The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect blend of strength and speed. Their exceptional training capabilities and the ability to protect make them cherished family pets.
When looking for a purebred German Shepherd select breeders who value the health of their dogs and practice ethical breeding. You can find trustworthy breeders by requesting pedigree documents and prior health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are powerful, intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They are incredibly affectionate to their families and are fearless guardians of them. The breed standard says that the GSD must be a steady temperament, self-assured and courageous. It must also be obedient and willing to please.
The breed is strong, medium-sized and slightly extended. It has a distinct double coat made up of a hard outer layer and an undercoat that is soft. The eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and set slightly obliquely. The ears are wide at the base and pointed. The tail is long and extends down to the hocks below when the dog is in a relaxed state. The dog’s long, slightly sloping neck is characteristic. The chest is wide and deep. The ribs are well-sprung, and the spine is solid.
The breed is generally sound however, it does have some serious flaws, such as roached backs and long pasterns, which interfere with the correct movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong but not overly exaggerated and the rear leg should never pass forward of the point where the forefoot makes an impression.
As working dogs, GSDs naturally have high-energy drives. These are behaviors and needs that include territorial protection and chasing of prey. When these high drives aren’t fulfilled in some way through work or play this can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are created to help reduce these urges. However, they require lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation in order to keep their lives in balance.
GSDs tend to be reserved and suspicious towards strangers initially. This protective trait makes GSDs excellent guard dogs, but requires proper training to prevent overreactions. When properly socialized early in life, they make wonderful family pets. 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 life. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders. By taking precautions, such as limiting the dog’s exposure to harmful UV rays, and ensuring it receives routine vaccinations should help reduce the risk of developing these diseases.
Temperament
German Shepherds are smart, eager to learn, and extremely capable of being trained. They are a working breed and deutscher schäferhund lebenserwartung schäferhunde kaufen (Menwiki.Men) excel in a variety jobs, including herding, police work including search and rescue, drug and bomb detection and guiding blind people. They also make excellent family pets. However, this powerful and confident breed needs an unwavering sense of purpose and the attention of a confident owner to use their strength and energy in a positive way. They require a lot of exercise and room, and may not be a good fit in smaller living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is balanced and confident, with a strong and steady 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 aggressive. Dogs with these traits can be smart and independent, yet easily bored. They must find a way to satisfy their curiosity.
The founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, as well as longhaired and shorthaired German Shepherds in his breeding program to create the responsive and obedient breed that we know today. Max von Stephanitz was not one of those who wanted German Shepherds to be a showpiece. He ensured that his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding impulses, as well as an ideal body structure. He even refused to breed some of his dogs who had unstable temperaments or deutscher schäFerhund welpe kaufen sharp angles in their croups, as well as front and rear pasterns since he believed that these traits could hamper the breed’s ability to do its job as it is.
In addition to the hereditary ailments that can affect any breed of dog German Shepherds are also susceptible to cancers, including Hemangiosarcoma. It is a cancer that typically affects blood-rich organs such as the liver and spleen. They can also develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers.
To avoid these issues to avoid them, you must maintain your German Shepherd’s physical health by feeding him a the right diet and exercise. You should allow plenty of time to run and play in a safe area away from traffic. Regularly brush your double coat, using a deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. It is also recommended to take him to your veterinarian regularly for regular health checks.
Health
German Shepherds are generally 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. They may also be affected by a genetic disease known as hereditary von Willebrand’s disease which affects their ability to clot blood and is present in both male and female dogs.
GSDs are a working breed, and as such, they go through rigorous training. In the process, they can develop joint problems. One of the most common is hip dysplasia, characterized by the inadvertent growth and development of the joint and cartilage, leading to discomfort, lameness and other signs. It’s not a serious condition but can be painful for the dog.
Breeders who are reputable X-ray their dogs and utilize the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays aid in determining the health and genetic history of the puppy, as well as how likely it is to develop dysplasia. Dogs with a high chance of developing the disorder aren’t breeding.
Panosteitis can affect German Shepherds. The condition causes the bones to grow rapidly and unevenly. This can result in pain and stiffness. The condition is especially frequent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs less than 18 months old who are experiencing a large growth spurt.
They require food that is high in protein, with a good mix of omega fatty acid and balanced vitamins for a healthy coat and skin. They can benefit from joint support in their diet like glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs under the age of 18 months must be given moderate exercise, such as walking and playing with a different dog if they are compatible. However, they should not run at full speed as this could damage their growing joints.
Foods that are table-based or contain bones from animals should be avoided as these can cause vomiting, diarrhea anorexia, pancreatitis, and vomiting. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion as well as digestive enzyme supplements that aid in breaking down proteins. A well-formulated AAFCO approved diet should include the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are highly-trainable and biddable dogs who thrive under a skilled handler’s guidance. They are a great choice for military and police tasks such as search and rescue, therapy dog roles, and a myriad of other specialized roles. Their constant loyalty makes them a great pet, provided they are properly trained and socialized.
Socialization is the first step in raising a well-adjusted GSD. From an early age, expose your puppy to different people and animals. Take your dog for walks frequently and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will help them feel confident and comfortable in a new environment and ensure that they develop trust in humans from a young age.
Training a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. Avoid negative reinforcement methods such as yelling or physical punishment, which could lead to fear based aggression. Use clicker training and reward-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
It is also essential to ensure that you provide your German Shepherd with daily enrichment. Exercises for mental stimulation can be just as important as physical exercises for an GSD especially in a busy or chaotic household. This helps keep their attention and focus, so they are less likely to become distracted by noises from the street storms, other dogs in the park or crowds at sporting events and other public events.
Certain health conditions that are exclusive to German Shepherds include Hemangiosarcoma, cancer of bones as well as the lungs and intestinal tract as well as pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these diseases can be avoided through responsible breeding practices and the right lifestyle accommodations.
German Shepherds are loyal family dogs, despite their reputation for being feared. They are often friendly with children and gentle with smaller pets, such as cats, if they are they are exposed to them from a young age. However, their size and strength make them excellent guardians, and they should always be watched over children younger than them. If they aren’t exposed enough to socialization and training they could show signs of aggression. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he is getting the education and socialization he requires to flourish.