5 Purebred German Shepherd Lessons From Professionals
Adopting a Purebred German Shepherd
Consistency, positive reinforcement, and reward-based dog training are essential for German Shepherds. They are intelligent and eager to please and are quick learners.
They naturally protect their family members due to their strong work character. They can be trained to protect themselves. They are active and require plenty of space to exercise. They require early socialization, obedience training, and to develop into confident, well-mannered dogs.
Origin
In the latter half of 1800, Captain Max von Stephanitz was working to develop a dog that could not be matched in herding abilities. It took years to find foundation stock that could satisfy his criteria -- both physically and in temperament. Hektor Linksrhein was one of the German Shepherd, was finally found at a dogshow in 1899. Hektor was the result of several generations of selective breeding, and he perfectly matched Von Stephanitz's vision of what a herding breed should be. Von Stephanitz declared Hektor the first German Shepherd Dog and founded the Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde.
Breed enthusiasts began to standardize herding dog breeds during the second half of the 19th century. They were able to preserve a lot of the traits that caught Von Stephanitz's attention. And those traits are what make the breed popular in the present. A study has revealed that German Shepherds can master tasks with just five repetitions, and follow the first command 90% of the time.
The same traits make this breed among the top military and police working dogs, and also a loved pet for families. These dogs make great pets and companions for children if they're well-socialized and taught. They are usually cautious around strangers, but generally affectionate with the people they love. If they're not socialized as puppies, they German Shepherd may have difficulty adapting to new environments later in life and become anxious or stressed.
Due to their strong instincts to protect German Shepherds have a tendency to be cautious around strangers and are good guard dogs. They are smart and eager to please. This makes them highly capable of being trained. They are agile, strong and can run up to 30 miles an hour.
Due to their versatility and popularity you will see a lot of different German Shepherds in the world. But the breed's distinctive characteristics are generally easy to identify particularly if you are familiar with the breed standard. Ask your veterinarian for assistance in identifying the breed if aren't sure. Most veterinarians are familiar with the breed standards for the majority of dogs and are capable of helping you quickly and easily.
Characteristics
Whether you're considering adopting or buying a purebred German Shepherd, it's important to find a reputable breeder with pedigree documents that can be traced several generations back. Breeders who are reputable are also members of organizations such as the American Kennel Club, which can give you further assurances of their honesty.
Purebred German Shepherd is characterized by an athletic, muscular physique with a distinct black and tan colour. Adult males weigh between 65 and 90 lbs and are between 24 and 26 inches tall and females are typically smaller, weighing between 50 and 70 pounds and 22 to 25 inch tall. They have a long, straight ears and a sharp stare. While they may appear intimidating, a well-trained German Shepherd will remain loyal to its owner and not display aggressive behavior towards other dogs or even people.
They are highly intelligent and respond well to positive reinforcement-based techniques for training and are quick learners. Regular and early socialization is essential to their growth as well-mannered, confident family pets. They're naturally guardians and watchful over their families, but will likely be open to strangers who aren't considered to be danger.
These powerful, agile dogs are well-suited to a variety of types of work. They excel in military and police duty as well as as service dogs for the disabled. They have a strong prey drive, and are likely to chase smaller animals. Therefore, a secure environment with plenty of positive interactions with other pets is essential.
German Shepherds are loyal, protective and respectful when properly socialized and trained. They're typically wary of strangers and other dogs However, with early socialization and positive training, they'll be able to play with other pets.
When evaluating the quality of a German Shepherd, look for a head with a wedge shape that is proportional to its size, and perfectly chiseled. The shoulders should be wide and square, with a straight, level back that's just slightly sloped from the withers to the croup. A curly back or a large curvature of the rear legs indicate an insufficient structural alignment. A well-built German Shepherd moves with an effortless, smooth stride that is driven by the forward thrust of its hindquarters.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent, curious dogs that are obedient and tolerant but not too eager to please. look at this site have a steadfast devotion for their family members and are cautious of strangers, which makes them a very effective guard dog. They thrive when their owners are active and will test them physically and mentally. They require plenty of daily exercise and a large backyard to play in. If they aren't sufficiently stimulated, they could engage in destructive behavior like chewing or digging.
When selecting a breeder for your dog pick someone who is passionate about the breed and has a thorough understanding of its temperament and personality. A reputable breeder will be able discuss the history of the parents as well as the puppies. They can also inform you if the puppies have been socialized and given obedience training. If the puppy isn't socialized, it might require extensive training in obedience and behavior to prepare it for its future as a family member.
Puppy should be curious and outgoing with an inherent tendency to assert themselves. If one of the puppies is more timid than the others and is not confident, it could be a warning sign. A good German Shepherd will also have a firm, consistent grasp when being picked up.
The muzzle is large and strong with a well-developed jaw and chin. The eyes should be dark and almond shaped. The nose should be dark (blue, liver or other colors are not acceptable). The teeth should be white and join in a strong scissor-like bite with the upper row of teeth slightly wider than the bottom. The ears should be straight and wide at the base with pointed tips that can drop slightly when resting.
The German Shepherd is a very adaptable dog that can be employed in a variety of different tasks like herding or searching and rescue or bomb and drug detection, and even guiding blind people. This versatility makes it one the most popular breeds in the world. But, it is important to keep in mind that the temperament of a German Shepherd can be heavily affected by its environment and training.
Health
Purebred German Shepherds are incredibly resilient, and are able to thrive in a variety of settings and roles. They make excellent companions, therapy dogs and service animals. They also excel in competition dog sports advanced obedience, as well as training in protection. Their work ethic and instincts can even lead them to search and rescue missions, police work, and military careers. GSDs, as with all breeds, are susceptible to certain health problems despite their impressive abilities.
GSDs, being larger breeds are more prone to joint issues such as hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia. These degenerative diseases may cause your dog to become lame and painful as they age. A healthy breeding program and regular vet checkups can reduce their effects.
Like other large breeds German Shepherds are susceptible to bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus) in which the stomach turns, filling with gas and cutting off blood flow to the liver and spleen. If left untreated, bloat is life-threatening and requires immediate medical treatment.
Because of their long, thick coats and darker coloring GSDs are also more prone to heat stroke. On hot days, keep them well-hydrated and provide them with plenty of shade. We also evaluate their eyes during every visit for indications of pannus, an eye disease that is immune-mediated and causes blindness if not treated promptly.
Many hereditary and inherited diseases can impact your German Shepherd's digestive system, such as Hemangiosarcoma cancer of blood vessels, exocrine pancreatic dysfunction (EPI) as well as von Willebrand disease, and intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). The last is when the jelly-like cushion that divides the vertebrae of the spine ruptures or slips creating pressure on the spinal cord. The symptoms of IVDD include the inability to climb stairs or jump.
As with all dogs, it is important to ensure that you keep your German Shepherd on a high-quality diet and avoid table food, which can contribute to weight gain and nutritional deficiencies. Brush their coat regularly to keep the appearance of a healthy and tidy. A bath is acceptable occasionally but if you overdo it, it could remove the natural oils which keep a dog's coat shiny and healthy.