The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD represents the perfect balance of agility and strength. Its training capabilities are high and its natural protective instincts make them cherished family dogs.
When looking for a purebred German Shepherd Choose breeders who are concerned about the health of their dogs as well as practice ethical breeding. You can find reliable breeders by asking for pedigree papers and prior health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are intelligent, powerful dogs that are easy to train. They are loyal to their family and can be fearless guardians. The breed standard states that the GSD must be confident and courageous. They should also have a calm and steady temperament. It should also be able to be handled and willing to be a pleasure to.
The breed is medium-sized with a slight elongation and is muscular. It has a distinct double coat, which is comprised of an outer layer of hardness and an undercoat that is soft. The almond-shaped eyes of the dog are dark and slightly set. Its ears are wide at the base and pointed. The tail is bushy and reaches to below the hocks when the dog is at rest. The dog's long, slightly sloping neck is characteristic. The chest is broad and deep. The spine is solid and the ribs are well-sprung.
The breed is generally healthy, but it has serious issues, like roached-backs and long pasterns that hinder proper movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong, but not excessively exaggerated. Likewise, the rear leg should not go ahead of the point at which the forefoot leaves a footprint.
As working deutscher schäferhund lebenserwartung , GSDs naturally possess high drive. These are behaviors and needs that include territorial protection as well as the pursuit of prey. If these high-drives are not fulfilled in a particular way, like through work or playing and it can lead to aggression. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a manner that can help reduce these urges, but they still require a lot of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise, and mental stimulation in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
GSDs are typically reserved around strangers and may be initially suspicious of them. This trait of protection makes them great guard dogs. It requires appropriate training to avoid overreactions. When socialized properly early in life, they make wonderful family pets. They're also great with children.
The GSD is resistant to illnesses and has a high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can impact the quality of life. This includes seizures and epilepsy, as well as bleeding disorders. Making sure to limit the dog's exposure to harsh UV rays and ensuring that regular vaccinations are given to the dog will reduce the risk of these conditions.
Temperament
German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn, and highly capable of being trained. They are a working breed that excel in a variety of tasks, including herding police work, search and rescue as well as drug and bomb detection and guiding blind. They also make great family companions. However, this strong and confident breed requires an unwavering sense of purpose and the attention of an assertive owner to use their strength and energy positively. They require plenty of exercise and room, and may not be suitable for smaller living spaces.
The ideal German shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a strong temperament. They are loyal and vigilant, and they are suspicious of strangers. This watchful and protective behavior can turn into aggression when they are not properly trained, socialized and managed. Dogs with these traits can be smart, independent and easily bored. They need to find a way to satisfy their natural curiosity.
Founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, as well as longhaired and short-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program to develop the kind of dog that was obedient and responsive that we have today. Max von Stephanitz did not agree with those who wanted to use German Shepherds to be a showpiece. He made sure that his dogs were calm, had strong herding instincts, and an ideal body structure. He even refused to breed with dogs that were temperamentally unstable or had sharp angles in their croups and front and rear pasterns because he believed that these characteristics could hamper the breed's ability to perform its traditional work.
German Shepherds are also susceptible to cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a frequent cancer that affects the spleen and liver organs that have a high blood supply. They can 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 healthy diet and regular exercise. Make sure he gets plenty of opportunities to exercise and play outdoors in a secure area away from traffic and other hazards. Keep him looking neat by scrubbing his dense double coat on a regular basis by using a de-shedding tool or a rake undercoat to remove hairs that have fallen off. Also, make sure that you take him to the vet on a regular basis to have regular health checks.
Health
German Shepherds have a great health record, but health problems are present. They are prone to ear infections, and can develop conditions that affect their ears and eyes like degenerative amyelopathy. They also may suffer from an inherited disease called von Willebrand's disease that is hereditary, which impacts their ability to clot blood and is found in females and males dogs.
GSDs are a working breed, and as such, they go through rigorous training. In the process, they are prone to developing joint issues. Hip dysplasia is a typical condition that causes lameness, pain, and other signs. It isn't always a serious problem, but it can cause pain for dogs.
Breeders with a good reputation have their dogs X-rayed and use the results for breeding decisions. The x-rays aid in determining the health and genetic background of the puppy, as well as the likelihood to develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high risk of developing the disorder are not breeding.
Like many large breeds, German Shepherds can suffer from panosteitis. This causes the bones to grow quickly and unevenly, which causes stiffness and pain in the legs. The condition is particularly prevalent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs less than 18 months old who are going through the midst of a massive growth spurt.
They require a diet high in protein, with a good mix of omega fatty acid and balanced vitamins for a healthy coat and skin. These dogs are able to benefit from a diet that has joint support, such as chondroitin or glucosamine. Dogs under the age of 18 months should be given moderate exercise, such as walking or playing with a dog if they're compatible. However it is not recommended to run at full speed, because this can damage their joints that are growing.
Table food or animal bones should be avoided as these can cause vomiting, diarrhea anorexia, vomiting, and pancreatitis. Puppies and adults can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion and 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 highly-trainable, biddable dogs that thrive under a knowledgeable guide's supervision. As such, they are a great choice for military and police tasks such as search and rescue as well as therapy dog roles and many other specializations. Their dedication to their job makes them a great family pet when properly trained and socialized.
The first step in raising a well-adjusted GSD is socialization. Introduce your puppy to variety of people and animals at an early age, by taking them on frequent walks, playing games and going to local dog parks. This will help them feel secure and at ease in a new environment and help them learn to trust humans from an early age.
It requires patience, perseverance and positive reinforcement to train a German shepherd. It is essential to avoid negative reinforcement methods such as physical and verbal punishment, as they can trigger fear-based aggression. Instead, opt for reward-based training and clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.
It is also important to provide your German Shepherd with daily enrichment. Exercises for mental stimulation are just as important to an GSD as physical exercise, particularly in the case of an area with a lot of activity. This will help them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by street noises or storms, other dogs at the park, or the crowds at competitions and public events.
Certain health conditions that are specific to German Shepherds are Hemangiosarcoma, cancer of bones, lungs, and intestinal tract, and pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these ailments are preventable with responsible breeding practices and proper lifestyle choices.
Despite their fearsome reputation German Shepherds are devoted family pets. When they are exposed to children as young as they can be incredibly friendly and gentle with smaller animals like cats. However, their size and strength make them formidable guardians and they should be observed around children who are younger. If they aren't exposed enough to socialization and training and are not properly socialized, they could exhibit 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 thrive.