The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect blend of strength and speed. Their high trainability and protective instincts make these dogs loved family pets.
When looking for a purebred German Shepherd Choose breeders who are concerned about the health of their dogs as well as practice ethical breeding. You can determine reputable breeders by requesting pedigree papers and previous health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are powerful intelligent dogs that are capable of being trained. They are incredibly loyal to their families and are a fierce protector of them. The breed standard states that a GSD should be self-confident and courageous. They should also have a calm and steady temperament. It must also be respectful and willing to obey.
The breed is medium-sized with a slight elongation and is muscular. It has a double coat consisting of an outer layer of hardness and a softer undercoat. Its almond-shaped eyes are dark and slightly set. The ears are pointed and wide at the base. The tail is bushy and extends to below the hocks when the dog is lying down. The long neck with a slightly sloping slope is characteristic. The chest is wide and deep. The ribs are well-sprung, and the spine is strong.
The breed is generally healthy however, it does have some serious issues, like roached-backs and long pasterns, which hinder proper movement. The hindquarters of the dog must be strong but not overly so. The rear leg should never extend beyond the point where the foot makes an impression.
As working dogs, GSDs have naturally high drive. These are behaviors and desires that include territorial protection as well as hunting of prey. If these high-drives aren't satisfied in some way through work or play and it leads to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a manner that can help reduce these urges, but they still require lots of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise and mental stimulation to maintain an enlightened lifestyle.
GSDs tend to be cautious and suspicious of strangers initially. This is a characteristic that makes them excellent guard dogs, but requires proper training to prevent overreactions. They are wonderful pets for families when socialized properly from a young age and they're typically great with children.
The GSD has a high pain threshold and is able to fight off illness, but it does have certain health issues that could affect its quality of life. These include epilepsy/seizures as well as bleeding disorders and immune-mediated diseases. To prevent these conditions, limiting your dog's exposure UV rays, and ensuring it receives regular vaccinations can aid.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn, and extremely trainable. They are an active dog breed that excels in a variety of jobs, such as police work, herding, and search and rescue. They also excel in bomb and drug detection and guiding blind people. They are also great pet for families. 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 require lots of space and exercise, and might not be suitable for apartments or other living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is balanced and confident, with a firm and steady temperament. They are loyal and vigilant, and are sceptical of strangers. This watchful and protective behaviour can become aggressive when they are not properly trained, socialized and controlled. These dogs can be intelligent, independent and easily bored. They must find a way to satisfy their natural curiosity.
Founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, longhaired and short-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program to develop the responsive and obedient breed that we see today. He disagreed with people who believed that German Shepherds should be a display dog, and he made sure that his dogs were stable in their temperaments with strong herding instincts and a sound body structure. He even refused to breed certain dogs that were temperamentally unstable or had sharp angles in their croups and front and rear pasterns, because he believed that these characteristics could hamper the breed's ability to perform its traditional work.
In addition to the hereditary diseases that affect every dog breed, German Shepherds are prone to cancers such as Hemangiosarcoma. It is a cancer that typically affects blood-rich organs like the liver and spleen. They can also develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers.
You can avoid these ailments by ensuring the physical health of your German Shepherd. This means giving him a balanced diet and regular exercise. You should allow plenty of time to play and run outdoors in a safe area free of traffic. Make sure to regularly brush his double coat using a deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. It is also important to ensure that you visit the vet regularly for routine health checks.
Health
German Shepherds have a healthy health history, however some health problems are present. They are susceptible to ear infections and can develop conditions that affect their eyes and ears such as degenerative amyelopathy. Female and male dogs are susceptible to suffering from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that hinders the ability of dogs to clot blood.
GSDs are a working breed and as such, they undergo intense training. In the process, they may develop joint issues. One of the most common is hip dysplasia, characterized by the inadvertent growth and development of the joint and cartilage, leading to lameness, pain and other signs. It is not a major condition but can be painful for the dog.
Breeders with a good reputation X-ray the dogs they breed and use the results for breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health of the puppy as well as its genetic background, including the probability that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high risk of developing the disorder are not bred.
Panosteitis can affect German Shepherds. The condition causes bones to grow quickly and unevenly. This can lead to pain and stiffness. This condition is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months old who are experiencing a rapid growth spurt.
The dogs require an diet rich in protein, as well as a generous blend of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to help maintain healthy coat and skin. These dogs will benefit from a diet that has joint support, such as glucosamine or chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months must be given moderate exercise, such as walking and playing with a different dog if they're compatible. However they shouldn't run at full speed, because this can damage their joints that are growing.
Table food or animal bones should be avoided as these can cause digestive upset, vomiting anorexia, vomiting, and pancreatitis. Dogs of all ages can benefit by a probiotic supplementation program to aid digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements that aid in the breakdown of proteins. Vitamin and mineral supplements aren't necessary since a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should contain the right amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are highly trainable, biddable dogs that thrive under a skilled trainer's guidance. They are a great choice for police, military, search and rescue and therapy dog roles. However, their dedication to their job makes them a great pet for the family when properly trained and socialized.
Socialization is the first step to raising a well adjusted GSD. Introduce your puppy to a range of people and animals from an early age, taking them on frequent walks, playing games and visiting local dog parks. This will help them feel more secure and confident and help them trust people from an early age.
Training 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, use rewards-based training and clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.
It is also important to provide your German Shepherd with daily enrichment. Mental stimulation exercises can be just as important as physical exercises for a GSD especially in a chaotic or busy household. review can help them keep their attention and focus so they are less likely to get distracted by noises from the street or thunderstorms, other dogs in the park, or crowds at competitions and public events.
German Shepherds are at risk of various health issues such as Hemangiosarcoma (cancer of bones, lungs and the intestinal tract), pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these diseases can be prevented by implementing responsible breeding practices and appropriate lifestyle accommodations.
Despite their infamous reputation German Shepherds are devoted family pets. They are generally loved by children and are gentle with smaller pets, like cats, if exposed to them from a young age. Their size and strength make them excellent guardians and they should be observed around children who are younger. If they aren't exposed enough to socialization and training and are not properly socialized, they could exhibit signs of aggression. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he receives the training and socialization he requires to thrive.