Why Commercial Dog Food Is Non Okay
The thing is, German Shepherd is one of those breeds which are very prone to diseases. ;You need to buy a high quality dog food to keep your German Shepherd healthy.
This doest mean your dog will barf after eating the cheap food, but it greatly incleases the risk of your dog catching a disease and dying too soon even because of overall weakness. In this case, your best option is to make cheap food yourself.
Versatility Of The Breed
Max von Stephanitz recognized a need to integrate German Shepherds into other areas of society and became a strong advocate for using the dog in military service, law enforcement, protection service, and rescue efforts. Von Stephanitz championed the resulting breed to serve in various branches of government service that would take advantage of its versatility. This included tasks in supply carrying, tracking, courier service, guard positions, and Red Cross duties.
Always looking for ways to protect and improve the breed, Von Stephanitz paid close attention to trends in breeding and worked tirelessly to maintain the standard for which he is so well recognized. Discouraging breeding for beauty instead of purpose, Von Stephanitzs motto was:
Utility is the true criterion of beauty.
A Brief Insight Into The Development Of The Breed
The German Shepherd breed appeared late at the end of the 19th century in Germany and they were first exhibited at a show in Hanover in 1882. They were not like German Shepherds as we know them today though being rough coated, short tailed and rather resembling mongrels. The German Shepherd Dog as we now know it didn’t really appear until after the Second World War.
The breed was actually created by the cross breeding of working sheep dogs from rural Germany by an ex cavalry officer called Max von Stephanitz whose aim was to create a working dog for herding which could trot for long periods.
A breed standard was drawn up and the first breed show took place in 1899 following which the GSD became firmly established across Germany. In 1906 the first dogs were exported to the USA .
Since then, the breed has grown enormously in popularity and is now one of the most popular pedigree breeds in the UK as a pet as well as being the favourite working breed for many forces, especially the police. They are widely used for security purposes because of their strong protective instincts.
GSD’s make wonderful family pets and will protect family and home.
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The German Shepherd: From Sheep Dog To Dog Of Many Skills
The German shepherd is known today as a handsome, well-built dog with high intelligence and strong loyalty.; The breed has been used successfully as a police dog, a seeing eye dog, a military dog, a guard dog, and as a family pet.
Yet the dogs beginning was as a German sheep dog.
What Type Of Training Is Required
It is advisable to begin training early.
There are several of types of training required obedience, discipline, agility and socialization.
All are important to enable your GSD to adapt to its intended role and future surroundings. The wider the training, the more versatile and adaptable this breed of dog will be. This is important if the dog is likely to be exposed to different social interactions and settings.
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Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult Chicken And Rice
Rating:
Large Breed Chicken and Rice is one of 13 dry recipes analyzed in our review of the Diamond Naturals product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, whole grain brown rice, cracked pearled barley, ground white rice
- Type: Grain-inclusive
- Profile: Maintenance
- Best for:Adult shepherds only
Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult Chicken and Rice derives most of its animal protein from fresh chicken and chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 26% protein, 14% fat and 52% estimated carbs which yields a fat-to-protein ratio of about 57%.
The recipe contains multiple probiotics for better digestion and chelated minerals for improved absorption and healthy nutrition. Affordably priced and easy to recommend.
Sample buyer reviewWe have had our dogs on this food for some time and the vet is constantly saying how healthy they are . We searched for some time to find a quality food at an affordable price as we have 4 dogs . Have never had any issues with them or their digestive systems while on Diamond!
Monitor Weight & Health
Its important you monitor your German Shepherds weight as you transition to a homemade food diet.
Follow your GSDs weight and health closely for about a month to ensure that she is not adversely affected by this new diet.
An unbalanced diet can lead to excessive energy, skin or coat disorders, allergies, weight loss, malnutrition, or obesity. If you notice these symptoms, stop feeding your GSD this food immediately and consult with a professional dog nutritionist.
Its important to work alongside your vet to ensure the diet maintains nutritional adequacy.
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German Shepherd Calorie Requirements
So, how much should I feed my German Shepherd?
The caloric needs of dogs are based on their weight. An adult German Shepherd usually weighs between 50 and 90 pounds, which means most GSDs need between 1165 and 1808 calories a day.
Make sure you follow the 10% rule when feeding treats to your dog. Food would equal 90% of the total calories and treats the remaining 10%.
For instance, if a GSD weighs 65 lbs. he would need;1480 calories;per day. For those eating treats, then thats;1276 calories in food and 142 in treats .;Usually, most full-grown dogs eat 2 meals per day. However, since GSDs are prone to bloating so divide his daily meals into 3 meals. For this, you need to split;1276;into three meals of 425 calories each.
