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The 10 Most Scariest Things About Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The Purebred German Shepherd Dog

The GSD is the perfect balance of strength and agility. Its high trainability and natural instincts to protect make them cherished family dogs.

When looking for a purebred German Shepherd dog, choose breeders who prioritize the health of their dogs and practice ethical breeding. You can determine reliable breeders by asking for pedigree documents and prior health clearances.

Characteristics

German Shepherds are intelligent, powerful dogs that are easy to train. They are incredibly loyal to their families and can be fearless protectors of them. The breed standard says that the GSD must be stable of temperament, self assured, and courageous. It must also be tractable and willing to be a pleasure to.

The breed is medium in size, slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a double coat consisting of a hard outer layer, and a softer undercoat. The almond-shaped eyes are dark and obliquely set. The ears are wide at the base and pointed. When the dog is lying down in a shady position, the tail is large and bushy. It extends below the hocks. The long, slightly sloping neck is characteristic. The chest is broad and deep. The spine is solid and the ribs are well-sprung.

The breed is generally sound however it is prone to serious issues, like roached-backs and long pasterns, which hinder proper movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong but not exaggerated. The rear leg should not extend beyond the point at which the foot leaves an impression.

As working dogs As working dogs, the GSD has naturally high drives (behavioral tendencies and desires for things like territorial protection and the pursuit of prey). When these high drives aren’t fulfilled through play or work this can result in aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a manner that helps dampen these drives however they still require lots of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise and mental stimulation to maintain a balanced life.

GSDs tend to be shy and cautious towards strangers at first. This trait of protection makes GSDs great guard dogs, but requires proper training to avoid overreactions. If properly socialized at a young age they can make great pets for families. They’re also great with kids.

The GSD has an extremely high threshold for pain and is able to fight off illness, but it is also susceptible to certain health issues that could affect its quality of living. These include seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders. To prevent these conditions, limiting your dog’s exposure to UV radiation, and ensuring you get regular vaccinations will aid.

Temperament

German Shepherds are smart, eager to learn, and extremely capable of training. They are a working breed and excel at a variety of jobs, including herding, police work such as search and rescue, detection of drugs and bombs and guiding blind people. They are also excellent family companions. This ferocious and confident breed requires a clear goal and the attention and focus of a confident owner to harness their energy and strength positively. They require a lot of exercise and space and may not be a good fit for smaller living spaces.

The ideal German shepherd is confident and well-balanced, with a firm temperament. They are loyal and alert, and they are suspicious of strangers. This protective and watchful behavior can escalate into aggression when they are not properly trained, socialized and supervised. These dogs can be intelligent and independent, but they can also be bored. They need to find a way to satisfy their natural curiosity.

The 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 know today. Max von Stephanitz was not one of those who wanted German Shepherds to be used as a showcase and made sure that his dogs had stable tempers, strong herding instincts, and an ideal body structure. He even refused to breed certain dogs that had temperaments that were unstable or had steep angles in their croups and rear and front pasterns as he believed these traits could hinder the ability of the breed to do its job as it is.

In addition to the hereditary disorders that affect every breed of dog, German Shepherds are prone to cancers such as Hemangiosarcoma, which typically affects blood-rich organs such as the spleen and liver. They also can develop lung, bone, or intestinal cancers.

You can avoid these ailments by ensuring the physical health of your German Shepherd. This means providing him with a healthy diet and regular exercise. It is important to give him plenty of time to play and run around in a safe area free of traffic. Make sure to regularly brush his double coat, using tools for deshedding or an undercoat rake. Also, make sure that you visit the vet regularly for routine health checks.

Health

German Shepherds have a good health history, however some health issues do exist. They are susceptible to ear infections, and they can develop ailments that affect their eyes and ears, including degenerative myelopathy. They also may suffer from an inherited disease called hereditary von Willebrand’s disorder that affects their capacity to clot blood, and is found in both male and female dogs.

As a working breed GSDs are often involved in strenuous exercise during their training, and they may suffer from joint issues as a consequence. Hip dysplasia is an extremely common condition that can cause pain, lameness and other signs. It is not a major condition, but it can be painful for the dog.

Breeders who are trustworthy have their dogs X-rayed and use the results for breeding decisions. The x-rays can aid in determining the health of the puppy and its genetic background, including the likelihood that it will develop dysplasia. Dogs with a high chance of developing the disorder aren’t breed.

Like many large breeds, German Shepherds also suffer from panosteitis, which causes the bones to grow rapidly and unevenly, which causes stiffness and pain in the joints. The condition is particularly common in German Shepherd puppies and dogs under 18 months of age who are experiencing the midst of a massive growth spurt.

These dogs require food that is high in protein and a large mix of omega fatty acid and balanced vitamins for skin and coat health. Dogs with arthritis are able to benefit from a diet that contains joints-supporting ingredients, such as chondroitin or glucosamine. Dogs who are less than 18 months should be given moderate exercise like walking and playing with another dog, if they are compatible. However it is not recommended to run at full speed as this could damage their growing joints.

Avoid feeding animal bone or table food because they can cause vomiting, digestive upsets anorexia, and pancreatitis. Puppies and adults can benefit from probiotic supplements to aid digestion and digestive enzyme supplements that aid in breaking down proteins. Mineral and vitamin supplements aren’t necessary in the sense that a well-formulated and approved AAFCO diet should supply the appropriate amount of these nutrients.

Training

German Shepherds are smart and highly trainable dogs that thrive under the guidance of a skilled handler. They are a great option for military, police search and rescue and therapy dog roles. However, their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a wonderful pet for the family when properly trained and socialized.

Socialization is the first step in creating a well-adjusted GSD. Introduce your puppy to a variety of people and other animals at an early age, by taking them on frequent walks, playing games and visiting local dog parks. This will help them feel more comfortable and secure and help them trust people from a young age.

It requires patience, perseverance and positive reinforcement to train a German shepherd. Avoid methods of negative reinforcement such as yelling or physical punishment, which could cause fear-based aggression. Use clicker training and Deutsche Schäferhunde welpen kaufen österreich reward-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.

It is also important to provide your German Shepherd with daily enrichment. The stimulation of the mind is as important as physical exercise for an GSD, especially in a busy or chaotic household. This will help them stay focused and less likely to be distracted by road 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 and cancer of the bones lung, lungs, and the intestinal tract and pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these diseases can be prevented by implementing responsible breeding practices and the right lifestyle accommodations.

Despite their reputation for being a savage breed, German Shepherds make devoted family pets. When they are exposed to children at a young age they can be tender and loving towards smaller pets like cats. Nonetheless, their size and strength make them excellent guardians and they should be watched over children younger than them. If they are not sufficiently exposed to training and socialization, they may show signs of aggression. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy obedience or school will ensure that he gets the training and socialization that he needs to flourish.