The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect combination of strength and speed. Their exceptional training capabilities and the ability to protect make them beloved pets for families.
If you are in search of a purebred German Shepherd, choose breeders who prioritize the health of their dogs and follow ethical breeding. You can identify trustworthy breeders by requesting pedigree documents and previous health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are smart, powerful dogs that are easy to train. They are extremely affectionate to their families and are a fierce protector of them. The breed standard says that the GSD must be steady of temperament, self assured, and courageous. It should also be able to be handled and willing to be a pleasure to.
The breed is muscular, medium-sized, and slightly longer. It has a distinctive double coat made up of a hard outer layer and an undercoat that is soft. The eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and set obliquely. The ears are large at the base and pointed. The tail is bushy and reaches to below the hocks when the dog is lying down. The long neck, with a slight slope, is characteristic. The chest is broad and deep. The spine is solid and the ribs are well-sprung.
In general, the breed is sound however, serious issues include roached backs as well as long pasterns that hinder proper movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful however, they should not be overly exaggerated. The rear leg should never pass in the direction of where the forefoot leaves an imprint.
As working dogs as well as working dogs, the GSD has naturally high drives (behavioral propensities and desires toward things like territorial protectiveness and the pursuit of prey). If these drives aren't fulfilled through work or play this can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds were created to help reduce these urges. However, they need lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation to keep a balanced life.
GSDs are usually shy around strangers and can be cautious at first. This protective trait makes GSDs excellent guard dogs, but requires proper training to avoid overreactions. They are great family pets when socialized properly from a young age, and they're generally great with children.
The GSD is a resilient species to illness and has a high threshold for pain, however certain health conditions can impact 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 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 an active breed that excels in a variety of tasks, including police work, herding and search and rescue. They also excel in detection of explosives and drugs, and guiding blind people. They also make excellent family companions. However, this strong and confident breed needs an unwavering focus and the attention of a confident owner to use their strength and energy in a positive way. They need a lot of exercise and space and might not be suited in smaller living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is balanced and confident, with a strong and steady temperament. They are loyal, alert, and suspicious of strangers. If please click the following internet page socialized and trained in this manner, their protective and vigilant behavior can become aggressive. They are extremely intelligent and can be very self-sufficient and easily bored, so they need an outlet that can satisfy their natural curiosity.
The founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, longhaired and shorthaired German Shepherds, in his breeding program to create the obedient and responsive breed that we see today. Max von Stephanitz did not agree with those who wanted to use German Shepherds to be a showpiece. He made sure his dogs had stable tempers, strong herding instincts, and a sound body structure. He did not breed dogs with unstable temperaments, or with sharp angles on their croups, front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would hinder the ability of the breed to perform its usual tasks.
In addition to the hereditary disorders that can plague any dog breed German Shepherds are also susceptible to cancers, including Hemangiosarcoma, which typically affects blood-rich organs like the liver and spleen. They also can develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers.
To prevent these conditions, you should maintain your German Shepherd's physical health by providing him with the right diet and 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. It is recommended that you bring him to the vet regularly for routine health checks.
Health
German Shepherds have a healthy health history, however some health problems do exist. They are prone to ear infections and can develop conditions that affect their ears and eyes such as degenerative amyelopathy. Both male and female can be affected by hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that hinders the ability of dogs to clot blood.
As a breed that is primarily used for work, GSDs are often involved in strenuous exercise during their training and they can suffer from joint problems as a result. Hip dysplasia is a typical condition that causes lameness, pain, and other symptoms. It isn't always a serious issue but it can be painful for dogs.
Breeders who are reputable X-ray their dogs and take the results into consideration when making breeding decisions. The x-rays can aid in determining the health of the puppy as well as its genetic background, including the possibility that it could develop dysplasia. Dogs at high risk of developing dysplasia are not breeding.
Like many large breeds, German Shepherds can suffer from panosteitis, which causes the bones to expand rapidly and unevenly, causing pain and stiffness in the limbs. The condition is especially prevalent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs under 18 months of age who are going through a large growth spurt.
The dogs need food that is high in protein with a generous mix of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to maintain a healthy coat and skin. Dogs with arthritis can benefit from food that has joint support, such as the glucosamine or chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months age should be exercising moderately, such as multiple walks and, if compatible with other dogs playing together, but should not run at full speed, as this could cause damage to joints that are growing.
Avoid feeding animal bone or table food as they can trigger vomiting, digestive upsets anorexia, and pancreatitis. Dogs of all ages could benefit from a probiotic supplementation to aid digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements to assist in breaking down proteins. Vitamin and mineral supplements are not necessary since a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should supply the appropriate amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are highly trainable, biddable dogs that thrive under a skilled trainer's guidance. They are a great choice for police, military search and rescue, and therapy dog roles. But their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a wonderful family pet when properly trained and socialized.
The first step to raising an appropriately adjusted GSD is socialization. Introduce your puppy to variety of people and other animals at an early age, taking them for frequent walks, playing games and visiting local dog parks. This will make them feel more confident and comfortable and help them trust people at an early age.
Training for a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Avoid methods of negative reinforcement such as yelling, or physical punishment, which could result in fear-based aggression. Instead, you should use clicker training and rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.
It is also important to give your German Shepherd with daily enrichment. Exercises for mental stimulation can be just as important as physical exercises for the GSD particularly in a busy or chaotic household. This will help them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by sounds or storms as well as other dogs at the park, or crowds during competitions and other public events.
Certain health conditions that are unique to German Shepherds are Hemangiosarcoma, cancer of bones as well as the lungs and intestinal tract and pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these conditions are preventable with responsible breeding practices and appropriate lifestyle accommodations.
German Shepherds are loving family dogs, despite their reputation as a feared breed. They are generally friendly with children and gentle with smaller pets, such as cats, if they are exposed to them from a young age. Nonetheless, their size and strength make them excellent guardians and they should be observed around children who are younger. They could also display signs of a hereditary tendency to aggression if not given the proper 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 flourish.