German Shepherd. Pros and cons of breed
It is a versatile, surprisingly intelligent and fearless dog - a recognized leader among service breeds. German Shepherd dogs are amenable to training and need constant physical activity, training not only the body, but also the mind. This is a partner dog, which needs to be constantly paid attention, in return, it will become a reliable loyal friend and protector.
Breed destination
German Shepherd belongs to the most popular breeds of working dogs. Her first and main “profession” was to herd herds. Later, German breeder Max von Stephanitz, who always dreamed of an ideal working dog, worked for 40 years to give the shepherd new qualities. In 1899, he was joined by like-minded people who created the largest monobreed cynological organization in the world - the German Shepherd Society. Since the main qualities of von Stephanitz were considered by the workers, selection was conducted not only on the exterior, but primarily on learning, psychological stability, speed of reaction. The breeder himself offered the German Shepherd as a service dog for the police, because it was there, in his opinion, that she could demonstrate the maximum of her merits. Later, the German Shepherd began to use the army. At present, the German Shepherd Dog is listed in the top three of the smartest dog breeds and remains one of the most popular for both professional activities and home maintenance.
Appearance
Dimensions and weight: dogs - 60–65 cm at the withers, weight 30–40 kg, females - 55–60 cm, weight 22–32 kg.
Body type. The German Shepherd is a rather large, sturdy dog \u200b\u200bwith well developed muscles and a lean constitution. The body is elongated, continuous line of the back is beveled to the elongated croup. Wide, developed chest, ribs moderately rounded, front legs straight, set in parallel, with strong forearms, rounded paws, well-assembled, hind limbs parallel, with a well-defined hock.
The head has a characteristic shape, wedge-shaped, elongated and moderately massive, the skull and muzzle are almost equal, the ears are triangular in shape, with pointed ends, standing, a full set of teeth has a scissor bite. Nose only black, lips and eyes dark.
Tail
Long, hangs almost to the ground without creases, with a soft bend, fluffy on the inside.
Wool
Straight, with thick warm undercoat. Now German shepherds are divided into ordinary and long-haired. The first one has a short, hard coat, and the second longer and softer.
Color
Black, black (black with red, yellow or gray), or zonary (gray with transitions to darker).
Character and behavior
German Shepherd is a reliable, fearless, non-conflict, hard-working and balanced dog, which requires the implementation of its abilities. He loves the owner and family, feels very good changes in the mood of a person and tries to bring him benefit.
Activity
The dog is very active, does not like to feel extra, always tries to serve, do something for the owner, depresses its idleness. The German Shepherd is constantly in need of vigorous activity, and if she is not given such an opportunity, she should look for something to do.
Upbringing
German Shepherd is tied to one owner, he must take on the mission of her education. Intelligent and smart, this dog quickly learns the owner’s requirements and tries to fulfill them. Nevertheless, it is impossible to let her upbringing take her own course - it should be systematic and start from puppyhood. The owner must behave like a leader - eat first, do not allow the dog to sleep in his place, drive him out of the way, suppress signs of aggression, etc. But the dog needs to be praised and encouraged for correct behavior, good execution of commands, etc. The German Shepherd must be socialized - it must see the world behind the fence, meet other dogs and people. Sheepdog, raising nobody from childhood, whose whole life is spent on a chain or in an aviary, is dangerous.
Training
German Shepherds love to learn new things, they have a good memory, high intelligence and excellent working ability. This is one of the best breeds for dog training. The master himself can easily teach her the minimum set of commands and tricks, but it is better to complete one of the professional training courses. The knowledge gained must be applied - it takes the mind of the dog and allows it to be active. Even if the dog does not work as a service, for long walks it is necessary to consolidate the knowledge gained, giving commands and achieving their fulfillment, otherwise the dog’s intelligence will decline.
Relationship with the host and family members
Unlike many dog \u200b\u200bbreeds, the “German” recognizes not only the owner, but also enjoys communicating with members of his family, among whom he defines his place - not always the last. What the host leader allows is not necessarily allowed to others.
