The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect combination of strength and speed. Its training capabilities are high and its natural instincts to protect make them cherished family dogs.
If you are looking for a purebred German Shepherd dog, choose breeders who prioritize the health of their dogs as well as practice ethical breeding. Requesting pedigree papers as well as previous health clearances will help you determine reputable breeders.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are intelligent, powerful dogs that are easy to train. They are extremely loyal to their family members and are fearless guardians of them. The breed standard states that the GSD should be self-confident and courageous. They should also have a steady temperament. It should also be obedient and willing to obey.
The breed is muscular, medium-sized and slightly extended. It has a distinct double coat, which is comprised of a hard outer layer and a soft undercoat. The eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and positioned obliquely. Its ears are wide and pointed at the base. The tail is long and reaches to below the hocks when the dog is at rest. The breed's long, slightly sloping neck is a characteristic. The chest is broad and deep. The spine is firm and the ribs are well-sprung.
The breed is generally sound, but it has serious flaws, such as 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 in the direction of where the forefoot leaves an imprint.
As working dogs, the GSD has high-drives that are naturally present (behavioral tendencies and desires for things like territorial protection and the pursuit of prey). If these high-drives aren't fulfilled in some way through play or work, it can lead to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a manner that can help reduce these urges but they require a lot of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise and mental stimulation to maintain an enlightened lifestyle.
GSDs are typically reserved around strangers and may be cautious at first. This trait of protection makes them excellent guard dogs and requires appropriate training to avoid overreactions. They are wonderful pets for families when they are socialized properly from a young age, and they're generally great with children.
The GSD is resilient to illnesses and has a high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can affect the quality of life. These include epilepsy/seizures as well as bleeding disorders and immune-mediated diseases. To prevent these conditions, limiting your dog's exposure to UV radiation and ensuring that you get regular vaccinations will help.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent, eager to learn, and highly trainable. They are a working breed and excel in a variety tasks, including herding police work such as search and rescue as well as detection of drugs and bombs, and guiding the blind. They are also excellent family pets. This powerful and confident breed requires a clear goal and the focus and attention of a confident owner to harness their energy and strength in a positive manner. They require lots of space and exercise, and might not be suited to apartments or other living spaces.
The ideal German shepherd is confident and well-balanced, with a strong and stable temperament. They are loyal, alert, and suspicious of strangers. If they aren't properly socialized and trained in this manner, their protective and vigilant behavior could turn into aggressive. These dogs can be intelligent, independent and easily bored. They must find an avenue to satisfy their curiosity.
Founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, as well as longhaired and shorthaired German Shepherds in his breeding program to create the responsive and obedient breed that we see today. He did not agree with those who believed that German Shepherds should be a showpiece, and he made sure his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding instincts, and a solid body structure. He did not breed dogs with temperaments that were unstable, 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 carry out its usual tasks.
In addition to the hereditary disorders that affect every dog breed, German Shepherds are prone to cancers such as hemangiosarcoma, which most commonly affects blood-rich organs, such as the spleen and liver. They can also develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers.
You can avoid these ailments by maintaining the physical health of your German Shepherd. This means providing him with a nutritious diet and regular exercise. You should give him ample time to play and run outdoors in a safe area away from traffic. Keep him looking neat by brushing his dense double coat on a regular basis, using a de-shedding tool or undercoat rake to remove hairs that have fallen off. king shepherd kaufen is recommended that you take him to your veterinarian regularly for routine health checks.
Health
German Shepherds have a great health history, however some health problems do exist. They are susceptible to ear infections and can develop eye conditions and ears, like degenerative myelopathy. Both female and male dogs can suffer from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that affects the ability of dogs to clot blood.
GSDs are a working breed and as such, they undergo strenuous training. As a result, they are prone to developing joint issues. A common one is hip dysplasia, which is characterized by improper growth and development of the cartilage and joint which can cause pain, lameness, and other symptoms. It's not a serious condition but can be painful for the dog.
Breeders with a good reputation X-ray the dogs they breed and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays aid in determining the health and genetic history of the puppy, as well as the likelihood to develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high risk of developing dysplasia aren't breeding.
Like many large breeds, German Shepherds can suffer from panosteitis, which causes the bones to grow rapidly and unevenly, which causes pain and stiffness in the joints. This condition is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months old who are experiencing an increase in growth speed.
These dogs require food that is high in protein and a large mix of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins for a healthy coat and skin. They can benefit from joint support in their diet like glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs under the age of 18 months should get moderate exercise, such as walking and playing with a different dog, if they are compatible. However they shouldn't run at full speed as this could damage the joints they are developing.
Avoid feeding table food or animal bone as they can trigger vomiting, digestive upsets, anorexia and pancreatitis. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements to aid in breaking down proteins. Mineral and vitamin supplements are not required in the sense that a well-formulated and approved AAFCO diet should provide the proper amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are highly-trainable and biddable dogs who thrive under a skilled guide's supervision. They are a great choice for military and police tasks such as search and rescue and therapy dog roles, and a myriad of other specialized roles. However, their unwavering loyalty also makes them a wonderful pet to have when properly trained and socialized.
Socialization is the first step in raising a well adjusted GSD. From a young age expose your puppy to different people and animals. Take your dog for walks frequently and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will help them feel comfortable and secure in a new setting and will help them develop trust in humans at an early age.
It takes patience, consistency and positive reinforcement to train to train a German shepherd. It is essential 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 as essential for a GSD as physical exercise, particularly if you live in an area with a lot of activity. This can help them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by noises or thunderstorms or other dogs in the park, or crowds at competitions or public events.
German Shepherds are prone to a number of health conditions, including hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the bones, lungs, and intestinal tract) and pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these ailments can be prevented through responsible breeding and lifestyle choices.
German Shepherds are loving family dogs despite their reputation as being fearsome. When they are around children from a young age they can be incredibly tender and loving towards smaller pets like cats. They are formidable guardians due to their size and strength, however, they must be monitored when around young children. They could also display indications of a genetic predisposition to aggression if not given the proper training and socialization opportunities. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he receives the training and socialization that he needs to flourish.