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The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD embodies the ideal combination of strength and agility. was kostet ein reinrassiger schäferhund and protection instincts make them loved family pets.
When looking for a purebred German Shepherd dog select breeders who value the health of their dogs and practice ethical breeding. Requesting pedigree papers as well as previous health clearances can help find reputable breeders.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are strong intelligent dogs that are easily capable of being trained. They are loyal to their families and can be fearless guardians. The breed standard states that the GSD must be confident and courageous, as well as possess a steady temperament. It must also be tractable and willing to be a pleasure to.
The breed is medium-sized slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a double coat consisting of a hard outer layer, and a softer undercoat. Its almond-shaped eyes are dark and obliquely set. The ears are wide and pointed at the base. When the dog is lying down on its back, the tail becomes big and swollen. It is a little below the hocks. The breed's neck is long and slightly sloping. The chest is wide and deep. The spine is firm and the ribs are well-sprung.
In general the breed is sound however, serious issues include roached backs as well as long pasterns that hinder proper movement. Its hindquarters must be powerful but not overly so. The rear leg should not extend beyond the point where the foot leaves a mark.
As working dogs, the GSD has naturally high drives (behavioral propensities and desires toward things like territorial protection and the pursuit of prey). If these high-drives are not fulfilled in a particular way, like through work or playing and it can lead to 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 to live an enlightened lifestyle.
GSDs are generally reserved around strangers and may be initially suspicious of them. This trait of protection makes GSDs excellent guard dogs, but requires proper training to avoid overreactions. When socialized properly early in life, they make wonderful pets for the family. They're also great with kids.
The GSD has an extremely high threshold for pain and is resilient against illness, however it does have certain health conditions that can impact its quality of life. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders as well as immune-mediated diseases. By taking click through the following website , such as limiting the dog's exposure to harmful UV rays, and ensuring regular vaccinations are given to the dog will help reduce the risk of developing these diseases.
Temperament
German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn. They are also highly trainable. They are a working breed that excel in a variety jobs, including herding, police work including search and rescue drug and bomb detection, and guiding the blind. They also make great companions for families. This powerful and confident breed requires a clear purpose and the focus and attention of a shrewd owner to harness their energy and strength in a positive way. They need a lot of exercise and room, and may not be a good fit in smaller living spaces.
The ideal German shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a firm temperament. They are loyal and alert and they are suspicious of strangers. This guardian and attentive behavior can turn into aggression when not properly trained, socialized and supervised. They are extremely intelligent and can be self-sufficient and easily bored, so they need an outlet to satisfy their natural curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, utilized shorthaired and longhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This led to a breed that is responsive and well-behaved. Max von Stephanitz disagreed with those who wanted to use German Shepherds to be a showpiece. He ensured that his dogs were calm, had strong herding instincts, and an ideal body structure. He also refused to breed with dogs that had unstable temperaments or steep angles in their croups, as well as front and rear pasterns, because he believed that these characteristics could hinder the ability of the breed to perform its work.
German Shepherds can also be prone to cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is the most common cancer that affects the spleen and liver organs, which have a higher blood supply. They also can develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers.
You can avoid these ailments by maintaining the physical health of your German Shepherd. This means providing him with a nutritious diet and regular exercise. You should give him ample time to play and run outdoors in a secure area away from traffic. Keep him groomed by brushing his thick double coat on a regular basis and using a de-shedding device or undercoat rake to remove hairs that are loose. You should also make sure that you take him to the veterinarian regularly for his routine health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds have a healthy health record, but some health problems are present. They are susceptible to ear infections, and they can develop ailments that affect their eyes and ears, like degenerative myelopathy. Both female and male dogs are susceptible to suffering from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that hinders their ability to clot the blood.
GSDs are a working breed and as such, they go through intense training. This means that they can develop joint problems. One of the most common is hip dysplasia, characterized by the inadvertent growth and development of the cartilage and joint which can cause lameness, pain and other signs. It's not a serious condition, but it can be painful to the dog.
Breeders who are reputable are able to X-ray their dogs and use the results for breeding decisions. The x-rays aid in determining the health and genetic background of the puppy, as well as the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs at high risk of developing dysplasia do not bred.
Panosteitis can affect German Shepherds. The condition causes the bones to grow rapidly and unevenly. This can result in pain and stiffness. This is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing rapid growth.
These dogs require food that is high in protein, with a good mix of omega fatty acid and balanced vitamins for a healthy coat and skin. They will benefit from joint support in their food including glucosamine as well as chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months old age should exercise moderately like walking on a regular basis and, if they are compatible with other dogs, playing together, but they should not be allowed to run at a high speed, as this could cause damage to joints that are growing.
Table food or bones from animals should be avoided, as these can cause digestive upset, vomiting anorexia, vomiting, and pancreatitis. Puppies and adults can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements to help break down proteins. Vitamin and mineral supplements are not necessary, 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 ideal for police and military tasks such as search and rescue as well as therapy dog roles and many other specialized jobs. Their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a great pet, if properly socialized and trained.
Socialization is the first step towards creating a well-adjusted GSD. From an early age, expose your puppy to various animals and people. Take your dog for walks frequently and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will help them feel secure and at ease in a new place and help them become comfortable with humans from a young age.
It takes patience, consistency as well as positive reinforcement to train a German shepherd. Avoid methods of negative reinforcement such as yelling or physical punishment that could lead to fear based aggression. Use clicker training and reward-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
Daily enrichment is essential for your German Shepherd. The exercises for mental stimulation are just as important to an GSD as physical exercise, especially in the case of a busy household. This can help them to keep their attention and focus so they are less likely to be distracted by street noises or thunderstorms and other dogs in the park, or the crowds at competitions and other public events.
Certain health conditions that are unique to German Shepherds include Hemangiosarcoma, cancer of bones as well as the lungs and intestinal tract as well as pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these conditions can be prevented by responsible breeding and lifestyle choices.
Despite their infamous reputation German Shepherds are devoted family pets. They are generally friendly with children and gentle with smaller pets, like cats, if they are they are exposed to them from the age of. They are extremely effective guardians due their size and strength however, they must be monitored when around young children. If they aren't exposed enough to socialization and training, they may show signs of aggression. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he gets the training and socialization that he needs to thrive.