Attitude to children
The German Shepherd Dog loves children and understands that they need to be treated kindly and with care. He takes care of and protects the master's children, plays with them with pleasure.
Attitude to strangers
Shepherd dog is suspicious of strangers, watching their every move in constant readiness to defend the owner. However, this does not mean that the dog shows a threat to everyone - as long as they pass by, the shepherd will not take any action against them. If you want to communicate with someone, the dog must first be introduced to him.
Relations with other animals
The dog can live with different animals, but for this it is required to socialize. Problems may arise with adult alien dogs, but if the dog is well trained, it will obey the owner and will not show aggression even in case of provocation.
Care and health
Usually a German shepherd lives from 10 to 14 years, although there are long-livers who delight owners of 18-20 years. This largely depends on the initial health, care and nutrition of the dog. Unfortunately, intensive commercial breeding affected the health of these dogs not in the best way - many of them manifest hereditary diseases such as dysplasia, epilepsy, cataracts, and various spinal pathologies. Also a sore spot among the “Germans” is the stomach, pancreas and intestines, which may turn the dog for half a day by turning. Most of the pathologies are hereditary, so it makes sense to inquire about the health of the parents of the puppy you are going to buy.
Best of all, the shepherd feels in the yard of a private house, perhaps also captive content and living in a city apartment. However, the latter may affect the quality of wool.
Physical exercise
Wherever shepherd lives, she needs regular long walks for at least one and a half to two hours, as well as physical exertion - running, jumping over the barrier, swimming. In the absence of opportunities for physical activity, the dog is bored, cunning, capricious. Therefore, if you are not ready to devote a considerable part of your time to walking and practicing with a dog, this breed is not for you.
Care
Some special care German shepherd does not require. Like all dogs, it should be regularly inspected, vaccinated according to the schedule and treated for fleas and ticks. Twice a year, the dog actively molts and needs to be combed daily.
Feeding
As a rule, shepherd fed twice a day. "Germans" eat almost everything that gives the owner, and during normal walking, do not gain weight. But in order for the dog to be healthy, the food must be high-protein and high-quality, well balanced. Food should not be given in very large portions - there may be a torsion of the intestine or stomach, therefore it is better to give preference to high-energy food.
Advantages and disadvantages
Pros: intelligence, learning, high activity, attachment to the owner, love for children, excellent protective qualities.
Cons: cunning, the need for physical activity, the tendency to leadership in the family, increased vigilance against others.
Despite its formidable appearance, the German Shepherd is one of the best nannies. It is intended by nature itself to protect, protect and protect the property and family of its owner. And she does this for many years.
The word "sheepdog" comes from the word "sheep." All varieties of shepherd dogs have long been engaged in the protection of sheep herds, not allowing sheep to scatter, at the shepherd's command they drove the herds to the right place and protected them from wolves. Currently, the German Shepherd does not keep a watch on sheep pastures - it has enough work and next to a man.
Thanks to film and fiction, it was felt that the German Shepherd is a bad-tempered police dog, representing a danger to all people who are close to it. In fact, this is a completely wrong opinion. This breed of dogs has a rather high level of intelligence compared to other breeds.
Is it safe to leave children with a German shepherd?
German Shepherd and child - it seems that this is incompatible concepts. But it is not so - one of the most reliable nannies and playmates for young children is the shepherd. Of course, not any sheep-dog, but only the one that is brought up with the children in the family will do.
If a dog sees children every day from the first day of his stay in the family, then he begins to perceive them not only as his sisters and brothers (if she is in the family from a puppy age), but also as his children. And the young need to protect, entertain and take care of them in every way. This is exactly what the German Shepherd does, and as always, is the best.
Shepherd endurely endure all childish pranks and never bite a child because he stepped on it or just crawled into her eye with small fingers. Sometimes it’s scary to watch as a small child, sitting astride a huge dog, thrust her toys into the open mouth or tried to pull her tongue out of the mouth. As usual, the shepherd not only does not bite the child in such cases, but if he makes her hurt, she will only scream, apologizing for his behavior, and will simply move to another place.
