent growth and development of the cartilage and joint which can cause discomfort, lameness, and other symptoms. It isn't always a serious problem but it can be painful for the dog.
Reputable breeders X-ray their dogs and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays help determine the health of the puppy and its genetic history, which includes the probability that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high likelihood of developing the disorder are not breed.
Panosteitis can affect German Shepherds. deutscher schäferhund zu verkaufen causes the bones to grow rapidly and unevenly. This can lead to pain and stiffness. This is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months old who are experiencing a rapid growth spurt.
They require an diet rich in protein, and an abundance of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to maintain the health of their coat and skin. They can benefit from joint support in their diet, such as glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs under 18 months of age should have moderate exercise like walking on a regular basis and, if compatible with another dog playing together, but should not run at a high speed, as this could cause damage to joints that are growing.
Feeding table food or bones from animals should be avoided, as these can cause vomiting, digestive upset anorexia, pancreatitis, and vomiting. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion and digestive enzyme supplements to aid in breaking down proteins. Mineral and vitamin supplements are not necessary in the sense that a well-formulated and approved AAFCO diet should provide the proper amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are smart, highly trainable dogs who thrive when they're under the direction of a knowledgeable handler. They are an excellent choice for police and military tasks in search and rescue and therapy dog roles, and a myriad of other specialized roles. Their unwavering loyalty also makes them a great pet for the family when properly trained and socialized.
The first step in establishing an appropriately adjusted GSD is socialization. Introduce your puppy to range of people and animals at an early age, by taking them on frequent walks, playing games, and even visiting local dog parks. This will make them feel secure and at ease in a new place and will help them develop trust in humans from a young age.
It requires patience, consistency, as well as positive reinforcement to train a German shepherd. It is important to avoid negative reinforcement methods such as shouting and physical punishment as they can cause fear-based aggression. Instead, use rewards-based training and clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.
Daily enrichment is important for your German Shepherd. Exercises for mental stimulation can be as important as physical exercise for the GSD, especially in a hectic or busy household. This will help keep their attention and focus, so they are less likely to become distracted by noises from the street, thunderstorms and other dogs in the park, or crowds at sporting events and other public events.
German Shepherds are susceptible to various health issues, including Hemangiosarcoma (cancer of bones, lungs, and intestinal tract) as well as pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these conditions are preventable with responsible breeding practices and proper lifestyle accommodations.
Despite resource for this article for being a savage breed German Shepherds are loving family pets. When they are around children at a young age they can be incredibly friendly and gentle with smaller animals like cats. However, their size and strength make them formidable guardians, and they should always be watched over children younger than them. They could also exhibit signs of a hereditary tendency towards aggression if not provided with appropriate training and socialization opportunities. It is recommended to enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy preschool or obedience classes to ensure they are receiving the proper education and socialization they require to flourish.