The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD embodies the ideal balance of agility and strength. Its training capabilities are high and its natural protective instincts make them beloved family dogs.
If you are looking for a purebred german shepherd dog Find breeders that practice ethical breeding and prioritize the health of their animals. You can determine reputable breeders by requesting pedigree papers and previous health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are strong intelligent dogs that are highly trainable. They are incredibly affectionate to their families and are a fierce protector of them. The breed standard states that the GSD must be confident and courageous, as well as possess an unwavering temperament. It must also be tractable and willing to please.
The breed is medium-sized slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a distinctive double coat that consists of a hard outer layer and a soft undercoat. The almond-shaped eyes of the dog are dark and slightly set. The ears are pointed and wide at the base. When the dog is lying down, the tail is big and swollen. It is a little below the hocks. 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.
In general the breed is healthy however, serious issues include roached backs as well as long pasterns that hinder proper movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong but not overexaggerated. The rear leg should never extend beyond the point where the foot leaves an impression.
As working dogs, the GSD has naturally high drives (behavioral tendencies and desires towards things like territorial protection and the pursuit of prey). If these high-drives aren't fulfilled through play or work this can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are developed to reduce these drives. However, they require a lot of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation in order to maintain a balance life.
GSDs tend to be reserved and suspicious towards strangers initially. This trait of protection makes them excellent guard dogs and requires the right training to avoid triggering reactions. If properly socialized early in life they can make great pets for families. They're also great with kids.
The GSD has an extremely high threshold for pain and is resilient against illness, however it has certain health conditions that can impact its quality of life. These include epilepsy/seizures and bleeding disorders. By taking precautions, such as limiting the dog's exposure to harmful UV rays, and ensuring it receives routine vaccinations should lower the chance of developing these conditions.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn. They are also highly trainable. They are a working breed that excel in a variety tasks, including herding police work, search and rescue as well as detection of drugs and bombs, and guiding the blind. They are also excellent family pets. However, this strong and confident breed needs a clear sense of purpose and the attention of a confident owner to harness their energy and strength positively. They need a lot of exercise and room, and may not be a good fit in smaller living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a firm and steady temperament. They are loyal, vigilant, and suspicious of strangers. This watchful and protective behavior can turn into aggression if not properly trained, socialized and controlled. They are extremely smart and can be independent and easily bored, so they need an outlet that can 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. Max von Stephanitz was not one of those who wanted to use German Shepherds to be a showpiece. He made sure his dogs were calm, had strong herding impulses, and solid body structure. He even refused to breed certain dogs that had unstable temperaments or steep angles in their croups as well as front and rear pasterns since he believed that these traits would undermine the breed's ability to perform its traditional work.
In addition to the hereditary ailments that can plague any dog breed German Shepherds are also susceptible to cancers such as Hemangiosarcoma, which typically affects blood-rich organs like the liver and spleen. They may also develop bone, lung or intestinal cancers.
You can prevent these diseases by maintaining the physical well-being of your German Shepherd. This means giving him a balanced diet and regular exercise. You should give him ample time to play and run outdoors in a safe area free of traffic. Regularly brush your double coat using tools for deshedding or an undercoat rake. You should also make sure that you take him to the vet regularly for his routine health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds have a great health history, however some health issues are present. They are susceptible to ear infections, and may develop conditions that affect their eyes and ears such as degenerative amyelopathy. They also may suffer from a genetic disease known as von Willebrand's disease that is hereditary that affects their capacity to clot blood and can be found in females and males dogs.
As a working breed, many GSDs undergo strenuous training and can develop joint problems as a result. The most frequent is hip dysplasia, which is characterized by improper growth and development of the cartilage and joint, leading to lameness, pain and other signs. It's not always a serious problem but it can be painful for dogs.
Breeders with a good reputation are able to X-ray their dogs and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays can aid in determining the health of the puppy as well as its genetic history, which includes the possibility that it could develop dysplasia. Dogs at high risk of developing the disorder are not bred.
Like many large breeds, German Shepherds can suffer from panosteitis. This causes bones to grow quickly and unevenly, which causes pain and stiffness in the limbs. This condition is more common in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing an increase in growth speed.
These dogs require an enriched diet rich in protein, with a good mix of omega-fatty acids and balanced vitamins to maintain skin and coat health. They will benefit from joint support in their food, such as glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months age should have moderate exercise like walking on a regular basis and, if compatible with another dog playing together, but they should not be allowed to run at a high speed, as it can cause joint damage.
Avoid feeding bone from animals or table food as they can trigger digestive upsets, vomiting, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Dogs of all ages may benefit from a probiotic supplement to help with digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements that aid with breaking down proteins. A properly-formulated AAFCO approved diet should contain the right amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are intelligent, highly trainable dogs who thrive under the guidance of a skilled handler. As such, they are ideal for military and police tasks in search and rescue as well as therapy dog roles and a myriad of other specialized roles. However, their dedication to their job makes them a wonderful family pet when properly trained and socialized.
The first step in raising an equidistant GSD is socialization. From an early age, expose your puppy to various animals and people. Take them on frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will help them feel confident and comfortable in a new environment and help them learn to trust humans at an early age.
Training for a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Avoid negative reinforcement methods such as yelling, or physical punishment, which could result in fear-based aggression. Use clicker training and rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
Daily enrichment is crucial for your German Shepherd. Exercises for mental stimulation are just as important for an GSD as physical exercise, especially if you live in a household with lots of people. This can help them keep their attention and focus so they are less likely to get distracted by noises from the street, thunderstorms and other dogs in the park, or crowds at competitions or public events.
Certain health conditions that are unique to German Shepherds include hemangiosarcoma, cancer of the bones lung, lungs, and the intestinal tract and pannus (superficial keratitis). blaue schäferhunde of these conditions are preventable through responsible breeding and lifestyle choices.
Despite their infamous reputation German Shepherds are loving family pets. When they are exposed to children at a young age, they can be friendly and gentle with smaller animals like cats. They are formidable guardians due to their size and strength, but they should be watched when around young children. They may also show indications of a genetic predisposition 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 gets the training and socialization he needs to be successful.