The German Shepherd is widely
recognized as one of the most versatile and
intelligent of all dog breeds. For many years, this
dog has remained at the top of the list for family
pets, as well as for working dogs in search and
rescue, police work, and much more. If you are
considering a German Shepherd, you can depend on
getting a beautiful dog with long lines and a shiny
coat, especially if you work with one the top-grade
breeders in the country.
This wonderful breed came from the efforts of a
small group of German dog enthusiasts who formed a
society in 1891 to promote native German dog breeds.
A man named Captain Max von Stephanitz entered the
picture in 1894. The dog he saw in 1899 that had the
strength and herding skills he admired, Horand v
Grafeth by Von Stephanitz, was the beginning of a
long history for the breed.
From this excellent animal
came the line from which German Shepherds emerged.
Then in 1919, the English Kennel Club gave the breed
a separate register. Once known as the Alsatian Wolf
Dog, the name was eventually changed back to German
Shepherd, a name by which it is known throughout the
world.
Temperament
Known as a fearless and alert animal, the German
Shepherd is also very loyal and protective of the
owner and property. However, a well-bred German
Shepherd will be calm and confident rather than
hostile, showing a very high level of intelligence
that allows the dog to interact closely with its
owner. Some owners characterize their German
Shepherd as noble and self-confident, though most
have also found well-trained and socialized dogs to
be very approachable in the right situations.
However, because of their strong instinct to protect
what they are familiar with, young German Shepherds
should be well socialized as puppies so that they
are comfortable with other animals and with humans.
In addition, most experienced owners urge firm
obedience training for the young German Shepherd,
even if you know the dog’s parents and bloodlines
well. This breed responds well to firm but positive
training, not doing well if pushed or given
unreasonable commands.
A good German Shepherd would be naturally protective
of home and family, but it is best not to want or
expect an aggressive or angry dog, even if your
German Shepherd will be your watchdog and guard dog.
A good instructor can take a calm and confident
animal, making it a very good watchdog or guard dog
that is still not a threat to other dogs or human
beings.
Size and Color
This long, beautiful dog most often is found with a
black and tan coat, but others are all black or even
a sable color. White shepherds are often recognized
as a separate breed, the American White Shepherd,
but they are not generally acceptable to clubs and
competitions.
A healthy German Shepherd should be muscular but
appear lean and sturdy, with pointed, upright ears
and hard soles on its feet. Additionally, this breed
has three types to include rough-coated, long
rough-coated, and the longhaired. Males generally
stand 24 to 26 inches at the withers while females
are between 22 and 24 inches. For weight, the
average adult German Shepherd should weigh between
77 and 85 pounds.
Feeding and Grooming Requirements
German Shepherds were bred as working dogs, herding
farm animals and working as protectors of family and
property. Therefore, you should expect a dog that
wants plenty of activity and even some training for
a type of competition or agility. This breed does
fine indoors as long as you give it adequate
exercise and time outside.
For this type of dog, a well-balanced diet is
essential. Many breeders and experienced owners feed
their German Shepherds much the same food they might
buy for themselves, including lean meats and some
vegetables. In general, you are urged to try to give
your German Shepherd foods that have many of the
same nutrients, as found in its natural habitat.
One expert notes that German Shepherds have a
shorter colon than many dogs of the same length and
body style, so a high-fiber diet is best to slow
down the passage of food through the digestive
system. This allows the body to absorb the nutrients
needed more effectively. Many dogs do not do well
with the high grain content of cheaper commercial
foods and in fact, some animals are allergic to the
corn, wheat, or soy of which food is comprised.
Because this strong dog loves the outdoors, you may
want to plan on some extra brushing or cleaning with
your German Shepherd. This dog does shed some hair
constantly, but shed heavily only with the change of
seasons. Typically, a quick daily brushing would be
good and to keep the dog clean, a bath every few
months but not more often in that you want the dog
to retains its natural oils.
Exercise Needs
The German Shepherd is an active dog, to say the
least. Although it may be inactive indoors, this
will change when given a yard to run in or a park to
exercise in. The German Shepherd is highly
intelligent and will be happy to play with you and
work with you in agility and competition, as long as
the demands are positive along with being firm.
You will probably be pleasantly surprised at the
level of intelligence of the German Shepherd. This
breed is excellent as a watchdog, a guard dog, and
in the search and rescue services. Additionally, the
German Shepherd is often used as a drug-sniffing
dog. However, this breed also makes an excellent
companion for those with physical disabilities or
blindness. With all of this need and love for
activity, we would encourage you to think of the
German Shepherd as an outdoor companion.
