The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD embodies the ideal balance of agility and strength. Its exceptional training ability and natural instincts to protect make them cherished family dogs.
When looking for a purebred German Shepherd dog select breeders who value the health of their dogs and follow ethical breeding. Requesting pedigree papers and previous health clearances will help you identify reputable breeders.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are strong intelligent dogs that are highly capable of training. They are incredibly loyal to their family members and are fearless guardians of them. The breed standard says that the GSD must be stable of temperament, self assured and courageous. It must also be respectful and willing to please.
The breed is medium-sized, slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a double coat made up of an outer layer of hardness, and a soft undercoat. The almond-shaped eyes of the dog are dark and obliquely set. The ears are wide and pointed at the base. When schäferhundwelpen kaufen is laying down on its back, the tail becomes big and swollen. It reaches below the hocks. The long, slightly sloping neck is distinctive. The chest is broad and deep. The ribs are well-sprung and the spine is firm.
In general the breed is sound, but serious faults include roached backs and long pasterns that hinder proper movement. Its hindquarters must be powerful but not overexaggerated. The rear leg should never extend beyond the point where the foot leaves an impression.
As working dogs, GSDs naturally have high drive. These are behaviors and desires that include territorial protection and hunting of prey. If these high-drives are not satisfied in a certain way, like through work or playing and it can lead to aggression. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a manner that helps dampen these drives but they require a lot of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to live an enlightened lifestyle.
GSDs tend to be reserved and suspicious towards strangers initially. This makes them great guard dogs and requires appropriate training to avoid overreactions. They make wonderful family pets when they are socialized properly from a young age, and they're typically great with children.
The GSD has an extremely high threshold for pain and is resilient against illness, but it is also susceptible to certain health conditions that can impact its quality of life. These include seizures, epilepsy, bleeding disorders, and immune-mediated diseases. To prevent these conditions, limiting your dog's exposure to UV radiation and ensuring that you get regular vaccinations will aid.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn. They are also capable of being trained. They are a working breed and excel in a variety jobs, including herding, police work including search and rescue, drug and bomb detection and guiding blind people. They also make excellent companions for families. However, this strong and confident breed needs an unwavering sense of purpose and the attention of an assertive owner to harness their energy and strength positively. They require lots of space and exercise, and may not be suitable for apartments or other living spaces.
The ideal German shepherd is confident and well-balanced, with a firm temperament. They are loyal, alert and sceptical of strangers. This watchful and protective behaviour can become aggressive if not properly trained, socialized, and supervised. They are extremely smart and can be self-sufficient and easily bored, so they need an outlet to satisfy their natural curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, utilized shorthaired and longhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This led to an animal that is receptive and respectful. Max von Stephanitz was not one of those who wanted German Shepherds as a showpiece and ensured that his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding impulses, as well as an ideal body structure. He was against breeding 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 carry out its primary duties.
In addition to the hereditary diseases that affect every dog breed German Shepherds are also prone to cancers, including hemangiosarcoma, which most commonly affects blood-rich organs such as the liver and spleen. They also can develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers.
To avoid these ailments ensure your German Shepherd's physical health by providing him with an appropriate diet and exercise. Make sure he has plenty of opportunities to run and play outside in a secure area free of traffic and other dangers. Regularly brush his double coat with a deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. Also, make sure that you take him to the vet regularly for his routine health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds have a great health record, but some health issues are present. They are susceptible to ear infections, and they can develop eye conditions and ears, like degenerative myelopathy. They may also suffer from an inherited disease called hereditary von Willebrand's disorder, which impacts their ability to clot blood. It is present in both male and female dogs.
GSDs are a working breed, and consequently, they are subject to strenuous training. As a result, they can develop joint problems. One of the most common is hip dysplasia, characterized by a lack of growth and development of cartilage and joint, leading to discomfort, lameness, and other symptoms. This is not always a serious issue but it can be painful for the dog.
Breeders who are reputable X-ray their dogs and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays help determine the health of the puppy as well as its genetic history, including the probability that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs at high risk of developing the disorder are not breed.
Like many large breeds, German Shepherds may suffer from panosteitis, which causes the bones to grow rapidly and unevenly, which causes pain and stiffness in the joints. The condition is particularly prevalent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs under 18 months of age who are going through the midst of a massive growth spurt.
These dogs require a diet high in protein, with a good mix of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to maintain a healthy coat and skin. They are able to benefit from a diet with joint support, such as the glucosamine or chondroitin. Dogs under the age of 18 months should get moderate exercise, such as walking and playing with a different dog, if they are compatible. However they shouldn't run at full speed, since this could cause damage to the joints they are developing.
Avoid feeding bone from animals or table food as they can trigger digestive upsets, vomiting, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Adult dogs and puppies can benefit from a probiotic supplement to aid digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements that aid with breaking down proteins. Vitamin and mineral supplements are not required in the sense that a well-formulated and approved AAFCO diet should supply the appropriate amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are highly trainable and biddable dogs that thrive under a skilled trainer's guidance. They are a great choice for police, military, search and rescue and therapy dog roles. Their constant loyalty makes them an excellent pet, provided they are well-socialized and properly trained.
Socialization is the first step towards raising a well adjusted GSD. From a young age expose your puppy different animals and people. Take your dog for walks frequently and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will help them feel comfortable and secure in a new setting and will help them become comfortable with humans from an early age.
Training for a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. Avoid methods of negative reinforcement like yelling or physical punishment that could result in fear-based aggression. Use clicker training or rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
Daily enrichment is crucial for your German Shepherd. Mental stimulation exercises are as essential for a GSD as physical exercise, especially if you live in a household with lots of people. This will help them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by road noises or storms as well as other dogs at the park, or crowds during competitions and other public events.
Some of the health issues that are specific to German Shepherds are Hemangiosarcoma, cancer of bones as well as the lungs and intestinal tract, and pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these ailments can be prevented by implementing responsible breeding practices and proper lifestyle adjustments.
German Shepherds are devoted family dogs despite their reputation as a feared breed. When they are around children as young as, they can be tender and loving towards smaller pets such as cats. They are powerful guardians due to their size and strength however, they must be monitored when around young children. If they are not sufficiently exposed to socialization and training and are not properly socialized, they could exhibit signs of aggression. It is recommended to enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy class or obedience classes to ensure they receive the education and socialization they require to flourish.
