The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect balance of speed and strength. Their ability to train and their protective instincts make these dogs loved family pets.
If you are in search of a purebred German Shepherd select breeders who value 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 intelligent, powerful dogs that are easy to train. They are loyal to their families and are able to be a formidable guardian. The breed standard says that the GSD must be steady of temperament, self assured and brave. It must also be able to be handled and willing to please.
The breed is medium-sized, slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a double coat made up of a hard outer layer, and a softer undercoat. The eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and set slightly obliquely. The ears are wide at the base and pointed. The tail is long and reaches to below the hocks when the dog is lying down. The breed's neck is long and sloping slightly. The chest is broad and deep. The ribs are well-sprung, and the spine is firm.
In general the breed is sound, but serious faults include roached backs as well as long pasterns that interfere with correct movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful, but not excessively exaggerated. Likewise, the rear leg should never go forward of the point where the forefoot leaves an imprint.
As working dogs, GSDs naturally have high-energy drives. These are behaviors and needs that include territorial protection and the pursuit of prey. When these high drives aren't fulfilled in some way through play or work this can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds were created to help reduce these drives. However, they need lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation in order to keep their lives in balance.
GSDs tend to be cautious and suspicious of strangers initially. This protective trait makes them great guard dogs and requires the right training to avoid triggering reactions. When socialized properly early in life, they make wonderful pets for the family. They are also great with children.
The GSD has an extremely high threshold for pain and is resilient against illness, however it does have certain health conditions that may affect its quality of life. These include epilepsy/seizures and bleeding disorders. Making sure to limit the dog's exposure to harsh UV rays and ensuring that it is regularly vaccinated will reduce the risk of developing these diseases.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn, and extremely capable of being trained. They are an active dog breed that excels at 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 also make excellent family pets. This strong and confident breed requires a clear purpose and the attention and focus of a confident owner to harness their energy and strength in a positive way. They require plenty of exercise and space and may not be suitable in apartments or smaller living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a solid and steady temperament. They are loyal and vigilant, and are sceptical of strangers. This protective and watchful behaviour can become aggressive when not properly trained, socialized, and managed. These dogs can be intelligent and independent, yet easily bored. They must find ways to satisfy their natural curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, employed shorter and longer-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This resulted in a breed that is responsive and obedient. Max von Stephanitz was not one of those who wanted to use German Shepherds as a showpiece and made sure that his dogs had stable tempers, strong herding impulses, and a sound body structure. He did not breed dogs with temperaments that were unstable or with a steep angle on their croups, front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would impede the ability of the breed to carry out its usual tasks.
In addition to the hereditary diseases that affect every breed of dog German Shepherds are also susceptible to cancers, such as Hemangiosarcoma. It is a cancer that typically affects blood-rich organs, such as the spleen and liver. They can also develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers.
You can prevent these diseases by maintaining the physical health of your German Shepherd. This includes providing him with a healthy diet and regular exercise. You should give plenty of time to run and play in a secure area away from traffic. Keep him groomed by brushing his thick double coat regularly and using a de-shedding device or undercoat rake to remove loose hairs. deutscher schäferhund kaufen österreich should also make sure that you take him to the vet regularly to have regular health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, but they do have some health issues. They are prone to ear infections and can develop conditions that affect their eyes and ears such as degenerative amyelopathy. Female and male dogs are susceptible to suffering from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that hinders the ability of clotting blood.
GSDs are a working breed and as such, they undergo rigorous training. In the process, they are prone to developing joint issues. A common one is hip dysplasia, characterized by improper growth and development of cartilage and joint which can cause pain, lameness and other signs. It's not always a serious condition however it can be painful for dogs.
Breeders who are reputable are able to X-ray their dogs and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays aid in determining the health and genetic history of the puppy, as well as how likely it is to develop dysplasia. Dogs at high risk of developing dysplasia do not breeding.
Panosteitis can be a problem for German Shepherds. The condition causes bones to grow quickly and unevenly. This can lead to pain and stiffness. This condition is most prevalent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs under 18 months of age who are going through an enormous growth spurt.
The dogs require food that is rich in protein, and an abundance of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to maintain a healthy skin and coat. Dogs with arthritis can benefit from food that has joint support, such as glucosamine or chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months age should exercise moderately including multiple walks and, if compatible with other dogs, playing together, but they should not run at full speed, as it can cause joint damage.
Table food or bones from animals should be avoided as these can cause vomiting, diarrhea anorexia, pancreatitis, and vomiting. Dogs of all ages may benefit from a probiotic supplementation to aid digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements to assist in breaking down proteins. A well-formulated AAFCO approved diet should contain the proper amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are smart, highly trainable dogs who thrive under the direction of a knowledgeable handler. They are a great choice for military, police search and rescue, and therapy dog roles. Their constant loyalty makes them a great pet, if properly trained and socialized.
The first step to raising a well-adjusted GSD is socialization. As a puppy, expose your puppy to different animals and people. Take them for frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will help them feel comfortable and secure in a new place and ensure that they learn to trust humans at an early age.
It takes patience, consistency and positive reinforcement to train a German shepherd. It is essential to avoid negative reinforcement methods like physical and verbal punishment, as they can lead to fear-based aggression. Use clicker training or rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
Daily enrichment is important for your German Shepherd. Exercises for mental stimulation are just as important to the GSD as physical exercise, especially if you live in a busy household. This helps keep their attention and focus so that they are less likely to get distracted by noises from the street or thunderstorms or other dogs in the park or crowds at sporting events and other public events.
Some of the health issues that are specific to German Shepherds include hemangiosarcoma and cancer of the bones as well as the lungs and intestinal tract, as well as pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these ailments can be avoided through responsible breeding practices and the right lifestyle adjustments.
German Shepherds are loyal family dogs despite their reputation for being feared. When they are around children from a young age, they can be tender and loving towards smaller pets like cats. Their size and strength make them formidable guardians, and they should always be watched over children younger than them. They could also exhibit signs of a hereditary tendency to aggression if not given the proper training and socialization opportunities. It is recommended to enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy class or obedience classes to ensure that they receive the training and socialization they require to flourish.