The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect combination of strength and speed. Their high trainability and the ability to protect make them beloved pets for families.
If you are looking for a purebred german shepherd Look for breeders who have a commitment to ethical breeding and who are concerned about the health of their dogs. You can determine reputable breeders by requesting pedigree papers and prior health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are strong, intelligent dogs that are easily capable of being trained. They are loyal to their family and are able to be fearless guardians. The breed standard says that the GSD must be stable of temperament, self assured and brave. It must also be respectful and willing to be obedient.
The breed is muscular, medium-sized and slightly elongated. It has a distinct double coat made up of a hard outer layer as well as an undercoat that is soft. Its eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and positioned in a oblique manner. The ears are pointed and wide at the base. The tail is bushy and extends to the hocks below when the dog is in a relaxed state. The breed's neck is long and slightly sloping. The chest is broad and deep. The spine is strong and the ribs are well-sprung.
The breed is generally healthy however, it does have some serious faults such as roached-backs and long pasterns that hinder proper movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong but not overly so. The rear leg should never extend beyond the point at which the foot leaves an impression.
As working dogs, GSDs naturally have high drives. These are the behaviors and desires that include territorial protection and chasing of prey. If these drives aren't satisfied in some way through work or play this can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a manner which helps to reduce these drives, but they still require a lot of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
GSDs tend to be shy and cautious towards strangers at first. This protective trait makes GSDs great guard dogs, but requires proper training to prevent overreactions. They make wonderful family pets when properly socialized from a young age, and are generally good with children.
The GSD is resistant to disease and has a very high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can affect the quality of life. These include seizures, epilepsy as well as bleeding disorders and immune-mediated diseases. Taking precautions such as limiting the dog's exposure to harmful UV rays, and ensuring it receives routine vaccinations should lower the chance of developing these conditions.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn. They are also highly capable of being trained. They are an active dog breed that excels at a variety of jobs, such as police work, herding and search and rescue. They also excel in detection of explosives and drugs, and guiding blind people. They also make excellent companions for families. This powerful and confident breed requires a clear purpose as well as the attention and focus of a responsible owner to channel their strength and energy in a positive way. They require plenty of exercise and room, and might not be suited in smaller living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a firm and stable temperament. They are loyal, alert, and suspicious of strangers. If they aren't properly socialized and trained in this manner, their protective and vigilant behavior can become aggressive. They are extremely intelligent and can be very insecure and bored, and they require an outlet to satisfy their curiosity.
The founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, longhaired and shorthaired German Shepherds, in his breeding program to create the responsive and obedient breed that we have today. He disagreed with people who wanted German Shepherds to be a showpiece, and he made sure his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding instincts, and a solid 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 carry out its traditional tasks.
In addition to the hereditary diseases that can plague any breed of dog, German Shepherds are prone to cancers, such as Hemangiosarcoma, which typically affects blood-rich organs, such as the spleen and liver. They also can develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers.
You can avoid these ailments by maintaining the physical well-being of your German Shepherd. This includes giving him a balanced diet and regular exercise. reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund should allow plenty of time to play and run outdoors in a safe area away from traffic. Keep him clean by scrubbing his dense double coat on a regular basis 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 on a regular basis for routine health checks.
Health
German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, but they do have certain health issues. They are prone to ear infections, and they can develop ailments that affect their eyes and ears like degenerative amyelopathy. They may also be affected by a genetic disease known as von Willebrand's disease that is hereditary that affects their capacity to clot blood. It is found in females and males dogs.
As a working breed many GSDs undergo strenuous exercise during their training and they may suffer from joint problems as a result. The most frequent is hip dysplasia, which is characterized by the inadvertent growth and development of the joint and cartilage that can result in discomfort, lameness and other signs. It isn't always a serious condition however it can be painful for the dog.
Reputable breeders X-ray their dogs and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays aid in determining the health and genetic background of the puppy, which includes how likely it is to develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high risk of developing dysplasia are not bred.
Panosteitis can affect German Shepherds. The condition causes bones to grow quickly and unevenly. This can result in pain and stiffness. The condition is particularly frequent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs less than 18 months old who are going through a large growth spurt.
The dogs require an diet rich in protein, and a large amount of omega fatty acids as well as balanced vitamins to help maintain healthy coat and skin. These dogs are able to benefit from a diet with joint support, such as chondroitin or glucosamine. Dogs younger than 18 months must be given moderate exercise like walking and playing with a different dog if they are compatible. However it is not recommended to run at full speed since this could cause damage to the joints they are developing.
Feeding table food or animal bones should be avoided, as these can cause vomiting, digestive upset, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion and digestive enzyme supplements that help break down proteins. A well-formulated AAFCO approved diet should include the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are intelligent, highly trainable dogs who thrive when they're under the direction by a knowledgeable handler. As such, they are a great choice for military and police work such as search and rescue and therapy dog roles, and a myriad of other specialized roles. Their constant loyalty makes them a wonderful pet, if properly trained and socialized.
The first step in raising an equidistant GSD is socialization. From an early age expose your puppy to different people and animals. Take them on frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will make them feel secure and at ease in a new setting and help them learn to trust humans from a young age.
Training for 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 crucial for your German Shepherd. Mental stimulation exercises are just as important to an GSD as physical exercise, especially if you live in a busy household. This helps keep their attention and focus so that they are less likely to be distracted by street noises or thunderstorms and other dogs in the park, or the crowds at competitions and other public events.
German Shepherds are susceptible to various health issues that include Hemangiosarcoma (cancer of bones, lungs and intestinal tract) as well as pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these diseases can be prevented by implementing responsible breeding practices and the right lifestyle accommodations.
Despite their infamous reputation German Shepherds are loving family pets. When they are exposed to children at a young age they can be incredibly friendly and gentle with smaller pets like cats. Nonetheless, their size and strength make them excellent guardians and they should be observed around children who are younger. If they're not sufficiently exposed to socialization and training, they may show signs of aggression. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he receives the training and socialization he needs to flourish.