What Experts In The Field Would Like You To Know
Adopting a Purebred German Shepherd
Consistency, positive reinforcement and rewarding dog training are vital for German Shepherds. They are smart and eager to please.
Their dedication to work makes them naturally vigilant of family members and can be trained to help with security. They are active and require plenty of space to exercise. They also need early socialization and obedience training to mature into confident, well-mannered dogs.
Origin
Captain Max von Stephanitz worked to create a herding dog unmatched. It took a long time to find a foundation dog that would meet his standards physically and temperamentally. At the dog show in 1899, he spotted an adorable German shepherd named Hektor Linksrhein. Hektor was the result of a few generations of selective breeding and he was a perfect match for Von Stephanitz's idea of what a herding dog should be. Hektor was named the first German Shepherd Dog, and von Stephanitz founded the Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde (or Society for the German Shepherd Dog).
Breed fanciers began to standardize herding dog breeds in the second half of the 19th century. They were able to preserve a lot of the traits that drew Von Stephanitz's attention. those traits still make the breed popular in the present. For instance, a study found that German Shepherds master tasks after just five repetitions, and they obey the first command given at least 95% of the time.
The same traits make the breed one of the top military and police working dogs, and also a popular family pet. If properly socialized and trained they can be ideal companions for children as well as other pets. They are cautious around strangers, but they are affectionate with those they love. If they're not socialized as puppies, however they German Shepherd may have difficulty adapting to new situations later on in life, and can become anxious or stressed.
German Shepherds are good guard dogs because of their protective instincts. They are generally highly intelligent and eager to please, which makes them highly trainable. They are strong and agile and can run up to 30 miles an hour if they need to.
Due to their versatility and popularity you'll find a wide variety of different German Shepherds in the world. The distinctive characteristics of the breed are easy to recognize, especially if you're familiar with the breed standard. Ask your veterinarian for help in identifying the breed, if you aren't sure. Most veterinarians are knowledgeable of the breed standards of most dogs and will be capable of helping you quickly and efficiently.
Characteristics
If you're thinking of buying or adopting a purebred German Shepherd, it's important to find a reliable breeder with pedigree documents that can be traced many generations back. Breeders who are reputable are also members of organizations like the American Kennel Club, which will give you additional assurances of their honesty.
A true purebred German Shepherd has a hearty, deep-chested athletic build with a distinctive black and tan coat. Adult males weigh between 65 to 90 pounds and are at a height of 24 to 26 inches, while females are generally smaller at 50 to 70 pounds and 22 to 25 inches tall. They have erect ears, long and elongated and a ferocious gaze. Although they can appear intimidating, a properly trained German Shepherd will remain loyal to its owner and will not exhibit aggressive behavior towards other dogs or even people.
They are quick learners and highly intelligent. Socialization is essential to their development into confident and well-mannered pets. They're naturally guardians and are attentive to their families, but will likely accept strangers who don't pose a threat.
These powerful, agile dogs excel in military and police work as well as being aid dogs for people with disabilities. They have a strong prey drive, and are likely to chase smaller animals. Therefore, a safe environment that offers plenty of positive socialization for other animals is crucial.
If properly trained and socialized, German Shepherds can be extremely protective, loving, and incredibly obedient companions. blaue schäferhunde shy of strangers and other dogs, but with early socialization and regular ongoing positive training can learn to engage in playful interactions with other pets.
If you are evaluating the quality of a German Shepherd, look for a wedge-shaped head proportional to its size and cleanly chiseled. The shoulders should be large and square with a straight, level back that is only slightly sloped from the withers to the croup. A curved back or excessive curvature of the rear legs indicates poor structural alignment. A well-built German Shepherd moves with an effortless easy stride, which is driven by the forward thrust of its hindquarters.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent and curious dogs who are loyal and not overly eager to please. They have an unwavering loyalty to their families and are wary of strangers, making them an excellent guard dog. They thrive with active owners who will challenge them physically and mentally. They need plenty of daily exercise and a large backyard to play in. If they are not adequately stimulated, they could use destructive methods like chewing or digging.
When choosing a breeder 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 background of the parents as well as the puppies. They can also tell you whether the litter has been through obedience training and socialization. If the puppy hasn't been socialized, it will require extensive obedience and behavior training to prepare it for life as a family pet.
Puppies must be curious and outgoing and have a natural capacity for asserting themselves. If one puppy is more timid than the others and is not confident, it could be an indication of danger. A good German Shepherd should also have a an unwavering, steady grasp when being picked up.
The muzzle is large and strong with a well-developed jaw and the chin. The eyes are dark and almond-shaped. The nose should be black (blue or liver-colored noses are disqualifying). The teeth should be white and the top row should be slightly wider than the lower. The ears are erect and wide at their base with pointed tips that may droop slightly when at rest.
The German Shepherd can be used in many different ways. It is an adaptable dog that can be employed to assist in herding or search and rescue, spot drugs and bombs or help blind people. This versatility makes it among the most sought-after breeds across the entire world. It is crucial to keep in mind that the temperament of a German Shepherd dog can be greatly affected by its training and environment.
Health
Purebred German Shepherds are extremely resilient, able to thrive in a variety of settings and roles. This makes them excellent therapy dogs, service animals, and affectionate companions. They also excel in competition dog sports, advanced obedience, and training for protection. Their strong work ethic and innate instincts may inspire them to missions of search and rescue as well as police work and military careers. Despite these impressive talents, as with most breeds, GSDs are prone to certain health conditions.
As a larger breed GSDs are more prone to joint issues like hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. These degenerative diseases can cause your dog to become slack and in pain as they age. Regular vet exams can help reduce the impact.
German Shepherds are at risk of bloat, a condition in which the stomach twists and fills up with gas which cuts off blood supply to the liver and spleen. If not treated, bloat could be a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical treatment.
GSDs can also suffer from heat stroke because of their long, thick, darker coats. On hot days, keep them hydrated and offer them plenty of shade. We also check their eyes for signs of pannus, an immune-mediated condition that can cause blindness if it is not treated quickly.
Many hereditary and inherited diseases can affect 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 jelly-like cushion between vertebrae of the spine could rupture or slide, causing pressure to the spinal cord. The symptoms of IVDD include an inability to climb stairs or jump.
As with all dogs, you will want to feed your German Shepherd a high quality diet and avoid eating table food, which can lead to weight increase and nutritional deficiencies. You should also brush their coat regularly to keep it healthy and clean. A bath is fine occasionally but excessively doing it can take away the natural oils that keep the coat healthy and shiny.