14 Common Misconceptions About Purebred German Shepherd

How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are among the most popular breeds in America. They are wonderful family pets as well as working dogs.

German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed a lot in the spring and summer. Brushing often using a deshedding rake or undercoat rake can help reduce shed and keep the coat healthy and shiny.

Health

German Shepherds are afflicted with a few health issues, however they are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Reputable breeders will check their dogs for reinrassiger deutscher schäFerhund welpe health issues to prevent passing hereditary illnesses to their puppies such as elbow dysplasia or hip dysplasia. These are frequent problems for large dog breeds. Other health issues include digestive disorders.

Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD and can cause Degenerative Myelopathy, which can cause a sluggish, drunken-like gait due to spinal cord disease. This occurs when the vertebrae of the neck narrow, causing nerves to be pinched that transmit signals to dog's hind legs. The signs start with hindquarters instabilities and can progress to paralysis incontinence, and loss of mobility. Treatments, which could include medication, rehabilitation exercise programs or surgery can be found to ensure that your dog lives longer and more comfortably.

German Shepherds can suffer from glaucoma or Pannus. It is an autoimmune corneal disease that can cause blindness if not treated appropriately. Your dog will require regular ocular examinations with your vet to assess these conditions.

German Shepherds are susceptible to heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, and other ailments. A healthy diet rich in omega fats balanced vitamins and a blend that supports heart health is necessary. Your veterinarian can evaluate the lungs and heart of your puppy by using a stethoscope during the yearly physical exam.

German Shepherd puppies and adolescent German Shepherds should be given moderate exercise, such as multiple walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a safe, enclosed space. They should avoid running close to cyclist or jogger, as this can damage their growing bones and ligaments. Adult German Shepherds need to exercise a few hours a day, depending on their energy levels. Insurance for pets is a wise investment in the health of your German Shepherd, since it can help provide veterinary care for unexpected injuries and illnesses. It also gives peace of mind to you and your veterinarian, allowing you to focus on providing the best care for your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are smart, quick learners, and extremely trained. They take their work serious, whether they're guard dogs police officers, guard dogs or service animals. They thrive when their energy, intelligence and dedication to work are allowed to shine. They, like all breeds, require continual and extensive training to maintain an affable, obedient manner and increased alertness.

Training for a German Shepherd is a team effort and should involve all members of the family. This breed is very family-oriented and will develop a strong relationship with the handler who is their primary. It is essential to begin training as early as possible, so your puppy will be a well-mannered companion in adulthood.

German shepherd puppies are quick to learn and pick up new commands with ease. Their high intelligence can lead to a stubbornness however, if it is not properly channeled. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a specific and intense puppy training program that can aid your GSD stay focused on the task at hand and minimize any destructive behaviors because of their natural instincts and inclinations.

GSDs can be apprehensive of those who aren't part of their immediate family. They must be socialized at a young age in order to reduce the potential for aggressive behavior and inconsiderate behavior. They also tend to prey-drive and hunting which can be overemphasized if they are not well-socialized.

For instance some GSDs be aggressive or bark at vehicles passing by or at people on a trail or walking through the park. While this might be a problem to some, it's actually a normal behavior that should be encouraged. It can teach your German Shepherd there are other pets and other people around. In turn they will be taught that being around humans and animals is enjoyable and not a danger.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies have a short time of socialization in which they are exposed to about the world and form connections that affect how they see new experiences, often throughout their lives. Therefore, it's important to expose them to new people and deutsche schäferhunde welpen Kaufen österreich situations at an early age.

Your breeder should have started this for you, however once you have brought your puppy home, it's your responsibility to carry on the process of building your puppy's confidence in meeting new people and things.

It is essential to introduce these experiences to them in a safe, controlled environment that makes them feel safe and not be in danger. If they feel threatened or frightened, they will think of the experience as being afraid and may then be afraid of the particular thing for life. It is important to keep them from making the error of encouraging or calming those who are scared. This can be seen as rewarding fearful behaviour and can cause a lifetime fear.

Start by taking note of a few items on your GSD puppy's socialization checklist. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

This isn't just about your puppy playing around with other dogs. It's about teaching them how to be calm and focus on you even when another dog is around. This will aid them in becoming an empathetic and calm family dog as they grow older.

Find dog-friendly cafes, restaurants or shops and bring your pup for reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund welpe a cake and coffee date! This is a great opportunity to reinforce the settle-training you've been practicing and also introduce them to new sights and sounds, smells, and textures that will help them accept the world around them when they are fully grown.

Take in a vehicle. German Shepherds aren't known for being at ease in cars So if you can get them comfortable with driving from a young age, it can make your road trips easier.

Tick a few items off your GSD puppy's list of socialization activities by taking them to the vet or schäFerhunde kaufen train shop, hairdresser or the garden centre. This will allow your puppy to become comfortable in these environments as an adult, and could be a great time to work on retrieval games.

Exercise

Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise in addition to a healthy diet. However, this must be managed with care as over exercise can cause damage to the skeletal structure of young puppies. Running, Reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund welpe jumping, and lots of play, for example, can cause strain on the developing puppy's joints and ligaments. This can cause issues later in life.

The amount of drive in your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it will require. German Shepherds are prone to have higher levels of drive than other breeds. This is due to the fact that they were bred to help herd livestock. As such, they will have an instinct for herding and a desire to complete the job at hand.

They are highly trainable and quick learners since they were bred to be work-oriented. They are also instinctual guard dogs, with a keen sense of danger and can react quickly to protect their loved ones. They are also excellent service dogs that aid police in drug-sniffing as well as security and search and rescue.

A good method to help your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he needs is to enroll in obedience classes. This will give him mental stimulation and also the chance to meet other dogs. This is a great way to reinforce good behavior in your puppy and teach him basic commands.

A German Shepherd that is properly breeding will have a thick, straight, and belgischer schäferhund welpen kaufen österreich clear coat. The fur can be rough in certain areas but soft in other. The length of the coat can differ from dog to dog but it will usually be between 4-6 inches long. The color of the coat will vary from puppy to puppy, but the majority of German Shepherds are dark brown or black with a white chest and belly.