You can use this;calculator;to find their exact caloric needs for your dog based on his own weight.
Pregnant or lactating GSDs may need up to 2 to 4 times the amount of food they would normally need as the mothers energy requirements increase after delivery and during lactation. Be sure to talk to your vet.
Keeping A Working Dog Like The Gsd As A Companion Canine
One of the foremost challenges for many pet dog owners today is understanding some of the unique needs of different dog breeds in a pet setting.
After all, there are no other species on the planet today that is so diverse as Canis lupus familiaris, the modern domestic dog.
The reason modern dogs are so diverse, as Live Science points out, is because different dog breeds have been deliberately developed for different reasons.
Dachshunds, with their dwarfed legs and stout bodies, were designed to hunt badgers and drag them out of their burrows.
German Shepherds were designed to tackle dangerous predators like bears and coyotes and wolves on behalf of hundreds or even thousands of livestock animals.
Where it gets challenging to keep a working dog breed as a companion canine is to make sure your dog has the right daily enrichment to fulfill their urges and meet their daily needs.
For example, the German Shepherd has a lot of energy they need to burn off. As many owners attest, a bored or lonely German Shepherd can become a destructive dog, because these smart dogs will invent their own job if you dont give them one.
Taking your dog for walks or runs and scheduling several daily sessions of playtime can meet this need so that you dont experience behavioral issues from your dog. This way, your German Shepherd will be a healthy and happy companion canine to your family.
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Max Von Stephanitz And Standardization
Max von Stephanitz founded the German Shepherd Dog Club. Along with picking out and standardizing the breed, he was the founder of the very first dog club for this breed in Germany. It was with this club that he created the standardization criteria, much of which is still being used to evaluate these dogs today, with some changes, both minor and major.
His focus was on mental acuity, rather than on a very specific color or body shape. He believed in utility and intelligence above all else, with beauty coming in at a distant second. A beautiful dog that isnt useful and smart is useless, while a dog that doesnt fit the breed shape and color standards but has all the mental and personality traits necessary, would be considered a near-perfect specimen in his book. Todays breeders would likely disagree.
Dr Garys Best Breed German Dog Diet
Rating:
German Dog Diet is one of 13 dry recipes covered in our review of the Dr. Garys Best Breed product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, oatmeal, brown rice, dried beet pulp, chicken fat
- Type: Grain-inclusive
- Profile: All life stages
- Best for:Adult shepherds and puppies
Dr. Garys Best Breed German Dog Diet derives most of its animal protein from chicken meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36% protein, 22% fat and 34% estimated carbs yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 63%.
We like the fact the formula also includes zinc proteinate and other chelated minerals which provides superior absorption and nutrition. Highly recommended.
Sample buyer reviewOur german shepherd has had a lot of itching problems since she was about 1 year old. We have tried different foods, supplements, sprays and shampoos. Nothing has seems to work as well as when we switched to this food. Scabs that were on her for months due to her itching them open all the time have finally healed over. She is still a little itchy, but significantly better than before. And she loves the food too! We used to leave her food bowl full all day because she would only pick throughout the day. With this food we are only doing 2-3 cups morning and night because she scarfs it all down in minutes! Glad we finally found something that she loves and works so well!
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Different Types Of German Shepherd Temperament
There are many cases where a German shepherds traits differ. For example, your dog may have different traits than your friends.
To give you a better idea, take a look at the following comparisons of German shepherd temperament.
- Breed Line: In the past, German shepherds were only used as a working dog. However, as they became more and more popular, people saw them as potential high-quality materials for show events.In response, breeders created German shepherds in two ways. The first type is the usual, working dogs, while the latest type is what we call show dogs.
- Working Line: Those in the working line are fierce and intense. They possess the basic personality, but they are more hard-headed.;They are loyal to a fault. This is the reason why they often become destructive when you leave them alone for some time.
- Show Line: German shepherds belonging in the show line are much more soft-tempered than those in the working line.They are more family-oriented and elegant than working dogs. However, they may be too sophisticated to owners that want simple dogs.Since they are solely for dog shows, the German shepherds physical traits in this breed line is more refined.
These factors affect a German shepherds temperament. While some may assume that they cant do anything about it, you actually can.
For example, as show dogs, German shepherds may be trained by a professional to act like one. This training occurs before their adoption.