The nurse and the nurse in the face of the German Shepherd
Shepherd and children get along well together. Very often the dog brings rolling toys and even leads for the clothes of the departed baby too far. Shepherd can even call mom to the awakened child, if he is in another room, and mom does not hear.
There were cases when German shepherds literally saved the lives of children. In Tashkent, before a catastrophic earthquake in 1966 in one family, a shepherd dog suddenly grabbed a young child’s clothing and dragged him outside. The parents of the child chased after her, and at that moment an earthquake began, which practically destroyed the city to the ground.
If you choose a dog that will live with you, but doubt whether it will get along with the children - choose a German Shepherd Dog! Believe me, this dog will bring your children a lot of joy and protect them in a moment of danger like no other! She alone will become for them a friend, comrade, nurse, guard, security alarm, doorbell, reliable constipation and a warm water bottle!
German Shepherd Dog rightly called one of the most universal breeds of working dogs. This is a smart, strong, bold, quite aggressive animal. The German Shepherd is able to quickly master such “professions” as guarding, searching, escorting and much more, where fast wit, good reaction, keen sense of smell, physical strength, aggressiveness and distrust of others are required. Like other breeds of working dogs, the German Shepherd Dog has its own "minuses" and "pluses".
An ideal house for keeping dogs of this breed is a private house or cottage with the possibility of placing a spacious enclosure and the allocation of a special, grass-allotted area, where the pet can do its "business" without harming others. But even the presence of "their" territory suggests the possibility of mandatory walks outside the territory of the house. The dog must learn to protect its territory and owner from any "enemies", and such walks contribute to the development of her similar skills.
Is it possible to keep such a large dog in an apartment? It is possible, but under several basic conditions. It is necessary to immediately determine who will be the chief of the house, that is, who will be the owner of the shepherd dog. Males of this breed are quite aggressive and stubborn, and only trained people can cope with them. Otherwise, the dog may grow disobedient and bring trouble to the owners. Bitches of the German Shepherd Dog are much calmer, more docile, easier to work with. Physically, they are slightly weaker than dogs, but not inferior to them in intelligence. In this case, "girls" are easier to train and do not try to "swing the law", as maturing males. But both the "girls" and the "boys" need to develop patience and endurance - this is the key to further proper training and development of the working qualities of the dog.
When keeping a German Shepherd Dog in an apartment, it should highlight a rather spacious “corner” where a stove bench will be equipped, somewhat rising above the floor level. A dog, accustomed from an early age to its place, is unlikely to cause a lot of trouble to the owners. However, it should be borne in mind that adolescents of the German Shepherd Dog can be “capricious”, and not because of “hooligan motives”, but simply because they are very active. In order for the dog to behave well and not to mumble, you need to walk a lot with it. During the walk it is best to work out useful skills and train your puppy, as well as to teach him to recover at this particular time.
Many new German shepherd owners do not like it when a puppy tries to get into bed with them, be it a sofa, a bed or an armchair. Dogs often like to lie where the owner was lying, and this is normal. But, if it is unpleasant for the owners, the puppy should be weaned from this habit firmly and without condescension. One of the important reasons why a dog is unacceptable where the owners sleep is an allergenic factor, namely, dog hair. Although the German Shepherd's coat is thick and dense, it will not remain on all surfaces where the dog was lying or sitting if it was combed in time.
With proper nutrition and proper care, the wool will always be healthy, beautiful and thick, even during moulting. As a rule, shepherd dogs “change” wool twice a year. After winter, ─ shed the undercoat, and then it should be combed out very carefully so that the dog does not suffer and does not try to comb it itself, throwing pieces of wool around the apartment. Before the onset of cold weather, a new undercoat grows in shepherd dogs, and molting does not give the hosts any particular trouble. You should know that keeping a shepherd dog at home can cause some disruption in the seasonal change of wool. This happens more often when a little walk with the dog on the street.
