The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect blend of strength and speed. Its training capabilities are high and its natural protective instincts make them beloved family dogs.
When you are shopping for purebred german shepherd dogs, look for breeders who have a commitment to ethical breeding and who are concerned about the health of their dogs. Requesting pedigree documents and previous health clearances will help you find reputable breeders.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are intelligent, powerful dogs that are easy to train. They are incredibly affectionate to their families and can be fearless protectors of them. The breed standard states that the GSD must be stable of temperament, self assured and courageous. It must also be tractable and willing to be a pleasure to.
The breed is medium in size with a slight elongation and is muscular. It has a double coat made up of an outer layer of hardness, and a softer undercoat. Its eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and positioned in a oblique manner. Its ears are wide and pointed at the base. When the dog is resting on its back, the tail becomes big and swollen. It reaches below the hocks. The long neck, with a slight slope, is characteristic. The chest is wide and deep. The spine is strong and the ribs are well-sprung.
In general the breed is sound, but serious faults include roached backs and long pasterns that hinder proper movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong but not overly exaggerated. Likewise, the rear leg should never go ahead of the point at which the forefoot leaves an imprint.
As working dogs, GSDs naturally have high drive. These are behaviors and needs that involve territorial protection and chasing of prey. If these high-drives aren't satisfied in some way through work or play and it leads to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds were developed to reduce these impulses. However, they still require a lot of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation in order to keep a balanced life.
GSDs are typically shy around strangers and can be suspicious of them at first. This is a characteristic that makes them excellent guard dogs, however it requires proper training to prevent overreactions. They are great family pets when socialized properly from a young age, and are generally good with children.
The GSD has a high pain threshold and is resistant to illness, however it has certain health conditions that can affect its quality of living. These include seizures and epilepsy, bleeding disorders, and immune-mediated diseases. By taking precautions, such as limiting the dog's exposure to harsh UV rays and ensuring that regular vaccinations are given to the dog will help reduce the risk of these conditions.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent, eager to learn, and extremely capable of training. They are a working breed that excel in a variety jobs, including herding, police work, search and rescue bomb and drug detection and guiding blind. They are also great pets for families. This powerful and confident breed requires a clear purpose as well as the attention and focus of a responsible owner to channel their strength and energy in a positive way. They require plenty of exercise and space, and might not be suited in smaller living spaces.
The ideal German shepherd is well-balanced and confident with a strong temperament. They are loyal, alert, and suspicious of strangers. This protective and watchful behaviour can become aggressive if not properly trained, socialized, and supervised. Dogs with these traits can be smart and independent, but they can also be bored. They must find ways to satisfy their natural curiosity.
Founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, longhaired and short-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program to create the responsive and obedient breed that we see today. Max von Stephanitz was not one of those who wanted to use German Shepherds to be used as a showcase and made sure his dogs had stable tempers, strong herding impulses, and an ideal body structure. He also refused to breed with dogs that had temperaments that were unstable or had sharp angles in their croups as well as front and rear pasterns, since he believed that these traits would undermine the breed's ability to do its job as it is.
German Shepherds are also susceptible to developing cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a frequent cancer that affects the spleen and liver organs, which have a higher blood supply. They may also develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers.
You can prevent these diseases by maintaining the physical health of your German Shepherd. This means providing him with a healthy diet and regular exercise. You should allow plenty of time to play and run around in a safe area away from traffic. Regularly brush his double coat, using a deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. Also, make sure that you take him to the veterinarian regularly to have regular health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, but they do have some health issues. They are prone to ear infections and may develop ailments that affect their eyes and ears, including degenerative myelopathy. Both female and male dogs can suffer from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic condition that limits their ability to clot the blood.
As a working breed, GSDs are often involved in strenuous exercise during their training, and they may suffer from joint issues as a consequence. The most frequent is hip dysplasia. It is characterized by improper growth and development of cartilage and joint which can cause discomfort, lameness, and other symptoms. It is not a major condition but can be painful to the dog.
Breeders who are trustworthy are able to X-ray their dogs and use the results to inform breeding decisions. The x-rays can aid in determining the health of the puppy and its genetic history, including the possibility that it could develop dysplasia. schäferhund kaufen welpe Entzückende Scäferhund Welpen with a high risk of developing the disorder are not breeding.
Panosteitis can affect German Shepherds. The condition causes the bones to grow rapidly and unevenly. This can lead to pain and stiffness. The condition is particularly common in German Shepherd puppies and dogs under 18 months of age who are going through a large growth spurt.
These dogs need a diet that is high in protein, and an abundance of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to support the health of their coat and skin. Dogs with arthritis will benefit from a diet that contains joints-supporting ingredients, such as the glucosamine or chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months age should exercise moderately including multiple walks and, if they are compatible with another dog playing together, but should not be allowed to run at full speed, as this could cause damage to joints that are growing.
Table food or bones from animals should be avoided since they can trigger vomiting, digestive upset anorexia, vomiting, and pancreatitis. Puppies and adult dogs may benefit from a probiotic supplement to help with digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements that aid with breaking down proteins. A properly-formulated AAFCO approved diet should include the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are smart high-trained dogs who thrive when they're under the supervision of a knowledgeable handler. They are a great choice for police and military tasks such as search and rescue as well as therapy dog roles and many other specialized jobs. Their inexplicably loyal nature makes them an excellent pet, if they are properly trained and socialized.
Socialization is the first step in raising a well adjusted GSD. From an early age expose your puppy various animals and people. Take them on frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will make them feel secure and at ease in a new environment and will help them learn to trust humans at an early age.
It requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement to train the German shepherd. It is essential to avoid negative reinforcement methods like shouting and physical punishment as they can cause fear-based aggression. Use clicker training and reward-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
Daily enrichment is essential for your German Shepherd. Mental stimulation exercises can be as important as physical exercise for the GSD particularly in a busy or chaotic household. This can help them keep their attention and focus so that they are less likely to get distracted by noises from the street, thunderstorms, other dogs in the park or crowds at sporting events or public events.
Certain health conditions that are specific to German Shepherds include hemangiosarcoma and cancer of the bones as well as the lungs and intestinal tract, as well as pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these conditions can be prevented through responsible breeding and lifestyle accommodations.
German Shepherds are devoted family dogs despite their reputation for being feared. They are generally friendly with children and gentle with smaller pets, like cats, if they are exposed to them from a young age. They are extremely effective guardians due their size and strength, however, they must be monitored when around young children. If they're not sufficiently exposed to socialization and training they could show signs of aggression. It is recommended that you enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy class or obedience classes to ensure that they receive the education and socialization they require to flourish.