20 Questions You Should To Ask About Purebred German Shepherd Dog Prior To Purchasing Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect balance of strength and agility. Their high trainability and protective instincts make these dogs cherished family pets.
If you are in search of a purebred German Shepherd Choose breeders who are concerned about the health of their dogs as well as practice ethical breeding. You can identify reliable breeders by asking for pedigree documents and previous health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are smart, powerful dogs that are easy to train. They are loyal to their families and are able to be fierce guardians. The breed standard states that the GSD must be steady of temperament, self assured and brave. It should also be able to be handled and willing to be a pleasure to.
The breed is medium-sized, slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a double coat that consists of an outer layer of hardness and a softer undercoat. Its eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and set obliquely. Its ears are wide at the base and pointed. When the dog is lying down on its back, the tail becomes large and bushy. 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 strong and the ribs are well-sprung.
The breed is generally sound however, it does have some serious faults such as roached-backs and long pasterns, which hinder the proper movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong, but not excessively exaggerated. Likewise, the rear leg should never go forward of the point where the forefoot makes an impression.
As working dogs as well as working dogs, the GSD has naturally high drives (behavioral propensities and desires toward things like territorial protectiveness and chasing prey). If these high drives are not fulfilled in a particular way, for example through work or playing and it can lead to aggression. Show-type German Shepherds were created to help reduce these urges. However, they need lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation to keep a balanced life.
GSDs are generally shy and cautious towards strangers at first. This trait of protection makes them great guard dogs. It requires proper training to avoid overreactions. If properly socialized at a young age, they make wonderful family pets. They're also great with children.
The GSD has an elevated pain threshold and is able to fight off illnesses, but it has certain health conditions that may impact its quality of life. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders. Preventing these conditions by limiting your dog's exposure to UV radiation and ensuring that it receives regular vaccinations can aid.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn and extremely trainable. They are a working breed and excel in a variety of jobs, including herding, police work, search and rescue, bomb and drug detection, and guiding the blind. They also make excellent family companions. This strong and confident breed requires a clear purpose as well as the attention and focus of a confident owner to harness their energy and strength in a positive manner. They require lots of space and exercise. They might not be suitable for apartments or other smaller living spaces.
The ideal German shepherd is well-balanced and confident with a firm temperament. They are loyal, vigilant, and suspicious of strangers. If they aren't properly socialized and trained to be vigilant and protective, this behavior could turn into aggressive. They are extremely intelligent and can be very independent and easily bored, so they need a good outlet for their natural curiosity.
The founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, as well as longhaired and shorthaired German Shepherds in his breeding program to create the responsive and obedient breed that we see today. He disagreed with people who wanted German Shepherds to be a showpiece and he made sure that his dogs had stable temperaments with strong herding instincts and a sound body structure. He was against breeding dogs with temperaments that were unstable or with sharp angles on their croups, or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would hinder the ability of the breed to carry out its primary duties.
German Shepherds can also be prone to cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a common cancer that affects the spleen and liver organs, which have a higher blood supply. They may also develop lung, bone or intestinal cancers.
You can prevent these diseases by ensuring the physical health of your German Shepherd. This includes providing him with a healthy diet and regular exercise. You should give plenty of time to play and run around in a safe place free of traffic. Make sure to regularly brush his double coat using the deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. It is also recommended to bring him to the vet regularly for routine health checks.
Health
German Shepherds are typically very healthy dogs, however they do have certain health issues. They are susceptible to ear infections, and may develop conditions that affect their ears and eyes like degenerative amyelopathy. Both male and female dogs are susceptible to suffering from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that hinders the ability of clotting blood.
As a working breed GSDs often engage in vigorous training and can develop joint issues as a result. Hip dysplasia is a common condition that can cause pain, lameness and other signs. This is not always a serious problem, but it 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 help determine the health of the puppy and its genetic history, including the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high risk of developing the disorder aren't breed.
Like all large breeds, German Shepherds may be affected by panosteitis, which causes bones to expand rapidly and unevenly, causing pain and stiffness in the legs. This condition is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months old who are experiencing rapid growth.
The dogs need food that is high in protein, with a good mix of omega-fatty acids and balanced vitamins to maintain a healthy coat and skin. They can benefit from joint support in their diet, such as glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months 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 bone from animals or table food, as they can cause vomiting, digestive upsets anorexia, and pancreatitis. Adult dogs and puppies can benefit from a probiotic supplementation to aid digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements to aid with breaking down proteins. A well-formulated AAFCO approved diet should include the right amount of vitamins and minerals.
Training
German Shepherds are intelligent and highly trainable dogs that thrive when they're under the guidance of a skilled handler. They are therefore a good choice for police, military search and rescue and therapy dog roles. Their dedication to their job makes them a wonderful family pet when properly trained and socialized.
The first step in raising an appropriately adjusted GSD is socialization. Expose your puppy to a variety of people and other animals at an early age, taking them on frequent walks, playing games, and even visiting local dog parks. This will help them feel comfortable and secure in a new place and will help them learn to trust humans from an early age.
Training a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. It is essential to avoid negative reinforcement methods like physical and verbal punishment, as they can trigger fear-based aggression. Instead, opt for reward-based training and clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.
It is also important to provide your German Shepherd with a daily dose of enrichment. Mental stimulation exercises are just as important for a GSD as physical exercise, especially when you have an area with a lot of activity. reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund welpe helps them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by sounds or storms, other dogs at the park, or the crowds at competitions and public events.
German Shepherds are at risk of a number of health conditions that include Hemangiosarcoma (cancer of bones, lungs and intestinal tract), pannus (superficial Keratitis) and cancer. All of these diseases can be prevented through responsible breeding and lifestyle accommodations.
German Shepherds are loyal family dogs, despite their reputation as a feared breed. They are usually loved by children and are gentle with smaller pets, like cats, if they are exposed to them from an early age. Their size and strength make them formidable guardians, and they should always be watched over children younger than them. If they aren't sufficiently exposed 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.