The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect balance of speed and strength. Its high trainability and natural instincts to protect make them loved family dogs.
If you are looking for purebred german shepherd dogs, look for breeders who adhere to ethical breeding practices and are committed to the health of their animals. Requesting pedigree documents and prior health clearances can help find reputable breeders.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are intelligent, powerful dogs that are easy to train. They are incredibly loyal to their family members and are a fierce protector of them. The breed standard says that the GSD must be steady of temperament, confident, and courageous. It must also be respectful and willing to be obedient.
The breed is medium in size with a slight elongation and is muscular. It has a double coat that consists of a hard outer layer, and a softer undercoat. Its almond-shaped eyes are dark and obliquely set. The ears are large at the base and pointed. When the dog is laying down in a shady position, the tail is large and bushy. It extends below the hocks. The long neck, with a slight slope, is distinctive. The chest is wide and deep. The ribs are well-sprung and the spine is strong.
In general the breed is sound, but serious faults include roached backs as well as long pasterns that hinder correct movement. Its hindquarters must be powerful but not exaggerated. The rear leg should never go beyond the point at which the foot leaves an impression.
As working dogs, the GSD has naturally high drives (behavioral propensities and desires toward things like territorial protection and hunting prey). If these drives aren't satisfied in some way through work or play this can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a way that helps dampen these drives but they require a lot of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise and mental stimulation in order to maintain an enlightened lifestyle.
GSDs tend to be reserved and suspicious towards strangers at first. This makes them excellent guard dogs and requires the right training to avoid triggering reactions. They make wonderful family pets when socialized properly at a young age and they're typically great with children.
The GSD is resilient to illnesses and has a high threshold for pain, however certain health conditions can impact the quality of its life. These include epilepsy/seizures and bleeding disorders. Preventing these conditions by limiting your dog's exposure to UV rays, and ensuring you get regular vaccinations will help.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn. They are also capable of being trained. They are a working dog breed that excels in a variety of jobs, such as police work, herding, and search and rescue. They also excel at bomb and drug detection and helping blind people. They are also excellent companions for families. This strong and confident breed requires a clear purpose as well as the attention and focus of a confident owner to channel their strength and energy in a positive way. They require plenty of space and exercise. They may not be suitable for apartments or other living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is balanced and confident, with a firm and stable temperament. They are loyal, alert, and suspicious of strangers. If they aren't properly socialized and trained to be vigilant and protective, this behavior could turn into aggressive. These dogs are very intelligent and can be very insecure and bored, and they require an outlet that can satisfy their natural curiosity.
The founder Max von Stephanitz 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 see today. Max von Stephanitz was not one of those who wanted German Shepherds to be a showpiece. He made sure that his dogs were calm, had strong herding impulses, and a sound body structure. He even refused to breed with dogs that had temperaments that were unstable or had steep angles in their croups, as well as front and rear pasterns, as he believed these traits would undermine the breed's ability to do its job as it is.
German Shepherds can also be prone to cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is the most common cancer that affects the liver and spleen organs that have a high blood supply. They also can develop bone, lung or intestinal cancers.
You can prevent these diseases by maintaining the physical health of your German Shepherd. This includes giving him a balanced diet and regular exercise. You should give him ample time to run and play in a secure area free of traffic. Keep him looking neat by scrubbing his dense double coat on a regular basis and using a de-shedding device or an undercoat rake to get rid of hairs that have fallen off. Also, make Entzückende Schäferhund Welpen that you take him to the veterinarian on a regular basis to have regular health checks.
Health
German Shepherds have a healthy health record, but health issues do exist. They are prone to ear infections and can develop ailments that affect their eyes and ears, such as degenerative myelopathy. They may also suffer from a genetic disease known as hereditary von Willebrand's disease which affects their ability to clot blood and is present in both male and female dogs.
GSDs are a working breed and as such, they go through intense training. This means that they can develop joint problems. Hip dysplasia is a common condition that can cause lameness, pain, and other signs. It is not a major condition but can be painful to the dog.
Breeders with a good reputation X-ray the dogs they breed and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health and genetic history of the puppy, including the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs at high risk of developing dysplasia do not breeding.
Like all large breeds, German Shepherds also be affected by panosteitis, which causes bones to grow quickly and unevenly, causing pain and stiffness in the joints. This condition is most common in German Shepherd puppies and dogs less than 18 months old who are going through the midst of a massive growth spurt.
They require an enriched diet rich in protein, with a good mix of omega fatty acid and balanced vitamins to maintain a healthy coat and skin. They will benefit from joint support in their diet, such as glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs under 18 months of age should exercise moderately, such as multiple walks and, if they are compatible with another dog, playing together, but should not be allowed to run at a high speed, as it can cause joint damage.
Foods that are table-based or contain bones from animals should be avoided since they can trigger vomiting, digestive upset, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion and digestive enzyme supplements to help break down proteins. A properly-formulated AAFCO approved diet should have the proper amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are highly-trainable and biddable dogs that thrive under a knowledgeable trainer's guidance. They are a great choice for police, military search and rescue and therapy dog roles. But their dedication to their job makes them a wonderful pet for the family when properly trained and socialized.
The first step in raising an equidistant GSD is socialization. Introduce your puppy to a variety of people and other animals at an early age, taking them on frequent walks, playing games and even visiting local dog parks. This will help them feel more secure and confident and help them trust people at an early age.
Training a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Avoid negative reinforcement methods such as yelling, or physical punishment, which can lead to fear based aggression. Instead, opt for clicker training and rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.
It is also important to ensure that you provide your German Shepherd with a regular dose of enrichment. Exercises for mental stimulation can be equally important as physical exercise for an GSD particularly in a busy or chaotic household. This can help them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by road noises or storms or other dogs in the park, or crowds during competitions and public events.
German Shepherds are prone to various health issues such as Hemangiosarcoma (cancer of bones, lungs and intestinal tract) as well as pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these conditions are preventable with responsible breeding practices and the right lifestyle choices.
German Shepherds are devoted family dogs, despite their reputation for being feared. When they are around children as young as they can be incredibly tender and loving towards smaller animals like cats. They are powerful guardians due to their size and strength but they should be supervised when they are around children. They may also show signs of a hereditary tendency towards aggression if not provided with appropriate 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 be successful.