The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect balance of strength and speed. Its exceptional training ability and natural instincts to protect make them beloved family dogs.
When shopping for a purebred german shepherd dog Find breeders that adhere to ethical breeding practices and are committed to the health of their animals. You can find reliable breeders by asking for documents on pedigrees and previous health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are strong, intelligent dogs that are easily capable of being trained. They are loyal to their family and can be a formidable guardian. The breed standard says that the GSD must be a steady temperament, self assured and brave. It must also be able to be handled and willing to be a pleasure to.
The breed is strong, medium-sized and slightly extended. It has a distinctive double coat made up of a hard outer layer as well as a soft undercoat. Its eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and positioned in a oblique manner. The ears are large at the base and pointed. When the dog is laying down on its back, the tail becomes large and bushy. It reaches below the hocks. The breed's neck is long and slightly sloping. The chest is broad and deep. The spine is firm 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. Its hindquarters should be powerful however, they should not be overly exaggerated and the rear leg should never go forward of the point where the forefoot leaves an imprint.
As working dogs As working dogs, the GSD has naturally high drives (behavioral tendencies and desires for things like territorial protection and chasing prey). If these drives aren't satisfied in some way through play or work, it can lead to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds were bred to help dampen these impulses. However, they require a lot of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation in order to maintain a balance life.
GSDs are usually cautious around strangers and could be cautious at first. This trait of protection makes them great guard dogs and requires the right training to avoid triggering reactions. They make wonderful family pets when properly socialized from a young age, and they're typically great with children.
The GSD has a high pain threshold and is able to fight off illness, however it has certain health conditions that can impact its quality of life. These include epilepsy/seizures and bleeding disorders. Preventing these conditions by limiting your dog's exposure to UV radiation, and ensuring it receives regular vaccinations can help.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn and highly capable of being trained. review are a working breed that excel in a variety tasks, such as herding, police work such as search and rescue detection of drugs and bombs and guiding blind. They are also excellent family members. This ferocious and confident breed requires a clear purpose and the attention and focus of a confident owner to harness their energy and strength positively. They require a lot of space and exercise. They might not be suitable for smaller living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a solid and steady temperament. They are loyal and vigilant, and they are suspicious of strangers. This guardian and attentive behavior can turn into aggression when they are not properly trained, socialized, and controlled. These dogs can be intelligent, independent and easily bored. They need to find ways to satisfy their natural curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, utilized shorter and longer-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This resulted in an animal that is receptive and well-behaved. He did not agree with those who wanted German Shepherds to be a display dog, and he made sure that his dogs were stable in their temperaments, strong herding instincts, and a sound body structure. He was against breeding dogs with unstable temperaments, or with a steep angle on their croups or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would hinder the ability of the breed to carry out its usual tasks.
German Shepherds can also be susceptible to cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a common cancer that affects the liver and spleen organs, which have a higher blood supply. They may also develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers.
To avoid these issues, you should maintain your German Shepherd's physical well-being by feeding him the right diet and exercise. Make sure that he has plenty of opportunities to run and play outside in a safe space away from traffic and other hazards. Keep him clean by brushing his thick double coat on a regular basis by using a de-shedding tool or a rake undercoat to remove loose hairs. You should also make sure that you visit the vet on a regular basis for his routine health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds have a healthy health record, but some health issues are present. They are susceptible to ear infections and may develop eye conditions and ears, like degenerative myelopathy. They also may suffer from a genetic disease known as hereditary von Willebrand's disease, which impacts their ability to clot blood. It can be found in both female and male dogs.
GSDs are a working breed and as such, they go through rigorous training. As a result, they may develop joint issues. just click the next post is an extremely common condition that can cause lameness, pain, and other signs. This is not always a serious condition but it can be painful for dogs.
Breeders who are reputable are able to X-ray their dogs and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays can aid in determining the health of the puppy and its genetic history, including the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high risk of developing dysplasia aren't breed.
Like most large breeds, German Shepherds also be affected by panosteitis, which causes bones to expand rapidly and unevenly, causing pain and stiffness in the joints. The condition is particularly common in German Shepherd puppies and dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing a large growth spurt.
The dogs need food that is high in protein and a large mix of omega-fatty acids and balanced vitamins to ensure skin and coat health. They may benefit from joint-support in their diet including glucosamine as well as chondroitin. Dogs under 18 months of age should exercise moderately, such as multiple walks and, if compatible with other dogs, playing together, but they should not run at a high speed, as this can damage growing joints.
Feeding table food or animal bones must be avoided, as these can cause vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Adult dogs and puppies can benefit from a probiotic supplementation to aid digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements to assist with breaking down proteins. A properly-formulated AAFCO approved diet should include the right amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are highly trainable, biddable dogs that thrive under a skilled handler's guidance. They are therefore a good choice for military, police search and rescue, and therapy dog roles. But their unwavering loyalty also makes them a wonderful family pet when properly trained and socialized.
Socialization is the first step in raising a well adjusted GSD. Introduce your puppy to variety of people and other animals at an early age, by taking them on frequent walks, playing games, and even visiting local dog parks. This will help them feel more confident and comfortable and help them trust people at an early age.
Training a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Avoid methods of negative reinforcement such as yelling or physical punishment, which can lead to fear based aggression. Use clicker training and rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
It is also crucial to ensure that you provide your German Shepherd with a daily dose of enrichment. The stimulation of the mind is just as important as physical exercises for the GSD, especially in a hectic or busy household. This can help them keep their attention and focus so that they are less likely to become distracted by noises from the street storms, other dogs in the park or crowds at competitions or public events.
Some health conditions that are unique to German Shepherds include hemangiosarcoma, cancer of the bones lung, lungs, and the intestinal tract, as well as pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these ailments can be avoided through responsible breeding practices and proper lifestyle accommodations.
German Shepherds are loyal family dogs despite their reputation as a feared breed. When they are around children at a young age they can be tender and loving towards smaller animals like cats. They are powerful guardians due to their size and strength, however, they must be monitored when they are around young children. If they're not exposed enough to training and socialization, they may show signs of aggression. It is recommended that you enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy class or obedience classes to ensure they are receiving the proper training and socialization they need to thrive.