The Comprehensive Guide To Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect balance of agility and strength. Their high trainability and protective instincts make these dogs beloved pets for families.
When shopping for a purebred german shepherd, look for breeders who adhere to ethical breeding practices and are committed to the health of their dogs. You can determine reliable breeders by asking for documents on pedigrees and previous health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are powerful intelligent dogs that are capable of training. They are extremely loyal to their family members and are a fierce protector of them. The breed standard states that a GSD must be confident and courageous, as well as possess an unwavering temperament. It must also be respectful and willing to be obedient.
The breed is medium-sized, slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a distinct double coat made up of a hard outer layer and a soft undercoat. Its eyes are dark and almond-shaped, and positioned in a oblique manner. The ears are wide at the base and pointed. The tail is bushy and reaches to below the hocks when the dog is lying down. The neck of the breed is long and slightly sloping. The chest is broad and deep. The spine is solid and the ribs are well-sprung.
In general, the breed is sound, but serious faults include roached backs and lengthy pasterns that hinder proper movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful but not overly exaggerated. The rear leg should never pass forward of the point where the forefoot leaves a footprint.
As working dogs, GSDs have naturally high drive. These are behaviors and needs that include territorial protection and chasing of prey. If these high-drives are not fulfilled in a particular way, was kostet ein reinrassiger schäFerhund such as through work or playing and it can lead to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a manner which helps to reduce these drives but they require a lot of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise and mental stimulation to maintain a balanced life.
GSDs tend to be shy and cautious towards strangers at first. This protective trait makes them great guard dogs. It requires the right training to avoid triggering reactions. When socialized properly at a young age they can be wonderful pets for families. They also make great kids.
The GSD is resilient to illnesses and has a high threshold for pain, however certain health conditions can affect the quality of its life. These include epilepsy/seizures and bleeding disorders. Taking precautions such as limiting the dog's exposure UV rays and ensuring that regular vaccinations are given to the dog will help reduce the risk of these conditions.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent, eager to learn, and highly trainable. They are a working breed and excel in a variety tasks, such as herding, police work including search and rescue, schäferhund kaufen detection of drugs and bombs and guiding blind people. They are also excellent family pets. However, this powerful and confident breed needs an unwavering focus and the attention of a confident owner to harness their energy and strength in a positive manner. They need a lot of exercise and room, and may not be suitable in smaller living spaces.
The ideal German shepherd is well-balanced and confident with a firm temperament. They are loyal and alert, and they are suspicious of strangers. This watchful and protective behavior can escalate into aggression when they are not properly trained, socialized, and supervised. These dogs are very smart and can be independent and easily bored, which is why they require a good outlet for their curiosity.
The founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, as well as longhaired and shorthaired German Shepherds, in his breeding program to create the obedient and responsive breed that we have today. Max von Stephanitz was not one of those who wanted German Shepherds as a showpiece and ensured that his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding impulses, and a sound body structure. He was kostet ein reinrassiger schäferhund kostet schäferhunde suchen ein zuhause reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund welpe kaufen; Pdc website, against breeding dogs with temperaments that were unstable or with steep angles on their croups or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would hinder the ability of the breed to fulfill its primary duties.
In addition to the hereditary diseases that affect every dog breed, German Shepherds are prone to cancers, including hemangiosarcoma, which most commonly affects blood-rich organs such as the spleen and liver. They can also develop bone, lung or intestinal cancers.
To avoid these ailments ensure your German Shepherd's physical well-being by feeding him proper diet and exercise. You should allow him ample time to run and play in a secure area free of traffic. Regularly brush your double coat with tools for deshedding or an undercoat rake. It is also important to ensure that you visit the vet on a regular basis for his routine health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, however they do have some health issues. They are prone to ear infections and they can develop ailments that affect their eyes and ears such as degenerative amyelopathy. Both female and male dogs can suffer from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic condition that limits the ability of dogs to clot blood.
As a working breed GSDs are often involved in strenuous exercise during their training, and can develop joint issues as a consequence. Hip dysplasia is a common condition that causes pain, lameness and other symptoms. It is not a major condition, but it can be painful to 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 of the puppy and its genetic background, including the possibility that it could develop dysplasia. Dogs with a high risk of developing dysplasia are not breed.
Like all large breeds, German Shepherds can be affected by panosteitis, which causes the bones to expand rapidly and unevenly, which causes stiffness and pain in the limbs. This is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing a rapid growth spurt.
The dogs need a diet high in protein with a generous mix of omega-fatty acids and balanced vitamins to ensure skin and coat health. They may benefit from joint-support in their diet, such as glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months should be given moderate exercise like walking and playing with another dog, if they are compatible. However it is not recommended to run at a high speed, deutscher schäFerhund Lebenserwartung since this could cause damage to their growing joints.
Avoid feeding animal bone or table food because they can cause vomiting, digestive upsets anorexia and pancreatitis. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion and digestive enzyme supplements to aid in breaking down proteins. Mineral and vitamin supplements aren't necessary 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, biddable dogs that thrive under a knowledgeable trainer's guidance. They are therefore a great choice for police, military, search and rescue and therapy dog roles. However, their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a wonderful family pet when properly trained and socialized.
The first step in raising a well-adjusted GSD is socialization. As a puppy, expose your puppy to different animals and people. Take your dog for walks frequently and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will make them feel more secure and confident and help them trust people at an early age.
Training for a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. Avoid methods of negative reinforcement such as yelling, or physical punishment, which can result in fear-based aggression. Instead, opt for rewards-based training and clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.
It is also essential to provide your German Shepherd with daily enrichment. Mental stimulation exercises are as essential for an GSD as physical exercise, particularly when you have a household with lots of people. This will help them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by street noises or thunderstorms as well as other dogs at the park, or crowds at competitions or public events.
Certain health conditions that are unique to German Shepherds include hemangiosarcoma and cancer of the bones lung, lungs, and the intestinal tract and pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these ailments are preventable with responsible breeding practices and proper lifestyle adjustments.
German Shepherds are devoted family dogs, despite their reputation as a feared breed. When they are around children at a young age they can be affectionate and gentle towards smaller pets such as cats. Their size and strength make them formidable guardians, and they should always be watched over children younger than them. If they are not being exposed to enough training and was kostet ein reinrassiger schäferhund socialization and are not properly socialized, they could exhibit signs of aggression. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy school or obedience class will ensure that he is getting the education and socialization that he needs to be successful.