The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD embodies the ideal balance of agility and strength. Their exceptional training capabilities and protective instincts make these dogs beloved pets for families.
When you are shopping for a purebred german shepherd Look for breeders who adhere to ethical breeding practices and are committed to the health of their animals. You can identify reliable breeders by asking for pedigree documents and previous health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are incredibly strong, intelligent dogs that are easily capable of training. They are incredibly loyal to their family members and can be fearless protectors of them. The breed standard states that the GSD must be a steady temperament, self assured and brave. It should also be obedient and willing to be obedient.
The breed is muscular, medium-sized, and slightly longer. It has a double coat that consists of an outer layer of hardness and a soft undercoat. The eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and set in a oblique manner. The ears are wide at the base and pointed. The tail is slender and reaches to below the hocks when the dog is lying down. The neck of the breed is long and sloping slightly. The chest is broad and deep. The ribs are well-sprung and the spine is strong.
The breed is generally sound however, it does have some serious faults such as roached-backs and long pasterns that hinder proper movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful however, they should not be overly exaggerated and the rear leg should not go in the direction of where the forefoot makes an impression.
As working dogs as well as working dogs, the GSD has naturally high drives (behavioral propensities and desires toward things like territorial protection and hunting prey). If these drives aren't fulfilled through work or play and it leads to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred to help dampen these impulses. However, they require a lot of positive reinforcement, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to keep their lives in balance.
GSDs tend to be shy and cautious towards strangers at first. This makes them great guard dogs. It requires appropriate training to avoid overreactions. When properly socialized at a young age they can make great pets for the family. They are also great with children.
The GSD has an elevated pain threshold and is resistant to illness, however it is also susceptible to certain health issues that could affect its quality of life. This includes seizures and epilepsy, as well as bleeding disorders. Preventing these conditions by limiting your dog's exposure to UV radiation, and ensuring it is vaccinated regularly can help.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn, and extremely capable of being trained. They are a working breed that excel at a variety of jobs, including herding, police work including search and rescue, bomb and drug detection and guiding blind. They are also excellent family members. However, this strong and confident breed needs an unwavering focus and the attention of a confident owner to channel their energy and strength in a positive way. They need a lot of exercise and room, and may not be a good fit for smaller living spaces.
The ideal German shepherd is confident and well-balanced, with a strong and stable temperament. They are loyal, alert, and suspicious of strangers. If not properly socialized and trained in this manner, their protective and vigilant behavior can turn into aggression. These dogs are often intelligent, independent and easily bored. They need to find an avenue to satisfy their curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, employed longhaired and shorterhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This resulted in a breed that is responsive and well-behaved. Max von Stephanitz was not one of those who wanted German Shepherds as a showpiece and made sure that his dogs had stable tempers, strong herding instincts, and an ideal body structure. He was against breeding dogs with temperaments that were unstable or with a steep angle on their croups, front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would hinder the ability of the breed to carry out its primary duties.
German Shepherds are also susceptible to cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a frequent cancer that affects the liver and spleen organs that have a high 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 means providing him with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Make sure he has plenty of opportunities to exercise and play outdoors in a secure area free of traffic and other dangers. Regularly brush your double coat, using a deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. You should also visit your vet regularly for regular health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, however they do have certain health issues. They are susceptible to ear infections and may develop conditions that affect their ears and eyes such as degenerative amyelopathy. Both male and female dogs can suffer from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic condition that limits the ability of clotting blood.
As a breed that is primarily used for work, GSDs are often involved in strenuous exercise during their training and they can suffer from joint issues as a result. The most frequent is hip dysplasia. It is characterized by a lack of growth and development of cartilage and joint that can result in discomfort, lameness and other signs. This is not a serious condition, but it can be painful for the dog.
Breeders who are reputable X-ray the dogs they breed and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays aid in determining the health and genetic background of the puppy, which includes the likelihood to develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high chance of developing the disorder are not bred.
Panosteitis can be a problem for German Shepherds. The condition causes bones to grow rapidly and unevenly. This can result in pain and stiffness. This is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing a rapid growth spurt.
These dogs need food that is rich in protein, with an abundance of omega fatty acids as well as balanced vitamins to maintain a healthy skin and coat. schäferhund kaufen österreich can benefit from food with joints-supporting ingredients, such as the glucosamine or chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months old age should have moderate exercise, such as multiple walks and, if compatible with another dog, playing together, but they should not be allowed to run at full speed as this could cause damage to joints that are growing.
Avoid feeding animal bone or table food as they can trigger vomiting, digestive upsets, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion and digestive enzyme supplements to help break down proteins. Vitamin and mineral supplements aren't necessary, as a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should supply the appropriate amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are highly trainable, biddable dogs that thrive under a skilled handler's guidance. This makes them a great choice for police and military work in search and rescue and therapy dog roles, and a myriad of other specialized roles. Their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a wonderful pet, provided they are well-socialized and properly trained.
The first step in raising an equidistant GSD is socialization. Introduce your puppy to range of people and animals from a young age, by taking them on frequent walks, playing games and even visiting local dog parks. This will make them feel more confident and comfortable and teach them to trust people from an early age.
It requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement to train a German shepherd. Avoid methods of negative reinforcement like yelling or physical punishment, which 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. Exercises for mental stimulation can be as important as physical exercise for a GSD especially in a hectic or busy household. This will help them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by noises or thunderstorms or other dogs in the park, or the crowds at competitions or public events.
Some health conditions that are specific to German Shepherds are hemangiosarcoma and cancer of the bones lung, lungs, and the intestinal tract and pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these conditions can be avoided through responsible breeding practices and proper 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 friendly and gentle with smaller pets such as cats. They are extremely effective guardians due their size and strength, but they should be supervised when they are around children. They may also show signs of a hereditary tendency towards aggression if not exposed to appropriate training and socialization opportunities. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he receives the training and socialization he requires to flourish.