The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD represents the perfect balance of strength and agility. Their exceptional training capabilities and protection instincts make them cherished family pets.
If you are looking for a purebred German Shepherd, choose breeders who prioritize the health of their dogs as well as practice ethical breeding. You can determine trustworthy breeders by requesting pedigree documents and previous health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are powerful, intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They are extremely affectionate to their families and are fearless guardians of them. The breed standard states that the GSD must be confident, courageous, and 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 consisting of a hard outer layer, and a softer undercoat. The almond-shaped eyes of the dog are dark and obliquely set. The ears are pointed and wide at the base. When the dog is resting in a shady position, the tail is bushy. It is a little below the hocks. The neck of the breed is long and slightly sloping. The chest is large and deep. The spine is solid and the ribs are well-sprung.
In general, the breed is sound However, it has some serious flaws. These include roached backs as well as long pasterns that hinder proper movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful, but not excessively exaggerated and the rear leg should never pass ahead of the point at which the forefoot leaves a footprint.
As working dogs, GSDs naturally possess high-energy drives. These are behaviors and needs that include territorial protection as well as hunting of prey. If these high-drives aren't fulfilled through work or play this can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are developed to reduce these urges. However, they still require a lot of positive reinforcement, physical exercise, and mental stimulation in order to keep a balanced life.
GSDs are typically reserved around strangers and may be cautious at first. einen deutschen schäferhund kaufen makes them great guard dogs. It requires proper training to avoid overreactions. If properly socialized at a young age, they make wonderful pets for the family. They also make great children.
The GSD has an extremely high threshold for pain and is able to fight off illnesses, but it does have certain health conditions that may affect its quality of living. These include seizures, epilepsy, bleeding disorders, and immune-mediated diseases. Preventing these conditions by limiting your dog's exposure UV rays and making sure it is vaccinated regularly can help.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn, and extremely capable of being trained. They are a working dog breed that excels in a variety of jobs, such as 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. This strong and confident breed requires a clear goal as well as the attention and focus of a shrewd owner to channel their strength and energy in a positive manner. They require a lot of exercise and space and might not be suited in apartments or smaller living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is balanced and confident, with a firm and stable temperament. They are loyal, vigilant, and suspicious of strangers. If they aren't properly socialized and trained, this protective and watchful behavior can turn into aggression. They are extremely intelligent and can be very self-sufficient and easily bored, which is why they require an outlet that can satisfy their natural curiosity.
Founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, as well as longhaired and shorthaired German Shepherds, in his breeding program to create the kind of dog that was obedient and responsive that we see today. Max von Stephanitz disagreed with those who wanted German Shepherds as a showpiece and made sure that his dogs had stable tempers, strong herding instincts, and a sound body structure. He also refused to breed some of his dogs who were temperamentally unstable or had steep angles in their croups, as well as rear and front pasterns because he believed that these characteristics could hinder the ability of the breed to do its job as it is.
In addition to the hereditary disorders that can affect any breed of dog, German Shepherds are prone to cancers such as Hemangiosarcoma, which typically affects blood-rich organs such as the spleen and liver. They may also develop bone, lung or intestinal cancers.
You can prevent these conditions by maintaining the physical well-being of your German Shepherd. This includes providing him with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Make sure that he has plenty of opportunities to run and play outside in a safe space free of traffic and other dangers. Keep him looking neat by brushing his thick double coat on a regular basis by using a de-shedding tool or a rake undercoat to remove hairs that are loose. 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 are present. They are susceptible to ear infections, and can develop conditions that affect their eyes and ears such as degenerative amyelopathy. Both female and male dogs are susceptible to suffering from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that affects their ability to clot the blood.
As a breed that is primarily used for work, GSDs are often involved in strenuous exercise during their training and they may suffer from joint issues as a consequence. A common one is hip dysplasia, characterized by a lack of growth and development of the joint and cartilage that can result in discomfort, lameness, and other symptoms. This is not a serious condition but can be painful for the dog.
Breeders who are reputable have their dogs X-rayed and use the results to inform breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health of the puppy as well as its genetic background, including the possibility that it could develop dysplasia. Dogs with a high risk of developing the disorder aren't breed.
Panosteitis can affect German Shepherds. The condition causes the bones to grow quickly and unevenly. This can result in stiffness and pain. This condition is most prevalent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing the midst of a massive growth spurt.
These dogs require food that is high in protein with a generous mix of omega-fatty acids and balanced vitamins to ensure a healthy coat and skin. They may benefit from joint-support in their diet, such as glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months should be given moderate exercise like walking and playing with a different dog, if they are compatible. However, they should not run at full speed, because this can damage their growing joints.
Table food or bones from animals must be avoided, because they can cause vomiting, digestive upset, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Puppies and adult dogs could benefit from a probiotic supplementation to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements to assist in breaking down proteins. Mineral and vitamin supplements are not required in the sense that a well-formulated and approved AAFCO diet should provide the proper amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are smart high-trained dogs who thrive under the direction of a skilled handler. This makes them a great choice for police and military tasks, search and rescue as well as therapy dog roles and a myriad of other specialized roles. Their unwavering loyalty makes them a great pet, if they are well-socialized and properly trained.
Socialization is the first step towards raising a well adjusted GSD. Introduce your puppy to a variety of people and other animals at an early age, taking them on frequent walks, playing games, and going to local dog parks. This will help them feel more secure and confident and teach them to trust people at an early age.
It requires patience, consistency as well as positive reinforcement to train the German shepherd. Avoid negative reinforcement methods such as yelling or physical punishment, which could cause fear-based aggression. Use clicker training and reward-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
It is also important to give your German Shepherd with a regular dose of enrichment. 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 will help keep their attention and focus so that they are less likely to get distracted by street noises storms or other dogs in the park, or crowds at sporting events or public events.
German Shepherds are at risk of a number of health conditions such as Hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the bones, lungs and intestinal tract), pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these conditions can be prevented through responsible breeding and lifestyle accommodations.
German Shepherds are loyal family dogs despite their reputation as a feared breed. They are often friendly with children and gentle with smaller pets, like cats, when exposed to them from the age of. They are formidable guardians due to their size and strength, however, they must be monitored when they are around young children. They could also exhibit signs of a hereditary tendency towards aggression if not provided with appropriate training and socialization opportunities. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy school or obedience class will ensure that he receives the training and socialization that he needs to thrive.