The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect balance of strength and speed. Their exceptional training capabilities and protective instincts make these dogs loved family pets.
When looking for a purebred German Shepherd dog Choose breeders who are concerned about the health of their dogs and follow ethical breeding. Requesting pedigree documents and previous health clearances can help you identify reputable breeders.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are smart, powerful dogs that are easy to train. They are loyal to their family and are able to be fierce guardians. The breed standard states that the GSD must be steady of temperament, self assured, and courageous. It should also be able to be handled and willing to be a pleasure to.
The breed is medium-sized, slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a distinctive double coat that consists of a hard outer layer as well as an undercoat that is soft. The almond-shaped eyes of the dog are dark and obliquely set. Its ears are pointed and wide at the base. The tail is long and extends to the hocks below when the dog is in a relaxed state. The neck of the breed is long and slightly sloping. The chest is wide and deep. The ribs are strong and the spine is firm.
The breed is generally healthy, but it has serious flaws, such as roached backs and long pasterns that interfere with the correct movement. The hindquarters of the dog must be strong but not overly so. The rear leg should not extend beyond the point where the foot makes an impression.
As working dogs, GSDs have naturally high drives. These are behaviors and desires that include territorial protection and hunting of prey. If these drives are not satisfied in a certain way, like playing or at work or playing, it can result in aggression. Show-type German Shepherds have been bred to help dampen these impulses. However, they need lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation to keep their lives in balance.
GSDs are generally reserved and suspicious towards strangers initially. This trait of protection makes them excellent guard dogs and requires appropriate training to avoid overreactions. If properly socialized from a young age they can be wonderful pets for families. They also make great children.
The GSD is resistant to disease and has a very high threshold for pain, however certain health conditions can negatively impact the quality of life. These include epilepsy/seizures and bleeding disorders. Making sure to limit the dog's exposure UV rays, and ensuring regular vaccinations are given to the dog will reduce the risk of these conditions.
Temperament
German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn. They are also trainable. They are a working dog breed that excels in a variety of jobs, such as herding, police work and search and rescue. They also excel at bomb and drug detection and helping blind people. They also make great family companions. However, this strong and confident breed requires an unwavering sense of purpose and the attention of a confident owner to use their strength and energy in a positive manner. They require plenty of exercise and room, and might not be suited in smaller living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a solid and steady temperament. They are loyal, alert, and suspicious of strangers. If not properly socialized and trained, this protective and watchful behavior could turn into aggressive. These dogs are often intelligent and independent, but they can also be bored. They must find an avenue to satisfy their natural curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, utilized shorter and longer-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This led to an animal that is friendly and well-behaved. Max von Stephanitz was not one of those who wanted German Shepherds to be used as a showcase and made sure that his dogs had stable tempers, strong herding impulses, and solid body structure. He even resisted breeding certain dogs that had temperaments that were unstable or had steep angles in their croups and front and rear pasterns, since he believed that these traits could hinder the ability of the breed to perform its work.
In addition to the hereditary diseases that can affect any breed of dog German Shepherds are also prone to cancers such as Hemangiosarcoma. It is a cancer that typically affects blood-rich organs such as the spleen and liver. They also can develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers.
You can prevent these conditions by maintaining the physical well-being of your German Shepherd. This includes providing him with a nutritious diet and regular exercise. Make sure he has plenty of opportunities to run and play outside in a secure area free of traffic and other dangers. Keep him clean by scrubbing his dense double coat on a regular basis and using a de-shedding device or undercoat rake to remove hairs that are loose. It is also recommended to take him to your veterinarian regularly for routine health checks.
Health
German Shepherds have a good health record, but health issues do exist. They are susceptible to ear infections, and they can develop ailments that affect their eyes and ears, like degenerative myelopathy. They may also suffer from an illness that is genetic, known as von Willebrand's disease that is hereditary, which impacts their ability to clot blood. It is found in both male and female dogs.
GSDs are a working breed, and as such, they go through intense training. This means that they may develop joint issues. One of the most common is hip dysplasia, which is characterized by a lack of growth and development of cartilage and joint that can result in pain, lameness 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 take the results into consideration when making breeding decisions. The x-rays help determine the health and genetic background of the puppy, including how likely it is to develop dysplasia. Dogs at high chance of developing the disorder are not bred.
Panosteitis can affect German Shepherds. The condition causes bones to grow rapidly and unevenly. This can result in pain and stiffness. The condition is particularly prevalent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs under 18 months of age who are experiencing a large growth spurt.
They require a diet high in protein, with a good mix of omega fatty acid and balanced vitamins to ensure skin and coat health. Süßer Deutscher Schäferhund are able to benefit from a diet that has joint support, like chondroitin or glucosamine. Dogs who are less than 18 months old age should exercise moderately, such as multiple walks and, if they are compatible with another dog playing together, but should not run at full speed, as this could cause damage to joints that are growing.
Avoid feeding animal bone or table food, as they can cause digestive upsets, vomiting, anorexia and pancreatitis. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements that aid in breaking down proteins. Vitamin and mineral supplements aren't necessary, as a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should provide the proper amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are highly-trainable and biddable dogs who thrive under a skilled handler's guidance. They are ideal for police and military work such as search and rescue as well as therapy dog roles and many other specializations. Their constant loyalty makes them a wonderful pet, if well-socialized and properly trained.
Socialization is the first step to raising a well-adjusted GSD. As a puppy expose your puppy various animals and people. Take them on frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will help them feel confident and comfortable in a new place and will help them become comfortable with humans from a young age.
It requires patience, consistency as well as positive reinforcement to train to train a German shepherd. Avoid negative reinforcement methods such as yelling or physical punishment, which can result in fear-based aggression. Use clicker training and rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
It is also essential to give your German Shepherd with daily enrichment. Mental stimulation exercises are just as important for an GSD as physical exercise, particularly in the case of a busy household. This can help them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by noises or storms as well as other dogs at the park, or the crowds at competitions and other public events.
German Shepherds are prone to a number of health conditions that include hemangiosarcoma (cancer of bones, lungs and the intestinal tract) and pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these diseases can be prevented by responsible breeding and lifestyle changes.
German Shepherds are loyal family dogs, despite their reputation as a feared breed. When they are around children from a young age they can be affectionate and gentle towards smaller pets like cats. They are powerful guardians due to their size and strength however, they must be monitored when they are around young children. They may also show indications of a genetic predisposition to aggression if not exposed to appropriate training and socialization opportunities. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he is getting the education and socialization he requires to thrive.