The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect balance of agility and strength. Its exceptional training ability and natural instincts to protect make them loved family dogs.
If you are in search of a purebred German Shepherd dog select breeders who value the health of their dogs and practice ethical breeding. You can identify trustworthy breeders by requesting pedigree documents and previous health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are strong intelligent dogs that are easily capable of training. They are loyal to their families and are able to be fearless guardians. The breed standard says that the GSD must be stable of temperament, confident, 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 an outer layer of hardness, and a soft undercoat. Its eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and set in a oblique manner. Its ears are wide at the base and pointed. When the dog is resting in a shady position, the tail is large and bushy. It reaches below the hocks. The breed's long, slightly sloping neck is a characteristic. The chest is broad and deep. The ribs are strong and the spine is strong.
In general the breed is sound, but serious faults include roached backs and lengthy pasterns that hinder proper movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong but not overly so. The rear leg should never go beyond the point where the foot leaves a mark.
As working dogs as well as working dogs, the GSD has high-drives that are naturally present (behavioral tendencies and desires for things like territorial protectiveness and chasing prey). If these high drives are not fulfilled in a particular way, such as through play or work and it can lead to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a way that can help reduce these urges however they still require a lot of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise and mental stimulation in order to maintain an enlightened lifestyle.
GSDs tend to be reserved and suspicious towards strangers at first. This trait of protection makes them great guard dogs. It requires the right training to avoid triggering reactions. They are wonderful pets for families when properly socialized at a young age and are generally good with children.
The GSD has an extremely high threshold for pain and is resilient against illnesses, but it does have certain health conditions that can affect its quality of life. These include epilepsy/seizures and bleeding disorders as well as immune-mediated diseases. The best way to prevent these diseases is to limit your dog's exposure UV rays, and ensuring it receives regular vaccinations can help.
Temperament
German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn and highly trainable. They are a working breed that excel in a variety jobs, including herding, police work, search and rescue detection of drugs and bombs, and guiding the blind. They also make excellent companions for families. This ferocious and confident breed requires a clear and precise goal and the focus and attention of a responsible owner to channel their strength and energy in a positive way. They require plenty of space and exercise. They may not be suitable for smaller living spaces.
The ideal German shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a firm temperament. They are loyal, alert and sceptical of strangers. This watchful and protective behavior can turn into aggression if not properly trained, socialized, and managed. They are extremely intelligent and can be very insecure and bored, so they need a good outlet for their curiosity.
Founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, longhaired and shorthaired German Shepherds in his breeding program to develop the obedient and responsive breed that we have today. Max von Stephanitz was not one of those who wanted German Shepherds as a showpiece and ensured that his dogs were calm, had strong herding impulses, as well as an ideal body structure. He also refused to breed some of his dogs who had temperaments that were unstable or had sharp angles in their croups as well as front and rear pasterns as he believed these traits would undermine the breed's ability to perform its work.
German Shepherds are also prone to cancers. reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund kaufen is the most common cancer that affects the liver and spleen, organs with heightened blood supply. They also can develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers.
You can prevent these conditions by ensuring the physical health of your German Shepherd. This means giving him a balanced diet and regular exercise. You should allow him ample time to play and run outdoors in a secure area free of traffic. Keep him looking neat by scrubbing his dense double coat on a regular basis, using a de-shedding tool or a rake undercoat to remove hairs that are loose. You should also visit your vet regularly for regular health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, however they do have some health issues. They are susceptible to ear infections, and can develop conditions that affect their ears and eyes such as degenerative amyelopathy. Both female and male dogs are susceptible to suffering from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic condition that limits their ability to clot the blood.
As a breed that is primarily used for work, GSDs often engage in vigorous exercise during their training, and they may suffer from joint issues as a consequence. Hip dysplasia is an extremely common condition that causes pain, lameness and other symptoms. This is not always a serious issue however it can be painful for the dog.
A reputable breeder will X-ray their dog and utilize the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health and genetic history of the puppy, as well as the likelihood to develop dysplasia. Dogs at high risk of developing the disorder aren't bred.
Like all large breeds, German Shepherds also be affected by panosteitis, which causes the bones to expand rapidly and unevenly, causing pain and stiffness in the joints. This condition is more common in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing rapid growth.
These dogs need food that is rich in protein, with an abundance of omega fatty acids as well as balanced vitamins to support healthy coat and skin. Dogs with arthritis will benefit from a diet that has joint support, such as glucosamine or chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months old 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 full speed, as this could cause damage to joints that are growing.
Table food or bones from animals must be avoided, because they can cause digestive upset, vomiting anorexia, pancreatitis, and vomiting. Puppies and adult dogs could benefit from a probiotic supplement to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements to assist in the breakdown of proteins. Mineral and vitamin supplements are not required in the sense that a well-formulated and approved AAFCO diet should contain the right amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are smart high-trained dogs who thrive when they're under the direction by a knowledgeable handler. They are a great choice for military, police search and rescue and therapy dog roles. Their constant loyalty makes them a wonderful pet, if they are properly socialized and trained.
Socialization is the first step towards creating a well-adjusted GSD. Introduce your puppy to variety of people and other animals at an early age, taking them on frequent walks, playing games and even visiting local dog parks. This will make them feel more confident and comfortable and will teach them to trust people from an early age.
It requires patience, perseverance, as well as positive reinforcement to train to train a German shepherd. Avoid methods of negative reinforcement such as yelling or physical punishment, which can cause fear-based aggression. Use clicker training and rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
It is also important to ensure that you provide your German Shepherd with daily enrichment. Exercises for mental stimulation are as essential for a GSD as physical exercise, especially in the case of an area with a lot of activity. This helps keep their attention and focus so that they are less likely to get distracted by noises from the street or thunderstorms, other dogs in the park or the crowds at competitions or public events.
German Shepherds are at risk of a number of health conditions that include hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the bones, lungs and intestinal tract), pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these diseases are preventable with responsible breeding practices and the right lifestyle choices.
Despite their reputation for being a savage breed German Shepherds are loving family pets. When they are exposed to children from a young age, they can be affectionate and gentle towards smaller pets such as cats. However, their size and strength make them formidable guardians, and they should always be observed around children who are younger. They could also exhibit signs of a hereditary tendency toward aggression if they are not given the proper training and socialization opportunities. It is recommended to enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy preschool or obedience classes to ensure that they are receiving the proper training and socialization they need to flourish.