The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect balance of speed and strength. Their exceptional training capabilities and protective instincts make these dogs 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 previous health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are incredibly strong intelligent dogs that are easily capable of being trained. They are loyal to their family and can be fearless guardians. The breed standard states that the GSD must be stable of temperament, self assured, and courageous. It should also be obedient and willing to obey.
The breed is strong, medium-sized and slightly longer. It has a distinctive double coat that consists of an outer layer of hardness and an undercoat that is soft. Its eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and set obliquely. The ears are large at the base and pointed. The tail is slender and extends to below the hocks when the dog is in a relaxed state. The neck of the breed is long and slightly sloping. The chest is broad and deep. The ribs are well-sprung and the spine is solid.
The breed is generally healthy however it is prone to serious flaws, such as roached backs and long pasterns that hinder the proper movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful, but not excessively exaggerated. The rear leg should never pass forward of the point where the forefoot leaves a footprint.
As working dogs, GSDs naturally have high drive. These are behaviors and desires that include territorial protection as well as the pursuit of prey. If these drives aren't fulfilled through play or work this can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds have been developed to reduce these drives. However, king shepherd kaufen need lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise, and mental stimulation in order to keep their lives in balance.
GSDs are typically shy around strangers and can be suspicious of them at first. This makes them excellent guard dogs and requires appropriate training to avoid overreactions. They are great family pets when socialized properly from a young age, and they're typically great with children.
The GSD has a high pain threshold and is resilient against illness, but it has certain health conditions that may affect its quality of living. These include seizures, epilepsy, bleeding disorders, and immune-mediated diseases. The best way to prevent these diseases is to limit your dog's exposure UV rays and ensuring that it is vaccinated regularly can aid.
Temperament
German Shepherds are smart, eager to learn, and extremely capable of training. They are an active dog breed that excels in a variety of tasks, including herding, police work and search and rescue. They also excel in detection of explosives and drugs, and guiding blind people. They are also excellent family pets. This powerful and confident breed requires a clear purpose and the attention and focus of a responsible 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 smaller living spaces.
The ideal German shepherd is well-balanced and confident with a strong temperament. They are loyal and vigilant, and they are sceptical of strangers. This protective and watchful behaviour can become aggressive when not properly trained, socialized and supervised. Dogs with these traits can be smart, independent and easily bored. They need to find a way to satisfy their curiosity.
Founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, longhaired and short-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program to develop the responsive and obedient breed that we know today. He disagreed with people who wanted German Shepherds to be a showpiece, and he made sure his dogs were stable in their temperaments, strong herding instincts, and a solid body structure. He did not breed dogs with temperaments that were unstable, or with sharp angles on their croups, or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would undermine the ability of the breed to fulfill its traditional tasks.
German Shepherds can also be prone to cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a frequent cancer that affects the liver and spleen organs, which have a higher 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 providing him with a nutritious diet and regular exercise. It is important to give him ample time to play and run outdoors in a secure area free of traffic. Keep him clean by brushing his dense double coat regularly by using a de-shedding tool or an undercoat rake to get rid of loose hairs. You should also make sure that you take him to the veterinarian regularly to have regular health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, but they do have certain health issues. They are susceptible to ear infections and they can develop ailments that affect their eyes and ears such as degenerative amyelopathy. They also may suffer from a genetic disease known as hereditary von Willebrand's disease which affects their ability to clot blood, and is found in females and males dogs.
GSDs are a working breed, and as such, they undergo strenuous training. As a result, they can develop joint problems. A common one is hip dysplasia, characterized by the inadvertent growth and development of the joint and cartilage that can result in discomfort, lameness, and other symptoms. This is not always a serious issue however it can be painful for the dog.
A reputable breeder will X-ray their dog and utilize the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays aid in determining the health and genetic background of the puppy, which includes the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high likelihood of developing the disorder aren't breeding.
Panosteitis can be a problem for German Shepherds. The condition causes bones to grow rapidly and unevenly. This can lead to stiffness and pain. This is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months old who are experiencing an increase in growth speed.
They require an diet rich in protein, with a generous blend of omega fatty acids as well as balanced vitamins to help maintain healthy coat and skin. They may benefit from joint-support in their food like glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months age should have moderate exercise, such as multiple walks and, if compatible with other dogs playing together, but should not run at full speed as it can cause joint damage.
Table food or animal bones must be avoided, since they can trigger vomiting, diarrhea anorexia, pancreatitis, and vomiting. Puppies and adult dogs can benefit by a probiotic supplementation program to aid digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements to assist with breaking down proteins. Vitamin and mineral supplements aren't necessary in the sense that a well-formulated and approved AAFCO diet should contain the right amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are highly trainable, biddable dogs that thrive under a skilled guide's supervision. They are a great choice for military, police search and rescue, and therapy dog roles. However, their dedication to their job makes them a wonderful pet for the family when properly trained and socialized.
Socialization is the first step to creating a well-adjusted GSD. 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 help them feel comfortable and secure in a new setting and ensure that they become comfortable with humans at an early age.
It requires patience, perseverance, as well as positive reinforcement to train a German shepherd. It is essential to avoid negative reinforcement methods, such as physical and verbal punishment, as they can cause fear-based aggression. Instead, opt for rewards-based training and clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.
Daily enrichment is essential for your German Shepherd. The exercises for mental stimulation are just as important for the GSD as physical exercise, particularly when you have a household with lots of people. This helps them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by street noises or storms, other dogs at the park, or the crowds at competitions or public events.
Certain health conditions that are specific to German Shepherds are hemangiosarcoma and cancer of the bones, lungs, and intestinal tract, and pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these diseases can be prevented by responsible breeding and lifestyle choices.
German Shepherds are devoted family dogs despite their reputation for being feared. When they are exposed to children at a young age they can be incredibly tender and loving towards smaller animals like cats. They are formidable guardians due to their size and strength but they should be watched when they are around young children. They could also display signs of a hereditary tendency towards aggression if not provided with appropriate training and socialization opportunities. It is recommended that you enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy preschool or obedience classes to ensure they receive the education and socialization they require to thrive.