The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect balance of agility and strength. Its exceptional training ability and natural protective instincts make them loved family dogs.
If you are looking for a purebred German Shepherd dog select breeders who value the health of their dogs and follow ethical breeding. entzückendescäferhundwelpen can find trustworthy breeders by requesting documents on pedigrees and previous health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are intelligent, powerful dogs that are easy to train. They are extremely loyal to their family members and are a fierce protector of them. Breed standard states the GSD must be confident and courageous. They should also have a steady temperament. It should also be obedient and willing to be obedient.
The breed is medium in size with a slight elongation and is muscular. It has a distinctive double coat, which is comprised of a hard outer layer and a soft undercoat. The almond-shaped eyes of the dog are dark and obliquely set. The ears are wide and pointed at the base. When the dog is resting, the tail is bushy. It reaches 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 strong.
In general, the breed is sound however, serious issues include roached backs as well as long pasterns that hinder correct movement. The hindquarters of the dog must be strong but not exaggerated. The rear leg should never go beyond the point at which the foot leaves a mark.
As working dogs As working dogs, the GSD has naturally high drives (behavioral tendencies and desires towards things like territorial protectiveness and the pursuit of prey). If these drives are not fulfilled in a particular way, for example playing or at work or playing, it can result in aggression. Show-type German Shepherds were developed to reduce these impulses. However, they need lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise, and mental stimulation in order to maintain a balance life.
GSDs are generally reserved and suspicious towards strangers at first. This protective trait makes them great guard dogs and requires proper training to avoid overreactions. They are wonderful pets for families when properly socialized from a young age and they're generally great with children.
The GSD is a resilient species to illnesses and has a high threshold for pain, however certain health conditions can affect the quality of life. This includes seizures and epilepsy, as well as bleeding disorders. Taking precautions such as limiting the dog's exposure UV rays, and ensuring it receives routine vaccinations should lower the risk of developing these diseases.
Temperament
German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn. They are also trainable. They are a working breed that excel at a variety of tasks, including herding police work, search and rescue, drug and bomb detection, and guiding the blind. They also make excellent family pets. However, this strong and confident breed needs an unwavering focus and the attention of an assertive owner to harness their energy and strength positively. They require plenty of space and exercise. They may not be suitable for apartments or other living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is balanced and confident, with a firm and stable temperament. They are loyal and alert, and are sceptical of strangers. If not properly socialized and trained in this manner, their protective and vigilant behavior can become aggressive. Dogs with these traits can be smart, independent and easily bored. They need to find an avenue to satisfy their curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, employed shorter and longer-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This resulted in an animal that is receptive and respectful. Max von Stephanitz did not agree with those who wanted to use German Shepherds as a showpiece and ensured that his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding instincts, and a sound body structure. He even refused to breed some of his dogs who had unstable temperaments or steep angles in their croups and front and rear pasterns because he believed that these characteristics would undermine the breed's ability to perform its work.
German Shepherds can also be susceptible to cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a common cancer that affects the liver and spleen organs that have a high blood supply. They also can develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers.
You can avoid these ailments by ensuring the physical health of your German Shepherd. This means giving him a balanced diet and regular exercise. You should allow him ample time to run and play in a secure area away from traffic. Keep him looking neat by scrubbing his dense double coat on a regular basis by using a de-shedding tool or an undercoat rake to get rid of hairs that have fallen off. It is also important to ensure that you take him to the vet on a regular basis to have regular health checks.
Health
German Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, but they do have some health issues. They are prone to ear infections and can develop conditions affecting their eyes and ears, such as degenerative myelopathy. Female and male dogs can suffer from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that hinders the ability of dogs to clot blood.
GSDs are a working breed and as such, they undergo intense training. As a result, they may develop joint issues. One of the most common is hip dysplasia, characterized by improper growth and development of the cartilage and joint, leading to discomfort, lameness and other signs. It isn't always a serious condition, but it can cause pain for dogs.
Breeders who are trustworthy have their dogs X-rayed and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health and genetic history of the puppy, as well as the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high risk of developing dysplasia do not breed.
Panosteitis can affect German Shepherds. The condition causes the bones to grow rapidly and unevenly. This can result in pain and stiffness. This condition is most prevalent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs under 18 months of age who are experiencing a large growth spurt.
These dogs need an diet rich in protein, with a large amount of omega fatty acids as well as balanced vitamins to maintain a healthy skin and coat. These dogs will benefit from a diet that contains joint support, like the glucosamine or chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months age should be exercising moderately, such as multiple walks and, if compatible with another dog playing together, but they should not run at full speed, as this can damage growing joints.
Table food or bones from animals should be avoided, since they can trigger digestive upset, vomiting, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Puppies and adults can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements to aid in breaking down proteins. A well-formulated AAFCO approved diet should contain the proper amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are highly-trainable and biddable dogs that thrive under a skilled trainer's guidance. They are therefore a great choice for military, police search and rescue, and therapy dog roles. Their unwavering loyalty makes them a great pet, if they are properly socialized and trained.
The first step in establishing an appropriately adjusted GSD is socialization. From a young age expose your puppy different animals and people. Take them on frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will make them feel more confident and comfortable and will teach them to trust people from a young age.
It takes patience, consistency, as well as positive reinforcement to train the German shepherd. It is important to avoid negative reinforcement methods, such as yelling and physical punishment because they can cause fear-based aggression. Use clicker training or rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
It is also important to provide your German Shepherd with a daily dose of enrichment. The stimulation of the mind is just as important as physical exercises for an GSD especially in a chaotic or busy household. This helps them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by noises or thunderstorms, other dogs at the park, or crowds during competitions and public events.
German Shepherds are at risk of a number of health conditions that include hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the bones, lungs and intestinal tract), pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these conditions can be prevented through responsible breeding and lifestyle accommodations.
German Shepherds are loyal family dogs, despite their reputation for being feared. They are generally friendly with children and gentle with smaller pets, such as cats, if they are exposed to them from the age of. Nonetheless, their size and strength make them formidable guardians, and they should always be watched over children younger than them. If they aren't being exposed to enough 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 require to thrive.