The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD embodies the ideal balance of strength and agility. Their high trainability and protection instincts 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 and follow ethical breeding. Requesting pedigree documents and prior health clearances can help determine reputable breeders.
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 an unwavering temperament. It should also be able to be handled and willing to please.
The breed is medium-sized, slightly elongated, and muscular. schäferhund beschützerinstinkt has a double coat that consists of a hard outer layer, and a softer undercoat. Its eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and positioned in a oblique manner. Its ears are wide at the base and pointed. The tail is bushy and reaches to below the hocks when the dog is lying down. The long neck, with a slight slope, is a characteristic. The chest is broad and deep. The spine is solid and the ribs are well-sprung.
In general, the breed is sound However, it has some serious flaws. These include roached backs and long pasterns that interfere with correct movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong but not overly exaggerated and the rear leg should never pass ahead of the point at which the forefoot leaves an imprint.
As working dogs, the GSD has high-drives that are naturally present (behavioral tendencies and desires for things like territorial protection and chasing prey). If these drives are not fulfilled in a particular way, such as playing or at work, it can lead aggression. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a way 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 balanced life.
GSDs are usually cautious around strangers and could be cautious at first. This protective trait makes them great guard dogs and requires the right training to avoid triggering reactions. They make wonderful family pets when socialized properly at a young age and they're generally great with children.
The GSD has an extremely high threshold for pain and is able to fight off illnesses, but it is also susceptible to certain health issues that could affect its quality of living. These include seizures and epilepsy, bleeding disorders, and immune-mediated diseases. The best way to prevent these diseases is to limit your dog's exposure to UV rays, and ensuring it is vaccinated regularly can help.
Temperament
German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn. They are also highly trainable. They are an active dog breed that excels at many jobs, such as herding, police work and search and rescue. They also excel at detection of explosives and drugs, and aiding blind people. They also make excellent pet for families. However, this powerful and confident breed requires an unwavering sense of purpose and the attention of an assertive owner to channel their energy and strength in a positive manner. They require a lot of exercise and room, and might not be suited for smaller living spaces.
The ideal German shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a strong and stable temperament. They are loyal, alert and sceptical of strangers. If they aren't properly socialized and trained in this manner, their protective and vigilant behavior could turn into aggression. These dogs are very intelligent and can be very insecure and bored, which is why they require an outlet to satisfy their natural curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, used longhaired and shorterhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This resulted in a breed that is responsive and respectful. Max von Stephanitz did not agree with those who wanted German Shepherds as a showpiece and made sure that his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding impulses, and a sound body structure. He refused to breed dogs with temperaments that were unstable, or with sharp angles on their croups, front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would undermine the ability of the breed to carry out its primary duties.
In addition to the hereditary disorders that can affect any dog breed, German Shepherds are prone to cancers, including Hemangiosarcoma, which typically affects blood-rich organs, such as the spleen and liver. They can also develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers.
To avoid these ailments to avoid them, you must maintain your German Shepherd's physical well-being by feeding him proper diet and exercise. You should allow him plenty of time to play and run outdoors in a safe area away from traffic. Keep him looking neat by brushing his dense double coat regularly and using a de-shedding device or a rake undercoat to remove hairs that are loose. It is also important to ensure that you take him to the vet regularly for his routine health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, but they do have some health issues. They are susceptible to ear infections, and they can develop conditions affecting their eyes and ears, like degenerative myelopathy. They also may suffer from a genetic disease known as hereditary von Willebrand's disease that affects their capacity to clot blood. It is found in both male and female dogs.
GSDs are a working breed, and as such, they undergo strenuous training. This means that they may develop joint issues. One of the most common is hip dysplasia, which is characterized by the inadvertent growth and development of the joint and cartilage that can result in pain, lameness and other signs. This is not a serious condition, but it can be painful for the dog.
A reputable breeder will X-ray their dog and take the results into consideration when making breeding decisions. The x-rays can aid in determining the health of the puppy as well as its genetic history, including the probability that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high likelihood of developing the disorder aren't breed.
Panosteitis can be a problem for German Shepherds. The condition causes the bones to grow quickly and unevenly. This can lead to stiffness and pain. This condition is more common in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing an increase in growth speed.
The dogs require food that is rich in protein, with an abundance of omega fatty acids as well as balanced vitamins to maintain a healthy skin and coat. They will benefit from a diet with joint support, such as chondroitin or glucosamine. Dogs younger than 18 months age should have moderate exercise like walking on a regular basis and, if compatible with other dogs, playing together, but should not be allowed to run at full speed, as this could cause damage to joints that are growing.
Foods that are table-based or contain animal bones should be avoided as these can cause digestive upset, vomiting anorexia, vomiting, and pancreatitis. Puppies and adults can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion as well as digestive enzyme supplements that aid in breaking down proteins. A properly-formulated AAFCO approved diet should contain the proper amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are highly-trainable, biddable dogs that thrive under a knowledgeable guide's supervision. They are therefore a good choice for police, military, search and rescue and therapy dog roles. Their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a wonderful pet, if well-socialized and properly trained.
The first step to raising an appropriately adjusted GSD is socialization. Expose your puppy to a variety of people and animals from a young age, taking them on frequent walks, playing games, and going to local dog parks. This will help them feel comfortable and secure in a new place and ensure that they learn to trust humans from a young age.
It requires patience, perseverance as well as positive reinforcement to train the German shepherd. Avoid negative reinforcement methods such as yelling or physical punishment, which could result in fear-based aggression. Use clicker training and reward-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
Daily enrichment is important for your German Shepherd. The stimulation of the mind is as important as physical exercise for the GSD particularly in a chaotic or busy household. This can help them keep their attention and focus, so they are less likely to be distracted by street noises storms or other dogs in the park or crowds at competitions or public events.
German Shepherds are susceptible to various health issues such as hemangiosarcoma (cancer of bones, lungs, and intestinal tract), pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these diseases can be prevented by responsible breeding and lifestyle changes.
Despite their fearsome reputation, German Shepherds make devoted family pets. When they are around children as young as, they can be tender and loving towards smaller pets like cats. However, their size and strength make them formidable guardians and they should be watched over children younger than them. They could also display indications of a genetic tendency toward aggression if they are not given the proper training and socialization opportunities. It is recommended to enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy class in the preschool or obedience to ensure they receive the training and socialization they need to flourish.