The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect balance of strength and agility. Their high trainability and the ability to protect make them loved family pets.
If Our Web Site are looking for purebred german shepherd dogs, look for breeders who practice ethical breeding and prioritize the health of their dogs. You can identify reputable breeders by requesting pedigree documents 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 a steady temperament, self assured and courageous. It must also be able to be handled and willing to be a pleasure to.
The breed is medium in size with a slight elongation and is muscular. It has a double coat made up of a hard outer layer, and a soft undercoat. The almond-shaped eyes of the dog are dark and obliquely set. The ears are large at the base and pointed. When the dog is lying down in a shady position, the tail is big and swollen. It is a little below the hocks. The long neck, with a slight slope, is a characteristic. The chest is large and deep. The spine is strong and the ribs are well-sprung.
The breed is generally healthy however it is prone to serious faults such as roached-backs and long pasterns that interfere with the correct movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong however, they should not be overly exaggerated. The rear leg should not go in the direction of where the forefoot leaves a footprint.
As working dogs, GSDs naturally possess high-energy drives. These are behaviors and needs that include territorial protection and the pursuit of prey. When these high drives aren't fulfilled in some way through work or play, it can lead to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are created to help reduce these drives. However, they still require lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation to keep their lives in balance.
GSDs are typically reserved around strangers and may be suspicious of them at first. This trait of protection makes GSDs excellent guard dogs, however it requires proper training to prevent overreactions. When socialized properly from a young age they can be wonderful pets for the family. They're also great with children.
The GSD is a resilient species to illnesses and has a high threshold for pain, however certain health conditions can impact the quality of its life. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders. Taking precautions such as limiting the dog's exposure to harmful UV rays and ensuring that it is regularly vaccinated will reduce the risk of developing these diseases.
Temperament
German Shepherds are smart, eager to learn, and highly capable of training. They are a working breed that excel in a variety of jobs, including herding, police work including search and rescue as well as detection of drugs and bombs and guiding blind people. They also make great family members. However, this strong and confident breed needs a clear sense of purpose and the attention of an assertive owner to harness their energy and strength in a positive way. They require plenty of exercise and space and may not be suitable in smaller living spaces.
The ideal German shepherd is confident and well-balanced, with a strong temperament. They are loyal, vigilant and sceptical of strangers. This guardian and attentive behaviour can become aggressive when not properly trained, socialized, and managed. These dogs are often intelligent and independent, yet easily bored. They need to find ways to satisfy their curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, used shorthaired and longhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This led to an animal that is receptive and obedient. Max von Stephanitz did not agree with those who wanted German Shepherds as a showpiece and ensured that his dogs were calm, had strong herding impulses, as well as solid body structure. He even refused to breed certain dogs that had temperaments that were unstable or had sharp angles in their croups, as well as front and rear pasterns, since he believed that these traits could hinder the ability of the breed to perform its work.
German Shepherds are also susceptible to developing cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a frequent cancer that affects the spleen and liver, organs with heightened blood supply. They may also develop lung, bone or intestinal cancers.
You can prevent these diseases by ensuring the physical health of your German Shepherd. This includes providing him with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Make sure that he has plenty of opportunities to run and play outdoors, in a safe area away from traffic and other hazards. Keep him groomed by scrubbing his dense double coat regularly and using a de-shedding device or an undercoat rake to get rid of loose hairs. You should also visit your vet regularly for routine health checks.
Health
German Shepherds have a great health record, but health problems do exist. They are susceptible to ear infections and can develop eye conditions and ears, such as degenerative myelopathy. They also may suffer from a genetic disease known as von Willebrand's disease that is hereditary that affects their capacity to clot blood. It can be found in both male and female dogs.
GSDs are a working breed, and as such, they go through rigorous training. This means that they may develop joint issues. Hip dysplasia is a typical condition that can cause lameness, pain and other signs. This is not always a serious issue but it can cause pain for dogs.
Reputable breeders X-ray their dogs and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health and genetic background of the puppy, including how likely it is to develop dysplasia. Dogs with a high risk of developing the disorder are not breed.
Panosteitis can be a problem for German Shepherds. The condition causes bones to grow rapidly and unevenly. This can result in stiffness and pain. The condition is especially prevalent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs under 18 months of age who are going through an enormous growth spurt.
The dogs require a diet that is high in protein, and a large amount of omega fatty acids as well as balanced vitamins to support healthy coat and skin. These dogs are able to benefit from a diet with joints-supporting ingredients, such as chondroitin or glucosamine. Dogs who are less than 18 months must be given moderate exercise, such as walking or playing with a dog, if they are compatible. However they shouldn't run at a high speed, as this could damage their joints that are growing.
Avoid feeding bone from animals or table food, as they can cause vomiting, digestive upsets anorexia 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 are not required in the sense that a well-formulated and approved AAFCO diet should provide the proper amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are highly trainable, biddable dogs that thrive under a knowledgeable trainer's guidance. They are therefore a good option for military, police search and rescue and therapy dog roles. Their unwavering loyalty makes them an excellent pet, if well-socialized and properly trained.
The first step to raising an equidistant GSD is socialization. Introduce your puppy to variety of people and animals from an early age, taking them on frequent walks, playing games, and going to local dog parks. This will help them feel confident and comfortable in a new place and will help them learn to trust humans from a young age.
Training for a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Avoid methods of negative reinforcement such as yelling, or physical punishment, which can lead to fear based aggression. Instead, you should use clicker training and rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.
It is also crucial to ensure that you provide your German Shepherd with a daily dose of enrichment. The exercises for mental stimulation are just as important to the GSD as physical exercise, particularly when you have a household with lots of people. This can help them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by street noises or storms or other dogs in the park, or crowds during competitions and other public events.
German Shepherds are at risk of a number of health conditions such as Hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the bones, lungs and the intestinal tract), pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these diseases can be avoided through responsible breeding practices and proper lifestyle accommodations.
Despite their fearsome reputation German Shepherds are loving family pets. When they are around children as young as they can be tender and loving towards smaller pets such as cats. However, their size and strength make them formidable guardians and they should be watched over children younger than them. If they're not exposed enough to socialization and training and are not properly socialized, they could exhibit signs of aggression. It is recommended to enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy preschool or obedience classes to ensure that they are receiving the proper training and socialization they require to thrive.