What Will Purebred German Shepherd Be Like In 100 Years?
How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are a popular breed in America. They are great for working dogs and family pets.
German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed heavily in the spring and summer. Brushing frequently using a deshedding tool or undercoat rake reduces shed and helps keep the coat looking shiny and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds are afflicted with a few health issues, but they are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Reputable breeders will test their dogs to ensure that they do not pass hereditary illnesses to their pups like elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These are common problems with large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include bloat and digestive issues.
Hereditary neurological disorders can affect your GSD. Degenerative Myelopathy is one such disorder that causes a drunken gait. It is caused by a narrowing of the vertebrae in the neck, causing pinching of the nerves that transmit signals to your dog's hind legs. The signs begin with hindquarters instabilities and progress to paralysis, incontinence, and loss of mobility. Treatments that may include medications, rehabilitation exercises or surgery can be found to help your dog live longer and more comfortably.
Eye conditions that could affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated corneal condition that could lead to blindness if not managed properly. Your dog should undergo regular ocular examinations with a veterinarian to evaluate these conditions.
Like other large breeds, German Shepherds can be afflicted with heart disease and dilatable cardiomyopathy. A healthy diet containing omega fats and balanced vitamins, as well as a mix that promotes heart health is required. Your veterinarian can assess your puppy's heart with a stethoscope as part of his annual physical examination.
Puppies and teens with German Shepherds need moderate exercise. This can be accomplished by taking them for multiple walks and (if appropriate) playing with other puppies within an enclosed, safe space. They should avoid running in close proximity to jogger, or a bicycle because it can cause damage to their growing bones and ligaments. Depending on their level of energy, adult German Shepherds will need a few hours of exercise every day to keep their fitness. Pet insurance can be an excellent investment for your German Shepherd, as it can help cover any unexpected injuries or illnesses. It also provides peace of mind to you and your veterinarian so you can concentrate on providing the highest quality care for your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are intelligent quick learners and highly trainable. They are very serious about their work - as guard dogs police officers, service animals and so much more. They thrive when given a place to exercise for their energy, intelligence, and work ethic. Like all breeds, require continual and extensive training to maintain an affable, obedient manner and increased alertness.
The whole family should be involved in the training of the German shepherd. The German Shepherd is a very family-oriented breed and will form a tight connection with its handler. It is essential to begin training as early as possible to ensure that your puppy will be a pleasant companion when they reach adulthood.
German shepherd puppies are quick to master new commands and can learn quickly. Their intelligence can cause stubbornness, however, if not properly channeled. Intensive and targeted puppy training programs, such as Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training, can help your GSD stay focused on the task at hand, and help reduce any destructive behavior that may arise due to their natural instincts and inclinations.
GSDs are often beware of people outside of their immediate family. They need to be socialized at a young age to reduce their chances of exhibiting aggressive behavior and inappropriate social behavior. They also tend to hunting and prey-drive which can be overemphasized when they aren't well-socialized.
For instance there are many GSDs who be aggressive or bark at a vehicle passing by or other people on a path or walking through the park. While this may be a problem for some but it's actually a normal behavior that should be encouraged as it will teach your German Shepherd that there are others and animals to interact with. They will learn that interacting with other animals and people isn't dangerous or frightening.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a very short time. In this period they are exposed to their world and develop connections that influence the way they perceive new experiences. This can last the rest of their life. It is crucial to expose them to new surroundings and people as quickly as you can.
Your breeder should have initiated this process for you, but once you bring your puppy home it is your responsibility to continue the process, gaining your puppy's confidence in meeting new people and things.
It is important to share these experiences with them in a controlled, secure environment that makes them feel safe and not be in danger. If they feel threatened they might interpret the experience as being scared and become fearful for life. It is important to keep from the pitfalls of encouraging, encouraging or soothing those who are scared. This could be interpreted as rewarding fearful behavior and could cause a lifetime of phobia.
You can start by ticking off a few items off your GSD puppy's socialization checklist. Here are some ideas to help you get started:
Meet other dogs - this isn't just about your puppy having fun with other dogs. It's also about teaching them how to calm down and focus on you while another dog is close by. This will help them become a calm and relaxed family dog as they grow older.
Look for dog-friendly cafes, restaurants or shops and take your puppy for a cake and coffee date! This is an excellent opportunity to reinforce your settle training and introduce your puppy to new sights and sounds scents, textures, and smells. This will assist them to be more comfortable with the outside world when they reach the age of.
Take a car. German Shepherds aren't generally comfortable in vehicles, so if you can get them used to driving early on, it will make your road trips easier.
Take your GSD puppy to the hairdresser, vet, or garden centre. This will help your GSD puppy become comfortable in these environments as an adult, and could be a great way to play retrieval games.
Exercise
In addition to a good diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. But, this should be carefully balanced because excessive exercise can damage the bones of puppies. Running, jumping, and lots of play for instance, could put strain on the growing puppy's ligaments and joints. This may lead to problems as they grow older.
Your puppy's innate level of drive will determine the amount of energy and exercise they require. German Shepherds are prone to have a higher level of drive than other breeds. They were bred to herd livestock. They will possess a strong urge to herd and will be eager to complete the task.
Because they were bred for work quickly, they are quick to learn and highly capable of training. reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund are also instinctive guard dogs with a keen sense of danger and will react quickly to protect their loved ones. deutschen schäferhund kaufen is why they make excellent service dogs, helping police in drug-sniffing and security and aiding in search & rescue, as well as providing security at banks and other prominent locations.
Enrolling your German Shepherd puppy in obedience classes is an excellent way to give him the exercise he needs. This will give him mental stimulation and let him socialize with dogs. This is also an excellent opportunity to reinforce positive behavior in your puppy and to teach him the basics of commands that will be useful in the future.
A German Shepherd that is properly breed will have a thick straight, clear, and straight coat. The fur can be hard in some places but soft in other. The length of the coat can vary from dog to pup but it will usually be between 4-6 inches long. The color of the coat will vary from puppy to puppy, however the majority of German Shepherds are dark brown or black with the chest and belly being white.