The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD embodies the ideal balance of agility and strength. Its high trainability and natural instincts to protect make them beloved family dogs.
When you are shopping for purebred german shepherd dogs, look for breeders who adhere to ethical breeding practices and are committed to the health of their animals. Requesting pedigree documents and prior health clearances can help determine reputable breeders.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are powerful intelligent dogs that are highly capable of being trained. They are loyal to their families and are able to be fierce guardians. The breed standard states that the GSD must be a steady temperament, self-assured, and courageous. It should also be able to be handled and willing to please.
The breed is medium in size, slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a double coat that consists of a hard outer layer, and a softer undercoat. Its eyes are dark and almond-shaped, and positioned slightly obliquely. The ears are large at the base and pointed. The tail is long and extends down to below the hocks when the dog is at rest. The breed's long neck with a slightly sloping slope is a characteristic. The chest is wide and deep. The spine is strong and the ribs are well-sprung.
In general the breed is healthy however, serious issues include roached backs and long pasterns that interfere with correct movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong but not overly exaggerated. Likewise, the rear leg should never go in the direction of where the forefoot leaves a footprint.
As working dogs, the GSD has high-drives that are naturally present (behavioral tendencies and desires for things like territorial protection and hunting prey). If these high-drives aren't fulfilled in some way through play or work and it leads to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred to help dampen these impulses. However, they still require a lot of positive reinforcement, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to maintain a balance life.
GSDs are generally cautious around strangers and could be cautious at first. This is a characteristic that makes them excellent guard dogs, but requires proper training to avoid overreactions. If properly socialized at a young age they can make great family pets. They are also great with children.
The GSD is resilient to illness and has a high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can negatively impact the quality of its life. These include epilepsy/seizures and bleeding disorders. To prevent these conditions, limiting your dog's exposure to UV radiation and making sure it receives regular vaccinations can aid.
Temperament
German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn. They are also trainable. They are a working breed and excel in a variety jobs, including herding, police work such as search and rescue detection of drugs and bombs and guiding blind people. They also make excellent family members. However, this strong and confident breed needs an unwavering sense of purpose and the attention of a confident owner to use their strength and energy in a positive way. They require lots of space and exercise. They might not be suitable for smaller living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a strong and stable temperament. They are loyal and alert and they are suspicious of strangers. If they aren't properly socialized and trained to be vigilant and protective, this behavior can turn into aggressive. Dogs with these traits can be smart and independent, but they can also be bored. They must find an avenue to satisfy their natural curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, utilized shorthaired and longhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This led to an animal that is receptive and obedient. Max von Stephanitz disagreed with those who wanted to use German Shepherds as a showpiece and made sure that his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding impulses, as well as a sound body structure. He refused to breed dogs with unstable temperaments, or with steep angles on their croups, or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would undermine the ability of the breed to fulfill its usual tasks.
German Shepherds can also be prone to cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a frequent cancer that affects the liver and spleen, organs with heightened blood supply. They can also develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers.
You can avoid these ailments by ensuring the physical health of your German Shepherd. This means providing him with a nutritious diet and regular exercise. Make sure he gets plenty of opportunities to run and play outside, in a safe area away from traffic and other dangers. Make sure to regularly brush his double coat, using the deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. You should also bring him to the vet regularly for regular health checks.
Health
German Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, however they do have certain health issues. They are prone to ear infections and can develop ailments that affect their eyes and ears, including degenerative myelopathy. Both female and male can be affected by hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that affects their ability to clot the blood.
GSDs are a working breed, and consequently, they are subject to rigorous training. This means that they are prone to developing joint issues. schäferhund beschützerinstinkt is a typical condition that can cause pain, lameness and other signs. It isn't always a serious condition, but it can be painful for the dog.
Breeders who are trustworthy are able to X-ray their dogs and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays aid in determining the health and genetic background of the puppy, including how likely it is to develop dysplasia. Dogs at high likelihood of developing the disorder are not breeding.
Panosteitis can be a problem for German Shepherds. The condition causes bones to grow rapidly and unevenly. This can result in pain and stiffness. This condition is most common in German Shepherd puppies and dogs younger than 18 months who are going through an enormous growth spurt.
deutsche schäferhunde kaufen require a diet high in protein with a generous mix of omega-fatty acids and balanced vitamins to maintain a healthy coat and skin. Dogs with arthritis will benefit from a diet with joint support, such as the glucosamine or chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months old age should have moderate exercise like walking on a regular basis and, if they are compatible with other dogs playing together, but they should not be allowed to run at a high speed, as this can damage growing joints.
Avoid feeding animal bone or table food as they can trigger vomiting, digestive upsets anorexia, and pancreatitis. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements to help break down proteins. Mineral and vitamin supplements are not required in the sense that a well-formulated and approved AAFCO diet should supply the appropriate amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are smart, highly trainable dogs who thrive under the guidance of a knowledgeable handler. They are a great option for military, police search and rescue and therapy dog roles. Their unwavering loyalty also makes them a wonderful pet for the family when properly trained and socialized.
Socialization is the first step in creating a well-adjusted GSD. From an early age expose your puppy various animals and people. Take your dog for walks frequently and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will make them feel more comfortable and secure and will teach them to trust people at an early age.
It requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement to train the German shepherd. Avoid methods of negative reinforcement such as yelling, or physical punishment, which can cause fear-based aggression. Instead, you should use reward-based training and clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.
It is also crucial to 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 in the case of a busy household. This can help them keep their attention and focus so that they are less likely to become distracted by noises from the street storms or other dogs in the park, or crowds at sporting events and other public events.
Some of the health issues that are unique to German Shepherds include hemangiosarcoma and cancer of the 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 accommodations.
Despite their reputation for being a savage breed German Shepherds are devoted family pets. When they are exposed to children as young as they can be friendly and gentle with smaller pets like cats. They are extremely effective guardians due their size and strength but they should be watched when they are around children. They could also exhibit indications of a genetic tendency to aggression if not exposed to appropriate training and socialization opportunities. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he gets the training and socialization he needs to be successful.