The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect balance of strength and speed. Their ability to train and their the ability to protect make them cherished family pets.
If you are in search of a purebred German Shepherd dog select breeders who value the health of their dogs and follow ethical breeding. Requesting pedigree papers as well as prior health clearances can help identify reputable breeders.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are powerful intelligent dogs that are highly capable of being trained. They are loyal to their family and can be a formidable guardian. The breed standard states that a GSD should be self-confident and courageous. They should also have a steady temperament. It should also be able to be handled and willing to be a pleasure to.
The breed is strong, medium-sized and slightly extended. It has a distinct double coat made up of a hard outer layer and a soft undercoat. Its almond-shaped eyes are dark and obliquely set. The ears are wide at the base and pointed. When the dog is resting on its back, the tail becomes large and bushy. It extends below the hocks. The breed's neck is long and slightly sloping. The chest is wide and deep. The ribs are strong and the spine is solid.
The breed is generally sound, but it has serious flaws, such as roached backs and long pasterns that hinder proper movement. reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund züchter of the dog must be strong but not exaggerated. The rear leg should never extend beyond the point where the foot leaves an impression.
As working dogs as well as working dogs, the GSD has high-drives that are naturally present (behavioral tendencies and desires for things like territorial protectiveness and the pursuit of prey). If these high drives are not satisfied in some way, like through play or work or playing, it can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a way that can help reduce these urges however they still require lots of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise and mental stimulation to live a healthy lifestyle.
GSDs tend to be reserved and suspicious towards strangers initially. This makes them great guard dogs and requires proper training to avoid overreactions. They are great family pets when properly socialized from a young age and they're generally great with children.
The GSD is a resilient species to illnesses and has a high threshold for pain, however certain health conditions can impact the quality of its life. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders. To prevent these conditions, limiting your dog's exposure to UV rays and ensuring that it is vaccinated regularly can aid.
Temperament
German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn. They are also highly capable of being trained. They are a working dog breed that excels at a variety of jobs, such as police work, herding, and search and rescue. They also excel in bomb and drug detection and aiding blind people. They also make excellent family companions. However, this strong and confident breed needs a clear sense of purpose and the attention of a confident owner to use their strength and energy 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 temperament. They are loyal, alert and sceptical of strangers. This protective and watchful behavior can escalate into aggression when not properly trained, socialized and controlled. These dogs are often intelligent, independent and easily bored. They need to find ways to satisfy 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 have today. He did not agree with those who believed that German Shepherds should be a showpiece and he ensured that his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding instincts, and a solid body structure. He was against breeding dogs with temperaments that were unstable or with steep angles on their croups or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would hinder the ability of the breed to fulfill its traditional tasks.
In addition to the hereditary diseases that can plague any breed of dog German Shepherds are also prone to cancers, such as Hemangiosarcoma. It is a cancer that typically affects blood-rich organs such as the spleen and liver. They may also develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers.
You can prevent these conditions by maintaining the physical health of your German Shepherd. This means providing him with a nutritious diet and regular exercise. You should give him plenty of time to run and play in a secure area away from traffic. Regularly brush his double coat, using a deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. You should also make sure that you visit the vet on a regular basis for his routine health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, but they do have certain health issues. They are prone to ear infections, and they can develop ailments that affect their ears and eyes like degenerative amyelopathy. They may also be affected by an illness that is genetic, known as hereditary von Willebrand's disorder, 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 training and can develop joint problems as a result. Hip dysplasia is a typical condition that can cause lameness, pain, and other symptoms. It's not a serious condition, but it can be painful to the dog.
Breeders who are reputable have their dogs X-rayed and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays help determine the health of the puppy as well as its genetic history, including the possibility that it could develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high risk of developing dysplasia do not bred.
Panosteitis can be a problem for German Shepherds. The condition causes the bones to grow rapidly and unevenly. This can result in stiffness and pain. This condition is more common in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months old who are experiencing an increase in growth speed.
They require a diet that is high in protein, with a large amount of omega fatty acids as well as balanced vitamins to help maintain healthy coat and skin. They are able to benefit from a diet with joints-supporting ingredients, such as the glucosamine or chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months must be given moderate exercise such as walking and playing with another dog, if they are compatible. However, they should not run at full speed because this can damage the joints they are developing.
Avoid feeding table food or animal bone because they can cause vomiting, digestive upsets, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements that aid in breaking down proteins. A well-formulated AAFCO approved diet should contain the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are highly-trainable, biddable dogs that thrive under a knowledgeable trainer's guidance. They are a great choice for police, military, search and rescue and therapy dog roles. But their unwavering loyalty also makes them a great family pet when properly trained and socialized.
Socialization is the first step to creating a well-adjusted GSD. Introduce your puppy to a variety of people and animals at an early age, by taking them on frequent walks, playing games, and even visiting local dog parks. This will make them feel confident and comfortable in a new setting and will help them develop trust in humans from a young age.
It requires patience, perseverance as well as positive reinforcement to train a German shepherd. Avoid methods of negative reinforcement such as yelling or physical punishment, which could lead to fear based aggression. Use clicker training and reward-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
Daily enrichment is crucial for your German Shepherd. Mental stimulation exercises are just as important to the GSD as physical exercise, particularly if you live in an area with a lot of activity. This will help keep their attention and focus so they are less likely to become distracted by street noises, thunderstorms or other dogs in the park or crowds at competitions and public events.
German Shepherds are prone to various health issues, including hemangiosarcoma (cancer of bones, lungs and intestinal tract) as well as pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these diseases are preventable with responsible breeding practices and appropriate lifestyle choices.
Despite their infamous reputation German Shepherds are loving family pets. They are usually loved by children and are gentle with smaller pets, like cats, if they are exposed to them from an early age. However, their size and strength make them excellent guardians, and they should always be watched over children younger than them. If they are not exposed enough to socialization and training, they may show signs of aggression. Enrolling schäferhund kaufen into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he is getting the education and socialization that he needs to flourish.