The German Shepherd is a wonderful dog that can be a loyal companion and a beloved member of the family if raised and cared for properly. Raising a German Shepherd is a rewarding experience but requires a lot of commitment and knowledge. Here is some basic information about raising this wonderful dog.
German Shepherd Dog Breeding
In the following lines, we detail a comprehensive guide on raising German Shepherds:
Understanding the Breed:
Origin: The German Shepherd is a German breed originally developed for herding tasks, later widely used as a working dog (police, military, search and rescue).
Traits: Intelligent, loyal, highly trainable, and possesses a strong protective instinct.
Size: Large dogs that require adequate space and daily exercise.
Lifespan: The average lifespan of a German Shepherd is 10 to 12 years.
Feeding:
Puppies (up to 6 months): 3-4 meals daily, high-protein and fat-rich food to support growth.
Puppies (6-12 months): 2-3 meals daily, high-protein and fat-rich food.
Adult Dogs: Two meals daily, special food to meet their activity needs.
The food must be of high quality to ensure the dog's health.
Exercise:
German Shepherds require intense physical activity daily (more than two hours).
Long walks, running, playing, and exercise are essential to maintaining their physical and mental health.
Lack of adequate activity can lead to behavioral problems such as destructive behavior or excessive barking.
Grooming:
Groom regularly (more than once a week) to reduce shedding and maintain healthy skin.
Brush teeth regularly to prevent gum problems.
Trim nails regularly.
Clean ears to prevent infections.
Early Training:
Begin training and socialization at an early age (8 weeks).
German Shepherds are intelligent dogs and respond to positive, reward-based training.
Teach basic commands such as "sit," "come," "stay," and "place."
Consistency and patience are key to successful training.
Socialization:
Expose your puppy to different people, other animals (dogs, cats), places, and sounds from a young age. This helps develop a well-balanced and confident dog.
Avoid physical punishment, as it can negatively impact the relationship with your dog and cause unwanted behaviors.
Guarding and Aggression Training (if desired):
If you want to train your dog to guard, it is essential that it be well-trained in obedience first.
It is recommended to seek the help of a professional trainer who specializes in guard dog training to avoid any problems or unwanted aggressive behaviors.
The dog must learn when to bark and when to stop, and to distinguish between strangers and real danger.
Regular Veterinary Care:
Regular visits to the veterinarian for routine checkups and necessary vaccinations.
Regular parasite control (fleas, ticks, and worms).
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: These are joint problems that can cause pain and lameness.
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM): A neurological disease affecting the spinal cord.
Thyroid and gastrointestinal problems (such as gastric dilatation and torsion).
Responsible breeders should conduct health tests on the parents before mating to reduce the risk of passing these diseases on to the puppies.
Responsible Mating:
Raising German Shepherds requires extensive experience, knowledge of the breed, and clear goals.
Both male and female dogs must be in excellent health, have good temperaments, and be screened for hereditary diseases.
Females should not be mated before at least 20 months of age to ensure physical and mental maturity.
Female German Shepherds typically give birth to between one and 15 puppies per litter.
The expectant mother must receive good veterinary care and a balanced diet.
After birth, the puppies require careful care and monitoring, as well as early socialization.
A responsible breeder must ensure that the puppies go to loving and responsible homes, and that potential owners are carefully screened.
