Happy German Shepherd Dog Day - May 30

Wish you all a very Happy German Shepherd Dog Day :)

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Is GSD The Right Breed For You?

Today's talk about German Shepherd Dog is not aimed at discouraging people about keeping this breed; rather a discussion that is focused on helping you to understand whether they are fit for this breed.

Intelligent, energetic and playful, the GSD breed is one of the most popular dog breed in the world. His origin basically demands it to work outdoor with his master. However, due to his gorgeous look and loyal nature he has found place in bungalows and even in small apartments, making him an great choice for many families. The German Shepherd Dog breed has been blessed with lots of reasons to be one of the most wonderful canines on this planet. However, certain factors have made these animals unsuitable for some people. German Shepherd Dog needs true and consistent commitments. This magnificent dogs demand a lot of time, engagement and space for good grooming. Their comparatively higher degree of intelligence can make it really challenging for novice owners to handle them. German Shepherds have been genetically engineered to be perfect working dogs, and if they are not made to engage in any job they can often times create work for themselves, which can be a real mess and a serious issue of concern for the owners. These dogs are not just for anyone who loves dog. GSD breed demands a constant attention, sound obedience training and right degree of mental and physical stimulation.

Here are a few reasons why GSD may NOT be suitable for you:

1) German Shepherds had been originally bred for working as a herding dog, which is why they have very high energy level with ready to work character trait. It is important that their energy needs to be burnt and to the correct extent. They need to be given proper trotting. Large area to run around is one of the major necessities.

2) German Shepherds shed profusely twice a year and over moderately all through the year. It is a necessity to brushing them almost daily. If you r any member of your family are allergic to fur, it is recommended not keeping a German Shepherd.

3) This breed is susceptible to many genetic disorders such as Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, Panosteitis, Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD), von Willebrands Disease, Bloat, Degenerative Myelopathy, Subaortic Stenosis, Enlarged Heart, Digestive Tract Disorder etc. Studying the blood line properly is of utmost significance. Although selective breeding has paved the way to eliminate some of these problems, backyard breeding by novice owners is still contributing to these issues in the breed. However, many other canine breeds especially the large ones are also prone to some of these conditions. Read out in-depth discussion on German Shepherd Dog health disorders.

4) German Shepherd is a large breed that requires a good amount of space. Space is one of the reasons that most GSD lovers usually the apartment dwellers have to de-list this breed from the list of the best dog breeds.

5) Grooming Especially bathing a double coated large dog like GSD is a real big challenge. Use a shampoo that is made for dogs; remember that the body pH of a dog is a lot different. It is important to properly rinse out the soap and shampoo and then and drying the coat. German Shepherd Dog usually does not require frequent bathing, provided he is kept on good food, regular brushing and in proper place. Regular (if possible daily) brushing keeps his coat free from tangles and mats.

6) Proper Socialization and obedience training It is mandatory that your German Shepherd should be put to proper obedience training session. Without a proper training keep a GSD can be harmful both for you and your dog. Socialization is another most important for any canine more so for large dogs like GSD. And unsocialized German Shepherds can turn out to be a real menace for you and your family.

German shepherd is a breed that demands additional commitment and care. These dogs require daily interaction, personalized attention, firm handling and correct training and socialization in order to have a well-adjusted, smooth life with you and your family.

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GSD Looses Popularity as Working Dog

The iconic breed German Shepherd gained an unswerving popularity (especially as one of the most perfect working breed) across the globe especially after the World Wars. Max Von Stephanitz (the father of GSD breed) had high hopes and big dreams with his breed, the World Wars had cast a deep impact on the GSD popularity world wide. Germany was a single country, as we all know, before the beginning of the Cold War. Here's the history in a nut shell of what made the popularity of GSD as a working dog aggressively decline.

Both World Wars I and II had imparted exceptional impact to the working breeds and German Shepherd Dog played the leading part in the world of working dogs. During the World War II, the 4 countries Great Britain, the USA, the UK and the Soviet Union joined hands to occupy the city of Berlin. Berlin was conquered by these four super powers and was split into 4 parts, but it finally bred fresh disputes across the borders. Cold War was written on the card and Germany was divided into two separate countries West Germany and East Germany (Deutsches Demokratische Republik the DDR). Rules of communism had always been worst of its kind in all parts of the world. Communist government used practice strong dominance over the common mass and people could make free trade and share things freely with with the world outside their community. The GSD breeders of East Germany (Deutsches Demokratische Republik the DDR) that is widely known as DDR Line GSD, was victimized by the insane whims of the communist dominance. The DDRL GSD is still considered to have the best working abilities. The DDR Line German Shepherd breeders were compelled to keep their inspirational breeding program within their boundaries, separated from the foreign influence. Gradually a steep decline in the popularity of the GSD as working breed was experienced, as the bloodline was not allowed to be spread out globally. The West German Blood Line is more of show dogs than hardcore working specimens.

Another most significant factor responsible for the popularity of working GSD has been bad breeding. Bad breeding here refers to unscientific breeding, without properly understanding the breed from its within. Breeders have been noticed to be more inclined towards earning money buy breeding show dogs, which are way different from the specimens that are scientifically bred for working. Many novice, yet ardent lovers of this magnificent breed (including me and many I know of) have always ended up with getting in touch with breeders who breeds dogs with head turner beauty, angulated structure, expressive rich tan markings, BUT i no way these dogs can be compared with an original working specimens. We have forgotten that the German Shepherd Dog was bred for working and not exhibiting. Show enthusiasts are found arguing with that shows are for filtering the bad from the breedable stock, and breedable stock comprises dogs that have perfect body structure, angulations, gait, propulsion, size and colors that are looked for in a working GSD. I have agree! I don't deny this fact, but simultaneously I cannot find close resemblance between a real working GSD and those that comprise the breedable stock.

