How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are a very popular breed in America. They are excellent pets for the family and are great as a working dog.
German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed heavily during the summer and spring. Brushing regularly with a deshedding tool or undercoat rake helps reduce shedding and keeps the coat shiny and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds are afflicted with a few health issues, however they are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Breeders who are reputable will check their dogs for hereditary ailments, like hip and elbow dysplasia. These are common issues in large dog breeds. Other health issues include digestive issues.
Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD such as Degenerative Myelopathy, which can cause an unsteady, drunken-like gait due to spinal cord disease. The vertebrae of the neck narrow, pinching the nerves that transmit signals to the dog's hind legs. The symptoms begin with a lack of stability in the hindquarters, and then advance to weakness, paralysis, incontinence, and loss of movement. Treatments that may include medications, rehabilitation exercises or surgery, are available to help your dog live longer and live a more comfortable life.
German Shepherds are susceptible to glaucoma or Pannus. This is an immune-mediated corneal condition that can cause blindness if not treated properly. Your dog will need regular ocular examinations with your veterinarian to determine the severity of these conditions.
Like other large breeds, German Shepherds may suffer from heart disease and dilated cardiomyopathy. They'll require a nutritious diet that is supportive of the health of their heart with a blend of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian will be able to assess your puppy's heart and lungs by using a stethoscope during the yearly physical examination.
Adolescent and puppy German Shepherds should get moderate exercise, such as multiple walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a safe, enclosed area. They should avoid running especially close to a jogger or bicycle, which can damage growing bones and ligaments. Based on their level of energy Adult German Shepherds will require a couple of hours of exercise a day to keep their fitness. Insurance for pets is an excellent investment for your German Shepherd, as it can help cover any unexpected injuries or illnesses. Pet insurance gives both you and your vet peace of mind which allows you to concentrate solely on the care of your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are smart, fast learners and extremely trainable. They are very serious about their work as guard dogs as police officers, service animals, and so much more - and thrive when given an outlet for their intelligence, energy and work ethic. But, like any breed dogs, these puppies require a great deal of and ongoing training to maintain their friendly, calm demeanor and their increased sense of alertness and protection.
Training for a German Shepherd is a team effort and should involve the entire family. This is a very familial breed and will form bonds with their principal handler. It is essential to start training your puppy as soon as you can to ensure that he grows up to be a well behaved pet.
German shepherd puppies are very quick to learn and master new commands quickly. Nevertheless, their high intelligence can also result in stubbornness if they are not properly controlled. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a targeted and intensive puppy training program that will aid your GSD remain focused on the task and reduce destructive behavior due to their natural instincts and tendencies.
GSDs are often cautious of people who are not part of their immediate family. They require to be socialized from a young age to reduce their risk of aggression and inappropriate social behavior. They also are prone to prey-drive and hunting, which can be overemphasized in the absence of being well-socialized.
For example some GSDs bark or lunge at a vehicle passing by or people on a trail or walking through the park. While this can be a problem for some individuals, it's a normal behavior that should be encouraged as it will teach your German Shepherd that there are other people and pets to play with. In turn, they will learn that being around other humans and animals is enjoyable and not a danger.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies have a short socialization window in which they are exposed to about the world and make connections that shape how they view new experiences, often throughout their lives. It is important to introduce them to new environments and people as soon as you can.
After you have brought your puppy home, it's your responsibility to continue the process and building your puppy's confidence in himself to interact with new people and experiences.
It is important to introduce these experiences to them in a controlled, secure environment that makes them feel comfortable and not threatened. If they feel threatened or frightened, they will associate the experience with fear and will eventually be afraid of that particular thing for the rest of their lives. You should also protect them from making the error of encouraging to encourage or comfort them when they're afraid. This could be interpreted as rewarding fearful behavior and create a lifetime phobia.
Start by checking off some items on your GSD puppy's list of socialization. Here are a few ideas to get you going:
Meet other dogs - this isn't only about your puppy having fun with other dogs, it's also about teaching them to settle down and concentrate on you while another dog is close by. This helps them to be an empathetic, calm family dog when they are older.
Find dog-friendly cafés, restaurants or even shops to take your puppy on a coffee date! This is an excellent opportunity to reinforce your settle-training and introduce them to new sights and sounds as well as smells and textures. This will assist them adjust to the world around them once they are grown.
Take in was kostet ein reinrassiger schäferhund . German Shepherds aren't known for being comfortable in vehicles, so if you can make them comfortable driving early on, it can simplify your road trips.
Take your GSD puppy to a hairdresser, vet, or garden centre. This will allow your puppy to be comfortable in these places as an adult, and could be a great time to play retrieval games.
Exercise
In addition to a good diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. But, this should be balanced as excessive exercise can harm the bones of puppies. Jumping, running and playing a lot for example, can put strain on the growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This could cause problems as they grow older.
The drive level of your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it needs. German Shepherds are genetically predisposed to have a higher level of drive than other breeds. This is due to the fact that they were bred to help herd livestock. This means they have a strong herding instinct and an eagerness to do the job at hand.
They are highly trainable and fast learners since they were bred to be work-oriented. They are also instinctive guard dogs with a keen awareness of danger and will respond quickly to protect their family members. This is why they make excellent service dogs, helping police in drug-sniffing and security and aiding in search & rescue, as well as providing security at banks and other high-profile places.
Enrolling your German Shepherd puppy in obedience classes is a great way to get him the exercise he needs. This will provide him with mental stimulation and the chance to meet other dogs. This is also an excellent opportunity to reinforce positive behavior in your puppy and to teach him the basics of commands that will prove useful in the future.
A properly bred German Shepherd will have a clear, dense and straight coat that is hard in one place, but soft fur elsewhere. The length of the hair will differ from dog to dog 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 a black or dark brown coat with a white chest.