The Worst Advice We've Ever Seen About Purebred German Shepherd Dog Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect combination of strength and agility. Their exceptional training capabilities and the ability to protect make them cherished family pets.
If deutscher schäferhund kaufen are looking for a purebred German Shepherd Choose breeders who are concerned about the health of their dogs and follow ethical breeding. You can identify reliable breeders by asking for documents on pedigrees and previous health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are powerful intelligent dogs that are highly capable of training. 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 courageous. It must also be obedient and willing to obey.
The breed is muscular, medium-sized and slightly extended. It has a distinctive double coat that consists of an outer layer of hardness and an undercoat that is soft. The almond-shaped eyes of the dog are dark and slightly set. Its ears are pointed and wide at the base. The tail is bushy and reaches to below the hocks when the dog is lying down. The breed's long, slightly sloping neck is characteristic. The chest is broad and deep. The ribs are well-sprung and the spine is solid.
The breed is generally sound however it is prone to serious faults such as roached-backs and long pasterns that hinder the proper movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful but not overly exaggerated and the rear leg should not go forward of the point where the forefoot leaves a footprint.
As working dogs, GSDs naturally have high drives. These are behaviors and desires that include territorial protection and hunting of prey. If these high-drives aren't fulfilled through work or play and it leads to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a manner which helps to reduce these drives, but they still require a lot of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise, and mental stimulation in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
GSDs are generally shy and cautious towards strangers initially. This protective trait makes GSDs great guard dogs, but requires proper training to avoid overreactions. When properly socialized early in life they can be wonderful pets for the family. They also make great kids.
The GSD is resilient to illnesses and has a high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can impact the quality of its life. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders. Making sure to limit the dog's exposure UV rays and ensuring that it is regularly vaccinated will help reduce the risk of developing these diseases.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent, eager to learn, and extremely trainable. They are a working breed that excel in a variety jobs, including herding, police work including search and rescue detection of drugs and bombs and guiding blind. They are also excellent family companions. This strong and confident breed requires a clear goal and the attention and focus of a confident owner to harness their energy and strength positively. They require a lot of exercise and space, and might not be suited in smaller living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is balanced and confident, with a strong and steady temperament. They are loyal and alert and are sceptical of strangers. This protective and watchful behavior can turn into aggression when not properly trained, socialized and controlled. They are extremely smart and can be self-sufficient and easily bored, which is why they require a good outlet for their natural curiosity.
The founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, longhaired and shorthaired German Shepherds, in his breeding program to develop the obedient and responsive breed that we know today. Max von Stephanitz did not agree with those who wanted German Shepherds to be used as a showcase and ensured that his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding instincts, and an ideal body structure. He also refused to breed with dogs that had temperaments that were unstable or had sharp angles in their croups, as well as front and rear pasterns since he believed that these traits would undermine the breed's ability to perform its traditional work.
German Shepherds can also be susceptible to developing cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is the most common cancer that affects the liver and spleen, organs with heightened blood supply. They can also develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers.
You can prevent these diseases by maintaining the physical well-being of your German Shepherd. This means providing him with a nutritious diet and regular exercise. You should give him plenty of time to play and run around in a safe place free of traffic. Keep him clean by brushing his thick double coat on a regular basis by using a de-shedding tool or an undercoat rake to get rid of hairs that are loose. It is also recommended to take him to your veterinarian regularly for regular health checks.
Health
German Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, but they do have some health issues. They are prone to ear infections, and they can develop ailments that affect their ears and eyes such as degenerative amyelopathy. Female and male can be affected by hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic condition that limits the ability of dogs to clot blood.
GSDs are a working breed and consequently, they are subject to rigorous training. As a result, they can develop joint problems. Hip dysplasia is an extremely common condition that can cause lameness, pain, and other symptoms. It is not a major condition but can be painful to the dog.
Breeders with a good reputation 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, which includes the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs with a high risk of developing the disorder aren't breeding.
Panosteitis can be a problem for German Shepherds. The condition causes bones to grow quickly and unevenly. This can result in pain and stiffness. The condition is especially common in German Shepherd puppies and dogs less than 18 months old who are going through the midst of a massive growth spurt.
The dogs require food that is rich in protein, and a large amount of omega fatty acids as well as balanced vitamins to maintain a healthy skin and coat. These dogs can benefit from food with joints-supporting ingredients, such as glucosamine or chondroitin. Dogs under the age of 18 months should be given moderate exercise like walking and playing with another dog, if they are compatible. However it is not recommended to run at full speed, as this could damage the joints they are developing.
Table food or animal bones should be avoided, because they can cause vomiting, diarrhea anorexia, vomiting, and pancreatitis. Adult dogs and puppies may benefit by a probiotic supplementation program to help with digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements to aid in the breakdown of proteins. A well-formulated AAFCO approved diet should have the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are highly-trainable and biddable dogs who thrive under a knowledgeable handler's guidance. They are therefore a good choice for police, military, search and rescue and therapy dog roles. Their dedication to their job makes them a great family pet when properly trained and socialized.
Socialization is the first step in creating a well-adjusted GSD. As a puppy expose your puppy to various animals and people. Take them on frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will help them feel confident and comfortable in a new place and ensure that they become comfortable with humans at an early age.
It requires patience, perseverance and positive reinforcement to train a German shepherd. Avoid negative reinforcement methods like yelling or physical punishment that could result in fear-based aggression. Use clicker training or 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. Exercises for mental stimulation can be as important as physical exercise for the GSD, especially in a chaotic or busy household. This can help them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by street sounds or storms as well as other dogs at the park, or the crowds at competitions and other public events.
Some health conditions that are specific to German Shepherds include hemangiosarcoma and cancer of the bones as well as the lungs and intestinal tract, as well as pannus (superficial keratitis). simply click the following internet page of these diseases can be prevented by implementing responsible breeding practices and appropriate lifestyle adjustments.
German Shepherds are loyal family dogs despite their reputation for being feared. When they are around children at a young age they can be incredibly friendly and gentle with smaller pets such as cats. Nonetheless, their size and strength make them formidable guardians, and they should always be supervised around younger children. If they are not exposed enough to socialization and training, they may show signs of aggression. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy school or obedience class will ensure that he gets the training and socialization that he needs to be successful.