What s The Ugly Truth About Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect balance of strength and speed. Its training capabilities are high and its natural instincts to protect make them beloved family dogs.
When looking for a purebred German Shepherd Choose breeders who are concerned about the health of their dogs and practice ethical breeding. You can find trustworthy breeders by requesting pedigree documents and prior health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are incredibly strong, intelligent dogs that are easily trainable. They are loyal to their families and are able to be fierce guardians. Breed standard states the GSD must be confident and courageous. They should also have a steady temperament. It must also be tractable and willing to be a pleasure to.
The breed is muscular, medium-sized and slightly elongated. It has a distinctive double coat made up of an outer layer of hardness and an undercoat that is soft. The almond-shaped eyes of the dog are dark and slightly set. The ears are wide at the base and pointed. When the dog is resting on its back, the tail becomes big and swollen. It extends below the hocks. The breed's long, slightly sloping neck is a characteristic. The chest is large and deep. The spine is solid and the ribs are well-sprung.
In general the breed is healthy however, serious issues include roached backs as well as long pasterns that interfere with correct movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong, but not excessively exaggerated. Likewise, the rear leg should never go in the direction of where the forefoot leaves an imprint.
As working dogs, the GSD has high-drives that are naturally present (behavioral propensities and desires toward things like territorial protectiveness and hunting prey). If these high drives are not satisfied in a certain way, such as through play or work and it can lead to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a manner that helps dampen these drives however they still require a lot of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise, and mental stimulation in order to maintain an enlightened lifestyle.
GSDs tend to be cautious and suspicious of strangers initially. This protective trait makes GSDs excellent guard dogs, however it requires proper training to avoid overreactions. If properly socialized from a young age they can make great family pets. They are also great with kids.
The GSD is resilient to illnesses and has a high threshold for pain, however certain health conditions can negatively impact the quality of its life. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders. Taking precautions such as limiting the dog's exposure to harsh UV rays, and ensuring it is regularly vaccinated will help reduce the risk of developing these diseases.
Temperament
German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn. They are also trainable. They are a working breed that excel in a variety of tasks, such as herding, police work, search and rescue, drug and bomb detection, and guiding the blind. They are also excellent pet for families. This ferocious and confident breed requires a clear purpose and the attention and focus of a shrewd owner to harness their energy and strength in a positive manner. They need a lot of exercise and room, and may not be suitable for Reinrassiger Deutscher SchäFerhund Welpe smaller living spaces.
The ideal German shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a strong and stable temperament. They are loyal, vigilant and sceptical of strangers. This watchful and protective behavior can escalate 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 a way to satisfy their natural curiosity.
Founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, as well as 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 ensured that his dogs had stable temperaments and strong herding instincts and 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 since he believed that these traits would undermine the breed's ability to perform its traditional work.
In addition to the hereditary diseases that affect every dog breed German Shepherds are also prone to cancers such as Hemangiosarcoma, which typically affects blood-rich organs like the liver and spleen. They can also develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers.
You can prevent these diseases by maintaining the physical well-being of your German Shepherd. This means providing him with a nutritious diet and regular exercise. Make sure he gets plenty of opportunities to exercise and play outdoors, in a safe area away from traffic and other hazards. Regularly brush his double coat using tools for deshedding or an undercoat rake. Also, make sure that you visit the vet on a regular basis to have regular health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds have a great health history, however some health issues are present. They are prone to ear infections and may develop eye conditions and ears, like degenerative myelopathy. Both female and male dogs can suffer from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that hinders the ability of dogs to clot blood.
GSDs are a working breed and consequently, they are subject to rigorous training. In the process, they may develop joint issues. Hip dysplasia is a typical condition that causes pain, lameness and other symptoms. This is not a serious condition but can be painful to the dog.
Reputable breeders X-ray their dogs and take the results into consideration when making 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 who are at a high likelihood of developing the disorder are not breed.
Like most large breeds, German Shepherds also be affected by panosteitis, which causes bones to expand rapidly and unevenly, which causes stiffness and pain in the joints. This is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing rapid growth.
They require food that is high in protein with a generous mix of omega fatty acid and balanced vitamins to ensure skin and coat health. Dogs with arthritis will benefit from a diet with joints-supporting ingredients, such as glucosamine or chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months old age should exercise moderately including multiple walks and, if compatible with other dogs playing together, but they should not be allowed to run at full speed as it can cause joint damage.
Foods that are table-based or contain bones from animals should be avoided since they can trigger digestive upset, vomiting anorexia, pancreatitis, and reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund kaufen deutscher schäferhund pflege belgischer schäferhund welpen kaufen österreich welpe; resource for this article, vomiting. Adult dogs and puppies could benefit by a probiotic supplementation program to aid digestion, as well as digestive enzyme supplements to aid in the breakdown of proteins. Vitamin and mineral supplements are not necessary, as a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should supply the appropriate amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are highly trainable and biddable dogs that thrive under a skilled guide's supervision. They are therefore a good option for military, police search and rescue, and therapy dog roles. Their unwavering loyalty makes them an excellent pet, if properly trained and socialized.
Socialization is the first step to raising a well-adjusted GSD. From a young age expose your puppy to different animals and people. Take them on frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will help them feel more confident and comfortable and teach them to trust people at an early age.
Training a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. It is important to avoid negative reinforcement methods, such as physical and verbal punishment, as they can cause fear-based aggression. Use clicker training and reward-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
Daily enrichment is crucial for your German Shepherd. Mental stimulation exercises can be just as important as physical exercises for an GSD, especially in a busy or chaotic household. This will help keep their attention and focus so that they are less likely to be distracted by street noises storms or 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, lungs, and intestinal tract, as well as pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these conditions can be prevented through responsible breeding and lifestyle accommodations.
Despite their infamous reputation, Schäferhundwelpen German Shepherds make devoted family pets. They are generally friendly with children and gentle with smaller pets, like cats, if they are exposed to them from the age of. Nonetheless, their size and strength make them excellent guardians and they should be observed around children who are younger. They may also show indications of a genetic tendency towards aggression if not exposed to appropriate training and socialization opportunities. It is recommended that you enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy class in the preschool or obedience to ensure that they are receiving the proper education and socialization they require to thrive.