The Most Sour Advice We’ve Ever Received On Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect combination of strength and speed. Its training capabilities are high and its natural protective instincts make them loved family dogs.

If you are looking for a purebred German Shepherd dog Choose breeders who are concerned about the health of their dogs and practice ethical breeding. Requesting pedigree papers as well as prior health clearances will help you find reputable breeders.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are smart, powerful dogs that are easy to train. They are loyal to their family and are able to be a formidable guardian. The breed standard states that the GSD should be self-confident and courageous. They should also have a steady temperament. It must also be respectful and willing to be obedient.

The breed is strong, medium-sized and slightly longer. It has a distinct double coat, which is comprised of a hard outer layer and a soft undercoat. The almond-shaped eyes of the dog are dark and obliquely set. The ears are pointed and wide at the base. The tail is bushy and reaches to below the hocks when the dog is in a relaxed state. The neck of the breed is long and sloping slightly. The chest is broad and deep. The ribs are strong and the spine is solid.

The breed is generally healthy however it is prone to serious flaws, such as 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 not extend beyond the point at which the foot leaves an impression.

As working dogs, GSDs naturally possess high drives. These are behaviors and desires that include territorial protection as well as the pursuit of prey. If these drives aren’t satisfied in some way through work or play, it can lead to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds were developed to reduce these impulses. However, they need lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to maintain a balance life.

GSDs tend to be cautious and suspicious of strangers at first. This trait of protection makes them excellent guard dogs and requires proper training to avoid overreactions. They are wonderful pets for families when they are socialized properly from a young age and are generally good with children.

The GSD has an extremely high threshold for pain and is resilient against illnesses, but it does have certain health issues that could affect its quality of life. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders. The best way to prevent these diseases is to limit your dog’s exposure to UV rays, and ensuring it receives regular vaccinations can help.

Temperament

German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn. They are also highly trainable. They are a working breed that excel in a variety of tasks, such as herding, police work including search and rescue, drug and bomb detection and guiding blind. They are also excellent family companions. However, this powerful and confident breed requires a clear sense of purpose and the attention of a confident owner to use their strength and energy in a positive manner. They need a lot of exercise and room, and might not be suited for smaller living spaces.

The ideal German shepherd is confident and well-balanced, with a strong temperament. They are loyal and alert and they are suspicious of strangers. This protective and watchful behavior Belgischer schäferhund Welpen kaufen österreich can turn into aggression when they are not properly trained, socialized, and controlled. These dogs can be intelligent and independent, but they can also be bored. They need to find an avenue to satisfy their curiosity.

Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, utilized shorthaired and longhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This led to an animal that is friendly and well-behaved. He did not agree with those who believed that German Shepherds should be a showpiece, and he made sure his dogs had stable temperaments with strong herding instincts and a sound body structure. He even refused to breed with dogs that had temperaments that were unstable or had steep angles in their croups, as well as front and rear pasterns as he believed these traits could hamper the breed’s ability to perform its work.

In addition to the hereditary diseases that can affect any breed of dog German Shepherds are also susceptible to cancers such as Hemangiosarcoma. It is a cancer that typically affects blood-rich organs such as the liver and spleen. They may also develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers.

To avoid these issues, you should maintain your German Shepherd’s physical well-being by feeding him the right diet and exercise. Make sure he gets plenty of opportunities to run and play outside, in a safe area free of traffic and other hazards. Regularly brush your double coat, using the deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. You should also make sure that you visit the vet regularly for his routine health checks.

Health

German Shepherds have a healthy health record, but some health problems do exist. They are prone to ear infections, and they can develop ailments that affect their eyes and ears like degenerative amyelopathy. They may also suffer from an illness that is genetic, known as hereditary von Willebrand’s disorder, which impacts their ability to clot blood. It can be found in females and males dogs.

GSDs are a working breed, and as such, they go through strenuous training. As a result, they are prone to developing joint issues. Hip dysplasia is a common condition that causes pain, lameness and other symptoms. It is not a major condition but can be painful to the dog.

Breeders who are trustworthy X-ray the dogs they breed and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays aid in determining the health and genetic history of the puppy, which includes how likely it is to develop dysplasia. Dogs at high risk of developing dysplasia aren’t breed.

Panosteitis can affect German Shepherds. The condition causes the bones to grow rapidly and unevenly. This can cause stiffness and pain. The condition is particularly prevalent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs under 18 months of age who are experiencing the midst of a massive growth spurt.

The dogs require a diet that is high in protein, with a generous blend of omega fatty acids as well as balanced vitamins to maintain the health of their coat and skin. These dogs can benefit from food with joints-supporting ingredients, such as the glucosamine or chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months age should exercise moderately, such as multiple walks and, if they are compatible with other dogs playing together, but should not be allowed to run at a high speed, as it can cause joint damage.

Avoid feeding table food or animal bone as they can trigger digestive upsets, vomiting, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion and digestive enzyme supplements to aid in breaking down proteins. Vitamin and mineral supplements are not required, as a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should provide the proper amount of these nutrients.

Training

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

Socialization is the first step to raising a well-adjusted GSD. Expose your puppy to a variety of people and other animals from a young age, taking them on frequent walks, playing games, and going to local dog parks. This will make them feel more confident and comfortable and will teach them to trust people from an early age.

Training for a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. Avoid methods of negative reinforcement such as yelling or physical punishment, which could lead to fear based aggression. Use clicker training and rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.

It is also essential to ensure that you provide your German Shepherd with a daily dose of enrichment. Mental stimulation exercises can be as important as physical exercise for a GSD, especially in a busy or chaotic household. This can help them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by road noises or storms or other dogs in the park, or the crowds at competitions or 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) and pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these diseases are preventable through responsible breeding and lifestyle accommodations.

German Shepherds are loyal family dogs, despite their reputation as a feared breed. When they are around children as young as they can be affectionate and gentle towards smaller pets like cats. However, their size and strength make them formidable guardians and they should be watched over children younger than them. If they are not being exposed to enough socialization and training they could show signs of aggression. It is recommended that you enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy class in the preschool or obedience to ensure they are receiving the proper training and socialization they require to flourish.