The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect combination of speed and strength. Their high trainability and protection instincts make them cherished family pets.
If you are looking for purebred german shepherd dogs, look for breeders who practice ethical breeding and prioritize the health of their animals. You can determine reputable breeders by requesting pedigree papers and prior health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are powerful, intelligent dogs that are easily capable of being trained. They are incredibly loyal to their family members and are a fierce protector of them. The breed standard states that a GSD must be confident, courageous, and have an unwavering temperament. It must also be tractable and willing to please.
The breed is muscular, medium-sized and slightly elongated. It has a distinct double coat that consists of an outer layer of hardness and a soft undercoat. Its eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and positioned obliquely. Its ears are wide at the base and pointed. When the dog is laying down on its back, the tail becomes large and bushy. It extends below the hocks. The neck of the breed is long and sloping slightly. The chest is wide 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. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong however, they should not be overly exaggerated. Likewise, the rear leg should not go forward of the point where the forefoot leaves an imprint.
As working dogs As working dogs, the GSD has high-drives that are naturally present (behavioral tendencies and desires towards things like territorial protection and hunting prey). If these high-drives aren't fulfilled through play or work and it leads to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a way which helps to reduce these drives but they require lots of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise and mental stimulation to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
GSDs are generally cautious and suspicious of strangers at first. This protective trait makes them great guard dogs and requires the right training to avoid triggering reactions. They are great family pets when properly socialized at a young age and are generally good with children.
The GSD has an elevated pain threshold and is resilient against illness, but it has certain health conditions that can affect its quality of living. These include seizures and epilepsy, bleeding disorders, and immune-mediated diseases. To prevent these conditions, limiting your dog's exposure UV rays and making sure you get regular vaccinations will help.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn. They are also capable of training. They are a working breed and excel in a variety of tasks, such as herding, police work, search and rescue as well as bomb and drug detection and guiding blind people. They are also excellent companions for families. However, this strong and confident breed needs an unwavering sense of purpose and the attention of an assertive owner to harness their energy and strength positively. They require plenty of exercise and space and may not be suitable in smaller living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is balanced and confident, with a firm and stable temperament. They are loyal and vigilant, and they are suspicious of strangers. This watchful and protective behavior can turn into aggression when not properly trained, socialized and supervised. Dogs with these traits can be smart and independent, but they can also be bored. They must find a way to satisfy their curiosity.
Founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, as well as longhaired and short-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program to create the responsive and obedient breed that we know today. Max von Stephanitz disagreed with those who wanted German Shepherds to be used as a showcase and made sure his dogs were calm, had strong herding instincts, and solid body structure. He did not breed dogs with unstable temperaments, or with a steep angle on their croups, or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would hinder the ability of the breed to carry out its traditional tasks.
In addition to the hereditary ailments that affect every breed of dog, German Shepherds are prone to cancers such as Hemangiosarcoma. It is a cancer that typically affects blood-rich organs, such as the liver and spleen. 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. Make sure that he has plenty of opportunities to exercise and play outdoors in a secure area free of traffic and other dangers. Keep him looking neat by brushing his dense double coat regularly, using a de-shedding tool or a rake undercoat to remove hairs that have fallen off. It is also important to ensure that you take him to the veterinarian regularly to have regular health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, however they do have certain health issues. They are susceptible to ear infections and may develop ailments that affect their eyes and ears, such as degenerative myelopathy. They also may suffer from an inherited disease called hereditary von Willebrand's disease that affects their capacity to clot blood and can be found in both male and female dogs.
GSDs are a working breed, and as such, they go through rigorous training. As a result, they may develop joint issues. One of the most common is hip dysplasia, characterized by a lack of growth and development of the joint and cartilage, leading to pain, lameness, and other symptoms. It's not a serious condition but can be painful for the dog.
Breeders who are reputable X-ray their dogs and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays aid in determining the health and genetic background of the puppy, which includes how likely it is to develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high risk of developing dysplasia do not breeding.
Like all large breeds, German Shepherds can suffer from panosteitis. This causes the bones to grow quickly and unevenly, causing pain and stiffness in the joints. This condition is most prevalent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs under 18 months of age who are going through the midst of a massive growth spurt.
They require a diet high in protein and a large mix of omega fatty acid and balanced vitamins for a healthy coat and skin. They will benefit from a diet with joint support, such as the glucosamine or chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months age should be exercising moderately including multiple walks and, if compatible with other dogs, playing together, but they should not run at a high speed, as this can damage growing joints.
Avoid feeding animal bone or table food as they can trigger digestive upsets, vomiting, anorexia and pancreatitis. Puppies and adult dogs can benefit by a probiotic supplementation program to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements to assist in breaking down proteins. A well-formulated AAFCO approved diet should include the proper amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are smart high-trained dogs who thrive under the guidance of a skilled handler. As such, they are a great choice for military and police work in search and rescue as well as therapy dog roles and many other specialized jobs. Their dedication to their job makes them a wonderful family pet when properly trained and socialized.
schäferhund beschützerinstinkt is the first step to raising a well-adjusted GSD. Introduce your puppy to a range of people and animals from an early age, taking them for frequent walks, playing games, and going to local dog parks. This will make them feel more secure and confident and help them trust people from a young age.
It takes patience, consistency as well as positive reinforcement to train the German shepherd. It is important to avoid negative reinforcement methods, such as physical and verbal punishment, as they can lead to 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. Mental stimulation exercises are just as important to the GSD as physical exercise, particularly in the case of a household with lots of people. This can help them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by noises or storms or other dogs in the park, or crowds at competitions or public events.
German Shepherds are susceptible to various health issues that include hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the bones, lungs and the intestinal tract), pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these ailments can be prevented by responsible breeding and lifestyle choices.
Despite their infamous reputation German Shepherds are devoted family pets. They are often affectionate with children and gentle with smaller pets, like cats, if exposed to them at a young age. They are extremely effective guardians due their size and strength, however, they must be monitored when they are around children. If they aren't sufficiently exposed to socialization and training and are not properly socialized, they could exhibit signs of aggression. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he is getting the education and socialization that he needs to thrive.