The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect balance of agility and strength. Its high trainability and natural instincts to protect make them beloved family dogs.
When you are shopping for a purebred german shepherd dog Find breeders that adhere to ethical breeding practices and are committed to the health of their dogs. Requesting pedigree documents and prior health clearances will help you determine reputable breeders.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are strong intelligent dogs that are easily capable of being trained. They are incredibly loyal to their family members and can be fearless protectors of them. Breed standard states the GSD must be confident and courageous. They should also have a calm and steady temperament. It should also be able to be handled and willing to be a pleasure to.
The breed is medium-sized slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a distinctive double coat that consists of a hard outer layer and an undercoat that is soft. The eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and positioned obliquely. The ears are wide at the base and pointed. The tail is long and extends down to the hocks below when the dog is at rest. The dog's long neck with a slightly sloping slope is a characteristic. The chest is broad and deep. The spine is solid 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, which hinder the proper movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong but not overexaggerated. The rear leg should never go beyond the point at which the foot leaves an impression.
As working dogs, GSDs naturally have high drives. These are behaviors and desires that include territorial protection and the pursuit of prey. If these drives aren't satisfied in some way through work or play, it can lead to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds have been created to help reduce these impulses. However, they still require lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to keep a balanced life.
GSDs are generally reserved and suspicious towards strangers initially. This makes them great guard dogs. It requires appropriate training to avoid overreactions. If properly socialized early in life they can make great family pets. They also make great children.
The GSD has a high pain threshold and is resistant to illnesses, but it has certain health issues that could affect its quality of life. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders. To prevent these conditions, limiting your dog's exposure to UV rays and making sure it receives regular vaccinations can aid.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent, eager to learn, and extremely trainable. They are a working breed that excel at a variety of tasks, including herding police work, search and rescue detection of drugs and bombs and guiding blind people. Learn Additional Here are also excellent family companions. This powerful and confident breed requires a clear and precise goal and the focus and attention of a confident owner to channel their strength and energy positively. They need a lot of exercise and space and may not be a good fit in smaller living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a solid 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 aggression. They are extremely intelligent and can be independent and easily bored, so they need an outlet that can satisfy their natural curiosity.
The founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, longhaired and shorthaired German Shepherds, in his breeding program to develop the obedient and responsive breed that we have today. He did not agree with those who wanted German Shepherds to be a showpiece, and he made sure his dogs had stable temperaments with strong herding instincts and sound body structure. He even resisted breeding certain dogs that were temperamentally unstable or had sharp angles in their croups as well as rear and front pasterns because he believed that these characteristics would undermine the breed's ability to perform its work.
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 bone, lung, or intestinal cancers.
To avoid these issues ensure your German Shepherd's physical well-being by feeding him proper diet and exercise. You should allow plenty of time to run and play in a safe area away from traffic. Regularly brush your double coat with the deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. It is also recommended to visit your vet regularly for regular health checks.
Health
German Shepherds have a good health record, but health problems do exist. They are prone to ear infections and they can develop ailments that affect their ears and eyes like degenerative amyelopathy. Female and male can be affected by hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that affects the ability of clotting blood.
As a working breed GSDs are often involved in strenuous exercise during their training, and they can suffer from joint issues as a result. Hip dysplasia is a common condition that can cause lameness, pain, and other signs. This is not always 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 background, including the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high risk of developing dysplasia aren't bred.
Panosteitis can affect German Shepherds. The condition causes the bones to grow rapidly and unevenly. This can cause pain and stiffness. The condition is particularly common in German Shepherd puppies and dogs under 18 months of age who are going through an enormous growth spurt.
These dogs require food that is high in protein and a large mix of omega fatty acid and balanced vitamins for a healthy coat and skin. Dogs with arthritis can benefit from food that has joint support, like chondroitin or glucosamine. Dogs younger than 18 months should get moderate exercise like walking and playing with another dog, if they are compatible. However, they should not run at full speed, because this can damage the joints they are developing.
Avoid feeding animal bone or table food, as they can cause vomiting, digestive upsets, anorexia and pancreatitis. Adult dogs and puppies could benefit by a probiotic supplementation program to help with digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements to assist in the breakdown of proteins. A properly-formulated AAFCO approved diet should have the right amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are intelligent and highly trainable dogs that thrive under the guidance of a knowledgeable handler. This makes them ideal for military and police work, search and rescue, therapy dog roles, and many other specialized jobs. Their unwavering loyalty makes them an excellent pet, if properly socialized and trained.
The first step in establishing an appropriately adjusted GSD is socialization. From an early age, expose your puppy to different animals and people. Take them on frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will make them feel comfortable and secure in a new environment and ensure that they develop trust in 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, which could lead to fear based aggression. Use clicker training and rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
Daily enrichment is essential for your German Shepherd. Mental stimulation exercises are just as important for a GSD as physical exercise, especially when you have a household with lots of people. This will help to keep their attention and focus so they are less likely to be distracted by noises from the street storms or other dogs in the park, or crowds at sporting events or public events.
German Shepherds are at risk of various health issues such as hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the bones, lungs and intestinal tract) and pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these ailments can be prevented through responsible breeding and lifestyle choices.
German Shepherds are devoted family dogs, despite their reputation as being fearsome. They are usually affectionate with children and gentle with smaller pets, such as cats, if they are exposed to them at a young age. Nonetheless, their size and strength make them excellent guardians, and they should always be observed around children who are younger. If they're not exposed enough to training and socialization, 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 he requires to flourish.