The Ugly The Truth About Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect blend of speed and strength. Their exceptional training capabilities and the ability to protect make them loved family pets.

If you are looking for purebred german shepherd dogs Look for breeders who adhere to ethical breeding practices and are committed to the health of their animals. Requesting pedigree papers and prior health clearances will help you find reputable breeders.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are intelligent, powerful dogs that are easy to train. They are extremely affectionate to their families and are fearless guardians of them. The breed standard states that the GSD must be steady of temperament, self assured, and courageous. It should also be able to be handled and willing to please.

The breed is medium-sized with a slight elongation and is muscular. It has a double coat made up of an outer layer of hardness and a soft undercoat. Its eyes are dark and almond-shaped, and positioned in a oblique manner. Its ears are wide at the base and pointed. When the dog is laying down in a shady position, the tail is bushy.  reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund welpe  is a little below the hocks. The neck of the breed is long and sloping slightly. The chest is large and deep. The ribs are well-sprung and the spine is solid.

In general the breed is healthy However, it has some serious flaws. These include roached backs and long pasterns that hinder proper movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful however, they should not be overly exaggerated and the rear leg should never go in the direction of where the forefoot leaves an imprint.

As working dogs as well as working dogs, the GSD has naturally high drives (behavioral propensities and desires toward things like territorial protectiveness and the pursuit of prey). When these high drives aren't fulfilled through play or work and it leads to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a manner that can help reduce these urges, but they still require a lot of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to maintain a balanced life.

GSDs tend to be cautious and suspicious of strangers at first. This trait of protection makes GSDs great guard dogs, but requires proper training to prevent overreactions. They are wonderful pets for families when socialized properly from a young age, and are generally good with children.

The GSD is resilient to illness and has a high threshold for pain, but certain health conditions can affect the quality of life. This includes seizures and epilepsy, as well as bleeding disorders. Making sure to limit the dog's exposure to harmful UV rays and making sure that it receives routine vaccinations should lower the risk of developing these diseases.

Temperament

German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn. They are also highly trainable. They are a working breed and excel in a variety of tasks, including herding police work including search and rescue, drug and bomb detection, and guiding the blind. They are also excellent companions for families. However, this powerful and confident breed needs a clear sense of purpose and the attention of an assertive owner to harness their energy and strength in a positive way. They need a lot of exercise and space, and may not be suitable in smaller living spaces.

The ideal German shepherd is confident and well-balanced, with a strong and stable temperament. They are loyal and alert and they are sceptical of strangers. This watchful and protective behavior can turn into aggression when they are not properly trained, socialized and controlled. Dogs with these traits can be smart and independent, yet easily bored. They must find ways 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 responsive and obedient breed that we know today. He did not agree with those who believed that German Shepherds should be a showpiece and he made sure his dogs were stable in their temperaments and strong herding instincts and a sound body structure. He even refused to breed with dogs that were temperamentally unstable or had steep angles in their croups, as well as front and rear pasterns as he believed these traits could hamper the breed's ability to perform its traditional work.

In addition to the hereditary ailments that can affect any dog breed German Shepherds are also susceptible to cancers, such as Hemangiosarcoma. It is a cancer that typically affects blood-rich organs like the spleen and liver. They can also develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers.

To avoid these issues ensure your German Shepherd's physical health by feeding him a an appropriate diet and exercise. Make sure he has plenty of opportunities to exercise and play outdoors in a safe space away from traffic and other dangers. Make sure to regularly brush his double coat using tools for deshedding or an undercoat rake. You should also make sure that you take him to the veterinarian on a regular basis for routine health checks.

Health

German Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, but they do have some health issues. They are prone to ear infections and they can develop ailments that affect their ears and eyes such as degenerative amyelopathy. Both male and female can be affected by hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that affects the ability of clotting blood.

As a breed that is primarily used for work, GSDs are often involved in strenuous exercise during their training, and can develop joint issues as a consequence. A common one is hip dysplasia, characterized by improper growth and development of the joint and cartilage, leading to lameness, pain and other signs. It's not a serious condition but can be painful to the dog.

Reputable breeders X-ray their dogs and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays can help determine the health and genetic background of the puppy, as well as the likelihood to develop dysplasia. Dogs with a high likelihood of developing the disorder aren't breeding.

Like all large breeds, German Shepherds also suffer from panosteitis. This causes bones to grow rapidly and unevenly, which causes stiffness and pain in the legs. This is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months old who are experiencing a rapid growth spurt.

They require an enriched diet rich in protein with a generous mix of omega-fatty acids and balanced vitamins to maintain a healthy coat and skin. They may benefit from joint-support in their food, such as glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs under 18 months of age should have moderate exercise, such as multiple walks and, if they are compatible with another dog, playing together, but they should not be allowed to run at full speed, as this can damage growing joints.

Feeding table food or bones from animals should be avoided because they can cause digestive upset, vomiting, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Adults and puppies can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion as well as digestive enzyme supplements that aid in breaking down proteins. Vitamin and mineral supplements aren't necessary, as a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should contain the right amount of these nutrients.

Training

German Shepherds are smart and highly trainable dogs that thrive when they're under the supervision by a knowledgeable handler. They are an excellent choice for police and military work in search and rescue, therapy dog roles, and many other specialized jobs. But their dedication to their job makes them a wonderful pet to have when properly trained and socialized.

Socialization is the first step towards raising a well adjusted GSD. As a puppy, expose your puppy to different people and animals. Take your dog for walks frequently and play games. Visit local dog parks. This will help them feel secure and at ease in a new environment and help them become comfortable with humans at an early age.

It requires patience, consistency as well as positive reinforcement to train the German shepherd. Avoid methods of negative reinforcement like yelling or physical punishment, which could result in fear-based aggression. Instead, you should use rewards-based training and clicker training to teach your German Shepherd basic commands.

It is also crucial to give your German Shepherd with a regular dose of enrichment. The stimulation of the mind is as important as physical exercise for an GSD especially in a hectic or busy household. This will help them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by noises or storms as well as other dogs at the park, or crowds at competitions or public events.

Some of the health issues that are specific to German Shepherds are hemangiosarcoma, cancer of the bones, lungs, and intestinal tract, as well as pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these diseases are preventable with responsible breeding practices and the right lifestyle accommodations.

Despite their fearsome reputation German Shepherds are devoted family pets. When they are around children at a young age they can be incredibly friendly and gentle with smaller animals like cats. They are formidable guardians due to their size and strength but they should be watched when they are around children. They could also exhibit indications of a genetic tendency toward aggression if they are not given the proper training and socialization opportunities. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy school or obedience class will ensure that he gets the training and socialization he needs to thrive.