Why Do People Choose The German Shepard As Their Dog

German Shepherds requires a lot of time, stimulation, training and exercise
Story by: Steve Rankin

Dogs called German Shepherds were first exhibited at shows in Germany towards the end of the nineteenth century but they were hardly Shepherds as we know them today 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 has grown enormously in popularity and is now one of the most popular pedigree breeds in the UK as a pet, it is still the favourite working breed for many forces especially the police and they are widely used for security purposes.

It is a fine sight to see a well-trained GSD with his handler, working well to serve and protect. Unfortunately one of the saddest sites is the poor GSD used to guard premises often chained up alone in some dismal filthy yard with a lifetime of incarceration and little stimulation to look forward to.

The German Shepherd is a highly intelligent beast who will show undying devotion to his master but he is a dog that needs company and stimulation to be at his best.

If you are thinking of buying a German Shepherd as a pet and you have not previously owned one, it is important to research the breed and talk to experienced owners so that you fully understand what you are taking on.
GSD's do indeed make wonderful family pets but it is important to remember that this is a working breed and that they do have certain characteristics that can make them more difficult than your average Retriever, Labrador or Collie.

The characteristics of a good working GSD should be firmness of nerve, attentiveness, unshockability, tractability, watchfulness, reliability, and incorruptibility together with courage tenacity and hardness.
A German Shepherd is naturally protective and territorial which is something to bear in mind if you have lots of visitors to your house when careful introduction may be required to assure your pet that the visitor is not a threat to his family.

This is also a breed that requires a lot of time, stimulation, training and exercise - you will never wear them out, they will always be ready for more. A bored, lonely GSD can be very destructive and can cause an awful lot of damage to property in a short space of time.

Perhaps some of the less endearing traits of this breed are the tendency to be very vocal which can be a big nuisance and may be a problem with neighbours. They also shed hair in copious amounts all year round so your vacuum cleaner will work overtime and it's unlikely that your clothes and furnishings will ever be free of dogs hairs again as well as what you are eating invariably being contaminated with that stray hairs.

The biggest problem with the German Shepherd Dog is the fact that to a large extent the breed is being spoilt by irresponsible breeding by inexperienced back street breeders who care nothing about preserving the breed but only about making money from the selling of puppies, Health and temperament problems are all too common, so it is important to take expert advice and try and find a reputable source if you are contemplating buying a puppy.

Consider first taking on a rescue German Shepherd Dog from a reputable rescue that should be able to give you a good assessment of a particular dog. Remember too that an older GSD will be a very rewarding addition to the family and will be housetrained, won't chew, well behaved, probably require less exercise than a young dog and will be very loyal and grateful.

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Cat Urine Smell - - 3 Steps to Getting Relief From Feline Urine Odor

Story by: Debbie Davis

Removing cat urine odor can sometimes seem impossible, particularly if your cat pees in a spot that's hard to find or reach. Here are 3 effective steps to take to remove cat odor safely and effectively.

1. Find the spot. This can be a challenge if your cat urinated while you were away, and the spot has had time to dry and is hard to see. Use a black light to help you locate the offending spot. A black light is best used when it's relatively dark and the urine spots will glow brightly when the black light shines on them.

2. Neutralize the area. There's no shortage of suggestions, ideas and products that are designed to get rid of cat urine. Choose a product that is safe for your cat (and you), and that breaks down the urine rather than adding another smell to cover the urine odor.

3. Use an air purifier designed to remove cat urine odor. Realize that with a cat in the family mistakes will happen, and even if you find and neutralize the spot, while you're completing the process your home still smells like cat urine.

If you've inherited your space from another owner who had cats, short of removing the carpet and refinishing wood floors, there may be spots that you will never find, but the odor will persist. The right air purifier is a safe, non-invasive, and continuous way to keep the air smelling clean.

Check the technical specifications to make sure that the cleaner you're considering has a filter that will remove urine odor. If it is unclear about this or doesn't specify, it probably will not do the job. Call the company to inquire about the filter make-up that makes it effective against urine.

Look for references from those who have used the product. Professional and personal references listed with the product are an excellent indication of who has used the product and how successful it has been.

For instance, if a groomer, kennel, or rescue organization is currently using the product, it's a pretty good indicator that those who have a need that is probably greater than yours have found the product to be effective.

However, nothing will tell you how well it will work for you in your space with your cat until it's in your space with your cat. Make sure you understand the return policy, but chances are, if there is a good return policy your won't need it.

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Get rid of cat urine odor for good with the air purifier at http://purerair.com/austin_air_pet_machine.html
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