The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect balance of strength and agility. Their ability to train and their protection instincts make them beloved pets for families.
When looking for a purebred German Shepherd dog select breeders who value the health of their dogs and practice ethical breeding. You can determine reliable breeders by asking for pedigree papers and prior health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are incredibly strong intelligent dogs that are highly trainable. They are loyal to their families and are able to be fearless guardians. The breed standard says that the GSD must be steady of temperament, self-assured, and courageous. It must also be tractable and willing to please.
The breed is muscular, medium-sized and slightly extended. Suggested Studying has a double coat made up of an outer layer of hardness, and a soft undercoat. The almond-shaped eyes of the dog are dark and obliquely set. The ears are pointed and wide at the base. The tail is bushy and extends to the hocks below when the dog is in a relaxed state. The breed's neck is long and slightly sloping. The chest is wide and deep. The spine is solid and the ribs are well-sprung.
In general the breed is healthy, but serious faults include roached backs and long pasterns that hinder proper movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong but not overly exaggerated and the rear leg should not go in the direction of where the forefoot makes an impression.
As working dogs, GSDs naturally have high-energy drives. These are behaviors and needs that involve territorial protection and hunting of prey. If these drives aren't satisfied in some way through work or play this can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds were created to help reduce these drives. However, they still need lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation to keep their lives in balance.
GSDs are typically shy around strangers and can be initially suspicious of them. This trait of protection makes GSDs great guard dogs, but requires proper training to avoid overreactions. When socialized properly from a young age they can be wonderful family pets. They are also great with children.
The GSD is resistant to disease and has a very high threshold for pain, however certain health conditions can negatively impact the quality of life. This includes seizures and epilepsy, as well as bleeding disorders. The best way to prevent these diseases is to limit your dog's exposure to UV rays and making sure it receives regular vaccinations can aid.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn, and extremely capable of training. They are a working dog breed that excels in a variety of tasks, including police work, herding and search and rescue. They also excel at bomb and drug detection and guiding blind people. They are also excellent family pets. However, this strong and confident breed requires an unwavering focus and the attention of an assertive owner to channel their energy and strength in a positive manner. They require plenty of space and exercise. They might not be suited to smaller living spaces.
The ideal German shepherd is confident and well-balanced, with a strong temperament. They are loyal and alert and they are sceptical of strangers. If they aren't properly socialized and trained to be vigilant and protective, this behavior can become aggression. These dogs can be intelligent, independent and easily bored. They must find ways to satisfy their curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, employed shorthaired and longhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This led to a breed that is responsive and well-behaved. He did not agree with those who wanted German Shepherds to be a display dog, and he made sure that his dogs had stable temperaments and strong herding instincts and sound body structure. He was against breeding 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 perform its traditional tasks.
German Shepherds are also 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 bone, lung or intestinal cancers.
To avoid these issues ensure your German Shepherd's physical well-being by feeding him the right diet and exercise. Make sure he has plenty of opportunities to exercise and play outdoors, in a safe area away from traffic and other dangers. Keep him clean by scrubbing his dense double coat on a regular basis by using a de-shedding tool or undercoat rake to remove hairs that are loose. It is recommended that you take him to your veterinarian regularly for routine health checks.
Health
German Shepherds have a good health record, but health issues are present. They are prone to ear infections and may develop conditions that affect their ears and eyes such as degenerative amyelopathy. They may also suffer from an inherited disease called hereditary von Willebrand's disorder that affects their capacity to clot blood. It can be found in females and males dogs.
As a breed that is primarily used for work, GSDs are often involved in strenuous exercise during their training and can develop joint issues as a result. One of the most common is hip dysplasia, characterized by the inadvertent growth and development of the cartilage and joint which can cause pain, lameness, and other symptoms. It's not a serious condition, but it can be painful for the dog.
Breeders who are reputable have their dogs X-rayed and use the results to inform breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health and genetic history of the puppy, which includes the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs at high chance of developing the disorder are not breeding.
Panosteitis can be a problem for German Shepherds. The condition causes bones to grow quickly and unevenly. This can result in stiffness and pain. This condition is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing rapid growth.
The dogs need an enriched diet rich in protein with a generous mix of omega fatty acid and balanced vitamins to maintain skin and coat health. They can benefit from joint support in their food, such as glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months should be given moderate exercise such as walking and playing with a different dog if they are compatible. However, they should not run at full speed, as this could damage the joints they are developing.
Feeding table food or animal bones must be avoided, because they can cause vomiting, diarrhea anorexia, vomiting, and pancreatitis. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion as well as digestive enzyme supplements that aid in breaking down proteins. Vitamin and mineral supplements aren't necessary in the sense that a well-formulated and approved AAFCO diet should provide the proper amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are intelligent high-trained dogs who thrive when they're under the guidance by a knowledgeable handler. They are therefore a great option for military, police search and rescue, and therapy dog roles. However, their dedication to their job makes them a wonderful pet to have when properly trained and socialized.
Socialization is the first step towards raising a well adjusted GSD. Introduce your puppy to a variety 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 comfortable and secure in a new environment and help them develop trust in humans from an early age.
Training for a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. Avoid methods of negative reinforcement such as yelling, or physical punishment that could lead to fear based aggression. Use clicker training or rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
Daily enrichment is essential for your German Shepherd. The stimulation of the mind is equally important as physical exercise for an GSD especially in a chaotic or busy household. This will help them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by street noises or thunderstorms as well as other dogs at the park, or crowds at competitions or public events.
German Shepherds are susceptible to various health issues such as Hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the bones, lungs, and intestinal tract) and pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these conditions can be prevented through responsible breeding and lifestyle accommodations.
German Shepherds are loyal family dogs despite their reputation as a feared breed. They are generally affectionate with children and gentle with smaller pets, such as cats, if exposed to them at an early age. Their size and strength make them formidable guardians and they should be watched over children younger than them. They could also display indications of a genetic tendency toward aggression if they are not provided with 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 that he needs to flourish.