Projects Further Development In Germany And Its Outcomes
Germany, controlled by the SV, had a more strict breeding program in place from the start, introducing the A stamp, a tattoo I.D system. German Shepherd dogs were highly sought after by South America, France, Italy, Japan, and the Scandinavian countries. This required stricter top-rating regulations for the entire bloodline.;
From this quality control stance, some of the most notable sires came, including Quanto Wienerau, Mutz vd Pelztierfarm, Marko v CellerLand and Canto Wienerau. Quanto remained a popular producer, creating the best qualities of the forequarter, bone, and head morphology, along with desirable cow hocks and long and short croup in the German shepherd dog. Canto only lived for four years but passed on superior traits in energy, style, and fluidity of movement, which appealed to the international audience. The mating of the Quanto, traditional, and Canto lines yielded Canto Arminius, a very substantial and dominant influence in the breed as well as a heavy influence on German Shepherd history.
- Canto Wienerau
- Canto Arminius
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The Resurgence Of The Shepherd
Sieger Pfeffer von Bern, a GSD with a namesake that holds true to its ancestry, was a huge part of the reason that the dog breed gained its popularity back. This dog became the grand victor in some of the American Kennel Club shows and was the first German Shepherd to do so. People were once again reminded of the fantastic appearance and loyalty of these dogs, and popularity surged.
As it will, the popularity of the breed decreased again soon after. Its namesake did not hold well in America given the current circumstances of World War IIthe rise of the Nazi regime led to a lot of anti-German propaganda in the Western world. Nobody wanted a dog with the namesake of the enemies of the State. Many people with German Shepherds would often tell people that they were a different breed entirely.
After the Second World War, there was a low in the popularity of the breed. As tension with Germany died down, the popularity of the breed slowly began to rise. By the 60s, many people didnt mind owning a dog with a German name.
Populations and popularity continue to increase. By 1993, GSDs were the third most popular breed in the US. Their popularity continued to improve, and as of 2009, German Shepherds were the second most popular. Its not uncommon to see the breed within the top five spots of dog registries worldwide.
The Basic German Shepherd Temperament
Your dog can be characterized by different sets of temperament. However, there are some that cannot be changed.
The following are the most basic German shepherd temperament that we can say are always present to the breed.
- Courageous and Fearless: German shepherdsare courageous, which can be seen from the heroic deeds of dogs during the World War I.They are also fearless, except of course when it comes to their trauma. Thats why they are suited to extreme tasks. This is also the reason why they were the perfect dogs for soldiers.
- Strong and Energetic: German shepherds, are and will always be energetic dogs. However, its already given that their stamina might deteriorate as they age.Regardless, they are still stronger and more energetic than most breeds. This makes these dogs perfect for fitness-oriented people. After all, both the owner and dog will be energetic and eager to exercise.
- Protective and Loyal: German shepherds are protective and loyal. In fact, there were eight German shepherds that reportedly performed heroic deeds in America along with their owners.However, they can be dominant sometimes. So a strict trainer is suitable for them so they wont develop a poor behavior due to their alpha tendencies.
These German shepherd traits are pretty basic, even a kid knows about them.
However, as previously said, the advanced breeding method for dogs brought change in the German shepherds personalities. This led to several types of temperament.
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Instinct Raw Boost With Real Duck
Rating:
Real Duck is one of 14 dry recipes analyzed in our review of the Instinct Raw Boost product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Duck, chicken meal, peas, egg product, turkey meal
- Type: Grain-free
- Profile: All life stages
- Best for:Adult shepherds and puppies
Instinct Raw Boost with Real Duck obtains the bulk of its animal protein from fresh duck and chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 38% protein, 23% fat and 31% estimated carbs creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 61%.
This formula also gets its antioxidants from natural fruits and veggies for healthy immunity and thus, greater resistance to disease. A top pick for German shepherds and other large breeds.
Sample buyer reviewI recently switched from a dehydrated raw product to Instinct Raw Boost. This is a great quality grain- free food and my guys are loving it. I have a multi dog house hold and most of them have allergies of one kind or another. This food is working well for all..
The Origin Of German Shepherd Dogs
Sam Shephard is an experienced German Shepherd owner and has learned throughout the years how to optimize the breed’s health and wellness.
The German Shepherd Dog is one of the most popular and well-known breeds of dogs worldwide. It didnt gain popularity overnight, though. This dog has a rich origin story and has been a crucial aspect in the development of domestic dogs across the world.
We are going to look in detail at the origins of this fascinating breed. German Shepherds have been around for quite a long timetheyre big, furry, and originated fromguess where? Germany! They were bred initially to be guard dogs and help with the herding of animals, but their companionship, intelligence, and friendliness quickly made them a popular choice for pets.
After reading this article, you will have a much better understanding of the ancestry of your favorite furry friends.
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