The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect combination of strength and speed. Their exceptional training capabilities and protective instincts make these dogs cherished family pets.
When you are shopping for a purebred german shepherd dog, look for breeders who have a commitment to ethical breeding and who are concerned about the health of their animals. You can identify trustworthy breeders by requesting pedigree papers and prior health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are smart, powerful dogs that are easy to train. They are loyal to their families and can be fearless guardians. The breed standard states that a GSD must be confident and courageous. They should also have a calm and steady temperament. It must also be respectful and willing to please.
The breed is medium-sized, slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a double coat that consists of an outer layer of hardness, and a soft undercoat. Its eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and set obliquely. Its ears are pointed and wide at the base. When the dog is laying down on its back, the tail becomes large and bushy. It is a little below the hocks. The breed's long neck with a slightly sloping slope is characteristic. The chest is broad and deep. The spine is solid and the ribs are well-sprung.
The breed is generally healthy however it is prone to serious faults such as roached-backs and long pasterns, which hinder proper movement. Its hindquarters must be powerful but not exaggerated. The rear leg should never go beyond the point at which the foot leaves a mark.
As working dogs, the GSD has naturally high drives (behavioral propensities and desires toward things like territorial protection and hunting prey). If these high-drives aren't satisfied in some way through work or play, it can lead to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a way which helps to reduce these drives, but they still require a lot of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise and mental stimulation in order to maintain an enlightened lifestyle.
GSDs are generally cautious and suspicious of strangers initially. This makes them great guard dogs. It requires proper training to avoid overreactions. When socialized properly from a young age they can make great family pets. They are also great with children.
The GSD has an extremely high threshold for pain and is resistant to illness, however it has certain health conditions that may affect its quality of living. This includes seizures and epilepsy, as well as bleeding disorders. The best way to prevent these diseases is to limit your dog's exposure to UV rays and ensuring that it receives regular vaccinations can aid.
Temperament
German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn and highly capable of being trained. They are an active dog breed that excels in a variety of jobs, such as police work, herding, and search and rescue. They also excel at the detection of drugs and bombs, as well as helping blind people. They are also excellent companions for families. This ferocious and confident breed requires a clear goal and the attention and focus of a confident owner to channel their strength and energy positively. They require plenty of exercise and space, and may not be suitable in smaller living spaces.
The ideal German shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a strong and stable temperament. They are loyal and alert, and they are suspicious of strangers. If they are not socialized properly and trained in this manner, their protective and vigilant behavior can become aggression. These dogs are often intelligent and independent, yet easily bored. They need to find an avenue to satisfy their natural curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, used shorter and longer-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This led to an animal that is friendly and respectful. Max von Stephanitz disagreed with those who wanted to use German Shepherds to be a showpiece. He made sure his dogs had stable tempers, strong herding impulses, and a sound body structure. He refused to breed dogs with temperaments that were unstable, or with a steep angle on their croups, or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would impede the ability of the breed to perform its primary duties.
schäferhund kaufen welpe are also susceptible to developing cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a frequent cancer that affects the spleen and liver organs, which have a higher blood supply. They also can develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers.
To avoid these ailments to avoid them, you must maintain your German Shepherd's physical health by providing him with proper diet and exercise. Make sure he has plenty of opportunities to run and play outdoors, in a safe area away from traffic and other dangers. Regularly brush his double coat with the deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. It is also important to ensure that you visit the vet regularly for routine health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds have a good health history, however some health problems are present. They are prone to ear infections, and may develop conditions that affect their ears and eyes like degenerative amyelopathy. Female and male can be affected by hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic condition that limits the ability of dogs to clot blood.
GSDs are a working breed and consequently, they are subject to intense training. In the process, they may develop joint issues. Hip dysplasia is a typical condition that causes pain, lameness and other symptoms. It's not a serious condition, but it can be painful to the dog.
Breeders with a good reputation 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, including the likelihood to develop dysplasia. Dogs with a high likelihood of developing the disorder are not bred.
Like most large breeds, German Shepherds also be affected by panosteitis, which causes bones to grow quickly and unevenly, causing stiffness and pain in the joints. This condition is most prevalent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs under 18 months of age who are experiencing the midst of a massive growth spurt.
The dogs need food that is high in protein, with a good mix of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to ensure a healthy coat and skin. They will benefit from joint support in their food, such as glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months must be given moderate exercise like walking and playing with another dog if they're compatible. However they shouldn't run at full speed, as this could damage the joints they are developing.
Feeding table food or animal bones should be avoided as these can cause vomiting, digestive upset 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 well-formulated AAFCO approved diet should have the proper amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are highly-trainable and biddable dogs that thrive under a skilled guide's supervision. They are therefore a great choice for police, military search and rescue, and therapy dog roles. Their unwavering loyalty makes them an excellent pet, if they are properly socialized and trained.
The first step in raising an equidistant GSD is socialization. Introduce your puppy to range of people and animals from a young age, taking them on frequent walks, playing games and even visiting local dog parks. This will make them feel secure and at ease in a new setting and will help them develop trust in humans at an early age.
Training a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Avoid negative reinforcement methods such as yelling, or physical punishment, which can 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 essential to give your German Shepherd with a regular dose of enrichment. Mental stimulation exercises are as essential for an GSD as physical exercise, particularly in the case of a busy household. This will help to keep their attention and focus so they are less likely to get distracted by street noises storms and other dogs in the park or crowds at competitions and public events.
German Shepherds are prone to a number of health conditions such as hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the bones, lungs, and intestinal tract), pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these ailments can be avoided through responsible breeding practices and proper lifestyle adjustments.
German Shepherds are loving family dogs, despite their reputation for being feared. They are often loved by children and are gentle with smaller pets, like cats, if they are they are exposed to them from a young age. They are formidable guardians due to their size and strength, but they should be watched when they are around children. They could also exhibit indications of a genetic predisposition to aggression if not exposed to appropriate training and socialization opportunities. It is recommended to enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy class or obedience classes to ensure that they are receiving the proper training and socialization they need to thrive.