Important Things You Must Not Do When Raising a German Shepherd
1. Do not use violence
Many owners react badly when they are in a poor mood and use force on their German Shepherd. This is a serious mistake, because it makes the dog fearful and damages the relationship. Young dogs are especially vulnerable. Puppies are still growing, many of their organs are delicate, and they can be injured easily.
2. Do not keep the dog locked up as punishment
Some owners put a German Shepherd in a cage whenever it refuses to obey. Although this can make the dog quiet for a while, it also harms the dog mentally. Dogs are emotional animals. When they are shut away for long periods, they may feel abandoned and can even become depressed. Anyone with this habit should correct it as soon as possible.
3. Do not punish after the fact
This is one of the hardest habits for owners to give up. Many people punish a German Shepherd only after discovering what it did. Research shows that the best time to correct a dog is while the behavior is happening. If you punish afterward, the dog does not understand what it did wrong. Some owners are too lenient and only scold lightly, especially when the dog belongs to someone gentle by nature. That usually makes the behavior worse. Correction should be serious and clear so the dog does not think the owner is joking.
German Shepherd
A good German Shepherd gives an impression of strength, agility, muscular development, alertness, and vitality. The body is smooth in outline, with front and rear in good balance. The body is slightly longer than tall and fairly deep, with smooth curves preferred over sharp angles. It should look strong rather than thin. Whether standing still or moving, the ideal dog appears muscular and athletic, never clumsy or weak. A fine German Shepherd also carries a certain natural nobility that is hard to describe but easy to recognize. Male and female differences should be obvious, with males appearing more imposing and females more gentle.
This variety has a very distinct personality: direct, bold, yet not reckless. Its expression is confident and somewhat reserved, which can make it less easy to approach quickly. The breed should still be approachable, calm, self assured, willing to accept direction, and not stubborn. It should remain steady but also show enthusiasm and alertness when needed. A German Shepherd can work as a companion dog, guard dog, guide dog, herding dog, or watch dog.
The long haired German Shepherd has a body length slightly greater than height, with an ideal proportion of 10 to 8.5. The desired length is not determined only by the back but by the overall balance of forequarter, withers, and hindquarters. The ideal dog has a medium length double coat. The outer coat should be as dense as possible, straight, harsh, and lying close to the body. A slight wave is acceptable, and the coat is usually coarse. The head, including the ears, forehead, legs, and feet, has shorter hair, while the neck carries longer and thicker hair. Hair behind the front and rear legs is somewhat longer and extends toward the pasterns and hocks. Faults include soft hair, silky coat, excessive long coat, woolly coat, curled coat, or open coat. German Shepherd colors vary widely, and most are acceptable, but strong rich color is preferred.