9 Lessons Your Parents Teach You About Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect balance of agility and strength. Their exceptional training capabilities and protection instincts make them beloved pets for families.

When shopping for a purebred german shepherd Look for breeders who have a commitment to ethical breeding and who are concerned about the health of their dogs. You can determine reliable breeders by asking for pedigree documents and prior health clearances.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are strong intelligent dogs that are capable of being trained. They are extremely affectionate to their families and can be fearless protectors of them. The breed standard says that the GSD must be steady of temperament, self assured and courageous. It should also be obedient and willing to please.

The breed is medium in size, slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a double coat made up of an outer layer of hardness, and a soft undercoat. Its eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and positioned slightly obliquely. Its ears are wide at the base and pointed. The tail is long and extends to the hocks below when the dog is in a relaxed state. The long neck, with a slight slope, is a characteristic. The chest is wide and deep. The ribs are well-sprung, and the spine is firm.

In general, the breed is sound, but serious faults include roached backs and long pasterns that hinder proper movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful but not overly exaggerated. Likewise, the rear leg should never go in the direction of where the forefoot leaves a footprint.

As working dogs, GSDs naturally possess high drives. These are the behaviors and desires that involve territorial protection and the pursuit of prey. When these high drives aren’t fulfilled through play or work this can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds have been created to help reduce these drives. However, they need lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise, and mental stimulation in order to keep a balanced life.

GSDs tend to be reserved and suspicious towards strangers at first. This protective trait makes them excellent guard dogs and requires appropriate training to avoid overreactions. They are great family pets when properly socialized at a young age and they’re generally great with children.

The GSD has an elevated pain threshold and is able to fight off illness, EntzückendescäFerhundwelpen.de however it is also susceptible to certain health conditions that may affect its quality of living. This includes seizures and epilepsy, as well as bleeding disorders. Preventing these conditions by limiting your dog’s exposure to UV rays, and ensuring it receives regular vaccinations can aid.

Temperament

German Shepherds are intelligent, eager to learn, and highly trainable. They are a working breed and excel in a variety of tasks, including herding police work including search and rescue as well as drug and bomb detection, and guiding the blind. They also make excellent companions for families. However, this strong and confident breed needs an unwavering sense of purpose and the attention of a confident owner to channel their energy and strength positively. They require lots of space and exercise, and might not be suitable for smaller living spaces.

The ideal German Shepherd is balanced and confident, with a firm and steady temperament. They are loyal, vigilant and sceptical of strangers. This protective and watchful behavior can turn into aggression when they are not properly trained, socialized, and supervised. They are extremely intelligent and can be very insecure and bored, so they need an outlet to satisfy their natural curiosity.

The founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, as well as longhaired and short-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program to develop the responsive and obedient breed that we know today. Max von Stephanitz did not agree with those who wanted to use German Shepherds to be used as a showcase and made sure his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding impulses, and a sound body structure. He was against breeding dogs with temperaments that were unstable or with a steep angle on their croups or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would undermine the ability of the breed to carry out its usual tasks.

German Shepherds can also be susceptible to developing cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a frequent cancer that affects the spleen and liver organs, which have a higher blood supply. They may also develop lung, bone or intestinal cancers.

You can prevent these conditions by maintaining the physical health of your German Shepherd. This includes providing him with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Make sure he gets plenty of opportunities to run and play outside in a secure area free of traffic and other dangers. Regularly brush his double coat, using a deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. You should also visit your vet regularly for routine health checks.

Health

German Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, but they do have some health issues. They are prone to ear infections and may develop conditions affecting their eyes and ears, including degenerative myelopathy. They may also suffer from an inherited disease called von Willebrand’s disease that is hereditary that affects their capacity to clot blood and is found in females and males dogs.

As a working breed, GSDs are often involved in strenuous exercise during their training and they can suffer from joint issues as a result. A common one is hip dysplasia, which is characterized by the inadvertent growth and development of the cartilage and joint which can cause discomfort, lameness and other signs. This is not always a serious condition, but it can be painful for the dog.

Reputable breeders X-ray their dogs and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays can aid in determining the health of the puppy and its genetic history, which includes the possibility that it could develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high chance of developing the disorder aren’t breed.

Like most large breeds, German Shepherds also be affected by panosteitis, which causes bones to expand rapidly and unevenly, causing pain and stiffness in the legs. This condition is most prevalent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs less than 18 months old who are experiencing a large growth spurt.

The dogs need a diet high in protein and a large mix of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to maintain a healthy coat and skin. They will benefit from joint support in their food including glucosamine as well as chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months age should be exercising moderately including multiple walks and, if compatible with other dogs playing together, but should not be allowed to run at full speed as it can cause joint damage.

Table food or bones from animals should be avoided, because they can cause vomiting, digestive upset anorexia, vomiting, and pancreatitis. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion and digestive enzyme supplements to aid in breaking down proteins. A properly-formulated AAFCO approved diet should contain the proper amount of vitamins and minerals.

Training

German Shepherds are highly trainable and biddable dogs who thrive under a skilled handler’s guidance. They are a great choice for police, military search and rescue and therapy dog roles. Their constant loyalty makes them a great pet, if properly trained and socialized.

The first step in raising an appropriately adjusted GSD is socialization. As a puppy expose your puppy various animals and people. Take them on frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will make them feel more confident and comfortable and help them trust people at an early age.

It requires patience, perseverance as well as positive reinforcement to train to train a German shepherd. It is crucial to stay clear of 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 crucial for your German Shepherd. The exercises for mental stimulation are as essential for the GSD as physical exercise, especially in the case of an area with a lot of activity. This can help them keep their attention and focus so that they are less likely to become distracted by noises from the street storms and other dogs in the park, or crowds at sporting events and other public events.

German Shepherds are prone to a number of health conditions such as Hemangiosarcoma (cancer of bones, lungs, and intestinal tract), pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these diseases are preventable through responsible breeding and lifestyle choices.

German Shepherds are devoted family dogs despite their reputation for being feared. When they are exposed to children from a young age they can be incredibly friendly and gentle with smaller pets such as cats. They are powerful guardians due to their size and strength but they should be watched when they are around young children. If they’re not sufficiently exposed to training and socialization and are not properly socialized, they could exhibit signs of aggression. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy school or obedience class will ensure that he is getting the education and socialization he needs to be successful.