Why We Why We Purebred German Shepherd (And You Should Also!)
How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are one of the most well-known breeds in America. They are great for pets for families and as working dogs.
German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and summer due to their thick double coats. Brushing often with a deshedding rake, or an undercoat rake can reduce shedding and help keep the coat shiny and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds are afflicted with some health issues, but they are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Reputable breeders test their dogs for genetic ailments, like elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These are frequent problems in large breeds of dog. Other health issues include digestive disorders.
Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD such as Degenerative Myelopathy, which can cause a sluggish, drunken-like gait due to spinal cord disease. The cervical vertebrae narrow, pinching the nerves that transmit signals to the hind legs of the dog. The signs begin with a shaky appearance of the hindquarters, and then advance to weakness as well as paralysis, incontinence and loss of movement. There are a variety of treatments available, including medications and rehabilitation exercises, and even surgery.
German Shepherds are susceptible to glaucoma or Pannus. This is an immune-mediated corneal condition that can cause blindness if it is not treated properly. Your dog should undergo regular eye examinations with your vet to assess these conditions.
German Shepherds are at risk of heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, and other ailments. They require a balanced diet that is supportive of the health of their heart with a blend of omega fats and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian can evaluate the lungs and heart of your puppy by using a stethoscope during the yearly physical exam.
German Shepherd puppies and adolescent German Shepherds should receive moderate exercise, such as frequent walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a safe, enclosed space. They should not run close to cyclist or jogger as this could damage their ligaments and bones that are growing. Adult German Shepherds need to be active for a few hours each day, depending on their energy levels. Pet insurance can be a wise investment for your German Shepherd, as it will cover any unexpected injuries or illnesses. Insurance for pets gives both you and your vet peace of mind which allows you to concentrate entirely on the care of your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are smart, fast learners, and highly trainable. They are very serious about their work - as guard dogs as police officers, service animals, and so much more. They thrive when given a place to exercise for their intelligence, energy and dedication to work. But, as with all breeds, these pups require extensive and ongoing training to keep their friendly, calm demeanor as well as their enhanced sense of alertness and protectiveness.
Training a German Shepherd is a team effort and should involve the entire family. This is a very familial breed that forms bonds with their primary handler. It is essential to start training your puppy as soon as you can to ensure that he can grow to be a good behaved pet.
German shepherd puppies are quick to master new commands and can pick them up quickly. However, their high level of intelligence can also lead to stubbornness if not properly directed. In-depth and targeted puppy training programs, like Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training, can aid your GSD stay focused on the task at hand, and diminish any destructive behaviors that may arise as a result of their natural instincts and tendencies.
GSDs are usually beware of people outside of their immediate family. They require to be socialized from a young age to reduce their chances of exhibiting aggression and inappropriate social behavior. They also tend to prey-drive and hunting which can be overemphasized if they are not properly socialized.
For example there are many GSDs who bark or lunge at a vehicle passing by or at people on a trail or walking through the park. Although this could be a problem for certain individuals, it's a normal behavior and should be encouraged because it will teach your German Shepherd that there are others and animals to interact with. They will learn that interacting with other people and animals isn't dangerous or frightening.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies have a short socialization window in which they are exposed to about the world around them and make connections that shape how they perceive new experiences, often throughout their lives. Therefore, it is crucial to expose them to new environments and people at an early age.
Your breeder should have begun this process for you, but once you bring your puppy home it is your responsibility to continue the process, building your pup's confidence to meet new people and things.
The key is to introduce them to these experiences in a safe and controlled environment, where they can build trust and not feel threatened or overwhelmed. If they feel afraid or frightened, they will associate the experience with fear and will eventually be afraid of the particular thing for the rest of their lives. You should also protect them from making the error of encouraging, encouraging or soothing those who are scared. This could be interpreted as rewarding behavior that is fearful and create a lifetime phobia.
schäferhund abzugeben can begin by ticking a few things off your GSD puppy's socialization checklist. Here are a few suggestions to help you get started:
Meet other dogs - this isn't only about your puppy playing with other dogs. It's also about teaching them how to calm down and pay attention to the dog that is in the vicinity. This will help them become a calm and relaxed family dog as they grow older.
Find dog-friendly cafes, restaurants or even shops to take your puppy on a coffee date! This is a great chance to reinforce the training in settle you've been doing and also introduce them to new sights, sounds, smells and textures that will aid them in adjusting to the world around them once they're fully grown.
Drive in a car - German Shepherds are not known for their ease in cars So getting them familiar with a car early on can make your road trips much more enjoyable!
Take a few items off your GSD puppy's list of socialization activities by taking them to the vet or train shop, hairdresser or a garden centre. This will allow them to become comfortable in these places as they grow older and is a a good chance to practice recall games.
Exercise
Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise, in addition to a balanced diet. However, it is important to be managed with care as over exercise can harm the skeletal structure of young puppies. For example running, jumping and playing for a long time can strain the growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This could cause problems as they grow older.
The level of drive in your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it requires. German Shepherds are prone to have higher levels of drive than other breeds. They were designed to manage animals. They will therefore possess a strong urge to herd and will be eager to complete the task.
Since they were bred to work, they are quick learners and extremely capable of being trained. They are also naturally guard dogs with an acute sense of danger, and are quick to act to protect their family members. This is why they make excellent service dogs, helping the police in drug sniffing as well as aiding in search and rescue, as well as providing security at banks and other high-profile places.
An effective method to ensure that your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he needs is to enroll in obedience classes. This will provide him with mental stimulation and also the chance to meet other dogs. This is a great method to keep your dog in good behavior pup and teach him some basic commands.
A properly bred German Shepherd will have a clear, straight and dense coat that's harsh in one area with soft fur elsewhere. The length of the coat may vary from dog to dog but it will usually be between 4-6 inches. The color of the coat will also vary from pup to pup, however, most German Shepherds will have a black or dark brown coat that has a white chest.