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Trademark Traits of German Shepherd Dog

German Shepherd is one of the most acclaimed dog breed with a rich working heritage. It is the unparalleled working ability and degree of intelligence that fetched the dog the highest popularity across the globe.

German Shepherds are known for their utility, but the  gorgeous appearance with soundness of nerves and unswerving confidence are the main criterion of a well bred specimen. the character traits of German Shepherds can be segregated under 3 broad groups:

• Purely Genetic Traits
• Psychological traits in GSD - Physiologically Based
• Psychological and Genetic Traits

However, as an overview the trademark traits of GSD are as follows:

• Handsome and well-built structure
• Royal and smart gait
• Loyalty and Obedience
• Strong from within (innate strength) and Powerful
• Protective and Natural guard
• Appearance gives an indication of confident
• Intelligence
• Eager to go now attitude
• Hard-working
• Steady of nerve
• Fearless and Courageous
• Easy to train because of high intelligence level
• Friendly with kids
• Best as a companion dog

Another significant read in relation to GSD character traits: 5 Basic Instincts of German Shepherd Dog.

However, baseline is: GSD is a courageous, assertive, protective, agile and intelligent working breed that has worked with humans for many years in the war fields, police, medical sectors security and as seeing eye dogs. Although most of strong traits in a breed is genetically ingrained, many are still environmentally engineered. Since German Shepherd, as already said, is one of the most intelligent breeds, the influence of lifestyle and behavior of human pack members on a GSD that lives closely with humans is more pronounced and prominent than it is on other breeds like Rottweilers, Collie, Siberian Husky, English Bulldog, Jack Russel Terrier, Shar-Pei, Akita, Tibetan Mastiff etc. Due to its intelligence GSD learns fast and grabs and follow his human partner more efficiently. These environmental traits can vary from dog to dog due to the variation in family types. 

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Puppy Socialization Checklist For your German Shepherd

Socialization is an inseparable component when it comes to raising your German shepherd puppy and should be started as early as possible preferably at an age of 4 to 12 weeks. Proper socialization can make your dogs life balanced and calm, because through an extensive process of exposing your dog to a wide range of situations, sights and sounds your dog gains experiences and learn to consider such situations as harmless and not frightening. Socialization is not just for puppies. A dog can be socialized to different situations throughout its life. By socializing your GSD puppy you will help him/ her to respond to the entire range of unusual situations in a friendly manner with a calm temperament.


Why Socializing your GSD puppy?

The main purpose of socialization is to teach your dog how to accept and respond to certain situation that he may or may not come across to frequently in his day to day life. The aim is to develop confidence in your dog so that S(he) doesn't react fearfully in specific situations.

How to socialize your puppy?

Applying force to put your puppy in a situation that daunts him/her is a big NO! Force can only worsen up the thing. If your puppy has already reached the adolescent stage or even over, and yet not been properly socialized you need to technically put him/her into a rehabilitating session to help develop confidence. Very importantly, the process of socializing your dog should be consistent and spontaneous, and it is all about helping him gain confidence not forcing him to stay in situation which s(he) doesn't like or is scared of. It is about exposing your puppy to a wider range of situations. There's not limit wider the range of situations, better it will be for your puppy to lead a balanced life. Socialization is a strategic process to help your dog gain confidence.

Here is a checklist for socializing your German Shepherd puppy

Known and Unknown People

• People (new born, toddlers, children, teens, adults and senior citizens)
• People (males, females and children with umbrellas, helmets, masks, hats, glasses, strollers, wagons, parcels, sack)
• People with disabilities (people on wheelchairs and crutches)
• Men with mustaches and/ or beards
• Bikers, cyclists, skateboarders
• People with unusual movement (drunk and people with disabilities)
• Men, women, teenagers and older children in uniform
• Children playing and running around
• People whom your dog have to meet quite frequently (friends, relatives, family doctors, veterinarians, gardeners, plumbers, electricians, tutors etc.)
• People from different races and ethnic groups

Social and environmental situations

• Huge crowds and gatherings
• Automatic gates and Elevators
• Crowd dancing
• Jammed traffic
• Moving vehicles
• Falling things (broken branches of trees, dried coconut leaves etc.)
• Other animals (other pets, livestock, fowl)
• Water mass (pools, ponds and rivers)

Sound

• Thunder claps and sound of storm and heavy rain
• Huge crowd making noise
• Sound high fidelity speakers
• Honking vehicle horns
• Noise from vehicle engines
• Noise from machines
• Sounds of cracker
• Noise of other animals (larger dogs, cows and buffaloes)

Others

• Stairs
• Terrace
• Vacuum cleaners
• Hair dryers
• Movable electronic toys

These are just a few common situations, sights and sounds, which you should consider socializing your puppy for. There is actually no end to the list. You may consider exposing your dog to as wider range of situations as possible to develop confidence. Socialization is essentially important for many reasons and one of them is dog-bite prevention. Many incidences of dog attacks and bites have been critically scrutinized by canine behaviorists. Lack of socialization has been found to be one very common reason behind most of the unpredictable attacks and bites.

Related Read: Rehabilitating Shy & Unsocialized German Shepherd Puppies

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