The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD represents the perfect balance of agility and strength. Their high trainability and the ability to protect make them beloved pets for families.
If you are in search of a purebred German Shepherd dog Choose breeders who are concerned about the health of their dogs and follow ethical breeding. You can identify reputable breeders by requesting pedigree documents and prior health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are incredibly strong, intelligent dogs that are easily trainable. They are loyal to their families and can be fearless guardians. The breed standard states that a GSD must be confident and courageous. They should also have a calm and steady temperament. It must also be tractable and willing to be a pleasure to.
The breed is medium-sized, slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a double coat consisting of an outer layer of hardness and a soft undercoat. Its almond-shaped eyes are dark and obliquely set. The ears are wide 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 breed's neck is long and slightly sloping. The chest is broad and deep. The spine is firm and the ribs are well-sprung.
The breed is generally healthy however it is prone to serious flaws, such as roached backs and long pasterns, which hinder proper movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong, but not excessively exaggerated. The rear leg should not go ahead of the point at which the forefoot makes an impression.
As working dogs, GSDs have naturally high drives. These are behaviors and needs that involve territorial protection and the pursuit of prey. If these drives are not satisfied in a certain way, such as through play or work or playing, it can result in aggression. Show-type German Shepherds are created to help reduce these impulses. However, they require a lot of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation in order to maintain a balance life.
GSDs tend to be cautious and suspicious of strangers 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 typically great with children.
The GSD is resilient to illness and has a high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can negatively impact the quality of its life. These include epilepsy/seizures and bleeding disorders as well as immune-mediated diseases. Making sure to limit the dog's exposure UV rays, and ensuring it receives routine vaccinations should reduce the risk of developing these diseases.
Temperament
German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn, and extremely trainable. They are an active dog breed that excels at many jobs, such as police work, herding, and search and rescue. They also excel in the detection of drugs and bombs, as well as helping blind people. They also make excellent family pets. This strong and confident breed requires a clear purpose as well as the attention and focus of a responsible owner to channel their strength and energy in a positive manner. They require plenty of space and exercise. They might not be suitable for 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 protective and watchful behaviour can become aggressive when not properly trained, socialized, and controlled. They are extremely smart and can be self-sufficient and easily bored, so they need an outlet that can satisfy their curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, employed shorter and longer-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This led to an animal that is receptive and well-behaved. Max von Stephanitz did not agree with those who wanted to use German Shepherds to be a showpiece. He made sure his dogs were calm, had strong herding impulses, as well as an ideal body structure. He was against breeding dogs with unstable temperaments, or with steep angles on their croups, or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would impede the ability of the breed to carry out its primary duties.
German Shepherds can also be susceptible to developing cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a frequent cancer that affects the spleen and liver organs, which have a higher blood supply. They can also develop lung, bone or intestinal cancers.
To prevent these conditions to avoid them, you must maintain your German Shepherd's physical health by feeding him a the right diet and exercise. You should allow plenty of time to play and run around in a safe place free of traffic. Keep him groomed by brushing his dense double coat regularly, using a de-shedding tool or undercoat rake to remove hairs that have fallen off. Also, make sure that you take him to the vet on a regular basis to have regular health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds have a good health record, but health issues are present. They are susceptible to ear infections and can develop conditions that affect their ears and eyes like degenerative amyelopathy. Both female and male can be affected by hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic condition that limits the ability of clotting blood.
GSDs are a working breed and as such, they go through strenuous training. In the process, they can develop joint problems. One of the most common is hip dysplasia, characterized by a lack of growth and development of cartilage and joint that can result in lameness, pain, and other symptoms. It's not always a serious problem however it can be painful for the dog.
A reputable breeder will X-ray their dog and take the results into consideration when making breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine 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 breed.
Like all large breeds, German Shepherds can be affected by panosteitis, which causes bones to grow rapidly and unevenly, causing pain and stiffness in the limbs. This is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing an increase in growth speed.
These dogs need food that is rich in protein, as well as a large amount of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to support healthy coat and skin. They are able to benefit from a diet that contains joints-supporting ingredients, such as the glucosamine or chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months age should exercise moderately, such as multiple walks and, if they are compatible with other dogs playing together, but should not run at full speed, as this could cause damage to joints that are growing.
Foods that are table-based or contain animal bones should be avoided, as these can cause digestive upset, vomiting anorexia, pancreatitis, and vomiting. Adult dogs and puppies can benefit from a probiotic supplementation to aid digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements that aid with breaking down proteins. Mineral and vitamin 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 knowledgeable guide's supervision. They are a great choice for police, military, search and rescue and therapy dog roles. Their dedication to their job makes them a great family pet when properly trained and socialized.
The first step in establishing an appropriately adjusted GSD is socialization. Introduce your puppy to variety of people and other animals at an early age, by taking them on frequent walks, playing games, and even visiting local dog parks. This will help them feel more confident and comfortable and teach them to trust people from an early age.
Training a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. It is crucial to stay clear of negative reinforcement methods like shouting and physical punishment as they can lead to fear-based aggression. Use clicker training and rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
Daily enrichment is essential for your German Shepherd. The exercises for mental stimulation are just as important for an GSD as physical exercise, particularly when you have a busy household. This will help keep their attention and focus so that they are less likely to get distracted by noises from the street, thunderstorms, other dogs in the park, or crowds at competitions or public events.
German Shepherds are susceptible to a number of health conditions, including hemangiosarcoma (cancer of bones, lungs and intestinal tract) and pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these conditions can be avoided through responsible breeding practices and appropriate lifestyle choices.
German Shepherds are loyal family dogs, despite their reputation as being fearsome. When they are exposed to children at a young age they can be affectionate and gentle towards smaller animals like cats. Nonetheless, deutscher schäferhund kaufen schweiz and strength make them excellent guardians and they should be supervised around younger children. They may also show indications of a genetic tendency towards aggression if not exposed to appropriate training and socialization opportunities. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy school or obedience class will ensure that he is getting the education and socialization he needs to flourish.