The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect blend of speed and strength. Its training capabilities are high and its natural protective instincts make them loved family dogs.
If you are in search of a purebred German Shepherd, choose breeders who prioritize the health of their dogs and follow ethical breeding. Requesting pedigree papers as well as previous health clearances can help you identify reputable breeders.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are powerful, intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They are extremely loyal to their families and are a fierce protector of them. The breed standard states that a GSD should be self-confident, courageous, and have a steady temperament. It must also be tractable and willing to please.
The breed is medium in size, slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a distinct double coat that consists of a hard outer layer and an undercoat that is soft. The almond-shaped eyes are dark and obliquely set. The ears are wide and pointed at the base. When the dog is lying down, the tail is large and bushy. It extends below the hocks. The dog's long neck with a slightly sloping slope is a characteristic. The chest is broad and deep. The ribs are well-sprung and the spine is strong.
The breed is generally healthy, but it has serious issues, like roached-backs and long pasterns that hinder the proper movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong but not overly so. The rear leg should never go beyond the point where the foot makes an impression.
As working dogs, GSDs naturally possess high-energy drives. These are behaviors and desires that involve territorial protection and hunting of prey. If these drives aren't satisfied in some way through play or work, it can lead to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a way that can help reduce these urges but they require a lot of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to maintain a balanced life.
GSDs are generally shy around strangers and can be initially suspicious of them. This protective trait makes GSDs excellent guard dogs, but requires proper training to prevent overreactions. They make wonderful family pets when properly socialized from a young age, and they're generally great with children.
The GSD is resilient to illnesses and has a high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can affect the quality of life. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders as well as immune-mediated diseases. By taking precautions, such as limiting the dog's exposure UV rays and ensuring that regular vaccinations are given to the dog will help reduce the risk of these conditions.
Temperament
German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn and highly capable of being trained. They are a working breed and excel in a variety jobs, including herding, police work, search and rescue, detection of drugs and bombs and guiding blind people. They also make excellent pets for families. This strong and confident breed requires a clear purpose and the attention and focus of a confident owner to channel their strength and energy in a positive manner. They require a lot of space and exercise, and might not be suitable for apartments or other living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a strong and stable temperament. They are loyal and vigilant, and are sceptical of strangers. This guardian and attentive behavior can turn into aggression when not properly trained, socialized and managed. These dogs can be intelligent, independent and easily bored. They must find an avenue to satisfy their natural curiosity.
The founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, as well as longhaired and shorthaired German Shepherds, in his breeding program to create the obedient and responsive breed that we have today. He disagreed with people who wanted German Shepherds to be a showpiece, and he made sure that his dogs were stable in their temperaments, strong herding instincts, and sound body structure. He even refused to breed with dogs that had temperaments that were unstable or had sharp angles in their croups and rear and front pasterns since he believed that these traits would undermine the breed's ability to perform its traditional work.
In addition to the hereditary disorders that can affect any breed of dog, German Shepherds are prone to cancers, including hemangiosarcoma, which most commonly affects blood-rich organs such as the spleen and liver. They also can develop bone, lung or intestinal cancers.
To prevent these conditions to avoid them, you must maintain your German Shepherd's physical health by feeding him a an appropriate diet and exercise. Make sure that he has plenty of opportunities to exercise and play outdoors in a secure area away from traffic and other dangers. Keep him looking neat by brushing his thick double coat on a regular basis by using a de-shedding tool or undercoat rake to remove hairs that have fallen off. Also, make schäferhunde suchen ein zuhause that you take him to the veterinarian regularly for routine health checks.
Health
German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, but they do have certain health issues. They are susceptible to ear infections, and may develop conditions that affect their eyes and ears like degenerative amyelopathy. They may also be affected by an illness that is genetic, known as von Willebrand's disease that is hereditary which affects their ability to clot blood. It is found in females and males dogs.
GSDs are a working breed, and consequently, they are subject to rigorous training. In the process, they can develop joint problems. Hip dysplasia is an extremely common condition that causes 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 use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays help determine the health and genetic background of the puppy, as well as how likely it is to develop dysplasia. Dogs with a high risk of developing dysplasia aren't bred.
Like many large breeds, German Shepherds also suffer from panosteitis, which causes the bones to expand rapidly and unevenly, which causes pain and stiffness in the legs. This condition is most prevalent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs under 18 months of age who are going through a large growth spurt.
These dogs require an enriched diet rich in protein with a generous mix of omega fatty acid and balanced vitamins for skin and coat health. They will benefit from a diet that contains joint support, such as glucosamine or chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months old age should have moderate exercise including multiple walks and, if they are compatible with other dogs, playing together, but they should not run at full speed, as this could cause damage to joints that are growing.
Avoid feeding animal bone or table food, as they can cause digestive upsets, vomiting, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion and digestive enzyme supplements to aid in breaking down proteins. A well-formulated AAFCO approved diet should have the proper amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are highly trainable and biddable dogs that thrive under a skilled handler's guidance. They are an excellent choice for police and military tasks such as search and rescue and therapy dog roles, and many other specialized jobs. However, their dedication to their job makes them a great family pet when properly trained and socialized.
Socialization is the first step to raising a well-adjusted GSD. Introduce your puppy to variety of people and other animals from an early age, taking them for frequent walks, playing games, and visiting local dog parks. This will help them feel more secure and confident and will teach them to trust people from a young age.
It takes patience, consistency as well as positive reinforcement to train a German shepherd. It is crucial to stay clear of negative reinforcement methods, such as shouting and physical punishment as they can trigger fear-based aggression. Use clicker training and rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
Daily enrichment is important for your German Shepherd. Exercises for mental stimulation can be just as important as physical exercises for the GSD particularly in a busy or chaotic household. This can help them to keep their attention and focus so that they are less likely to get distracted by street noises storms, other dogs in the park, or crowds at competitions and other public events.
Some of the health issues that are exclusive to German Shepherds are hemangiosarcoma and cancer of the bones as well as the lungs and intestinal tract, as well as pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these diseases can be prevented through responsible breeding and lifestyle accommodations.
German Shepherds are loyal family dogs, despite their reputation for being feared. When they are around children as young as they can be affectionate and gentle towards smaller pets like cats. They are formidable guardians due to their size and strength but they should be supervised when they are around children. If they aren't exposed enough to socialization and training they could 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 be successful.