The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect combination of speed and strength. Its exceptional training ability and natural protective instincts make them loved family dogs.
When you are shopping for a purebred german shepherd dog Look for breeders who have a commitment to ethical breeding and who are concerned about the health of their animals. You can find trustworthy breeders by requesting documents on pedigrees and prior health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are strong intelligent dogs that are trainable. They are loyal to their families and can be fearless guardians. The breed standard states that the GSD must be a steady temperament, confident, and courageous. It should also be obedient and willing to please.
The breed is muscular, medium-sized and slightly extended. It has a distinct double coat, which is comprised of a hard outer layer as well as an undercoat that is soft. Its eyes are dark and almond-shaped, and positioned obliquely. The ears are large at the base and pointed. When the dog is laying down on its back, the tail becomes bushy. It is a little below the hocks. The dog's long neck with a slightly sloping slope is distinctive. The chest is large and deep. The ribs are well-sprung and the spine is solid.
The breed is generally sound however it is prone to serious issues, like roached-backs and long pasterns, which hinder proper movement. Its hindquarters must be powerful but not overly so. The rear leg should not extend beyond the point at which the foot makes an impression.
As working dogs, GSDs naturally possess high drives. These are behaviors and needs that involve territorial protection and chasing of prey. If these drives aren't fulfilled in some way through play or work and it leads to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a manner that can help reduce these urges however they still require a lot of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to live a healthy lifestyle.
GSDs are generally reserved and suspicious towards strangers initially. This protective trait makes GSDs excellent guard dogs, but requires proper training to prevent overreactions. If properly socialized at a young age, they make wonderful pets for the family. They also make great kids.
The GSD has a high pain threshold and is able to fight off illnesses, but it has certain health issues that could impact its quality of life. These include epilepsy/seizures, bleeding disorders, and immune-mediated diseases. Taking precautions such as limiting the dog's exposure to harsh UV rays, and ensuring it receives routine vaccinations should lower the risk of developing these diseases.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn. They are also capable of training. They are a working breed that excel in a variety tasks, including herding police work including search and rescue as well as drug and bomb detection, and guiding the blind. They also make excellent companions for families. This powerful and confident breed requires a clear and precise goal and the attention and focus of a responsible owner to harness their energy and strength positively. They require a lot 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 and alert and they are sceptical of strangers. If they are not socialized properly and trained to be vigilant and protective, this behavior could turn into aggressive. Dogs with these traits can be smart and independent, but they can also be bored. They need to find ways to satisfy 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 did not agree with those who wanted German Shepherds to be used as a showcase and ensured that his dogs were calm, had strong herding instincts, and solid body structure. He even refused to breed with dogs that had temperaments that were unstable or had sharp angles in their croups as well as front and rear pasterns, as he believed these traits could hinder the ability of the breed to perform its traditional work.
In addition to the hereditary ailments that can affect any breed of dog German Shepherds are also prone to cancers, such as Hemangiosarcoma. It is a cancer that typically affects blood-rich organs like the spleen and liver. They also can develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers.
To prevent these conditions, you should maintain your German Shepherd's physical well-being by feeding him the right diet and exercise. You should give him ample time to run and play in a safe area away from traffic. Keep him looking neat by brushing his dense double coat on a regular basis, using a de-shedding tool or an undercoat rake to get rid of hairs that have fallen off. It is recommended that you bring him to the vet regularly for regular health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, but they do have some health issues. They are susceptible to ear infections and can develop eye conditions and ears, like degenerative myelopathy. Female and male dogs can suffer from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that hinders their ability to clot the blood.
As a working breed GSDs often engage in vigorous exercise during their training and they can suffer from joint problems as a result. The most frequent is hip dysplasia, which is characterized by improper growth and development of the cartilage and joint, leading to lameness, pain, and other symptoms. This is not 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 help determine the health and genetic background of the puppy, including the likelihood to develop dysplasia. Dogs at high risk of developing dysplasia are not breeding.
Like most large breeds, German Shepherds can suffer from panosteitis, which causes the bones to expand rapidly and unevenly, which causes stiffness and pain in the limbs. This condition is more common in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing rapid growth.
They require an enriched diet rich in protein, with a good mix of omega fatty acid and balanced vitamins to maintain a healthy coat and skin. They can benefit from joint support in their diet including glucosamine as well as chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months age should exercise moderately including multiple walks and, if compatible with other dogs playing together, but they should not run at full speed, as this can damage growing joints.
Table food or animal bones should be avoided, since they can trigger vomiting, digestive upset anorexia, pancreatitis, and vomiting. Puppies and adults can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion as well as digestive enzyme supplements to help break down proteins. Vitamin and mineral supplements are not necessary, as a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should contain the right amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are highly-trainable, biddable dogs that thrive under a skilled guide's supervision. As such, they are an excellent choice for police and military work such as search and rescue, therapy dog roles, and a myriad of other specialized roles. But their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a great pet to have when properly trained and socialized.
Socialization is the first step in raising a well adjusted GSD. As a puppy expose your puppy various animals and people. Take them on frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will make them feel comfortable and secure in a new environment and will help them become comfortable with humans at an early age.
It requires patience, perseverance and positive reinforcement to train a German shepherd. It is important to avoid negative reinforcement methods, such as physical and verbal punishment, reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund kaufen as they can trigger fear-based aggression. Use clicker training and reward-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
Daily enrichment is important for your German Shepherd. Mental stimulation exercises can be just as important as physical exercises for a GSD, especially in a busy or chaotic household. This helps them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by road noises or storms as well as other dogs at the park, or crowds during competitions or public events.
German Shepherds are at risk of a number of health conditions such as Hemangiosarcoma (cancer of bones, lungs and the intestinal tract), pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these conditions can be prevented by responsible breeding and lifestyle changes.
Despite their fearsome reputation, German Shepherds make devoted family pets. When they are exposed to children as young as, they can be friendly and gentle with smaller pets such as cats. They are extremely effective guardians due their size and strength, but they should be watched when they are around children. If they aren't exposed enough to socialization and training and are not properly socialized, they could exhibit signs of aggression. It is recommended that you enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy class in the preschool or obedience to ensure they receive the training and socialization they need to flourish.