20 Fun Facts About Purebred German Shepherd
How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are among the most well-known breeds in America. They are wonderful family pets and are also great working dogs.
German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed heavily during the summer and spring. Brushing frequently using a deshedding tool or undercoat rake helps reduce shedding and keep the coat clean and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds are smart and generally healthy dogs, however they do have some health concerns. Breeders with a good reputation screen their dogs for hereditary diseases, like elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These are common issues for large dog breeds. Other health issues include digestive disorders, bloat and food sensitivities, or allergies.
Hereditary neurological disorders can affect your GSD and can cause Degenerative Myelopathy. It causes a sluggish gait that resembles drunkenness due to spinal cord disease. It occurs when there is a narrowing of the vertebrae within the neck, pinching the nerves that send signals to your dog's hind legs. The symptoms begin with instabilities of the hindquarters and then progress to paralysis, incontinence, and loss of mobility. There are a variety of treatment options available, including medications and rehabilitation exercises and surgery.
Eye conditions that could affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated cornea condition that can lead to blindness if not treated properly. These conditions require regular eye examinations by your veterinarian.
German Shepherds are susceptible to heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and other ailments. A healthy diet containing omega fatty acids, balanced vitamins and a mix that promotes heart health is required. Your veterinarian can examine your puppy's heart using the help of a stethoscope during his annual physical examination.
Puppies and adolescents German Shepherds need moderate exercise. This can be accomplished by taking them on multiple walks and (if appropriate) playing with other puppies in an enclosed, safe space. It is best to avoid running especially close to the bicycle or jogger as they can damage the growth of bones and ligaments. Adult German Shepherds must exercise a few hours a day, depending on their energy levels. Pet insurance can be an excellent investment for your German Shepherd, as it can help cover any unexpected injuries or illnesses. It also provides peace of mind to you and your veterinarian so you can concentrate on providing the best possible treatment for your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are intelligent quick learners and extremely trainable. They take their jobs seriously as guard dogs, police officers, service animals, and so much more - and thrive when given a place to exercise for their intelligence, energy and dedication to work. Like all breeds, require continual and intensive training to maintain a friendly, compliant demeanor and heightened alertness.
Training a German Shepherd is a team effort and should involve all members of the family. This breed is very sociable and will form a close bond with its primary handler. It is crucial to begin training as early as possible so that your puppy can be a well-mannered companion in adulthood.
German shepherd puppies are quick to learn and master new commands with ease. Nevertheless, their high intelligence can also result in stubbornness if not properly directed. In-depth and targeted puppy training programs, such as Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training, can aid your GSD remain focused on the task at hand, and help reduce any destructive behavior that might arise as a result of their natural instincts and tendencies.
GSDs are often wary of people outside their immediate family and need to be socialized at an early age to limit their risk of aggression and inappropriate social behavior. They are also prone to prey drive and hunting that can become exaggerated if they are not properly controlled with regular positive socialization.
GSDs may engage in a bark or a lunge when they are responding to a passing vehicle or pedestrians walking on the path or in the park. While this can be a problem for certain but it's actually a normal behavior that should be encouraged because it will teach your German Shepherd that there are others and animals to get along with. As a result they will discover that being around humans as well as animals is fun and not a danger.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies have a short time of socialization that allows them to learn about the world around them and make connections that influence how they view new experiences, often for the rest of their lives. It is essential to expose them to new surroundings and people as quickly as possible.
Your breeder should have started this for you, but once you bring your puppy home it is your responsibility to carry on the process, building your puppy's confidence to interact with new people and experiences.
It is essential to introduce these experiences to them in a controlled, secure environment that makes them feel comfortable and not threatened. If Entzückende Schäferhund Welpen feel afraid or scared, they'll think of the experience as being afraid and may then be afraid of the particular thing for life. It is important to keep from the pitfalls of encouraging or calming them when they're scared. This could be seen as rewarding behavior that is fearful and create a lifetime phobia.
Start by checking off a few items on your GSD puppy’s socialization list. Here are some suggestions to get you started:
This isn't just about your puppy playing around with other dogs. It's about teaching them to relax and focus on you even when another dog is nearby. This will help them become an empathetic, calm pet when they get older.
Seek out places that are dog-friendly, such as restaurants, cafes or shops and take your puppy out for an afternoon tea and cake! This is a great opportunity to reinforce the settle-training you've been practicing and also introduce them to new sights, sounds, smells and textures that will help them to accept the world around them once they're fully grown.
Drive in a vehicle. German Shepherds aren't known for being at ease in cars So if you can make them comfortable driving from a young age it will simplify your road trips.
Tick a few items off your GSD puppy's list of socialization activities by taking them to the vet or train shop, hairdresser or garden centre. This will allow them to become comfortable in these settings as adults and can be an ideal opportunity to work on recall games.
Exercise
Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise in addition to a healthy diet. This must be done in moderation, as excessive exercise can cause damage to the structure of the skeletal system of puppies. For instance running, jumping and playing a lot can strain a growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This can cause issues in adulthood.
Your puppy's inherent drive will determine the amount of energy and exercise they need. German Shepherds are genetically predisposed to have a higher level of drive than other breeds. They were bred to manage animals. They will therefore possess a strong urge to herd and be eager to finish the job.
They are highly trainable and fast learners since they were bred for work. They are also natural guard dogs with an acute sense of danger, and can quickly react to protect their loved ones. They are also great service dogs that aid police with drug sniffing security, search and rescue.
One method to help your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he needs is to enroll him in obedience classes. This will provide him with mental stimulation and allow him to interact with other dogs. It is also a great chance to promote positive behavior in your puppy and teach him basic commands that will prove useful in the future.
A properly bred German Shepherd will have a clear, thick and straight coat that is rough in one place, but soft fur elsewhere. The length of the hair may vary from one dog to another, but will be usually between 4-6 inches. The color of the coat will also vary from pup to pup however, most German Shepherds will have a dark brown or black coat that has a white chest.