The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD represents the perfect combination of strength and agility. Its high trainability and natural instincts to protect make them beloved family dogs.
When you are shopping for a purebred german shepherd dog Find breeders that practice ethical breeding and prioritize the health of their dogs. You can find reputable breeders by requesting pedigree documents and prior health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are smart, powerful dogs that are easy to train. They are loyal to their families and can be a formidable guardian. The breed standard says that the GSD must be steady of temperament, self-assured and brave. It should also be obedient and willing to be obedient.
The breed is medium in size slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a distinct double coat that consists of a hard outer layer and a soft undercoat. Its eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and positioned in a oblique manner. Its ears are wide at the base and pointed. The tail is long and reaches to the hocks below when the dog is at rest. The neck of the breed is long and slightly sloping. The chest is broad and deep. The spine is strong and the ribs are well-sprung.
In general the breed is healthy However, it has some serious flaws. These include roached backs and lengthy pasterns that hinder correct 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 a footprint.
As working dogs, the GSD has high-drives that are naturally present (behavioral tendencies and desires towards things like territorial protectiveness and chasing 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 are created to help reduce these urges. However, they require lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation in order to maintain a balance life.
GSDs are usually shy around strangers and can be initially suspicious of them. This protective trait makes GSDs excellent guard dogs, however it requires proper training to avoid overreactions. They are great family pets when socialized properly from a young age and they're typically great with children.
The GSD is resistant to illness and has a high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can negatively impact the quality of life. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders as well as immune-mediated diseases. Preventing these conditions by limiting your dog's exposure to UV radiation and ensuring that it is vaccinated regularly can help.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn and highly capable of training. They are an active breed that excels at a variety of jobs, such as herding, police work and search and rescue. They also excel at the detection of drugs and bombs, as well as helping blind people. They also make excellent companions for families. This powerful and confident breed requires a clear and precise goal and the focus and attention of a shrewd owner to harness their energy and strength positively. They require a lot of exercise and space, and may not be a good fit in smaller living spaces.
The ideal German shepherd is confident and well-balanced, with a firm temperament. They are loyal and vigilant, and are sceptical of strangers. This watchful and protective behavior can escalate into aggression if not properly trained, socialized, and supervised. These dogs can be intelligent and independent, but they can also be bored. They must find an avenue to satisfy their curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, employed shorthaired and longhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This led to an animal that is receptive and respectful. He disagreed with people who wanted German Shepherds to be a showpiece and he ensured that his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding instincts, and sound body structure. He refused to breed dogs with unstable temperaments, or deutscher schäferhund pflege (entzckendescferhundwelpen-wec35D.de) 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 carry out its usual tasks.
German Shepherds are also prone to cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is the most common cancer that affects the spleen and liver organs that have a high blood supply. They may also develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers.
You can prevent these diseases by ensuring the physical health of your German Shepherd. This means providing him with a nutritious diet and regular exercise. Make sure he gets plenty of opportunities to run and play outdoors in a safe space away from traffic and other dangers. Regularly brush his double coat with tools for deshedding or an undercoat rake. It is also important to ensure that you take him to the veterinarian regularly for routine health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, but they do have certain health issues. They are prone to ear infections and can develop conditions affecting their eyes and ears, including degenerative myelopathy. Both female and male can be affected by hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic condition that limits the ability of clotting blood.
As a working breed, many GSDs undergo 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 the cartilage and joint which can cause lameness, pain and other signs. This is not a serious condition, but it can be painful for the dog.
Breeders who are reputable X-ray their dogs and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health of the puppy as well as its genetic history, which includes the probability that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs at high risk of developing the disorder aren't breeding.
Panosteitis can affect German Shepherds. The condition causes the bones to grow quickly and unevenly. This can cause pain and stiffness. This condition is more common in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months old who are experiencing a rapid growth spurt.
The dogs require food that is rich in protein, and an abundance of omega fatty acids as well as balanced vitamins to help maintain healthy coat and skin. They will benefit from joint support in their diet including glucosamine as well as chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months age should be exercising moderately like walking on a regular basis and, if they are compatible with another dog playing together, but they should not run at full speed as this can damage growing joints.
Avoid feeding animal bone or table food as they can trigger vomiting, digestive upsets, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Puppies and adults can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion and digestive enzyme supplements that help break down proteins. Vitamin and mineral supplements are not required in the sense that a well-formulated and approved AAFCO diet should supply the appropriate amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are highly-trainable and biddable dogs that thrive under a skilled guide's supervision. They are therefore a great choice for military, police search and rescue and therapy dog roles. But their unwavering loyalty also makes them a wonderful pet for the family when properly trained and socialized.
The first step in establishing an equidistant GSD is socialization. Expose your puppy to a range of people and animals from an early age, taking them on frequent walks, playing games, and visiting local dog parks. This will help them feel more confident and comfortable and teach them to trust people from an early age.
Training for a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. It is essential to avoid negative reinforcement methods such as yelling and physical punishment because they can trigger fear-based aggression. Use clicker training or rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
It is also crucial to ensure that you provide your German Shepherd with daily enrichment. The stimulation of the mind is just as important as physical exercises for a GSD particularly in a busy or chaotic household. This helps to keep their attention and focus so that they are less likely to become distracted by noises from the street, thunderstorms and other dogs in the park, or crowds at sporting events and public events.
German Shepherds are susceptible to a number of health conditions such as Hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the bones, lungs and intestinal tract), pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these conditions are preventable with responsible breeding practices and proper lifestyle choices.
Despite their fearsome reputation German Shepherds are loving family pets. When they are around children as young as they can be friendly and gentle with smaller pets like cats. They are formidable guardians due to their size and strength, however, they must be monitored when around young children. If they aren't exposed enough to training and socialization, they may show signs of aggression. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he is getting the education and socialization he requires to thrive.