The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect balance of speed and strength. Their ability to train and their the ability to protect make them beloved pets for families.
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 reliable breeders by asking for documents on pedigrees and previous health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are intelligent, powerful dogs that are easy to train. They are loyal to their families and can be a formidable guardian. The breed standard says that the GSD must be a steady temperament, self assured, and courageous. It should also be able to be handled and willing to be a pleasure to.
The breed is medium in size with a slight elongation and is muscular. It has a double coat that consists of an outer layer of hardness and a softer undercoat. Its eyes are dark and almond-shaped, and set obliquely. Its ears are pointed and wide at the base. When the dog is laying down in a shady position, the tail is bushy. It extends below the hocks. The dog's long neck with a slightly sloping slope is a characteristic. The chest is large and deep. The ribs are well-sprung and the spine is solid.
In general, the breed is sound, but serious faults include roached backs and lengthy pasterns that hinder correct movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong, but not excessively exaggerated. Likewise, the rear leg should never pass forward of the point where the forefoot leaves a footprint.
As working dogs As working dogs, the GSD has high-drives that are naturally present (behavioral propensities and desires toward things like territorial protectiveness and hunting prey). If these drives are not fulfilled in a particular way, like playing or at work and it can lead to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are developed to reduce these impulses. However, they still require lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation to maintain a balance life.
GSDs are typically reserved around strangers and may be initially suspicious of them. This trait of protection makes GSDs excellent guard dogs, however it requires proper training to prevent overreactions. When socialized properly early in life they can make great pets for the family. They're also great with children.
The GSD is resistant to illness and has a high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can affect the quality of life. This includes seizures and epilepsy, as well as bleeding disorders. The best way to prevent these diseases is to limit your dog's exposure to UV radiation, and ensuring it receives regular vaccinations can aid.
Temperament
German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn. They are also highly capable of being trained. They are a working breed and excel at a variety of jobs, including herding, police work such as search and rescue, bomb and drug detection and guiding blind. They also make great family members. However, this powerful and confident breed needs an unwavering focus and the attention of an assertive owner to use their strength and energy in a positive manner. They need a lot of exercise and space, and may not be a good fit in apartments or smaller living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is well-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 in this manner, their protective and vigilant behavior can turn into aggression. These dogs can be intelligent and independent, yet easily bored. They must find an avenue to satisfy their curiosity.
blaue schäferhunde used herding and farm dogs, longhaired and shorthaired German Shepherds, in his breeding program to develop the responsive and obedient breed that we have today. He was opposed to those who wanted German Shepherds to be a showpiece, and he made sure his dogs had stable temperaments and strong herding instincts and a solid body structure. He refused to breed dogs with temperaments that were unstable or with sharp angles on their croups or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would impede the ability of the breed to fulfill its primary duties.
In addition to the hereditary diseases that can affect any dog breed, German Shepherds are prone to cancers, such as hemangiosarcoma, which most commonly affects blood-rich organs, such as the liver and spleen. They may also develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers.
You can avoid these ailments by ensuring the physical health of your German Shepherd. This includes providing him with a nutritious diet and regular exercise. Make sure he has plenty of opportunities to run and play outside in a secure area free of traffic and other hazards. Keep him looking neat by scrubbing his dense double coat on a regular basis and using a de-shedding device or a rake undercoat to remove loose hairs. It is also recommended to take him to your veterinarian regularly for routine health checks.
Health
German Shepherds have a good health record, but some health issues do exist. They are prone to ear infections, and they can develop ailments that affect their eyes and ears such as degenerative amyelopathy. They may also be affected by a genetic disease known as von Willebrand's disease that is hereditary which affects their ability to clot blood and can be found in females and males dogs.
GSDs are a working breed, and as such, they go through intense training. In the process, they may develop joint issues. Hip dysplasia is a typical condition that causes lameness, pain, and other symptoms. This is not always a serious condition, but it can be painful for the dog.
Reputable breeders X-ray their dogs and take the results into consideration when making breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health of the puppy as well as its genetic background, including the probability that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high risk of developing dysplasia do not bred.
Panosteitis can be a problem for German Shepherds. The condition causes bones to grow rapidly and unevenly. This can result in stiffness and pain. This condition is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing an increase in growth speed.
The dogs require a diet that is high in protein, and a generous blend of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to help maintain the health of their coat and skin. These dogs can benefit from food that contains joints-supporting ingredients, such as glucosamine or chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months should be given moderate exercise, such as walking or playing with a dog if they are compatible. However, they should not run at a high speed, because this can damage their joints that are growing.
Avoid feeding bone from animals or table food because they can cause vomiting, digestive upsets, anorexia and pancreatitis. Adult dogs and puppies can benefit from a probiotic supplementation to help with digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements to aid in breaking down proteins. A properly-formulated AAFCO approved diet should include the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are smart, highly trainable dogs who thrive when they're under the direction of a knowledgeable handler. They are therefore a great option for military, police, search and rescue and therapy dog roles. But their unwavering loyalty also makes them a great pet to have when properly trained and socialized.
Socialization is the first step in raising a well-adjusted GSD. From an early age, expose your puppy to different animals and people. Take your dog for walks frequently and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will help them feel more comfortable and secure and will teach them to trust people from a young age.
Training for a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Avoid methods of negative reinforcement such as yelling or physical punishment, which can result in fear-based aggression. Instead, opt for schäferhunde suchen ein zuhause -based training and clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.
It is also crucial to ensure that you provide your German Shepherd with daily enrichment. The exercises for mental stimulation are as essential for the GSD as physical exercise, especially if you live in a household with lots of people. This helps them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by street noises or storms or other dogs in the park, or crowds at competitions or public events.
Some of the health issues that are exclusive to German Shepherds are hemangiosarcoma, cancer of the bones lung, lungs, and the intestinal tract, as well as pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these diseases are preventable with responsible breeding practices and proper lifestyle accommodations.
German Shepherds are loving family dogs despite their reputation as being fearsome. They are usually affectionate with children and gentle with smaller pets, like cats, if they are they are exposed to them from an early age. Their size and strength make them excellent guardians and they should be watched over children younger than them. They could also display indications of a genetic predisposition towards aggression if not provided with appropriate 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 thrive.