Nine Things That Your Parent Teach You About Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect blend of speed and strength. Their high trainability and protection instincts make them beloved pets for families.
If you are looking for a purebred german shepherd dog, look for breeders who have a commitment to ethical breeding and who are concerned about the health of their dogs. Requesting pedigree papers and previous health clearances will help you identify reputable breeders.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are incredibly strong intelligent dogs that are trainable. They are extremely loyal to their families and are a fierce protector of them. Breed standard states the GSD should be self-confident and courageous, as well as possess a calm and steady temperament. It must also be obedient and willing to be obedient.
The breed is muscular, medium-sized, and slightly elongated. It has a double coat made up of an outer layer of hardness and a soft undercoat. The almond-shaped eyes of the dog are dark and obliquely set. Its ears are wide at the base and pointed. When the dog is lying down on its back, the tail becomes large and bushy. It is a little below the hocks. The breed's neck is long and slightly sloping. The chest is large and deep. The spine is strong and the ribs are well-sprung.
In general the breed is sound however, serious issues include roached backs and long pasterns that hinder proper movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong but not exaggerated. The rear leg should not extend beyond the point at which the foot leaves an impression.
As working dogs, GSDs have naturally high drive. These are behaviors and needs that include territorial protection as well as the pursuit of prey. If these high-drives aren't satisfied in some way through play or work this can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred to help dampen these impulses. However, they require lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation to keep a balanced life.
GSDs are usually reserved around strangers and may be initially suspicious of them. This makes them excellent guard dogs and requires appropriate training to avoid overreactions. If properly socialized from a young age they can make great pets for families. They're also great with kids.
The GSD has a high pain threshold and is able to fight off illness, but it does have certain health conditions that can affect its quality of life. These include seizures and epilepsy, bleeding disorders, and immune-mediated diseases. Preventing these conditions by limiting your dog's exposure to UV radiation, and ensuring you get regular vaccinations will aid.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn, and extremely capable of training. They are a working breed that excel in a variety of tasks, including herding police work such as search and rescue as well as detection of drugs and bombs, and guiding the blind. They are also excellent family companions. This strong and confident breed requires a clear goal and the focus and attention of a confident owner to harness their energy and strength positively. They require a lot of space and exercise, and may not be suitable for smaller living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a firm and stable temperament. They are loyal, vigilant, and suspicious of strangers. This protective and watchful behavior can escalate into aggression if not properly trained, socialized and supervised. These dogs are very intelligent and can be insecure and bored, so they need a good outlet for their curiosity.
The founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, longhaired and shorthaired German Shepherds in his breeding program to create the kind of dog that was obedient and responsive that we know today. Max von Stephanitz did not agree with those who wanted German Shepherds to be used as a showcase and made sure his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding instincts, and a sound body structure. He was against breeding dogs with temperaments that were unstable or with steep angles on their croups, front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would undermine the ability of the breed to perform its primary duties.
German Shepherds can also be susceptible to developing cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a frequent cancer that affects the spleen and liver organs that have a high blood supply. They may also develop lung, bone 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. You should give him plenty of time to play and run around in a secure area free of traffic. Keep him clean by scrubbing his dense double coat regularly by using a de-shedding tool or an undercoat rake to get rid of hairs that are loose. You should also make sure that you take him to the veterinarian regularly for routine health checks.
Health
German Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, however they do have some health issues. They are prone to ear infections, and can develop conditions that affect their ears and eyes such as degenerative amyelopathy. They may also be affected by a genetic disease known as hereditary von Willebrand's disease, which impacts their ability to clot blood. It is found in females and males dogs.
As a breed that is primarily used for work, GSDs are often involved in strenuous exercise during their training, and can develop joint issues as a result. The most frequent is hip dysplasia, which is characterized by improper growth and development of the cartilage and joint that can result in pain, lameness, and other symptoms. It's not a serious condition, but it can be painful to the dog.
Breeders who are trustworthy are able to X-ray their dogs and use the results for breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health of the puppy and its genetic background, including the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high chance of developing the disorder are not bred.
Like all large breeds, German Shepherds also suffer from panosteitis, which causes the bones to expand rapidly and unevenly, causing pain and stiffness in the legs. This is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing a rapid growth spurt.
These dogs need an diet rich in protein, with a generous blend of omega fatty acids as well as balanced vitamins to maintain the health of their coat and skin. They are able to benefit from a diet that contains joints-supporting ingredients, such as glucosamine or chondroitin. Dogs under 18 months of age should have moderate exercise like walking on a regular basis and, if they are compatible with other dogs, playing together, but should not run at full speed, as this could cause damage to joints that are growing.
Table food or bones from animals should be avoided as these can cause vomiting, digestive upset anorexia, pancreatitis, and vomiting. Dogs of all ages may benefit from a probiotic supplement to help with digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements that aid in breaking down proteins. Mineral and vitamin supplements aren't necessary, as a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should provide the proper amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are smart, highly trainable dogs who thrive when they're under the direction of a knowledgeable handler. This makes them an excellent choice for police and military work, search and rescue and therapy dog roles, and a myriad of other specialized roles. But their dedication to their job makes them a wonderful pet for the family when properly trained and socialized.
Socialization is the first step to raising a well-adjusted GSD. From an early age expose your puppy to different people and animals. Take them on frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will make them feel confident and comfortable in a new setting and will help them develop trust in humans from an early age.
It requires patience, perseverance as well as positive reinforcement to train a German shepherd. It is essential to avoid negative reinforcement methods such as yelling and physical punishment because they can lead to fear-based aggression. Instead, opt for reward-based training and clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.
Daily enrichment is crucial for your German Shepherd. Exercises for mental stimulation are just as important for an GSD as physical exercise, especially in the case of a household with lots of people. This can help them to keep their attention and focus so that they are less likely to be distracted by street noises storms or other dogs in the park or crowds at competitions and other public events.
German Shepherds are prone to a number of health conditions such as hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the bones, lungs and intestinal tract), pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these conditions can be prevented through responsible breeding and lifestyle accommodations.
Despite their reputation for being a savage breed, German Shepherds make devoted family pets. When they are exposed to children at a young age they can be incredibly tender and loving towards smaller pets such as cats. Süßer Deutscher Schäferhund are formidable guardians due to their size and strength, but they should be supervised when they are around children. If they are not being exposed to enough training and socialization they could show signs of aggression. It is recommended that you enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy class in the preschool or obedience to ensure that they are receiving the proper education and socialization they require to flourish.