The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD embodies the ideal balance of strength and agility. Their high trainability and the ability to protect make them loved family pets.
If you are looking for a purebred German Shepherd Choose breeders who are concerned about the health of their dogs as well as practice ethical breeding. Requesting pedigree papers and prior health clearances will help you determine reputable breeders.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are powerful, intelligent dogs that are highly capable of being trained. They are incredibly loyal to their families and are a fierce protector of them. The breed standard states that the GSD must be a steady temperament, self assured, and courageous. It should also be able to be handled and willing to please.
The breed is medium in size with a slight elongation and is muscular. It has a double coat that consists of an outer layer of hardness and a soft undercoat. The eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and positioned obliquely. Its ears are wide at the base and pointed. The tail is bushy and reaches to the hocks below when the dog is at rest. The breed's neck is long and sloping slightly. The chest is broad and deep. The spine is firm and the ribs are well-sprung.
The breed is generally healthy, but it has serious faults such as roached-backs and long pasterns, which hinder the proper movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful, but not excessively exaggerated. The rear leg should never pass forward of the point where the forefoot leaves an imprint.
As working dogs, GSDs have naturally high drive. These are behaviors and desires that involve territorial protection and hunting of prey. If these drives are not satisfied in some way, for example through play or work or playing, it can result in aggression. Show-type German Shepherds have been developed to reduce these drives. However, they still require a lot of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation to keep their lives in balance.
GSDs are typically cautious around strangers and could be initially suspicious of them. This trait of protection makes them excellent guard dogs and requires the right training to avoid triggering reactions. They are great family pets when properly socialized from a young age and they're typically great with children.
The GSD is a resilient species to disease and has a very high threshold for pain, however certain health conditions can affect the quality of life. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders. By taking precautions, such as limiting the dog's exposure UV rays and making sure that it receives routine vaccinations should help reduce the risk of developing these diseases.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent, eager to learn, and extremely trainable. They are a working breed that excel in a variety jobs, including herding, police work, search and rescue as well as detection of drugs and bombs, and guiding the blind. They are also excellent family members. However, this powerful and confident breed requires a clear sense of purpose and the attention of a confident owner to harness their energy and strength positively. They require plenty of exercise and space and may not be suitable in smaller living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is balanced and confident, with a firm and steady temperament. They are loyal, vigilant and sceptical of strangers. If they are not socialized properly and trained to be vigilant and protective, this behavior could turn into aggressive. These dogs can be intelligent and independent, yet easily bored. They need to find a way to satisfy their natural curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, used shorthaired and longhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This led to an animal that is receptive and obedient. Max von Stephanitz disagreed with those who wanted German Shepherds to be used as a showcase and ensured that his dogs were calm, had strong herding impulses, as well as a sound body structure. He did not breed dogs with temperaments that were unstable or with sharp angles on their croups, or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would undermine the ability of the breed to carry out its usual tasks.
In addition to the hereditary diseases that can plague any dog breed German Shepherds are also prone to cancers, including hemangiosarcoma, which most commonly affects blood-rich organs like the liver and spleen. They can also develop lung, bone or intestinal cancers.
You can avoid these ailments by maintaining the physical health of your German Shepherd. This means providing him with a nutritious diet and regular exercise. It is important to give him ample time to play and run outdoors in a safe area free of traffic. Regularly brush his double coat with a deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. It is also recommended to visit your vet regularly for regular health checks.
Health
German Shepherds have a great health record, but health problems do exist. They are susceptible to ear infections, and they can develop ailments that affect their ears and eyes like degenerative amyelopathy. Both female and male 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 often engage in vigorous exercise during their training, and they can suffer from joint issues as a consequence. Hip dysplasia is an extremely common condition that can cause lameness, pain and other signs. It's not a serious condition but can be painful for the dog.
Reputable breeders X-ray their dogs and utilize the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays aid in determining the health and genetic background of the puppy, as well as the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high risk of developing dysplasia are not breeding.
Like most large breeds, German Shepherds can suffer from panosteitis, which causes the bones to expand rapidly and unevenly, causing pain and stiffness in the limbs. deutsche schäferhundwelpen is most frequent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs under 18 months of age who are going through an enormous growth spurt.
The dogs need an enriched diet rich in protein, with a good mix of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins for skin and coat health. They will benefit from joint support in their food, such as glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months should get moderate exercise like walking or playing with a dog if they are compatible. However they shouldn't run at full speed, because this can damage the joints they are developing.
Avoid feeding bone from animals or table food, as they can cause vomiting, digestive upsets anorexia, and pancreatitis. Adult dogs and puppies can benefit by a probiotic supplementation program to aid digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements to assist with breaking down proteins. A well-formulated AAFCO approved diet should have the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are highly trainable, biddable dogs that thrive under a skilled guide's supervision. They are therefore a great option for military, police search and rescue and therapy dog roles. Their dedication to their job makes them a wonderful family pet when properly trained and socialized.
The first step in establishing a well-adjusted GSD is socialization. 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 more secure and confident and teach them to trust people from 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 lead to fear based aggression. Instead, use reward-based training and clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.
Daily enrichment is essential for your German Shepherd. The exercises for mental stimulation are as essential for an GSD as physical exercise, especially if you live in an area with a lot of activity. This can help them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by noises or storms as well as other dogs at the park, or the crowds at competitions and other public events.
German Shepherds are prone to various health issues that include Hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the bones, lungs, and intestinal tract), pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these diseases can be prevented by responsible breeding and lifestyle accommodations.
German Shepherds are loving family dogs, despite their reputation as a feared breed. They are usually loved by children and are gentle with smaller pets, like cats, if exposed to them from a young age. They are extremely effective guardians due their size and strength but they should be supervised when they are around young children. If they are not exposed enough to socialization and training, they may show signs of aggression. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he gets the training and socialization that he needs to be successful.