The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect balance of speed and strength. Its exceptional training ability and natural instincts to protect make them cherished family dogs.
If you are looking for a purebred German Shepherd select breeders who value the health of their dogs and follow ethical breeding. Requesting pedigree papers as well as previous health clearances will help you identify reputable breeders.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are incredibly strong, intelligent dogs that are trainable. They are incredibly loyal to their family members and are a fierce protector of them. The breed standard says that the GSD must be stable of temperament, self assured, and courageous. It must also be respectful and willing to obey.
The breed is medium in size slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a distinct 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 wide at the base and pointed. When the dog is resting in a shady position, the tail is large and bushy. It extends below the hocks. The dog's long neck with a slightly sloping slope is distinctive. The chest is broad and deep. The spine is solid and the ribs are well-sprung.
The breed is generally healthy however, it does have some serious issues, like roached-backs and long pasterns, which hinder proper movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong however, they should not be overly exaggerated and the rear leg should never go forward of the point where the forefoot leaves an imprint.
As working dogs, GSDs have naturally high drive. These are behaviors and needs that include territorial protection as well as hunting of prey. If these drives are not satisfied in some way, for example through play or work or playing, it can result in aggression. Show-type German Shepherds are bred to help dampen these urges. However, they need lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation to keep a balanced life.
GSDs are generally reserved and suspicious towards strangers at first. This is a characteristic that makes them excellent guard dogs, but requires proper training to avoid overreactions. If properly socialized from a young age they can be wonderful family pets. They are also great with children.
The GSD is resilient to disease and has a very high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can affect the quality of life. This includes seizures and epilepsy, as well as bleeding disorders. The best way to prevent these diseases is to limit your dog's exposure UV rays, and ensuring you get regular vaccinations will aid.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn. They are also highly capable of training. They are a working breed that excel at a variety of tasks, such as herding, police work such as search and rescue as well as drug and bomb detection, and guiding the blind. They also make excellent family members. However, this powerful and confident breed needs an unwavering focus and the attention of an assertive owner to channel their energy and strength positively. They require a lot of space and exercise and might not be suited to apartments or other smaller living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is balanced and confident, with a solid and steady temperament. They are loyal, vigilant and sceptical of strangers. This watchful and protective behavior can escalate into aggression when they are not properly trained, socialized and supervised. These dogs can be intelligent and independent, yet easily bored. They must find ways to satisfy their curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, employed longhaired and shorterhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This led to an animal that is friendly and respectful. He disagreed with people who believed that German Shepherds should be a showpiece, and he ensured that his dogs had stable temperaments and strong herding instincts and a solid body structure. schäferhund welpen kaufen schweiz was against breeding dogs with unstable temperaments, or with steep angles on their croups, front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would impede the ability of the breed to fulfill its usual tasks.
German Shepherds can also be prone to cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a common cancer that affects the liver and spleen, organs with heightened blood supply. They also can develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers.
You can prevent these conditions by maintaining the physical well-being of your German Shepherd. This includes providing him with a nutritious diet and regular exercise. Make sure that he has plenty of opportunities to exercise and play outdoors, in a safe area free of traffic and other hazards. Regularly brush your double coat, using tools for deshedding or an undercoat rake. You should also make sure that you take him to the veterinarian regularly to have regular health checks.
Health
German Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, but they do have certain health issues. They are prone to ear infections and can develop conditions that affect their eyes and ears such as degenerative amyelopathy. Female and male dogs are susceptible to suffering from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that affects the ability of dogs to clot blood.
As a working breed many GSDs undergo strenuous exercise during their training and can develop joint problems as a result. Hip dysplasia is a typical condition that can cause lameness, pain, and other symptoms. It isn't always a serious issue but it can cause pain for dogs.
A reputable breeder will X-ray their dog and utilize the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays aid in determining the health and genetic history of the puppy, including the likelihood to develop dysplasia. Dogs with a high chance of developing the disorder aren't bred.
Like many large breeds, German Shepherds may suffer from panosteitis. This causes bones to grow quickly and unevenly, which causes pain and stiffness in the limbs. This is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months old who are experiencing a rapid growth spurt.
These dogs require an enriched diet rich in protein and a large mix of omega fatty acid and balanced vitamins to maintain skin and coat health. They can benefit from joint support in their food including glucosamine as well as chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months age should have moderate exercise like walking on a regular basis and, if they are compatible with another dog, playing together, but they should not be allowed to run at a high speed, as this could cause damage to joints that are growing.
Avoid feeding animal bone or table food as they can trigger digestive upsets, vomiting, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements that help break down proteins. A well-formulated AAFCO approved diet should include the right amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are highly-trainable and biddable dogs that thrive under a skilled handler's guidance. As such, they are a great choice for police and military tasks in search and rescue and therapy dog roles, and many other specialized jobs. Their inexplicably loyal nature makes them an excellent pet, if they are well-socialized and properly trained.
The first step to raising an appropriately adjusted GSD is socialization. Introduce your puppy to a variety of people and animals from an early age, taking them for frequent walks, playing games, and even visiting local dog parks. This will make them feel confident and comfortable in a new place and will help them develop trust in humans at an early age.
Training a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. It is crucial to stay clear of negative reinforcement methods, such as yelling and physical punishment because they can cause fear-based aggression. Instead, you should use clicker training and rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.
Daily enrichment is important for your German Shepherd. The stimulation of the mind is equally important as physical exercise for an GSD particularly in a chaotic or busy household. This can help them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by street noises or thunderstorms as well as other dogs at the park, or crowds at competitions or public events.
German Shepherds are susceptible to various health issues that include Hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the bones, lungs and intestinal tract) as well as pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these ailments can be prevented by implementing responsible breeding practices and the right lifestyle accommodations.
Despite their fearsome reputation German Shepherds are loving family pets. They are generally loved by children and are gentle with smaller pets, like cats, if they are exposed to them at an early age. Their size and strength make them formidable guardians, and they should always be watched over children younger than them. They could also display signs of a hereditary tendency toward aggression if they are not given the proper training and socialization opportunities. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he is getting the education and socialization he needs to flourish.