Adopting a Purebred German Shepherd
Consistency, positive reinforcement and rewarding dog training are vital for German Shepherds. They are intelligent, eager to please, and fast learners.
Their strong work ethic makes them naturally vigilant of family members and can be trained to help in security. They are very active and require ample space to exercise. They also need early socialization and obedience training to mature into confident, well-mannered dogs.
Origin
In the latter half of 1800 Captain Max von Stephanitz was working to create a dog that could not be matched in its ability to herd. It took him years to find foundation dogs that met his criteria, physically and mentally. Finally, at the dog show in 1899, he saw the appearance of a German shepherd named Hektor Linksrhein. Hektor was the result of a few generations of selective breeding and he was a perfect match for Von Stephanitz's vision of what a herding dog ought to be. Von Stephanitz declared Hektor the first German Shepherd Dog and founded the Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde.
Breed fanciers began to standardize herding dog breeds in the second half 19th century. They were able to preserve some of the traits that attracted Von Stephanitz, and these traits continue to make the German Shepherd breed popular today. A study found that German Shepherds can master tasks with just five repetitions, and they follow the first command 95percent of the time.
These same traits also make this breed among the top police and military working dogs, as well as a popular family pet. If properly trained and socialized they make excellent companions for children and other pets. They are cautious around strangers, however, they are incredibly affectionate towards the ones they love. A German Shepherd that is not socialized early in life may later have trouble adjusting to new circumstances and may become stressed or anxious.
German Shepherds are good guard dogs because of their instincts to protect. They are smart and eager to please. This makes them very adept at training. They are agile and strong, and can run up to 30 miles per hour, if they are required to.
Because of their wide range of uses and popularity, you'll see a variety of German Shepherds around the world. But the distinctive characteristics of the breed are usually easy to recognize particularly if you are familiar with the breed standard. If you're not sure you are, consult your veterinarian for assistance to identify the breed. Most veterinarians are knowledgeable of the breed standards of the majority of dogs and will be in a position to assist you quickly and effectively.
Characteristics
If you're thinking about buying or adopting a purebred German Shepherd, it's important to find a reliable breeder with pedigree documents that can be traced for several generations back. Breeders who are reputable are also members of organizations such as the American Kennel Club, which will provide you with additional assurances of their honesty.
Purebred German Shepherd is characterized by an athletic, muscular body with distinctive black and tan colour. Adult males weigh between 65 and 90 pounds and stand between 24 and 26 inches tall and females are usually smaller at 50-70 lbs and 22 to 25 inch tall. They have erect ears, long and elongated and an intense stare. While they may appear intimidating, a well-trained German Shepherd will remain loyal to its owner and not display aggressive behavior towards people or other dogs.
They are extremely intelligent and respond well to positive reinforcement-based techniques for training which makes them fast learners. Socialization is crucial to their development into confident well-mannered pets. They're naturally guardians and vigilant over their families, however they'll likely be open to strangers who aren't considered to be a threat.
These agile, powerful dogs excel in police and military work as well as being service dogs for those with disabilities. They have a powerful prey drive and are likely to chase smaller animals. Therefore, a secure environment that offers plenty of positive interactions with other pets is important.
German Shepherds are loyal, protective and obedient when properly socialized and taught. They are typically shy of strangers and other dogs but can be taught to play with other pets with positive training and early socialization.
When evaluating the quality of a German Shepherd look for a head with a wedge shape that is proportional to the size of the dog and is well chiseled. The shoulders should be broad and square and straight with a back that is slightly sloped from the withers down to the croup. A curly back or excessive curvature of the rear legs indicates an insufficient structural alignment. A well-built German Shepherd moves with an effortless smooth stride that is driven by the forward thrust of its hindquarters.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent and curious dogs that are obedient without being overly eager to please. They are loyal to their family and are wary of strangers. This makes them a good guard dog. They thrive when their owners are active and be challenged both physically and mentally. They require plenty of daily exercise and a large backyard to play in. If they aren't properly stimulated, they may use destructive methods like digging or chewing.
When choosing a breeder you should look for someone who is dedicated to the breed and understands its temperament and personality. A reputable breeder can discuss the history of the parents and puppies. He or she can also tell you whether the litter has received obedience training and socialization. If the puppy hasn't been socialized, it will require extensive obedience and behavioral training to get it ready for life as a pet for the family.
Puppies must be curious and outgoing and have a natural capacity to assert themselves. If one puppy is more reserved than the others and is more timid, it should be interpreted as an indication. A good German Shepherd will also have an unwavering, steady grip when picked up.
The muzzle is long and strong with a well developed jaw and chin. The eyes should be dark and almond shaped. The nose should be dark (blue, liver or other colors are disqualifying). The teeth must be white and the upper row should be slightly larger than the lower. The ears are large and straight at the base, with pointed tips. deutsche schäferhundwelpen may slide down a bit when they are at rest.
The German Shepherd is a very adaptable dog that is used for many different activities including herding as well as search and rescue as well as drug and bomb detection, and even guiding the blind. This flexibility is the reason why it is among the most sought-after breeds across the world. It is important to keep in mind that the temperament of a German Shepherd dog can be heavily affected by its training and upbringing.
Health
Purebred German Shepherds are extremely resilient, able to thrive in a variety of environments and roles. They make excellent companions, therapy dogs and service animals. They are also excellent in advanced obedience and security training as well as competitive dog sports. Their work ethic and innate instincts may inspire them to missions of search and rescue as well as police work and military careers. Despite their impressive abilities as with all breeds, GSDs are prone to certain health issues.
As a breed that is larger, GSDs are susceptible to joint issues like elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These degenerative diseases can cause your dog to become slack and in pain as they get older. A healthy breeding program and regular vet checkups can reduce their effects.
German Shepherds are at risk of the condition known as bloat. It is a condition in which the stomach twists and fills up with gas, cutting off blood supply to the liver and spleen. Bloat can be life-threatening when left untreated. It requires immediate medical treatment.
Because of their thick, long coats and darker coloring, GSDs are also prone to heat stroke. On hot days, make sure to keep them well-hydrated and provide them with plenty of shade. We also examine their eyes at every visit for signs of pannus. It is an eye disease that is immune-mediated and can cause blindness if not treated promptly.
Intervertebral disc (IVDD) disease, von Willebrand's disease, and hemangiosarcoma which is a blood vessel that is cancerous, can all affect your German Shepherd. The cushion of jelly between vertebrae of the spine could break or fall off, causing pressure to the spinal cord. The symptoms of IVDD are the inability to climb stairs or jump.
As with all dogs, you should feed your German Shepherd a high quality diet and stay clear of table food which can lead to weight increase and nutritional deficiencies. You should also clean their coat frequently to keep it clean and healthy. It's okay to give your dog bath every now and again however, too much of it can strip away the natural oils which keep their coat healthy and shiny.