The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect balance of strength and speed. Its high trainability and natural instincts to protect make them cherished family dogs.
When looking for a purebred German Shepherd, choose breeders who prioritize the health of their dogs as well as practice ethical breeding. Requesting mouse click the following web page will help you find reputable breeders.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are powerful, intelligent dogs that are easily capable of training. They are incredibly loyal to their family members and are fearless guardians of them. The breed standard states that a GSD should be self-confident and courageous, as well as possess a calm and steady temperament. It must also be obedient and willing to be obedient.
The breed is medium in size slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a distinct double coat made up of a hard outer layer and a soft undercoat. The almond-shaped eyes are dark and obliquely set. The ears are wide at the base and pointed. The tail is slender and reaches to the hocks below when the dog is in a relaxed state. The dog's long, slightly sloping neck is a characteristic. The chest is large and deep. The spine is solid and the ribs are well-sprung.
The breed is generally sound however, it does have some serious issues, like roached-backs and long pasterns, which hinder proper movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful however, they should not be overly exaggerated. Likewise, the rear leg should never pass forward of the point where the forefoot makes an impression.
As working dogs, GSDs have naturally high-energy drives. These are the behaviors and desires that involve territorial protection and the pursuit of prey. If these high-drives aren't fulfilled in some way through play or work this can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds have been created to help reduce these impulses. However, they still need lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation to keep a balanced life.
GSDs are generally shy and cautious towards strangers initially. This protective trait makes them great guard dogs and requires the right training to avoid triggering reactions. They are wonderful pets for families when properly socialized at a young age and they're typically great with children.
The GSD has an extremely high threshold for pain and is resistant to illnesses, but it has certain health conditions that can impact its quality of life. These include epilepsy/seizures and bleeding disorders. Preventing these conditions by limiting your dog's exposure UV rays and ensuring that it is vaccinated regularly can help.
Temperament
German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn and extremely capable of being trained. They are a working breed and excel at a variety of tasks, including herding police work including search and rescue as well as detection of drugs and bombs and guiding blind people. They also make excellent pet for families. However, this strong and confident breed needs an unwavering focus and the attention of an assertive owner to channel their energy and strength positively. They require a lot of space and exercise. They may not be suitable for smaller living spaces.
The ideal German shepherd is confident and well-balanced, with a strong temperament. They are loyal and vigilant, and they are suspicious of strangers. This watchful and protective behaviour can become aggressive when not properly trained, socialized and managed. These dogs can be intelligent, independent and easily bored. They need to find ways to satisfy their curiosity.
Founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, as well as longhaired and shorthaired German Shepherds in his breeding program to create the kind of dog that was obedient and responsive that we have today. Max von Stephanitz was not one of those who wanted to use German Shepherds to be used as a showcase and ensured that his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding instincts, and an ideal body structure. He even resisted breeding some of his dogs who were temperamentally unstable or had steep angles in their croups, as well as front and rear pasterns, because he believed that these characteristics could hinder the ability of the breed to do its job as it is.
German Shepherds can also be susceptible to developing cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a common cancer that affects the liver and spleen, organs with heightened blood supply. They can also develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers.
To avoid these issues ensure your German Shepherd's physical health by feeding him a proper diet and exercise. Make sure he has plenty of opportunities to exercise and play outdoors in a safe space away from traffic and other hazards. Keep him looking neat by scrubbing his dense double coat regularly and using a de-shedding device or an undercoat rake to get rid of hairs that are loose. It is recommended that you visit your vet regularly for routine health checks.
Health
German Shepherds have a healthy health record, but some health issues do exist. They are prone to ear infections, and they can develop ailments that affect their eyes and ears, such as degenerative myelopathy. Female and male dogs are susceptible to suffering from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic condition that limits their ability to clot the blood.
GSDs are a working breed and consequently, they are subject to rigorous training. This means that they may develop joint issues. The most frequent is hip dysplasia, characterized by a lack of growth and development of cartilage and joint which can cause lameness, pain and other signs. It's not a serious condition but can be painful to the dog.
A reputable breeder will X-ray their dog and utilize the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays can aid in determining the health of the puppy as well as its genetic background, including the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs with a high risk of developing dysplasia are not breeding.
Like most large breeds, German Shepherds may suffer from panosteitis. This causes bones to grow quickly and unevenly, which causes pain and stiffness in the limbs. This condition is more common in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing a rapid growth spurt.
They require an enriched diet rich in protein, with a good mix of omega-fatty acids and balanced vitamins for a healthy coat and skin. They can benefit from joint support in their diet like glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months old age should be exercising moderately including multiple walks and, if compatible with another dog, playing together, but they should not be allowed to run at full speed as this can damage growing joints.
Avoid feeding animal bone or table food, as they can cause vomiting, digestive upsets anorexia, and pancreatitis. Dogs of all ages can benefit from a probiotic supplement to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements to aid with breaking down proteins. A properly-formulated AAFCO approved diet should contain the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are intelligent high-trained dogs who thrive under the supervision of a skilled handler. They are therefore a great choice for military, police search and rescue, and therapy dog roles. But their dedication to their job makes them a great pet for the family when properly trained and socialized.
Socialization is the first step in raising a well-adjusted GSD. As a puppy expose your puppy to various animals and people. Take your dog for walks frequently and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will help them feel secure and at ease in a new environment and ensure that they become comfortable with humans from an early age.
Training a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. Avoid negative reinforcement methods like yelling or physical punishment, which could lead to fear based aggression. Use clicker training and reward-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
It is also important to give your German Shepherd with a daily dose of enrichment. Mental stimulation exercises are just as important for a GSD as physical exercise, especially in the case of a household with lots of people. This can help them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by street sounds or storms or other dogs in the park, or the crowds at competitions or public events.
Some health conditions that are unique to German Shepherds are hemangiosarcoma, cancer of the bones, lungs, and intestinal tract as well as pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these conditions are preventable through responsible breeding and lifestyle choices.
Despite their reputation for being a savage breed German Shepherds are devoted family pets. They are generally loved by children and are gentle with smaller pets, like cats, when exposed to them at an early age. Nonetheless, their size and strength make them excellent guardians and they should be watched over children younger than them. If they're not being exposed to enough training and socialization and are not properly socialized, they could exhibit signs of aggression. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy school or obedience class will ensure that he is getting the education and socialization that he needs to flourish.