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The Purebred German Shepherd Dog The GSD is the perfect balance of agility and strength. Their exceptional training capabilities and the ability to protect make them loved family pets. When looking for a purebred German Shepherd dog, choose breeders who prioritize the health of their dogs as well as practice ethical breeding. You can find trustworthy breeders by requesting pedigree papers and prior health clearances. Characteristics German Shepherds are powerful, intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They are incredibly loyal to their family members and can be fearless protectors of them. Breed standard states the GSD should be self-confident and courageous, as well as possess a steady temperament. It must also be obedient and willing to please. The breed is strong, medium-sized and slightly elongated. It has a distinct double coat that consists of a hard outer layer as well as an undercoat that is soft. Its almond-shaped eyes are dark and obliquely set. Its ears are pointed and wide at the base. When the dog is lying down in a shady position, the tail is large and bushy. It reaches below the hocks. The long neck with a slightly sloping slope is distinctive. The chest is large and deep. The ribs are strong and the spine is firm. The breed is generally sound however, it does have some serious faults such as roached-backs and long pasterns that hinder proper movement. The hindquarters of the dog must be strong but not exaggerated. The rear leg should never go beyond the point where the foot leaves an impression. As working dogs, the GSD has naturally high drives (behavioral propensities and desires toward things like territorial protection and hunting prey). If these high-drives are not satisfied in a certain way, like through play or work, it can lead aggression. Show-type German Shepherds are bred to help dampen these drives. However, they still need lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to keep their lives in balance. GSDs are usually cautious around strangers and could be suspicious of them at first. This is a characteristic that makes them great guard dogs, but requires proper training to prevent overreactions. When socialized properly from a young age they can make great family pets. They also make great children. The GSD has a high pain threshold and is resistant to illness, but it has certain health conditions that can affect its quality of life. This includes seizures and epilepsy, as well as bleeding disorders. Preventing these conditions by limiting your dog's exposure to UV rays and making sure it is vaccinated regularly can help. Temperament German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn. They are also highly capable of being trained. They are a working breed and excel in a variety of tasks, such as herding, police work including search and rescue drug and bomb detection and guiding blind. They are also excellent family members. This strong and confident breed requires a clear purpose as well as the attention and focus of a responsible owner to channel their strength and energy positively. They require plenty of space and exercise and might not be suited to apartments or other living spaces. The ideal German Shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a firm and steady temperament. They are loyal, alert, and suspicious of strangers. This watchful and protective behaviour can become aggressive when they are not properly trained, socialized, and managed. These dogs can be intelligent and independent, but they can also be bored. They need to find an avenue to satisfy their curiosity. Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, used longhaired and shorterhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This resulted in an animal that is receptive and obedient. He was opposed to those who believed that German Shepherds should be a showpiece, and he ensured that his dogs had stable temperaments with strong herding instincts and a sound body structure. He was against breeding dogs with temperaments that were unstable, or with sharp angles on their croups, or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would undermine the ability of the breed to fulfill its traditional tasks. In addition to the hereditary diseases that can affect any breed of dog German Shepherds are also prone to cancers such as Hemangiosarcoma. It is a cancer that typically affects blood-rich organs, such as the liver and spleen. They may also develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers. You can prevent these diseases by maintaining the physical health of your German Shepherd. This means providing him with a nutritious diet and regular exercise. Make sure he gets plenty of opportunities to run and play outdoors in a safe space free of traffic and other hazards. Keep look here clean by brushing his dense double coat on a regular basis, using a de-shedding tool or a rake undercoat to remove hairs that are loose. It is also important to ensure that you visit the vet regularly for his routine health check-ups. Health German Shepherds have a healthy health record, but some health problems do exist. They are susceptible to ear infections, and they can develop ailments that affect their ears and eyes like degenerative amyelopathy. They may also suffer from an illness that is genetic, known as von Willebrand's disease that is hereditary that affects their capacity to clot blood and is present in females and males dogs. GSDs are a working breed and as such, they undergo intense training. As a result, they may develop joint issues. A common one is hip dysplasia, characterized by a lack of growth and development of cartilage and joint which can cause lameness, pain and other signs. It isn't always a serious condition, but it can be painful for dogs. Breeders who are trustworthy have their dogs X-rayed and use the results to inform breeding decisions. The x-rays can aid in determining the health of the puppy as well as its genetic history, which includes the probability that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high risk of developing the disorder aren't breeding. Like all large breeds, German Shepherds can suffer from panosteitis. This causes bones to grow rapidly and unevenly, causing pain and stiffness in the joints. This condition is more common in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months old who are experiencing a rapid growth spurt. They require a diet high in protein, with a good mix of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to ensure a healthy coat and skin. They may benefit from joint-support in their food including glucosamine as well as chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months should get moderate exercise, such as walking and playing with a different dog, if they are compatible. However they shouldn't run at a high speed, since this could cause damage to their growing joints. Foods that are table-based or contain animal bones must be avoided, since they can trigger digestive upset, vomiting, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Puppies and adults can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion as well as digestive enzyme supplements that aid in breaking down proteins. A properly-formulated AAFCO approved diet should contain the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals. Training German Shepherds are highly trainable and biddable dogs who thrive under a knowledgeable trainer's guidance. This makes them ideal for military and police tasks in search and rescue as well as therapy dog roles and many other specializations. However, their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a wonderful family pet when properly trained and socialized. Socialization is the first step towards creating a well-adjusted GSD. Expose your puppy to a range of people and animals from an early age, by taking them on frequent walks, playing games and going to local dog parks. This will make them feel comfortable and secure in a new place and will help them develop trust in humans from an early age. Training a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. Avoid negative reinforcement methods such as yelling or physical punishment, which could lead to fear based aggression. Use clicker training and reward-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands. It is also essential to give your German Shepherd with a daily dose of enrichment. Mental stimulation exercises are just as important to the GSD as physical exercise, especially when you have a household with lots of people. This will help them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by road noises or thunderstorms or other dogs in the park, or crowds during competitions and public events. Some health conditions that are specific to German Shepherds include hemangiosarcoma and cancer of the bones as well as the lungs and intestinal tract, and pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these conditions can be avoided through responsible breeding practices and appropriate lifestyle accommodations. Despite their reputation for being a savage breed, 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. They are formidable guardians due to their size and strength however, they must be monitored when they are around children. If they're not exposed enough to socialization and training 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 is getting the education and socialization he requires to thrive.