10 Tell-Tale Signs You Need To Get A New Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect balance of speed and strength. Its high trainability and natural protective instincts make them loved family dogs.

If you are in search of a purebred German Shepherd dog select breeders who value the health of their dogs and follow ethical breeding. You can find reputable breeders by requesting pedigree documents and prior 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 fearless guardians. The breed standard says that the GSD must be a steady temperament, confident, and courageous. It should also be able to be handled and willing to be a pleasure to.

The breed is medium in size, slightly elongated, and muscular. 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. The tail is long and reaches to below the hocks when the dog is lying down. The breed’s neck is long and sloping slightly. The chest is wide and deep. The ribs are well-sprung and the spine is strong.

In general the breed is healthy however, serious issues include roached backs and long pasterns that hinder correct movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful but not overly exaggerated. The rear leg should not go ahead of the point at which the forefoot makes an impression.

As working dogs, GSDs naturally have high drive. These are behaviors and needs that include territorial protection as well as chasing of prey. If these high drives are not satisfied in a certain way, like playing or at work or playing, it can result in aggression. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a manner which helps to reduce these drives, but they still require a lot 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 is a characteristic that makes them great guard dogs, but requires proper training to avoid overreactions. They are great family pets when they are socialized properly at a young age and they’re typically great with children.

The GSD has an elevated pain threshold and is able to fight off illness, however it has certain health conditions that can affect its quality of life. These include epilepsy/seizures, bleeding disorders, and immune-mediated diseases. To prevent these conditions, limiting your dog’s exposure to UV rays and making sure it is vaccinated regularly can aid.

Temperament

German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn, and extremely capable of training. They are an active dog breed that excels at a variety of tasks, including police work, herding and search and rescue. They also excel at detection of explosives and drugs, and helping blind people. They also make great family companions. However, this powerful and confident breed needs a clear sense of purpose and the attention of a confident owner to use their strength and energy in a positive manner. They require a lot of exercise and space and may not be suitable in apartments or smaller living spaces.

The ideal German Shepherd is balanced and confident, with a solid and steady temperament. They are loyal and alert and are sceptical of strangers. This protective and watchful behavior can turn into aggression when not properly trained, socialized and managed. These dogs can be intelligent, independent and easily bored. They need to find an avenue to satisfy their natural curiosity.

Founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, longhaired and shorthaired German Shepherds in his breeding program to create the responsive and obedient breed that we have today. Max von Stephanitz did not agree with those who wanted to use German Shepherds to be used as a showcase and made sure that his dogs had stable tempers, strong herding impulses, as well as a sound body structure. He did not breed dogs with temperaments that were unstable or with a steep angle on their croups, front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would impede the ability of the breed to fulfill its traditional tasks.

German Shepherds can also be susceptible to developing cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is a frequent cancer that affects the liver and spleen organs, which have a higher blood supply. They may also develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers.

To avoid these issues, you should maintain your German Shepherd’s physical well-being by feeding him the right diet and exercise. Make sure he has plenty of opportunities to exercise and play outdoors in a safe space free of traffic and other dangers. Keep him looking neat by brushing his dense double coat on a regular basis by using a de-shedding tool or undercoat rake to remove loose hairs. It is also recommended to take him to your veterinarian regularly for routine health checks.

Health

German Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, entzüCkendescäferhundwelpen however they do have certain health issues. They are susceptible to ear infections and they can develop ailments that affect their ears and eyes such as degenerative amyelopathy. Female and male dogs can suffer from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that hinders the ability of clotting blood.

GSDs are a working breed and as such, they undergo intense training. This means that they can develop joint problems. Hip dysplasia is a typical condition that can cause pain, lameness and other symptoms. It isn’t always a serious issue, but it can be painful for the dog.

Breeders with a good reputation are able to X-ray their dogs and use the results to inform breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health and genetic history of the puppy, including the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high chance of developing the disorder aren’t bred.

Like all large breeds, German Shepherds also suffer from panosteitis, which causes the bones to grow rapidly and unevenly, which causes stiffness and pain in the legs. The condition is especially common in German Shepherd puppies and dogs under 18 months of age who are experiencing an enormous growth spurt.

The dogs require a diet that is high in protein, and a generous blend of omega fatty acids as well as balanced vitamins to support a healthy skin and coat. They will benefit from a diet with joint support, like glucosamine or chondroitin. Dogs who are less than 18 months old age should exercise moderately like walking on a regular basis and, if compatible with another dog, playing together, but should not be allowed to run at a high speed, as this can damage growing joints.

Avoid feeding bone from animals or table food because they can cause vomiting, digestive upsets, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion and digestive enzyme supplements that help break down proteins. Vitamin and mineral supplements are not required since a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should provide the proper amount of these nutrients.

Training

German Shepherds are intelligent, highly trainable dogs who thrive under the supervision by a knowledgeable handler. This makes them a great choice for police and military tasks in search and rescue, therapy dog roles, and many other specialized jobs. However, their unwavering loyalty also makes them a great pet for the family when properly trained and socialized.

Socialization is the first step in creating a well-adjusted GSD. From a young age, expose your puppy to various animals and people. Take them for frequent walks and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will help them feel more secure and confident and help them trust people at an early age.

Training for a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. It is essential to avoid negative reinforcement methods, such as physical and verbal punishment, as they can cause fear-based aggression. Instead, you should use rewards-based training and clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.

Daily enrichment is essential for your German Shepherd. The exercises for mental stimulation are as essential for the GSD as physical exercise, especially if you live in a household with lots of people. This helps keep their attention and focus, so they are less likely to get distracted by street noises or thunderstorms, other dogs in the park, or the crowds at competitions and other public events.

Some of the health issues that are specific 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 diseases can be prevented by responsible breeding and lifestyle changes.

Despite their infamous reputation, German Shepherds make devoted family pets. They are often affectionate with children and gentle with smaller pets, such as cats, if they are exposed to them at an early age. They are powerful guardians due to their size and strength however, they must be monitored when they are around children. They could also exhibit indications of a genetic tendency towards aggression if not provided with appropriate training and socialization opportunities. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he receives the training and socialization he needs to flourish.