How To Solve Issues With Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect combination of strength and speed. Its training capabilities are high and its natural instincts to protect make them beloved family dogs.
If you are in search of a purebred German Shepherd dog, choose breeders who prioritize the health of their dogs and follow ethical breeding. You can identify reliable breeders by asking for pedigree documents and previous health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are strong, intelligent dogs that are highly capable of training. They are loyal to their family and are able to be fearless guardians. The breed standard says that the GSD must be steady of temperament, self-assured, and courageous. It should also be obedient and willing to please.
The breed is muscular, medium-sized, and slightly longer. It has a double coat made up of a hard outer layer, and a soft undercoat. Its eyes are dark and almond-shaped, and positioned in a oblique manner. The ears are wide at the base and pointed. The tail is slender and reaches to below the hocks when the dog is lying down. The long, slightly sloping neck is a characteristic. The chest is wide and deep. The ribs are well-sprung, and the spine is firm.
In general the breed is healthy However, it has some serious flaws. These include roached backs and long pasterns that hinder proper movement. Its hindquarters must be powerful but not overexaggerated. The rear leg should never extend beyond the point where the foot makes an impression.
As working dogs as well as working dogs, the GSD has high-drives that are naturally present (behavioral tendencies and desires for things like territorial protection and chasing prey). If these high-drives are not fulfilled in a particular way, such as through play or work, it can lead aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds were bred to help dampen these urges. However, they still need lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation to keep a balanced life.
GSDs are generally cautious around strangers and could be initially suspicious of them. This is a characteristic that makes them excellent guard dogs, however it requires proper training to avoid overreactions. They make wonderful family pets when socialized properly from a young age, and they're typically great with children.
The GSD has an elevated pain threshold and is resilient against illness, but it has certain health conditions that may affect its quality of living. These include epilepsy/seizures as well as bleeding disorders and immune-mediated diseases. Making sure to limit the dog's exposure UV rays and ensuring that it receives routine vaccinations should reduce the risk of developing these diseases.
Temperament
German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn. They are also highly capable of training. They are a working breed that excel in a variety tasks, such as herding, police work such as search and rescue drug and bomb detection and guiding blind people. They also make excellent pet for families. However, this powerful and confident breed needs an unwavering focus and the attention of an assertive owner to channel their energy and strength in a positive way. They need a lot of exercise and space and might not be suited for smaller living spaces.
The ideal German shepherd is well-balanced and confident with a firm temperament. They are loyal, vigilant, and suspicious of strangers. If not properly socialized and trained to be vigilant and protective, this behavior can turn into aggressive. Dogs with these traits can be smart and independent, but they can also be bored. They need to find an avenue to satisfy their natural curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, used longhaired and shorterhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This created an animal that is receptive and respectful. Max von Stephanitz disagreed with those who wanted to use German Shepherds as a showpiece and made sure that his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding instincts, and an ideal body structure. He refused to breed dogs with unstable temperaments, or with steep angles on their croups, front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would undermine the ability of the breed to fulfill its primary duties.
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 can also develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers.
You can prevent these conditions by ensuring the physical health of your German Shepherd. schäferhundwelpen means providing him with a healthy diet and regular exercise. You should allow plenty of time to play and run around in a secure area free of traffic. Keep him groomed by brushing his dense double coat regularly and using a de-shedding device or undercoat rake to remove hairs that have fallen off. It is also important to ensure that you take him to the veterinarian on a regular basis for routine health checks.
Health
German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, however they do have some health issues. They are susceptible to ear infections and may develop conditions affecting their eyes and ears, such as degenerative myelopathy. Both male and female dogs can suffer from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that affects the ability of dogs to clot blood.
GSDs are a working breed, and as such, they go through strenuous training. In the process, they may develop joint issues. A common one is hip dysplasia. It is characterized by the inadvertent growth and development of the joint and cartilage that can result in pain, lameness and other signs. It's not always a serious condition, but it can cause pain for dogs.
A reputable breeder will X-ray their dog and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health and genetic history of the puppy, as well as how likely it is to develop dysplasia. Dogs at high chance of developing the disorder are not breed.
Panosteitis can be a problem for German Shepherds. The condition causes bones to grow rapidly and unevenly. This can cause stiffness and pain. The condition is especially prevalent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs younger than 18 months who are going through an enormous growth spurt.
They require a diet high in protein and a large mix of omega fatty acid and balanced vitamins to ensure a healthy coat and skin. Dogs with arthritis can benefit from food that has joints-supporting ingredients, such as chondroitin or glucosamine. Dogs who are less than 18 months should be given moderate exercise, such as walking and playing with a different dog, if they are compatible. However they shouldn't run at a high speed, because this can damage the joints they are developing.
Table food or bones from animals must be avoided, as these can cause vomiting, diarrhea anorexia, pancreatitis, and vomiting. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements to help break down proteins. A well-formulated AAFCO approved diet should have the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are smart, highly trainable dogs who thrive under the supervision of a skilled handler. They are a great choice for police and military tasks, search and rescue, therapy dog roles, and many other specializations. Their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a great pet, if properly socialized and trained.
The first step in raising an appropriately adjusted GSD is socialization. Introduce your puppy to a range of people and animals at an early age, taking them for frequent walks, playing games and visiting local dog parks. This will make them feel more comfortable and secure and will teach them to trust people at an early age.
It requires patience, consistency as well as positive reinforcement to train to train a German shepherd. Avoid negative reinforcement methods 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 important to ensure that you provide your German Shepherd with daily enrichment. Mental stimulation exercises are as essential for the GSD as physical exercise, particularly in the case of a household with lots of people. This helps them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by street sounds or storms or other dogs in the park, or the crowds at competitions and other public events.
Some of the health issues that are exclusive to German Shepherds are hemangiosarcoma, cancer of the bones, lungs, and intestinal tract, as well as pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these diseases can be prevented by implementing responsible breeding practices and appropriate lifestyle accommodations.
German Shepherds are loyal family dogs, despite their reputation as being fearsome. When they are around children from a young age, they can be tender and loving towards smaller animals like cats. However, their size and strength make them excellent guardians, and they should always be supervised around younger children. If they aren't exposed enough to training and socialization and are not properly socialized, they could exhibit signs of aggression. It is recommended to enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy class in the preschool or obedience to ensure they receive the training and socialization they require to thrive.