Why You Should Focus On Improving Purebred German Shepherd
How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are a popular breed in America. They are great for pets for families and as working dogs.
German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and summer due to their thick double coats. Brushing often with a deshedding rake or undercoat rake will reduce the amount of shed and keep the coat looking shiny and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds are afflicted with some health issues, but are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Breeders with good reputations will screen their dogs to avoid passing hereditary illnesses to their pups such as elbow dysplasia or hip dysplasia. These are frequent problems for large dog breeds. Other health issues include digestive disorders, bloat and food sensitivities or allergies.
Hereditary neurological disorders can affect your GSD. Degenerative Myelopathy is one such disease that causes a drunken gait. This happens when the cervical vertebrae narrow, causing nerves to be pinched which send signals to the dog's hind legs. The signs start with instabilities of the hindquarters and then progress to paralysis, incontinence, and loss of mobility. There are a variety of treatment options available, including medication as well as rehabilitation programs that include exercise, and surgery.
German Shepherds may suffer from glaucoma or Pannus. This is an autoimmune corneal disease that can cause blindness if it is not treated properly. These conditions require regular ocular exams by your veterinarian.
Like many other large breeds, German Shepherds are prone to suffer from heart disease and the condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy. They'll require a nutritious diet that is supportive of heart health with a blend of omega fatty acids and Deutscher SchäFerhund Kaufen balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian will be able to assess your puppy's heart using an stethoscope in his annual physical examination.
Puppies and adolescents German Shepherds need moderate exercise. This can be achieved by taking them on multiple walks and (if appropriate), playing with other puppies within an area that is safe and secure. They should not run, particularly beside bikes or joggers as it can cause damage to the growing bones and ligaments. Adult German Shepherds must be active for a few hours each day, based on their energy levels. Insurance for pets is a great investment in the health of your German Shepherd, since it can help provide veterinary care for unexpected illnesses and injuries. It also gives peace of mind for both you and your veterinarian, so you can concentrate on providing the best possible treatment for your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are smart, fast learners and extremely trained. They are very serious about their work as guard dogs as police officers, service animals and much more - and thrive when given a place to exercise for their intelligence, energy and work ethic. But, like any breed they require a lot of and ongoing training to maintain their compliant, friendly demeanor as well as their heightened sense of alertness and protection.
The entire family should be involved in the training of a German shepherd. This is a very family-oriented breed that forms an enduring bond with the main handler. It is crucial to begin training as early as possible so that your puppy can be a sociable and well-behaved companion in adulthood.
German shepherd puppies are quick to master new commands and can learn them quickly. Their high intelligence can lead to stubbornness, however, if it is not properly channeled. Intensive and targeted puppy training programs, like Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training, can help your GSD remain focused on the task at hand, and diminish any destructive behaviors that could arise as a result of their natural instincts and tendencies.
GSDs are usually beware of people outside of their immediate family. They need to be socialized from an early age to limit their chances of exhibiting aggression and inappropriate social behavior. They also have a tendency to prey drive and hunting that can become exaggerated if not properly managed with frequent ongoing positive socialization.
For instance there are many GSDs who bark or lunge at vehicles passing by or other people on a path or walking through the park. While this might be a problem to certain people, it's an acceptable behavior that should be encouraged. It can teach your German Shepherd there are other pets and people around. They will learn that interacting with other animals and people isn't dangerous or frightening.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a very short time. In this period they get to know their environment and make connections that influence the way they see new experiences. This can last the rest of their life. It is important to introduce them to new environments and people as soon as you can.
Once you bring your puppy home, it is your responsibility to carry on the process and developing your puppy's confidence to interact with new people and experiences.
The key is to expose them to these experiences in a safe and controlled environment, where they can build confidence and not be afraid or overwhelmed. If they feel scared or frightened, they will be able to connect the experience with fear and will eventually be fearful of that particular thing for life. You should also protect them from making the mistake of encouraging to encourage or comfort them when they're scared. This could be interpreted as rewarding fearful behavior and could cause a lifetime of phobia.
You can start by ticking a few items off your GSD puppy's checklist of socialization. Here are some suggestions to get you going:
Meet other dogs - this isn't only about your puppy playing with other dogs. It's also about teaching them how to calm down and pay attention to you while another dog is around. This will help them become an empathetic and calm pet as they get older.
Seek out pet-friendly restaurants, cafes or shops and take your puppy out for a cake and coffee date! This is a great opportunity to reinforce your settle-training and introduce them to new sounds, sights scents, textures, and smells. This will help them adjust to the world around them after they have grown.
Drive in a car - German Shepherds are not known for their comfort in vehicles and so getting them used to being in a car in the beginning can make your road trips much easier!
Check off a few items from your GSD puppy's list of socialization by taking them to the vet or train shop, hairdressers or garden centre. This will allow your puppy to be comfortable in these places as an adult and could be a great time to work on retrieval games.
Exercise
Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise, in addition to a healthy diet. But, this should be carefully balanced because excessive exercise can cause damage to the skeletal structure of puppies. For example, jumping, running and playing for a long time can strain a growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This can cause issues in adulthood.
Your puppy's innate level of drive will determine the amount of energy and exercise they require. German Shepherds are genetically predisposed to have higher levels of drive than other breeds. This is because they were bred to help herd livestock. As such, they will have a strong herding instinct and a keenness to perform the job at hand.
They are highly trainable and quick learners since they were bred to be work-oriented. They are also natural guard dogs with an acute sense of danger, and will act quickly to protect their loved ones. They are also excellent service dogs that can assist police in drug-sniffing as well as security and search and rescue.
Participating with your German Shepherd puppy in obedience classes is an excellent way to provide him the exercise he needs. This will provide him with mental stimulation and let him be social with dogs. This is a great way to keep your dog in good behavior puppy and teach him basic commands.
A German Shepherd that is properly bred will have a dense straight, straight, and clear coat. The fur may be harsh in some areas but soft in other. The length of the hair will vary from one dog to another but is usually between 4-6 inches. The color of the coat will also vary from pup to pup, however, most German Shepherds will have dark brown or black coat with a white chest.
