The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect combination of speed and strength. Its training capabilities are high and its natural instincts to protect make them cherished family dogs.
If you are looking for a purebred German Shepherd dog select breeders who value the health of their dogs and practice ethical breeding. Requesting pedigree papers and previous health clearances will help you determine reputable breeders.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are powerful, intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They are loyal to their family and are able to be fierce guardians. The breed standard says that the GSD must be a steady temperament, confident and courageous. It must also be respectful and willing to please.
The breed is medium-sized with a slight elongation and is muscular. It has a distinct double coat that consists of a hard outer layer as well as a soft undercoat. The eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and set obliquely. The ears are wide at the base and pointed. When the dog is laying down in a shady position, the tail is big and swollen. It is a little below the hocks. The breed's neck is long and slightly sloping. The chest is broad and deep. The spine is firm and the ribs are well-sprung.
The breed is generally sound however it is prone to serious issues, like roached-backs and long pasterns, which hinder the proper movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful, but not excessively exaggerated. Likewise, the rear leg should never go forward of the point where the forefoot leaves a footprint.
As working dogs as well as working dogs, the GSD has naturally high drives (behavioral tendencies and desires towards things like territorial protectiveness and hunting prey). If these high-drives are not satisfied in a certain way, such as through play or work or playing, it can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a way that helps dampen these drives however they still require lots of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise and mental stimulation to live an enlightened lifestyle.
GSDs tend to be cautious and suspicious of strangers initially. This protective trait makes them excellent guard dogs and requires appropriate training to avoid overreactions. If properly socialized early in life, they make wonderful pets for families. They are also great with children.
The GSD has a high pain threshold and is resilient against illness, but it has certain health conditions that can impact its quality of life. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders. The best way to prevent these diseases is to limit your dog's exposure to UV rays and making sure it receives regular vaccinations can aid.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent, eager to learn, and extremely trainable. schäferhund kaufen are a working breed that excel in a variety of tasks, such as herding, police work, search and rescue as well as drug and bomb detection and guiding blind people. They are also excellent pet for families. This ferocious and confident breed requires a clear purpose and the focus and attention of a shrewd owner to channel their strength and energy in a positive manner. They require a lot of exercise and room, 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, alert and sceptical of strangers. This guardian and attentive behaviour can become aggressive when they are not properly trained, socialized, and managed. They are extremely intelligent and can be very insecure and bored, so they need an outlet that can satisfy their curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, used longhaired and shorterhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This created a breed that is responsive and respectful. He disagreed with people who believed that German Shepherds should be a showpiece, and he ensured that his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding instincts, and a sound body structure. He even resisted breeding certain dogs that had temperaments that were unstable or had sharp angles in their croups and front and rear pasterns, because he believed that these characteristics could hinder the ability of the breed to perform its work.
German Shepherds are also susceptible to cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a frequent cancer that affects the spleen and liver, organs with heightened blood supply. They may also develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers.
You can avoid these ailments by ensuring the physical health of your German Shepherd. This means providing him with a nutritious diet and regular exercise. You should allow him ample time to run and play in a secure area free of traffic. Keep him groomed by brushing his thick double coat on a regular basis, using a de-shedding tool or a rake undercoat to remove loose hairs. You should also make sure that you take him to the veterinarian regularly for his routine health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, however they do have some health issues. They are susceptible to ear infections and may develop eye conditions and ears, including degenerative myelopathy. They may also suffer from a genetic disease known as hereditary von Willebrand's disease that affects their capacity to clot blood, and is present in both female and male dogs.
GSDs are a working breed, and as such, they go through intense training. This means that they may develop joint issues. The most frequent is hip dysplasia, characterized by the inadvertent growth and development of the cartilage and joint, leading to lameness, pain, and other symptoms. This is not a serious condition but can be painful to the dog.
Breeders who are reputable X-ray their dogs and utilize 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 chance of developing the disorder aren't bred.
Like many large breeds, German Shepherds may suffer from panosteitis. This causes the bones to grow rapidly and unevenly, which causes pain and stiffness in the joints. This is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months old 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 support a healthy skin and coat. They will benefit from a diet that has joints-supporting ingredients, such as chondroitin or glucosamine. Dogs who are less than 18 months old age should exercise moderately, such as multiple walks and, if compatible with another dog, playing together, but should not run at a high speed, as it can cause joint damage.
Avoid feeding bone from animals or table food, as they can cause vomiting, digestive upsets anorexia, and pancreatitis. Puppies and adult dogs may benefit from a probiotic supplementation to help with digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements that aid in breaking down proteins. A well-formulated AAFCO approved diet should have the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are smart high-trained dogs who thrive when they're under the direction of a skilled handler. They are therefore a great choice for police, military search and rescue and therapy dog roles. Their constant loyalty makes them a wonderful pet, if well-socialized and properly trained.
The first step to raising a well-adjusted GSD is socialization. From a young age expose your puppy different people and animals. Take them on frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will help them feel more secure and confident and will teach them to trust people from a young age.
It requires patience, consistency as well as positive reinforcement to train the German shepherd. It is important to avoid negative reinforcement methods like yelling and physical punishment because they can trigger fear-based aggression. Instead, use rewards-based training and clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.
Daily enrichment is crucial for your German Shepherd. Mental stimulation exercises can be as important as physical exercise for a GSD especially in a hectic or busy household. This can help them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by street sounds or storms or other dogs in the park, or crowds at competitions or public events.
Some of the health issues that are unique to German Shepherds include hemangiosarcoma and cancer of the bones as well as the lungs and intestinal tract as well as pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these conditions can be avoided through responsible breeding practices and appropriate lifestyle choices.
Despite their reputation for being a savage breed German Shepherds are loving family pets. When they are exposed to children from a young age they can be incredibly affectionate and gentle towards smaller pets like cats. They are powerful guardians due to their size and strength however, they must be monitored when they are around children. If they aren't exposed enough to training and socialization and are not properly socialized, they could exhibit signs of aggression. It is recommended to enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy preschool or obedience classes to ensure that they receive the training and socialization they need to thrive.