The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect blend of speed and strength. Their high trainability and protective instincts make these dogs beloved pets for families.
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Characteristics
German Shepherds are powerful, intelligent dogs that are easily trainable. They are loyal to their families and are able to be a formidable guardian. The breed standard states that the GSD must be confident, courageous, and have a steady temperament. It should also be able to be handled and willing to please.
The breed is medium in size, slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a double coat made up of an outer layer of hardness and a soft undercoat. The eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and set in a oblique manner. Its ears are wide and pointed at the base. The tail is long and extends down to below the hocks when the dog is lying down. The breed's long, slightly sloping neck is characteristic. The chest is broad and deep. The spine is firm and the ribs are well-sprung.
In general the breed is sound However, it has some serious flaws. These include roached backs and lengthy pasterns that hinder correct movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong but not overexaggerated. The rear leg should not extend beyond the point at which the foot leaves a mark.
As working mouse click the next webpage , GSDs have naturally high drive. These are behaviors and desires that include territorial protection and the pursuit of prey. If these high-drives aren't fulfilled in some way through play or work this can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds have been created to help reduce these drives. However, they require lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation to keep a balanced life.
GSDs tend to be cautious and suspicious of strangers initially. This trait of protection makes GSDs great guard dogs, but requires proper training to avoid overreactions. They are wonderful pets for families when socialized properly at a young age and are generally good with children.
The GSD has an elevated pain threshold and is resistant to illnesses, but it does have certain health issues that could affect its quality of life. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders as well as immune-mediated diseases. Taking altdeutscher schäferhund kaufen as limiting the dog's exposure to harsh UV rays, and ensuring it receives routine vaccinations should lower the chance of developing these conditions.
Temperament
German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn. They are also highly capable of being trained. They are a working breed and excel in a variety of jobs, including herding, police work such as search and rescue as well as detection of drugs and bombs and guiding blind people. They also make great family companions. This ferocious and confident breed requires a clear and precise goal and the attention and focus of a responsible owner to harness their energy and strength in a positive manner. They require plenty of space and exercise. They may not be suitable for apartments or other 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 guardian and attentive behavior can escalate into aggression if not properly trained, socialized and controlled. These dogs can be intelligent, independent and easily bored. They must find a way to satisfy their curiosity.
The founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, longhaired and shorthaired German Shepherds, in his breeding program to develop the kind of dog that was obedient and responsive that we have today. He disagreed with people who wanted German Shepherds to be a showpiece, and he made sure his dogs had stable temperaments, strong herding instincts, and a solid body structure. He even refused to breed with dogs that were temperamentally unstable or had sharp angles in their croups, as well as front and rear pasterns as he believed these traits could hinder the ability of the breed to perform its work.
In addition to the hereditary ailments that can plague any breed of dog German Shepherds are also prone to cancers, including Hemangiosarcoma, which typically affects blood-rich organs such as the spleen and liver. They can also develop lung, bone or intestinal cancers.
You can prevent these conditions by maintaining the physical well-being of your German Shepherd. This means giving him a balanced diet and regular exercise. Make sure he has plenty of opportunities to run and play outdoors in a secure area free of traffic and other dangers. Keep him looking neat by brushing his thick double coat regularly, using a de-shedding tool or a rake undercoat to remove hairs that are loose. It is also important to ensure that you take him to the vet regularly for his routine health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, however they do have some health issues. They are susceptible to ear infections and can develop ailments that affect their eyes and ears, such as degenerative myelopathy. They also may suffer from a genetic disease known as von Willebrand's disease that is hereditary, which impacts their ability to clot blood, and can be found in both male and female dogs.
GSDs are a working breed, and as such, they go through intense training. This means that they are prone to developing joint issues. One of the most common is hip dysplasia, which is characterized by a lack of growth and development of the cartilage and joint that can result in lameness, pain and other signs. It is not a major condition but can be painful for the dog.
A reputable breeder will X-ray their dog and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health and genetic background of the puppy, as well as how likely it is to develop dysplasia. Dogs with a high risk of developing the disorder are not bred.
Like many large breeds, German Shepherds can be affected by panosteitis, which causes bones to grow quickly and unevenly, causing pain and stiffness in the limbs. This is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing a rapid growth spurt.
The dogs need an enriched diet rich in protein with a generous mix of omega fatty acid and balanced vitamins to ensure skin and coat health. They will benefit from a diet that contains joint support, such as chondroitin or glucosamine. Dogs who are less than 18 months old age should have moderate exercise including multiple walks and, if they are compatible with other dogs, playing together, but they should not be allowed to run at full speed, as this can damage growing joints.
Avoid feeding table food or animal bone because they can cause vomiting, digestive upsets, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Dogs of all ages could 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 are not required, as a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should supply the appropriate amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are intelligent, highly trainable dogs who thrive when they're under the direction of a skilled handler. They are a great choice for military and police work such as search and rescue, therapy dog roles, and many other specialized jobs. Their unwavering loyalty makes them a great pet, provided they are properly socialized and trained.
Socialization is the first step in creating a well-adjusted GSD. Introduce your puppy to range of people and animals from an early age, taking them for frequent walks, playing games, and going to local dog parks. This will help them feel comfortable and secure in a new environment and help them become comfortable with humans at an early age.
It requires patience, perseverance and positive reinforcement to train to train a German shepherd. It is essential to avoid negative reinforcement methods like yelling and physical punishment because they can trigger fear-based aggression. Instead, you should use rewards-based training and clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.
Daily enrichment is important for your German Shepherd. Mental stimulation exercises can be as important as physical exercise for an GSD especially in a chaotic or busy household. This can help them to keep their attention and focus, so they are less likely to become distracted by noises from the street or thunderstorms and other dogs in the park or the crowds at competitions and public events.
German Shepherds are at risk of various health issues that include hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the bones, lungs, and intestinal tract) and pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these diseases can be prevented by responsible breeding and lifestyle changes.
German Shepherds are devoted family dogs, despite their reputation as a feared breed. They are generally loved by children and are gentle with smaller pets, such as cats, when exposed to them at a young age. They are powerful guardians due to their size and strength but they should be supervised when around young children. If they're not exposed enough to socialization and training and are not properly socialized, they could exhibit signs of aggression. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy school or obedience class will ensure that he is getting the education and socialization he needs to be successful.