14 Questions You re Afraid To Ask About Purebred German Shepherd
How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are a well-loved breed in America. They are wonderful family pets and working dogs.
German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and schäFerhund kaufen welpe summer due to their thick double coats. Brushing frequently with a deshedding rake, or an undercoat rake will reduce the amount of shed and keep the coat healthy and shiny.
Health
German Shepherds are intelligent and generally healthy dogs, but they have a few health issues. Breeders who are reputable will check their dogs for health issues to ensure that they do not pass hereditary diseases to their pups such as elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These are common issues in large dog breeds. Other health issues include bloat, digestive issues and food sensitivities, or allergies.
Hereditary neurological disorders can affect your GSD such as Degenerative Myelopathy. It causes a weak gait that resembles drunkenness due to spinal cord disease. It occurs when there is a narrowing of the vertebrae in the neck, causing pinching of the nerves that send signals to your dog's hind legs. Symptoms start with instability of the hindquarters and can develop into weakness as well as paralysis, incontinence and loss of movement. There are a variety of treatments available, including medication as well as rehabilitation programs that include exercise and even surgery.
Eye conditions that may affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated cornea condition that could lead to blindness if it is not properly managed. These conditions will require regular ocular examinations by your veterinarian.
German Shepherds are prone to heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and other diseases. A healthy diet rich in omega fatty acids, balanced vitamins and a mix that promotes heart health is required. Your veterinarian can examine the heart of your puppy using an stethoscope in his annual physical exam.
Puppies and adolescent German Shepherds should receive moderate exercise, reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund züchter deutscher schäferhund kaufen schweiz deutscher schäferhund kaufen österreich (Learn Additional Here) including multiple walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a secure, enclosed space. They should avoid running in close proximity to jogger, or a bicycle as this could damage their growing bones and ligaments. Adult German Shepherds need to exercise a few hours a day, depending on their energy levels. Pet insurance is a good investment in the health of your German Shepherd because it will to pay for veterinary treatment for unexpected injuries and illnesses. Pet insurance provides both you and your vet peace of mind which allows you to concentrate only on the health of your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are smart quick learners and extremely capable of being trained. They take their job seriously, whether they're guard dogs, police officers or service animals. They thrive when their energy, intelligence and dedication to work are provided with a means to express it. But, as with all breeds, these pups require extensive and ongoing training to keep their calm, friendly disposition and their increased sense of security and alertness.
Training a German Shepherd is a team effort and should involve the entire family. This is a very familial breed that will develop a strong bond with the primary handler. It is crucial to start training your puppy as early as you can so that he grows to be a good behaved companion.
German shepherd puppies are quick to master new commands and learn them quickly. However, their intelligence can also result in stubbornness if not properly directed. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a focused and intense puppy training program that can help your GSD remain focused on their task and reduce destructive behavior because of their natural instincts and dispositions.
GSDs are prone to be apprehensive of those who aren't members of their immediate family. They require socialization early in order to reduce the potential for aggressive behavior and inconsiderate behavior. They are also prone to prey drive and hunting, which can be exaggerated if they are not properly controlled by regular positive socialization.
For instance, many GSDs will bark or lunge at vehicles passing by or other people on a path or walking through the park. While this may be a problem to some, it is in fact a normal behaviour that should be encouraged. It will teach your German Shepherd there are other pets and people in the vicinity. As a result, they will learn that being around humans as well as animals is fun and not a danger.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies have a short socialization window in which they are exposed to about the world and form connections that affect how they perceive new experiences, often throughout their lives. It is crucial to expose them to new environments and people as quickly as possible.
When you bring your puppy home, it's your responsibility to carry on the process and building your puppy's confidence in himself to interact with new people and things.
The trick is to expose them to these experiences in a safe and controlled environment in which they can build confidence and not be afraid or overwhelmed. If they feel scared or frightened, they will think of the experience as being scared and could be fearful of that particular thing for life. It is important to keep them from making the error of encouraging to encourage or comfort those who are scared. This could be interpreted as rewarding fearful behavior and can cause a lifetime fear.
Start by checking off a few items from your GSD puppy’s socialization list. Here are a few ideas to get you going:
This isn't just about your puppy having fun with other dogs. It's about teaching them how to relax and focus on you even when another dog is in the vicinity. This helps them to be a calm, relaxed pet, even when they're older.
Find places that are dog-friendly, such as restaurants, cafes or shops and take your puppy out for a cake and coffee date! This is a great way to reinforce your settle training and introduce them to new sounds, sights as well as smells and textures. This will assist them to be more comfortable with the world around them once they are grown.
Drive in a car. German Shepherds aren't exactly comfortable in vehicles and, therefore, if you get them comfortable with driving from a young age it can make your road trips more enjoyable.
Take a few items off your GSD puppy's list of socialization by taking them to the vet or train shop, hairdressers or a garden centre. This will help them become at ease in these environments as they grow older and is a a good opportunity to work on recall games.
Exercise
Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise, in addition to a healthy diet. It is important to do this in a controlled manner, as too much exercise can cause damage to the skeletal structure of puppies. For example running, jumping, and playing a lot can put strain on the growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This could cause problems as an adult.
The level of drive in your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it will require. German Shepherds are genetically predisposed to have a higher degree of drive than other breeds. They were born to help herd animals. They will therefore possess a strong urge to herd and are determined to finish the task.
Because they were bred for work, they are quick learners and extremely capable of training. They are also instinctive guard dogs, with a keen sense of danger and are able to respond quickly to protect their loved ones. They are also excellent service dogs that aid police in drug-sniffing, security and search and rescue.
Inscribing your German Shepherd puppy in obedience classes is an excellent way to provide him the exercise he needs. This will give him mental stimulation and allow him to interact with other dogs. This is a great method to reinforce good behavior in your pup and teach him some basic commands.
A German Shepherd that is properly breeding will have a thick, deutscher schäferhund kaufen österreich straight, and clear coat. The fur may be rough in certain areas but soft in other. The length of the hair may vary from dog to dog, but will be usually between 4 to 6 inches. The color of the coat will also vary from pup to pup, but the majority of German Shepherds sport a black or dark brown coat that has a white chest.