Since the German Shepherd is a rather large animal, it needs a lot of food, especially during the growth period. How and what to feed ─ depends on the possibilities, but a simple rule should be remembered: if the feed is dry, it cannot be mixed with natural, and vice versa. Although dry food is more convenient and well balanced with minerals and vitamin supplements, many owners still prefer natural, freshly prepared food, adding to it the necessary vitamins and minerals necessary for the dog.
Importance also has a cost factor: a good, balanced dry food is quite expensive, and not every owner can afford to feed them their pet. Preferring natural food, you can not treat and even more so to feed the shepherd with products from your table. Sugar, sweets, especially chocolate, fatty meats and any smoked meats, raw freshwater fish are unacceptable in the dog's diet. Salt in food can be added in a minimal amount ─ in dogs the taste is slightly different than in humans.
German shepherds, especially young ones, can often get sick if the owners violate their conditions of detention. So, puppies are contraindicated drafts and swimming in cold water in the hot season ─ otherwise colds and related complications are possible. It is important to vaccinate on time, with preference given to quality drugs and not to save on the puppy's health: check the shelf life of the vaccine, the manufacturer and other factors. The health of the dog is largely due to healthy food. A balanced diet and regular walks in the fresh air, and in any weather, will help to preserve the health of the puppy, like an adult dog.
German shepherds, as a large breed, are often prone to diseases such as diseases of the joints. It should always be remembered and pay attention to any, even minor manifestations of such diseases. It is important to give the dog such loads that do not overwork, and at the same time strengthen the joints. Most large breeds dogs are particularly at risk for the liver, most often due to improper feeding. To keep the shepherd's coat and skin healthy, it should be bathed no more than twice a month, but combed ─ daily, especially right after the walk. When combing, you can also notice the slightest violation of the skin and time to take action. German Shepherd Dog is a working dog, with such temperament it is harmful to idle. In good conditions of detention and moderate “loading” with work, nature has given the shepherd 12-15 years of life. At the same time, the “working” period of her life is, as a rule, about 8 years. To extend the life of your pet is in your power. The right diet, good conditions, interesting "work" and the owner's love ─ not such a big payment for loyalty, devotion and reciprocal love ...
You have acquired a German Shepherd puppy, and now a lot of different questions arise daily. The first question is where it is better to equip its rightful place.
The German Shepherd is unpretentious and can live both in the house and on the street, in the aviary (-10 degrees to the air temperature). In the house she should take a place away from both the draft and the radiators. A well-cleaned, dense mat is placed on the floor.
In order for the puppy to worry less at night and get used to you more quickly, you can put your old thing in its place of rest.
Walking is desirable to carry out at the same time. Puppy is better to take for a walk immediately after eating. But only after all the vaccinations are delivered to him.
An adult dog is better to walk before eating: breakfast and dinner. She needs a one-hour walk to a distance of a couple of kilometers, preferably away from roads and people, so that you can detach the leash. The sports dog needs more active training on the simulators and the obstacle course.
The German Shepherd is one of the smartest and most easily trained dog breeds. Because a puppy from the first day you can teach the teams. First, to accustom him to his nickname, rewarding for the correct reaction. The next puppy should master, which is better to give after attracting attention nickname.
Treats for properly executed team can be pieces of meat, bread, cheese, cracker. You can not even give candy, chocolate, sugar cubes.
Important rules for keeping German shepherds
The first walk should last no more than 5 minutes. From the age of three months, their duration should increase to half an hour. It is better to take a toy for a walk, gradually learning. Do not play a puppy with big dogs, and also run after birds, cats, etc. Otherwise he will get into the habit of running after other animals.
It is necessary to punish a puppy not after a while, but at the moment of committing the offense or immediately after it. Otherwise, the dog will not understand what it is being punished for and will simply be afraid.
You can not let the dog feed the dog with delicacies, even the friends of the owners, and even more so strangers.
In order for a dog to develop a clear hierarchy: the owner - the family members - the dog, it is necessary that all family members should be trained as far as possible. Otherwise, it will only obey the one who trains it.
