The German Shepherd is the most common breed of working dog in the world, but thanks to their faithful nature and willingness to learn, these versatile dogs are also suitable for family life.
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Characteristics
Hardly any other breed is as compliant as the German Shepherd. At first it was raised as a shepherd dog, which cared for and protected the sheep. However, today German Shepherds are used as service and protection dogs in the police, army and customs, as search or therapy dogs, as avalanche rescue dogs and as guide dogs. Not only in their home country,
Read More About:Discover the best way toeducate a German Shepherd
German Shepherd Character
There is no person or machine that can replace this courageous, tough, and dependable dog. Good behavior, stamina and self-assurance is legendary. Thanks to his great intelligence, his ability to learn and his enormous desire to work, he accepts new challenges without thinking twice, which makes him suitable for almost any task you can think of. Also, he is very close to people. He is always faithful, loyal, and compliant with his humans. Therefore, what makes the German Shepherd Dog so popular and suitable for different fields of action is the combination of robustness, willingness to work, reliability and docility.
A working dog in the family?
Their loyalty and obedience to humans have made the German Shepherda very popular family dog as well. Indeed, as long as he is well educated and gets enough exercise, this dog is a great companion and very suitable for living with the family. Well socialized German Shepherds like children and get along well with other pets. However, it must be borne in mind that this dog is very active and needs to be stimulated physically and mentally. Dogs that do not get enough entertainment develop bad habits, unusual in this harmonious breed. They get nervous and vigilant and become difficult to carry on a day-to-day basis. Those German Shepherds who do receive enough physical and mental stimulation are an enrichment for the whole family: a companion for play and sports and a faithful protector.
Appearance
Males have a back height between 60-65 cm and females between 55-60 cm, which classifies it as a medium to large breed. The proportionate body is a reflection of his life as a working dog. He is strong and muscular, but at the same time athletic and agile, and he does not tend to be overweight. He has a wide and strong gait, which shows enormous resistance.
The cuneiform head has a harmonious proportion to the body, a straight bridge of the nose and a black nose. His forty-two tooth set imposing on his enemies. The ears, which are vertical and point forward, and the eyes, slightly inclined, give an expression of being always attentive and alert.
Coat types and color
For a long time, the breed standard of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), within which the German Shepherd appears in number 166, within shepherd dogs and cattle dogs, only allowed short-haired dogs, which must be straight and close to the body, which, together with the inner layer of hair, protects them from snow, rain and cold.
As of 2008 the long-haired German shepherd dog was accepted into the FCI breed standards. The long and soft fur, which in this variant does not stick to the body, forms a kind of fringes or long tufts on the ears, legs and tail. The furry neck shows a characteristic mane. The colors in both coat types are black with brown, yellow or grayish spots, completely black or grayish, or grayish with brown spots.
White German shepherd
Despite the fact that white German shepherd puppies are born in some births, the FCI breed standard has not recognized the color white since 1933. Finally, in 1968, the Shepherd Dog Club of
Selective breeding and breeding for performance
Due to breeding, the German Shepherd has gotten bigger and bigger. Some lovers of the breed complain that this shape no longer corresponds to the original one, which was a little less muscular, but more agile and manageable. This difference of opinion between breeders made it possible today to differentiate between two different lines: on the one hand, selective breeding that has a slightly more voluminous physique and a sloping back, and on the other hand breeding for performance, in which prevails a lighter type, which emphasizes the characteristics of a good service dog.
Origin of the German Shepherd
The ancestors of German Shepherds are believed to have already lived in
The history of the German Shepherd, as it is known today, officially begins in the late 19th century. In 1871, the captain of the Prussian court, Max von Stephanitz, considered today as the founder of this breed, began with the controlled breeding of these versatile dogs.
The first German Shepherd
Stephanitz achieved great achievements with a male named Hektor von Linksrhein, whom he renamed Horand von Grafrath after purchasing him in 1898. Horand was the first dog to register for the breeding program of the newly founded association of German Shepherds, Vereins für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV). Stephanitz made every effort to breed Horand and his brother Luchs von Sparwasser. These two, together with the female Mari von Grafrath, are considered the progenitors of German Shepherds. Most German Shepherds are in this bloodline.
German symbol
Stephanitz's breeder's goal was well defined. He was interested in a versatile working dog and had precise ideas about its nature and qualities for work. The virtues such as courage, loyalty, obedience, resistance and solidity made the German Shepherd breed famous throughout the world and in many countries they are the service dogs par excellence, in police forces and armies. These characteristics were stylized as "German virtues" during the First and Second World Wars. The German shepherd was used as a symbol of the National Socialist ideal. In the wake of anti-German sentiment abroad, the British Kennel Club changed the breed's name to Alsatian Wolf Dog, or later just Alsatian Dog, to remove the term "German" from the name. It wasn't until 1977 that this name change was undone.
