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| loveyourdog.com |
GSDs are smart, active dogs that will do best with smart, active owners able
to give them focused attention, exercise, training, & lots of one-on-one
time. There are few dog breeds whose fans don't call them
"intelligent," but in the case of the GSD Dog, that's probably an
understatement. They are extremely intelligent & famously trainable. Their
intelligence means they don’t suffer fools – or wimpy owners – gladly, which
means consistent training from an early age is not optional. Those brains, if
not put to work in constructive ways, will find plenty of destructive
alternatives, which will be destroying everything in sight, aggressive
tendencies and/or yard escape & roaming into the street (Yikes!). If your German
Shepherd is a family pet, he needs to live indoors with your family. Otherwise,
he'll be lonely, bored & destructive. If you're not experienced with GSD,
don't get a trained protection dog, which you probably won't be able to handle.
They are natural deterrents because of their size, bark & reputation. A
socialized, well-mannered GSD that lives with his family will protect them as
part of his nature.
Labrador come in Black, Chocolate brown & Yellow, but these colours
range from the richest reds to the most silvery livers to the palest of creams.
GSD come in Black & tan/red/cream or silver, black (almost entirely black
with only a small white spot on chest or a very small amount of tan on their
feet), red/silver/brown or black sable (resembles a wolf's coat), Bi-Colour
(black with a much smaller amount of tan/red, etc…) or white, blue, champagne &
liver (These colours do NOT come with health problems, which is sometimes rumoured,
but aren't acceptable for showing).
Labrador are much more easy-going, by don't let those sweet faces fool you!
They are a highly intelligent breed that will do anything you ask, with proper
training, buy will learn to take advantage or every weakness (begging for food,
running out the door in hot pursuit of a squirrel, while pretending they've
gone deaf when you call for them, insisting that you be their chew toy or
jumping up on clean clothes or furniture with muddy paws) & they learn
fast! They're also famous for roaming long distances, so if you don't have a fenced
yard, you may want to wait until you do, unless you can always supervise your
Lab when outside.
Labrador need very little grooming & shed minimally, generally only
needing a quick brush once a week to stimulate oils & promote closeness
with you. They can be bathed often, but no more than once a month as doing it
more can strip the oils from their coat causing them to become severely itchy
from dryness. GSD are know as "German Shedders" & shed profusely
all year long & blow their coat twice per year (they can look like sheep
needing a trim when this happens!) & need brushing twice a week at a
minimum & baths with soap no more than four times per year or it may harm
their skin & strip the protective oils from their waterproof undercoat. Two
times per year is preferable.
Labrador have less skin allergies & stomach issues, but both can develop
hip dysplasia & elbow problems. The other most common health concerns Labrador
suffer are shoulder dysplasia, exercise induced collapse, patellar luxation,
eyelash problems, diabetes, muscular dystrophy, tricuspid valve dysplasia,
folded under eyelids & hypothyroidism. & they very easily become obese
if not given enough exercise, which is the number one health concern of the
breed.
Many GSD have very sensitive stomachs & all sorts of allergies so
finding a food that suits can sometimes be a challenge. They suffer hip & elbow
dysplasia, Degenerative myelopathy (a horrible disease that slowly takes away
their ability to use their hind quarters & has no treatment), a variety of
heart diseases, epilepsy, vision problems, chronic diarrhoea, & other
digestive issues (they're very prone to bloat), & bleeding disorders.
Finding a reputable breeder (by word of mouth is best) is extremely important
for purchasing a GSD! The cost of treatment for all the above disorders can
easily run into the thousands.
