The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect balance of agility and strength. Their exceptional training capabilities and the ability to protect make them loved family pets.
When you are shopping for a purebred german shepherd dog Find breeders that have a commitment to ethical breeding and who are concerned about the health of their dogs. You can determine trustworthy breeders by requesting documents on pedigrees and previous health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are strong intelligent dogs that are trainable. They are incredibly loyal to their families and are fearless guardians 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, slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a distinctive double coat, which is comprised of a hard outer layer and an undercoat that is soft. The almond-shaped eyes are dark and obliquely set. The ears are wide at the base and pointed. When the dog is lying down, the tail is big and swollen. It extends below the hocks. The neck of the breed is long and sloping slightly. The chest is wide and deep. The ribs are well-sprung, and the spine is firm.
In general the breed is healthy, but serious faults include roached backs and lengthy pasterns that hinder correct movement. The hindquarters of the dog must be strong but not overly so. The rear leg should never go beyond the point at which the foot makes an impression.
As working dogs As working dogs, the GSD has naturally high drives (behavioral propensities and desires toward things like territorial protectiveness and hunting prey). If these drives are not fulfilled in a particular way, like through work or playing or playing, it can result in aggression. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a way that helps dampen these drives but they require lots of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise and mental stimulation in order to maintain an enlightened lifestyle.
GSDs are usually shy around strangers and can be suspicious of them at first. This trait of protection makes them great guard dogs. It requires appropriate training to avoid overreactions. When properly socialized at a young age they can be wonderful pets for the family. They're also great with kids.
The GSD is a resilient species to disease and has a very high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can negatively impact the quality of life. These include epilepsy/seizures and bleeding disorders. By taking precautions, such as limiting the dog's exposure UV rays and making sure that it is regularly vaccinated will help reduce the chance of developing these conditions.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn and extremely capable of being trained. They are an active breed that excels at a variety of tasks, including police work, herding and search and rescue. They also excel in the detection of drugs and bombs, as well as helping blind people. They also make excellent pets for families. However, this strong and confident breed needs an unwavering sense of purpose and the attention of a confident owner to use their strength and energy positively. They require plenty of space and exercise, and might not be suitable for smaller living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is balanced and confident, with a solid and steady temperament. They are loyal and alert and they are suspicious of strangers. This guardian and attentive behavior can turn into aggression when they are not properly trained, socialized, and controlled. These dogs are often intelligent and independent, yet easily bored. They must find ways to satisfy their curiosity.
belgischer schäferhund welpen kaufen österreich used herding and farm dogs, longhaired and shorthaired German Shepherds, in his breeding program to create the kind of dog that was obedient and responsive that we have today. Max von Stephanitz did not agree with those who wanted German Shepherds as a showpiece and made sure his dogs were calm, had strong herding impulses, as well as a sound body structure. He did not breed dogs with unstable temperaments, or with a steep angle on their croups or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would undermine the ability of the breed to fulfill its traditional tasks.
In addition to the hereditary disorders that can affect any dog breed, German Shepherds are prone to cancers, such as Hemangiosarcoma, which typically affects blood-rich organs such as the liver and spleen. They also can develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers.
You can prevent these diseases by maintaining the physical well-being of your German Shepherd. This includes providing him with a healthy diet and regular exercise. It is important to give him plenty of time to run and play in a safe place away from traffic. Keep him clean by brushing his dense double coat regularly, using a de-shedding tool or undercoat rake to remove loose hairs. You should also make sure that you take him to the veterinarian regularly to have regular health checks.
Health
German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, however they do have some health issues. They are susceptible to ear infections and can develop conditions that affect their eyes and ears such as degenerative amyelopathy. They also may suffer from an illness that is genetic, known as hereditary von Willebrand's disease which affects their ability to clot blood. It is present in both female and male dogs.
GSDs are a working breed, and as such, they undergo rigorous training. This means that they are prone to developing joint issues. The most frequent is hip dysplasia, characterized by a lack of growth and development of the joint and cartilage that can result in lameness, pain and other signs. It's not always a serious problem but it can be painful for dogs.
Breeders who are reputable have their dogs X-rayed and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays can aid in determining the health of the puppy as well as its genetic history, including the probability that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs with a high chance of developing the disorder are not breeding.
Like all large breeds, German Shepherds can suffer from panosteitis, which causes the bones to grow rapidly and unevenly, causing stiffness and pain in the limbs. The condition is particularly common in German Shepherd puppies and dogs less than 18 months old who are going through the midst of a massive growth spurt.
The dogs require an diet rich in protein, as well as an abundance of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to maintain a healthy skin and coat. They can benefit from joint support in their diet, such as glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months should get moderate exercise such as walking and playing with a different dog if they're compatible. However, they should not run at full speed, as this could damage their growing joints.
Avoid feeding animal bone or table food as they can trigger digestive upsets, vomiting, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Dogs of all ages could benefit from a probiotic supplement to help with digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements to aid with breaking down proteins. Vitamin and mineral supplements aren't necessary since a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should supply the appropriate amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are highly trainable and biddable dogs who thrive under a skilled guide's supervision. They are therefore a great choice for police, military search and rescue, and therapy dog roles. Their inexplicably loyal nature makes them an excellent pet, provided they are properly socialized and trained.
The first step to raising an appropriately adjusted GSD is socialization. As a puppy, expose your puppy to various animals and people. Take them on frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will help them feel more comfortable and secure and help them trust people at an early age.
Training a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. It is important to avoid negative reinforcement methods such as yelling and physical punishment because they can cause fear-based aggression. Use clicker training and reward-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
Daily enrichment is important for your German Shepherd. Exercises for mental stimulation are just as important for an GSD as physical exercise, particularly when you have a household with lots of people. This can help them to keep their attention and focus, so they are less likely to become distracted by noises from the street storms and other dogs in the park, or the crowds at competitions and public events.
Some of the health issues that are exclusive to German Shepherds are 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 by implementing responsible breeding practices and the right lifestyle adjustments.
Despite their infamous reputation German Shepherds are devoted family pets. They are generally loved by children and are gentle with smaller pets, such as cats, when they are exposed to them from a young age. They are powerful guardians due to their size and strength, but they should be supervised when they are around children. If they are not being exposed to enough training and socialization they could show signs of aggression. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy school or obedience class will ensure that he receives the training and socialization he requires to thrive.