The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect balance of strength and agility. Its exceptional training ability and natural protective instincts make them beloved family dogs.
If you are looking for a purebred German Shepherd, choose breeders who prioritize the health of their dogs and follow ethical breeding. You can find reputable breeders by requesting pedigree papers and previous health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are incredibly strong intelligent dogs that are trainable. They are loyal to their family and can be fierce guardians. The breed standard states that a GSD should be self-confident and courageous. They should also have an unwavering temperament. It must also be tractable and willing to please.
The breed is medium in size, slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a distinct double coat, which is comprised of a hard outer layer and a soft undercoat. Its eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and positioned slightly obliquely. Its ears are wide and pointed at the base. The tail is bushy and extends down to below the hocks when the dog is in a relaxed state. The breed's long neck, with a slight slope, is distinctive. The chest is wide and deep. The ribs are strong and the spine is solid.
In general the breed is healthy However, it has some serious flaws. These include roached backs as well as long pasterns that interfere with correct movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful but not overly exaggerated. Likewise, the rear leg should not go ahead of the point at which the forefoot makes an impression.
As working dogs, GSDs naturally possess high-energy drives. These are behaviors and needs that involve territorial protection and chasing of prey. When these high drives aren't fulfilled in some way through work or play this can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a way that can help reduce these urges but they require lots of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise, and mental stimulation in order to maintain an enlightened lifestyle.
GSDs are generally reserved and suspicious towards strangers initially. This protective trait makes GSDs excellent guard dogs, however it requires proper training to avoid overreactions. schäferhund welpen kaufen schweiz are great family pets when they are socialized properly at a young age and are generally good with children.
The GSD is resilient to disease and has a very high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can affect the quality of life. This includes seizures and epilepsy, as well as bleeding disorders. Taking precautions such as limiting the dog's exposure to harmful UV rays, and ensuring regular vaccinations are given to the dog will reduce the chance of developing these conditions.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent, eager to learn, and extremely trainable. They are a working breed and excel at a variety of tasks, including herding police work, search and rescue as well as bomb and drug detection and guiding blind. They are also great pet for families. However, this strong and confident breed requires an unwavering sense of purpose and the attention of a confident owner to harness their energy and strength in a positive way. They require plenty of exercise and space, and may not be a good fit in apartments or smaller living spaces.
The ideal German shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a strong temperament. They are loyal, alert and sceptical of strangers. If they are not socialized properly and trained in this manner, their protective and vigilant behavior could turn into aggressive. These dogs are very intelligent and can be very independent and easily bored, so they need an outlet to satisfy their curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, employed longhaired and shorterhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This led to an animal that is receptive and respectful. Max von Stephanitz was not one of those who wanted to use German Shepherds to be a showpiece. He made sure that his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding impulses, and a sound body structure. He even refused to breed some of his dogs who had unstable temperaments or sharp angles in their croups and front and rear pasterns, because he believed that these characteristics could hamper the breed's ability to do its job as it is.
In addition to the hereditary disorders that affect every breed of dog German Shepherds are also prone to cancers such as hemangiosarcoma, which most commonly affects blood-rich organs, such as the spleen and liver. They also can develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers.
To prevent these conditions to avoid them, you must maintain your German Shepherd's physical health by providing him with the right diet and exercise. It is important to give him ample time to play and run around in a safe area away from traffic. Regularly brush his double coat, using tools for deshedding or an undercoat rake. Also, make sure that you visit the vet on a regular basis to have regular health checks.
Health
German Shepherds have a good health record, but health issues are present. They are susceptible to ear infections, and may develop conditions that affect their eyes and ears like degenerative amyelopathy. Both male and female can be affected by hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that hinders the ability of clotting blood.
GSDs are a working breed, and consequently, they are subject to strenuous training. As a result, they may develop joint issues. The most frequent is hip dysplasia, characterized by a lack of growth and development of the cartilage and joint that can result in pain, lameness and other signs. It's not always a serious condition but it can be painful for the dog.
Breeders who are reputable X-ray their dogs and take the results into consideration when making breeding decisions. The x-rays help determine the health of the puppy as well as its genetic background, including the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs at high risk of developing dysplasia aren't breed.
Panosteitis can be a problem for German Shepherds. The condition causes bones to grow quickly and unevenly. This can cause pain and stiffness. This is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months old who are experiencing an increase in growth speed.
The dogs require food that is rich in protein, as well as a large amount of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to help maintain the health of their coat and skin. They will benefit from joint support in their diet including glucosamine as well as chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months age should exercise moderately including multiple walks and, if they are compatible with other dogs playing together, but should not be allowed to run at full speed, as this can damage growing joints.
Feeding table food or bones from animals must be avoided, since they can trigger digestive upset, vomiting anorexia, pancreatitis, and vomiting. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion and digestive enzyme supplements to help break down proteins. A well-formulated AAFCO approved diet should have the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are highly trainable and biddable dogs that thrive under a skilled handler's guidance. They are a great choice for police and military tasks in search and rescue and therapy dog roles, and a myriad of other specialized roles. Their constant loyalty makes them an excellent pet, if they are properly socialized and trained.
The first step to raising a well-adjusted GSD is socialization. From a young age, expose your puppy to different animals and people. Take them for frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will make them feel secure and at ease in a new environment and ensure that they learn to trust humans from an early age.
It requires patience, perseverance, as well as positive reinforcement to train a German shepherd. Avoid methods of negative reinforcement such as yelling or physical punishment that could result in fear-based aggression. Instead, you should use reward-based training and clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.
Daily enrichment is important for your German Shepherd. Exercises for mental stimulation are just as important for an GSD as physical exercise, particularly when you have an area with a lot of activity. This can help them to keep their attention and focus so they are less likely to get distracted by noises from the street storms or other dogs in the park, or crowds at competitions or public events.
Some of the health issues that are specific to German Shepherds are hemangiosarcoma, cancer of the bones, lungs, and intestinal tract as well as pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these diseases are preventable through responsible breeding and lifestyle choices.
Despite their reputation for being a savage breed, German Shepherds make devoted family pets. When they are around children at a young age they can be incredibly friendly and gentle with smaller pets such as cats. Nonetheless, their size and strength make them excellent guardians and they should be observed around children who are younger. They could also exhibit indications of a genetic tendency towards aggression if not exposed to 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 that he needs to thrive.