The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD represents the perfect balance of agility and strength. Their exceptional training capabilities and protective instincts make these dogs cherished family pets.
If you are looking for a purebred German Shepherd select breeders who value the health of their dogs and follow ethical breeding. Requesting pedigree papers as well as previous health clearances will help you identify reputable breeders.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are powerful, intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They are loyal to their families and can be fierce guardians. The breed standard states that the GSD must be confident, courageous, and have a steady temperament. her comment is here must also be respectful and willing to be obedient.
The breed is medium in size with a slight elongation and is muscular. It has a double coat consisting of an outer layer of hardness, and a soft undercoat. Its eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and set slightly obliquely. The ears are pointed and wide at the base. The tail is slender and reaches to below the hocks when the dog is lying down. The dog's long neck, with a slight slope, is a characteristic. The chest is large and deep. The ribs are well-sprung, and the spine is strong.
In general, the breed is sound however, serious issues include roached backs and long pasterns that hinder correct movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful however, they should not be overly exaggerated and the rear leg should not go in the direction of where the forefoot makes an impression.
As working dogs, the GSD has naturally high drives (behavioral tendencies and desires towards things like territorial protectiveness and chasing prey). When these high drives aren't fulfilled in some way through play or work, it can lead to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are developed to reduce these drives. However, they require a lot of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation in order to keep a balanced life.
GSDs are generally reserved and suspicious towards strangers at first. This trait of protection makes GSDs excellent guard dogs, but requires proper training to prevent overreactions. When 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 illness and has a high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can impact the quality of its life. These include seizures and epilepsy and bleeding disorders as well as immune-mediated diseases. The best way to prevent these diseases is to limit your dog's exposure to UV radiation, and ensuring you get regular vaccinations will help.
Temperament
German Shepherds are smart, eager to learn, and extremely capable of training. They are a working breed that excel in a variety tasks, such as herding, police work such as search and rescue as well as detection of drugs and bombs, and guiding the blind. They also make excellent companions for families. This strong and confident breed requires a clear goal and the focus and attention of a shrewd owner to channel their strength and energy positively. They require plenty of space and exercise and might not be suitable for 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 are not socialized properly and trained, this protective and watchful behavior could turn into aggressive. Dogs with these traits can be smart and independent, yet easily bored. They need to find ways 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 receptive and respectful. Max von Stephanitz disagreed with those who wanted German Shepherds to be a showpiece. He made sure his dogs were calm, had strong herding impulses, as well as an ideal body structure. He was against breeding dogs with unstable temperaments, or with sharp angles on their croups, or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would undermine the ability of the breed to fulfill its primary duties.
In addition to the hereditary disorders that can affect any dog breed German Shepherds are also susceptible to cancers such as Hemangiosarcoma. It is a cancer that typically affects blood-rich organs, such as the spleen and liver. They also can develop bone, lung or intestinal cancers.
You can prevent these conditions by maintaining the physical health of your German Shepherd. This means providing him with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Make sure he gets plenty of opportunities to run and play outdoors in a safe space away from traffic and other dangers. Regularly brush his double coat, using the deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. Also, make sure that you take him to the vet regularly to have regular health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds have a healthy health record, but some health issues are present. They are prone to ear infections and may develop eye conditions and ears, such as degenerative myelopathy. They may also suffer from an illness that is genetic, known as von Willebrand's disease that is hereditary, which impacts their ability to clot blood and can be found in both male and female dogs.
GSDs are a working breed, and as such, they undergo intense training. In the process, they are prone to developing joint issues. The most frequent is hip dysplasia. It is characterized by the inadvertent growth and development of the joint and cartilage, leading to lameness, pain, and other symptoms. This is not a serious condition but can be painful for the dog.
Breeders with a good reputation have their dogs X-rayed and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays can aid in determining the health of the puppy and its genetic history, which includes the probability that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs at high risk of developing dysplasia do not breed.
Panosteitis can be a problem for German Shepherds. The condition causes bones to grow quickly and unevenly. This can lead to stiffness and pain. This is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months old who are experiencing a rapid growth spurt.
They require a diet high in protein, with a good mix of omega fatty acid and balanced vitamins to maintain a healthy coat and skin. They will benefit from joint support in their diet like glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months old age should be exercising moderately including multiple walks and, if they are compatible with another dog playing together, but should not run at a high speed, as it can cause joint damage.
Feeding table food or bones from animals should be avoided because they can cause vomiting, digestive upset, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements to aid in breaking down proteins. A properly-formulated AAFCO approved diet should contain the right amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are highly trainable, biddable dogs that thrive under a skilled guide's supervision. They are therefore a great option for military, police search and rescue, and therapy dog roles. Their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a wonderful family pet when properly trained and socialized.
The first step to raising a well-adjusted GSD is socialization. Introduce your puppy to range of people and animals at an early age, taking them for frequent walks, playing games, and going to local dog parks. This will help them feel more comfortable and secure and help them trust people from a young age.
Training a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. 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.
It is also crucial to provide your German Shepherd with a regular dose of enrichment. Mental stimulation exercises can be as important as physical exercise for a GSD particularly in a busy or chaotic household. This helps them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by road noises or thunderstorms, other dogs at the park, or crowds during competitions and other public events.
Certain health conditions that are unique to German Shepherds are Hemangiosarcoma, cancer of bones lung, lungs, and the intestinal tract and pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these conditions can be avoided through responsible breeding practices and the right lifestyle adjustments.
Despite their reputation for being a savage breed German Shepherds are loving family pets. When they are exposed to children at a young age, they can be tender and loving towards smaller animals like cats. However, their size and strength make them excellent guardians, and they should always be observed around children who are younger. If they aren't sufficiently exposed to socialization and training and are not properly socialized, they could exhibit signs of aggression. Enrolling german shepherd kaufen into a puppy school or obedience class will ensure that he receives the training and socialization that he needs to be successful.