Since ancient times, German shepherds were satellites of a person: they guarded the dwelling and grazed the cattle, were loyal assistants. The recognizable appearance and nature of the breed made them very popular among breeders.
To date, the German Shepherd puppies are in demand in military, anti-terrorist and security sphere.
History of origin
In the XII century, there were dogs, externally reminiscent of the current German shepherds. They possess high devotion to the owner, hardly worry, distrust to outsiders and moderate evilness. They were used as shepherds and housing guards.
Headers of working breeding shepherders who proposed the breed standard, which is used and now, were Max von Stefanits with a friend Artur Meyer. Stephanitz harbored a great love for animals: refusing to do military service, he chose to breed dogs. In addition, Max wanted to ever bring the dog breed that could be used for business purposes and had the strength, courage, endurance, intelligence and devotion.
In the spring of 1899, at one of the exhibitions of dogs, Stifanitsa acquired a new pet.
It was a large dog of a red-gray color with a powerful body and a developed muscles, a proportional structure of the body and a balanced psyche. The dog was listed in the breed book as a standard for subsequent successors of the working spec.
Several weeks later, the German Shepherd Club was founded (existing and to today), within which annual exhibitions were held.
Here Max had the opportunity to select ideal candidates for mating and breeding a clean rock that meets work standards. It was not worried about the external animal data, and its physiology and character characteristics.
Breed standards
Adults, as a rule, have an average growth. Males are not more than 63 cm in the withers, and bitches - no more than 55-63 cm. The weight of a healthy dog for males is not more than 42 kg, for the bitches - 32. These standards are justified by the fact that the service dog should react to lightningly to the current situation, be rapid and prompt in its actions. The torso is extended, by 10-15% exceeding the length of the individual in the withers, with a clearly pronounced muscular.
The German Shepherd Dog must be the wedge-shaped head - a slightly extended catching forehead that tapers smoothly to the tip of the nose (acceptable only black lobe). Ears direct, standing and unfolded forward. Dogs of this breed must be attended by well-developed jaws with scissor bite. Smooth teeth, without explicit defects. Eyes almond shape, close-fitting, acceptable color from golden amber to dark brown.
The cervical zone should be well developed, with severe muscles, and smoothly move towards the withers, forming some kind of deposit. Paws are strong, muscular. The forelimbs must be even and straight, the rear is usually a bit retraced back, there are strong muscles to provide a quick reaction and running.
The peculiarity of the German shepherd of working breeding is its color - often color, that is, the presence of a darkened area on the back and sides with a fan of red, black or yellow shade. The muzzle is always black.
There are less common individuals with zonar and completely black color.
How to choose?
Having come to the breeder to select a puppy, it is necessary to inspect the entire litter, highlighting the baby you like.
In order not to make a mistake with the choice, it is worth paying attention to the following aspects.
- The puppy must have a temperate fatigue (the main thing is that the belly is not swollen), shiny wool, pink mucous membranes, alive and bright eyes. Pet Taurus when toughing elastic, with strong bones, slightly elongated, with a straight back and long neck.
- The puppy should have broad and massive paws (the presence of profitable fingers on the hind limbs is considered a defect) with black pads and claws. The tail must be missing any cones and festers.
- The muzzle of the puppy is unsolving, with a well-pronounced transition from his forehead. Up to 3.5 months, ears tips should not be even straight. The presence of straight tips testifies to problems with phosphorus-potassium exchange and the presence of skeletal ossification.
- Puppy eye color - dark car. You should refuse to purchase puppies with bright eyes or heterochromia.
- A shepherd puppy working breeding should be the right bite - scissor-shaped. Either the gap between the teeth is not more than 1-2 mm. The teeth should be even without defects (threw or dual teeth).
- Attention should be paid to the health of mother puppies. The absence of gels, seals from the eyes and a cracked nose - this is an important indicator that the pet will be healthy.
- Healthy puppies are usually movable, energetic and inquisitive. They should have no signs of development defects: generic and / or postpartum injuries suffered by Rahit.
- The swollen belly and fading dull wool says about the presence of the toddler of parasites.
- It is very carefully to examine the eyes and ears of the puppy. Eyes should be clean and wide open, without any discharge. Ears should also be clean, without outsider. Its presence may indicate the disease otitis. In such a situation, the animal will be aggressive and restless, shake your head and try to comb your ear.
- It should be understood what a puppy possesses. To do this, it is enough to observe how it behaves with other kids and what is the attitude towards the world and outsiders.
- Pedigree Mothers and Puppy Father are also an important point when choosing a pure litter puppy.
Anyway, If the puppy is gravily and avoids contact either too embittered and aggressive, it is better to find another pet.
Suitable candidates for the role of the service dog will be active, inquisitive, brave, healthy and relevant puppies breed standards.
By choosing the breed of German shepherd of working breeding, it must be remembered that a pet, in addition to positive qualities, such as endurance, devotion, unpretentiousness in care and feeding, will require a lot of attention and time for training and proper education.
The future owner must be active and disciplined, possess sufficient physical strength.
Care rules
As mentioned above, German shepherds are unpretentious in care.
For the healthy development and comfort of the dog, it is best to contain it in the aviary in close proximity to the place of service.
When placing an animal in the apartment, frequent and long-term walks with intense training and teamwork will be needed. You will also need regular combing wool, eye cleaning, teeth and ears, and preventive visits to the veterinarian are important.
As for feeding, due to the high activity of the animal, the diet should contain a sufficient amount of protein (about 50% of daily food intake). A variety of cereals, greens and fermented food products are also necessary for pet health. It is worth avoiding greasy meat, smoked, sweet, salt and sharp food.
Feeding Shepherd puppies is carried out more often (from 3-4 times a day to 6), adult individuals are enough two-time nutrition.
How to grow a puppy?
According to foreign kinologists and breeders of dogs, it is better to spend overcome puppy from the mother after reaching 2 months. By this time it will strengthen, the psyche and the main character traits will form.
For the proper development and health of the puppy, follow the following rules.
- Determine the feeding time.
- Do not scold and do not punish the fact that the puppy went to the toilet in the wrong place. It's just necessary to walk more often, and praise for the fact that I endured and went to the toilet on time.
- Teach the baby to the collar.
- From 4 months should begin training to teams (the first and most important team - "to me"), referring to the puppy by name.
- First, avoid visiting too noisy places.
- When performing unwanted actions with a puppy, say "it is impossible", a slightly raising voice. So he will understand what they are unhappy.
- Acquaintance with other people and animals should proceed in a soft form for the formation of an adequate relationship with society.
- Bathtub puppy follows only if necessary, special shampoos (frequent swimming can harm the animal).
- When buying puppies in the spring it is necessary to provide them with good nutrition and frequent walks, the autumn babies require an additional reception of vitamin D.
By purchasing the German shepherd of working breeding, attention should be paid not to external pet data, but on their working quality.
Such dogs have good endurance and work ability in the most difficult conditions. Do not purchase similar dogs on the role of a companion, because they require large physical exertion, strict discipline and proper upbringing from an early age.
More visual and detailed information on German shepherds of working breeding can be obtained from the video.