The German Shepherd was a very popular war dog, not only on the German side, but also for the Allies. Unfortunately he gained in popularity through his employment in the concentration camps and as faithful companions of Adolf Hitler. There are many photos of Hitler with the dog of the German shepherd Blondi in Nazi advertisements. Despite this instrumentalization and a sharp reduction in the Second World War, the breed managed to prevail after the end of the war and would soon be one of the most in-demand working dog breeds in the world again. The passage of many breeds to family dogs made German Shepherds gain in popularity.
Breeding and health
With the increasing spread of the German Shepherd breed, typical diseases also increased. For example, hip dysplasia, seen in many dog breeds today, was first diagnosed in a German shepherd. Another type of joint disease that the breed has to face is elbow dysplasia and degenerative lumbosacral stenosis or cauda equina syndrome, which causes paralysis. Eye diseases and allergies also appear in these dogs.
How much does a German Shepherd cost?
Genetic testing of breeding animals is done with the intention of reducing the occurrence of these inherited diseases. These provide a breeding value, which indicates the genetic predisposition of the puppies. Those dogs that have a very high genetic load are excluded from breeding. If you are interested in a German Shepherd puppy, make sure the breeder has carried out and passed all the relevant tests. The requirement for this is that you buy the puppy from a reliable breeder, who invests a lot of time and money in their dogs and provides you with all the necessary information. Compared to other breeds, the price of 800 euros is quite low for a German Shepherd puppy.
Where to buy a German Shepherd?
Before deciding on a breeder, you should be clear about the goal of wanting a German shepherd dog. Most breeders specialize in different lines, promoting certain qualities in their breeding specimens. The urge to protect and guide or the need to work does not depend solely on the young. Find out in advance if the breeding is selective or if it is for performance, in order to choose a hatchery that meets your expectations and requirements. Even if you want a German Shepherd only as a family dog, you should keep in mind that, even those that are selectively bred, come eager to learn and need to be busy, short walks around the neighborhood will not be enough.
What do German Shepherds eat?
The degree of activity of the dog is decisive to define the type of feeding that he needs. It is obvious that dogs that spend hours working and constantly on the go need more energy than family dogs, which generally have many breaks throughout the day. For a healthy development, regardless of the tasks they develop, no dog can lack protein, minerals and vitamins. The most important source of protein for the dog is meat, and it should constitute 70 percent of its diet, which you can offer in the form of prepared, homemade or raw (BARF) food. 20-30 percent of vegetables and fruits is recommended to provide your dog with other necessary minerals and vitamins. Sugar and too many cereals are not part of a healthy diet for dogs.
Avoid rapid growth
German Shepherds, like other large breed dogs, tend to have joint problems, so it is important to avoid rapid growth for the first few months. As studies show, hip dysplasia is not only related to genetic predisposition, but to the type of diet. A food that is too energetic and excess fat accelerates the growth of puppies, which can lead to joint diseases. Therefore, the best thing is that the breeder you have chosen indicates what is the ideal diet for your new friend, in addition to the puppy food. The breeder will also advise you not to overwhelm the puppy with too much exercise. It is best to avoid going up and down the stairs at first. Natural rest periods support healthy bone and joint development.
Care
For the healthy life of a dog, apart from a good diet and proper ownership, proper care is necessary. The German Shepherd's coat is very easy to care for, but it should be combed or brushed regularly to maintain a healthy coat structure. It is also important to frequently deworm and vaccinate the animal. In addition, you must keep the ears, eyes and nails under observation, as they require cleaning or shortening and any changes must be controlled by the veterinarian.
A correct tenure for German Shepherds
If you have decided to welcome a German shepherd into your family, you should not only take into account the food and care, but also the possession. German Shepherds are working dogs and they like to be useful in family life as well. A physical and mental entertainment for the dog is necessary for a harmonious coexistence. For a shepherd to be part of your family you must have the time and desire to take long walks and bike excursions, in addition to offering entertainment, such as dog sports or training, to this active dog with a desire to learn.
Sportsman family dog
Thanks to its versatility, the German Shepherd Dog is delighted with almost all dog sports and also excels in agility, dog dancing and obedience. In addition, they have a very good sense of smell, which makes them very useful in tracking and mantrailing work. It is also recommended that German Shepherds from families be trained to be rescue, protection or performance herding dogs. Whatever the sporting and mental occupation you choose to do with your dog, the good thing is that a close bond will be created between the two. Dogs that train their bodies and minds sufficiently not only enjoy periods of quiet and recovery more, but are more receptive to education. If you can find enough time for your German shepherd's training and sport, then you will have a coexistence with an affectionate, sporty, docile and faithful family dog.
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