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The Purebred German Shepherd Dog The GSD is the perfect blend of strength and speed. Its high trainability and natural instincts to protect make them loved family dogs. When shopping for a purebred german shepherd dog, look for breeders who have a commitment to ethical breeding and who are concerned about the health of their dogs. Requesting pedigree papers and prior health clearances will help you determine reputable breeders. Characteristics German Shepherds are strong, intelligent dogs that are highly trainable. They are loyal to their family and can be fearless guardians. Breed standard states the GSD should be self-confident and courageous. They should also have an unwavering temperament. It must also be respectful and willing to be obedient. The breed is medium in size, slightly elongated, and muscular. It has a double coat made up of an outer layer of hardness, and a soft undercoat. The eyes are dark, almond-shaped, and positioned slightly obliquely. The ears are large at the base and pointed. The tail is bushy and reaches to below the hocks when the dog is at rest. The neck of the breed is long and slightly sloping. The chest is broad and deep. The spine is firm and the ribs are well-sprung. The breed is generally healthy however it is prone to serious faults such as roached-backs and long pasterns that interfere with the correct movement. Its hindquarters should be powerful, but not excessively exaggerated. The rear leg should never pass ahead of the point at which the forefoot leaves a footprint. As working dogs As working dogs, the GSD has high-drives that are naturally present (behavioral tendencies and desires towards things like territorial protectiveness and chasing prey). If these high drives are not satisfied in some way, like through work or playing and it can lead to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are created to help reduce these drives. However, they need lots of positive reinforcement, physical exercise and mental stimulation to keep their lives in balance. GSDs tend to be shy and cautious towards strangers initially. This is a characteristic that makes them excellent guard dogs, but requires proper training to avoid overreactions. They are wonderful pets for families when properly socialized at a young age and are generally good with children. The GSD has an extremely high threshold for pain and is resilient against illness, however it does have certain health conditions that may affect its quality of living. These include epilepsy/seizures, bleeding disorders, and immune-mediated diseases. Preventing these conditions by limiting your dog's exposure to UV rays and ensuring that it receives regular vaccinations can aid. Temperament German Shepherds are intelligent, eager to learn, and highly trainable. They are an active dog breed that excels in a variety of tasks, including police work, herding and search and rescue. They also excel in detection of explosives and drugs, and helping blind people. They are also excellent pet for families. However, this powerful and confident breed requires an unwavering focus and the attention of a confident owner to use their strength and energy positively. They require plenty of space and exercise. They might not be suitable for smaller living spaces. The ideal German shepherd is confident and well-balanced, with a strong and stable temperament. They are loyal, vigilant and sceptical of strangers. If not properly socialized and trained in this manner, their protective and vigilant behavior can become aggressive. They are extremely smart and can be self-sufficient and easily bored, which is why they require an outlet to satisfy their curiosity. Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, employed longhaired and shorterhaired German Shepherds in his breeding program. This created an animal that is receptive and respectful. Max von Stephanitz did not agree with those who wanted German Shepherds to be used as a showcase and ensured that his dogs were calm, had strong herding instincts, and solid body structure. He refused to breed dogs with temperaments that were unstable or with a steep angle on their croups, or front and rear pasterns. He believed that these traits would undermine the ability of the breed to carry out its usual tasks. In addition to the hereditary ailments that affect every breed of dog, German Shepherds are prone to cancers, including hemangiosarcoma, which most commonly affects blood-rich organs, such as the spleen and liver. They also can develop bone, lung, or intestinal cancers. To avoid these issues ensure your German Shepherd's physical well-being by feeding him an appropriate diet and exercise. Make sure he has plenty of opportunities to run and play outdoors in a secure area free of traffic and other hazards. Keep him looking neat by brushing his dense double coat on a regular basis by using a de-shedding tool or undercoat rake to remove hairs that are loose. It is also important to ensure that you take him to the vet on a regular basis for routine health checks. Health German Shepherds have a great health record, but some health problems do exist. They are prone to ear infections and may develop conditions affecting their eyes and ears, like degenerative myelopathy. Female and male can be affected by hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic condition that limits their ability to clot the blood. As a working breed GSDs are often involved in strenuous training and they may suffer from joint issues as a result. Hip dysplasia is an extremely common condition that can cause pain, lameness and other signs. It's not a serious condition, but it can be painful to the dog. A reputable breeder will X-ray their dog and use the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays help determine the health and genetic history of the puppy, as well as the likelihood to develop dysplasia. Dogs at high risk of developing the disorder are not breed. Like all large breeds, German Shepherds can be affected by panosteitis, which causes the bones to expand rapidly and unevenly, causing pain and stiffness in the legs. This is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing a rapid growth spurt. They require food that is rich in protein, with a large amount of omega fatty acids as well as balanced vitamins to maintain healthy coat and skin. They may benefit from joint-support in their food, such as glucosamine and chondroitin. Dogs younger than 18 months age should exercise moderately including 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 could cause damage to joints that are growing. Foods that are table-based or contain animal bones should be avoided, as these can cause vomiting, digestive upset anorexia, pancreatitis, and vomiting. Puppies and adult dogs can benefit from a probiotic supplementation to help with digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements that aid in breaking down proteins. Vitamin and mineral supplements are not necessary, as a well-formulated AAFCO-approved 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 knowledgeable handler. They are a great choice for police, military search and rescue, and therapy dog roles. But their unwavering loyalty also makes them a great pet to have when properly trained and socialized. Socialization is the first step to raising a well-adjusted GSD. Introduce your puppy to a range of people and animals from a young age, taking them on frequent walks, playing games, and visiting local dog parks. This will help them feel secure and at ease in a new setting and help them learn to trust humans from an early age. Training for a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. Avoid negative reinforcement methods like yelling or physical punishment, which can result in fear-based aggression. Use clicker training and reward-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands. Daily enrichment is essential for your German Shepherd. Exercises for mental stimulation are just as important for the GSD as physical exercise, especially when you have a busy household. This helps them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by street noises or thunderstorms as well as other dogs at the park, or crowds at competitions and other public events. Certain health conditions that are exclusive to German Shepherds are hemangiosarcoma and cancer of the bones as well as the lungs and intestinal tract, and pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these ailments can be prevented by responsible breeding and lifestyle choices. Despite their reputation for being a savage breed, German Shepherds make devoted family pets. When reinrassiger schäferhund are around children from a young age, they can be tender and loving towards smaller pets like cats. They are extremely effective guardians due their size and strength however, they must be monitored when they are around children. They may also show signs of a hereditary tendency to aggression if not provided with appropriate training and socialization opportunities. Enrolling your German Shepherd into a puppy school or obedience class will ensure that he receives the training and socialization he requires to thrive.