It is worth washing a German shepherd dog only with significant pollution and preferably not more than once in two months. Need to wash warm water with shampoo for dogs, in extreme cases - baby shampoo. After washing, the dog must be wiped out and secured without a draft. It is better to wash it after the evening walk, especially in the winter, so that by the morning its wool can dry out.
In dirty weather, the paws and belly of a shepherd dog simply wipe with a damp cloth.
A dog must have two bowls. One always with fresh water, and the second for food. Food should not stand constantly. If, within 15 minutes after feeding, the dog has not eaten or eaten everything, the food is removed exactly until the next feeding.
So that the dog doesn’t growl when family members take its bowl, you should regularly take the bowl from the puppy, giving it back, and then return the bowl. You can stick your hand in a bowl, ensuring that this gesture does not cause a growl. To achieve obedience, you need to spend a lot of time, especially given the irrepressible appetite of small predators.
The German Shepherd has one feature. When they get used to a clear feeding time, they begin to demand food 10-15 minutes before the hour comes. In order not to develop this not always convenient habit, it is better not to adhere to a clear feeding time for the puppy, varying it, plus or minus half an hour.
1-2 month old puppy is fed 5 times a day, three months - 4 times a day; from 4 months to six months - three times a day; 7 months and older - twice a day.
Every year, an adult dog needs to be done first and foremost from rabies.
Using these simple rules of keeping a German shepherd you will ensure your pet a healthy and long life.
No wonder they say that dogs are very similar to their owners. And sometimes this similarity is seen in the smallest detail. After all, the owner is in many ways his pet and brings up in the dog not only love for people, but also many other qualities. which is very flexible - ideal for those who have long dreamed of a big dog.
German Shepherd character whose character just falls in love from the first minutes, is very accommodating and faithful, but requires care and attention. According to dog handlers, this breed of dog is distinguished by courage and intelligence. No wonder a well-trained German shepherd is a loyal assistant to law enforcement.
Devotion to the owner and his family is undoubtedly one of the best qualities of these dogs. But if someone else gets under her sight, she is extremely suspicious and curiously investigates the intruder. But there is in the character of the German shepherd both hardness and fighting instincts, although this does not prevent her from being friendly with children and a true friend to people with
The most important step in raising a German Shepherd puppy should be becoming you as the owner. After all, it is the owner who becomes the main person in the life of a pet. And his attitude, upbringing and warm word are the best that can positively influence the forming character.
Development is very difficult and painstaking work. But if you set the tasks correctly and gradually work on their implementation, then as a result you will get a perfectly educated dog that will become a true friend. According to some studies, the character of a puppy is formed even at the age of one and a half months, but further education matters.
The most important element in the management of a dog is training. Even the execution of the simplest commands - “sit”, “lie down”, “paw” - is a kind of training, because you have to start somewhere.
It will be difficult for a non-professional to cope with dog training alone, so it’s best to consult with experts on this issue. Ask for help in special schools and you will see that a properly trained dog is a godsend.
The German Shepherd's character, which is already formed to a lesser extent, but is also trainable and should not be upset if your pet is already several years old, and he does not know how. Give your dog a little attention, work with her and she will thank you.
Feeding the German Shepherd is also an important component of its overall development. After all, for a dog to develop properly, it needs a balanced diet. The easiest option would be dry food, but even choosing it, you should pay attention to quality. If you decide to eat self-cooking, then you need to consider some points.
First, do not think that your pet is omnivorous. He also needs to follow certain rules of nutrition. If you decide to cook porridge, then you should not digest it, because it is not only not useful, but can also cause harm, it is better not to overdo it.
Secondly, feed the dog only fresh food, which contains vitamins and nutrients. It is not recommended to give sweets, fish bones, smoked meat, potatoes. Make sure the dog does not drink from the puddles, and does not eat too hot or cold food. In the consolidated access for the dog should always be pure water.
The right approach and love - the best education for the dog. The German Shepherd's character, which is very susceptible, may incorrectly respond to constant aggression on your part, so try to show only kindness to the dog. Sheepdog autumn is a good dog and you should not abuse its kindness.
