3 Reasons You're Not Getting Purebred German Shepherd Dog Isn't Working (And How To Fix It)
The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect balance of speed and strength. Its exceptional training ability and natural instincts to protect make them loved family dogs.
When shopping for purebred german shepherd dogs Find breeders that have a commitment to ethical breeding and who are concerned about the health of their dogs. You can identify reputable breeders by requesting pedigree papers and prior health clearances.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are intelligent, powerful dogs that are easy to train. They are loyal to their family and can be a formidable guardian. The breed standard states that the GSD must be confident and courageous, as well as possess a calm and steady temperament. It must 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 consisting of a hard outer layer, and a soft undercoat. Its eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and positioned obliquely. The ears are large at the base and pointed. When the dog is lying down, the tail is large and bushy. It extends below the hocks. The neck of the breed is long and slightly sloping. The chest is wide and deep. altdeutscher schäferhund kaufen are well-sprung and the spine is solid.
In general, the breed is sound However, it has some serious flaws. These include roached backs and lengthy pasterns that hinder proper movement. Its hindquarters must be powerful but not overly so. The rear leg should never go beyond the point at which the foot leaves a mark.
As working dogs, the GSD has high-drives that are naturally present (behavioral tendencies and desires for things like territorial protectiveness and hunting prey). When these high drives aren't fulfilled in some way through work or play and it leads to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are developed to reduce these urges. However, they require lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to keep a balanced life.
GSDs are typically reserved around strangers and may be initially suspicious of them. This trait of protection makes them excellent guard dogs and requires the right training to avoid triggering reactions. 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 negatively impact the quality of life. This includes seizures and epilepsy, as well as bleeding disorders. By taking precautions, such as limiting the dog's exposure to harmful UV rays and ensuring that it receives routine vaccinations should lower the risk of these conditions.
Temperament
German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn. They are also capable of training. They are a working breed and excel in a variety of jobs, including herding, police work such as search and rescue, bomb and drug detection, and guiding the blind. They also make excellent pets for families. However, this strong 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 require plenty of exercise and space, and might not be suited in smaller living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is balanced and confident, with a firm and steady temperament. They are loyal, alert and sceptical of strangers. If not properly socialized and trained in this manner, their protective and vigilant behavior can turn into aggression. They are extremely smart and can be self-sufficient and easily bored, and they require an outlet to satisfy their curiosity.
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, employed shorter and longer-haired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This led to a breed that is responsive and well-behaved. Max von Stephanitz did not agree with those who wanted German Shepherds to be a showpiece. He ensured that his dogs had stable tempers, strong herding impulses, and solid body structure. He was against breeding dogs with unstable temperaments, or with sharp angles on their croups, or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would hinder the ability of the breed to fulfill its traditional tasks.
German Shepherds are also susceptible to cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is the most common cancer that affects the liver and spleen organs, which have a higher blood supply. They also can develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers.
To avoid these ailments ensure your German Shepherd's physical health by feeding him a an appropriate diet and exercise. Make sure he gets plenty of opportunities to exercise and play outdoors, in a safe area free of traffic and other dangers. Make sure to regularly brush his double coat, using a deshedding tool or an undercoat rake. It is also recommended to visit your vet regularly for regular health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds have a great health history, however some health problems are present. They are susceptible to ear infections and they can develop ailments that affect their ears and eyes such as degenerative amyelopathy. They may also suffer from a genetic disease known as von Willebrand's disease that is hereditary, which impacts their ability to clot blood, and is found in females and males dogs.
GSDs are a working breed and as such, they undergo intense training. This means that they may develop joint issues. Hip dysplasia is a typical condition that can cause pain, lameness and other signs. This is not a serious condition, but it can be painful to the dog.
A reputable breeder will X-ray their dog and utilize the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays help determine the health and genetic background of the puppy, which includes how likely it is to develop dysplasia. Dogs with a high risk of developing dysplasia aren't breeding.
Like many large breeds, German Shepherds also suffer from panosteitis. schäferhund kaufen causes the bones to grow rapidly and unevenly, which causes pain and stiffness in the legs. This condition is most prevalent in German Shepherd puppies and dogs under 18 months of age who are going through a large growth spurt.
These dogs require food that is high in protein, with a good mix of omega fatty acid and balanced vitamins to maintain skin and coat health. They are able to benefit from a diet with joint support, like chondroitin or glucosamine. Dogs who are less than 18 months old age should be exercising moderately like walking on a regular basis and, if compatible with another dog playing together, but should not run at full speed, as this can damage growing joints.
Foods that are table-based or contain bones from animals must be avoided, since they can trigger vomiting, digestive upset, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Puppies and adults can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion as well as digestive enzyme supplements to aid in breaking down proteins. Vitamin and mineral supplements aren't necessary since a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should supply the appropriate amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are smart high-trained dogs who thrive under the guidance by a knowledgeable handler. They are therefore a good choice for military, police, search and rescue and therapy dog roles. But their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a wonderful pet to have when properly trained and socialized.
Socialization is the first step to creating a well-adjusted GSD. Introduce your puppy to a range of people and animals from an early age, by taking them on frequent walks, playing games, and visiting local dog parks. This will make them feel more confident and comfortable and teach them to trust people from an early age.
It takes 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. Use clicker training and reward-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
It is also crucial to give your German Shepherd with a regular dose of enrichment. Exercises for mental stimulation can be just as important as physical exercises for the GSD, especially in a chaotic or busy household. This can help them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by road noises or thunderstorms as well as other dogs at the park, or crowds during competitions and other public events.

Some of the health issues that are unique to German Shepherds include Hemangiosarcoma, cancer of bones lung, lungs, and the intestinal tract, and pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these conditions can be prevented by responsible breeding and lifestyle choices.
Despite their infamous reputation German Shepherds are devoted family pets. They are generally affectionate with children and gentle with smaller pets, like cats, if exposed to them from an early age. They are formidable guardians due to their size and strength but they should be supervised when they are around young children. If they are not being exposed to enough training and socialization and are not properly socialized, they could exhibit signs of aggression. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy school or obedience class will ensure that he gets the training and socialization he needs to thrive.