20 Things You Must Be Educated About Purebred German Shepherd
How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are one of the most well-known breeds in America. They make great working dogs and family pets.
German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and summer months due to their thick double coats. Brushing frequently with a deshedding tool, or an undercoat rake reduces shed and keeps the coat shiny and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds are intelligent and generally healthy dogs, however they do have some health concerns. Reputable breeders will check their dogs for health issues to prevent passing on hereditary diseases to their puppies, such as elbow dysplasia or hip dysplasia. These are frequent problems in large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include bloat, digestive disorders and food sensitivities, or allergies.
Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD. Degenerative Myelopathy is one such disorder that causes a drunken gait. It is caused by a narrowing of the vertebrae in the neck, pinching the nerves that send signals to your dog's hind legs. The signs begin with a shaky appearance of the hind quarters and develop into weakness as well as paralysis, incontinence and loss of movement. Treatments that may include medication, rehabilitation exercise programs or surgery can be found to ensure that your dog lives longer and live a more comfortable life.
German Shepherds can suffer from glaucoma or Pannus. This is an immune-mediated cornea disease that can lead to blindness if it is not treated appropriately. These conditions will require regular ocular examinations by your veterinarian.
As with other large breeds, German Shepherds may suffer from heart disease and dilatable cardiomyopathy. reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund kaufen require a balanced diet that is supportive of heart health by providing a mix of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian can assess the heart and lungs of your puppy using a stethoscope in his yearly physical examination.
German Shepherd puppies and adolescent German Shepherds should get moderate exercise, such as frequent walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a safe protected space. They should avoid running, particularly beside the bicycle or jogger as it can cause damage to the growing bones and ligaments. Adult German Shepherds must exercise a few hours a day, based on their energy levels. Insurance for pets is a great investment in your German Shepherd's well-being, since it can help provide veterinary care for unexpected injuries and illnesses. It also provides peace of mind for you and your veterinarian, so you can concentrate on providing the best possible treatment for your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are smart, quick learners, and extremely capable of being trained. They take their work serious, whether they're guard dogs, police officers or service animals. They thrive when their energy, intelligence and work ethic is provided with a means to express it. But, as with all breeds they require a lot of and ongoing training to maintain their calm, friendly disposition and their increased sense of alertness and protectiveness.
The whole family should be involved in the training of a German shepherd. This breed is very family-oriented and will form a tight relationship with the handler who is their primary. It is important to begin training your puppy as soon as you can to ensure that he can grow into a well and well-behaved pet.
German shepherd puppies are very quick to learn and pick up new commands easily. However, their high level of intelligence can also lead to stubbornness if not properly directed. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a focused and intense puppy training program that can assist your GSD remain focused on their task and reduce destructive behavior as a result their natural instincts and dispositions.
GSDs can be wary of those who aren't part of their immediate family. They require socialization at an early age so that they can reduce the risk of aggression and inappropriate behavior. They also tend to hunting and prey-drive and can become over-emphasized if they are not well-socialized.
GSDs may engage in a bark or a lunge when they are responding to a car or other people walking along the path or in the park. While this might be a cause for concern to some, it's actually a normal behavior that should be encouraged. It will teach your German Shepherd there are other pets and people around. They will learn that interaction with other animals and humans is not dangerous or scary.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a short period of time. Through this time they are exposed to their world and develop connections that affect the way they perceive new experiences. This can last for the remainder of their lives. It is crucial to expose them to new situations and people as quickly as possible.
Your breeder should have started this for you, however once you have brought your puppy home it is your responsibility to carry on the process of building your puppy's confidence to interact with new people and things.
The key is to expose them to these experiences in a secure and controlled environment, where they can develop their confidence and not be afraid or overwhelmed. If they feel threatened or frightened, they will think of the experience as being afraid and may then be fearful of that specific thing for the rest of their lives. Also, you must protect from the common error of trying to soothe or encourage them when they are frightened since this could be seen as a reward for their fearful behavior which is a sure way to create an entire life of phobias.
Start by checking off a few items from your GSD puppy’s socialization list. Here are some suggestions to get you started:
Meet other dogs - this isn't just about your puppy having fun with other dogs, it's also about teaching them how to calm down and focus on you while another dog is close by. This helps them to be an empathetic, calm family dog when they are older.
Find pet-friendly restaurants, cafes or shops and bring your pup for an afternoon tea and cake! This is a great opportunity to reinforce your settle training and introduce your puppy to new sounds, sights as well as smells and textures. This will help them adjust to the world outside after they have grown.
Car driving - German Shepherds are not known for their ease in cars and so getting them used to being in the car early can make your road trips more enjoyable!
Take your GSD puppy to the hairdresser, vet, or garden centre. This will help them get at ease in these environments as adults and could be an ideal occasion to practice recall games.
Exercise
In addition to a good diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. It is important to do this in moderation, as excessive exercise can harm the structure of the skeletal system of puppies. For example, jumping, running and playing for a long time can put strain on the growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This could cause problems later in life.
Your puppy's inherent drive will determine how much energy and exercise they need. German Shepherds are genetically predisposed to have a higher level of drive than other breeds. This is due to the fact that they were designed to herd livestock. They will therefore possess a strong urge to herd and are eager to complete the task.
Since they were bred to work, they are quick learners and highly trainable. They are also instinctive guard dogs with a keen sense of danger and can respond quickly to protect their loved ones. They are also great service dogs that aid police in drug-sniffing security, search and rescue.
An effective way to help your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he requires is to enroll him in obedience classes. This will provide him with mental stimulation and the chance to meet other dogs. This is a great way to encourage good behavior in your pup and teach him some basic commands.
A well-bred German Shepherd will have a clear, straight and dense coat that's harsh in one spot, and soft fur elsewhere. The length of the hair will vary from one dog to the next however, it will usually be between 4 and 6 inches. The color will also vary from pup to pup, however, most German Shepherds will have a dark brown or black coat with a white chest.