|
The German Shepherd is a breed of classic beauty and possesses
superior intelligence. They are highly adaptable, energetic,
curious, strong, and dependable. This breed displays a magnificent
appearance and is extremely agile with great stamina and endurance.
The German Shepherd Dog is hailed as the world’s leading police,
guard and military dog, however, this dependable breed is more than
its 9-to-5 job. Consistently one of the United States’ most popular
breeds according to AKC® Registration Statistics, the German
Shepherd Dog is also a loving family companion, herder and show
competitor. The breed is approachable, direct and fearless, with a
strong, muscular body. The German Shepherd Dog originated in 1899 at
Karlsruhe, Germany due to the efforts of Captain Max von Stephanitz
and others. Derived from the old breeds of herding and farm dogs,
the first German Shepherd Dog exhibited in America was in 1907. The
fame associated with Rin-Tin-Tin and Strongheart, two members of the
breed whose movies played on variations of the boy and his dog
theme, shot the popularity of the breed sky-high.
General Appearance
The German Shepherd Dog is also known as the Alsatian. It is
handsome, well proportioned and very strong. The coat most often
comes in black with tan, sable or all black, but also can come in
blue, liver and white, but those colors are considered a fault
according to most standards. White is not an acceptable color for
the German Shepherd, however they are now being recognized as a
separate breed, called the American White Shepherd. The nose is
black most often black but, blue or liver still do sometimes occur,
but is considered a fault can not be shown. It has a sturdy,
muscular, slightly elongated body with a light but solid bone
structure. Its head should be in proportion to its body, and the
forehead a little convex. It has a strong scissors bite, ears wide
at the base, pointed, upright, and turned forward (the ears of
puppies under six months may droop slightly). The eyes are
almond-shaped, never protruding, dark, with a lively, intelligent
expression. Its bushy tail reaches almost to its hocks and hangs
down when the dog is at rest. Its front legs and shoulders are
muscular; its thighs thick and sturdy. It has round feet with very
hard soles. There are three varieties of the German Shepherd:
rough-coated, long rough-coated, and the long-haired.
Temperament
This is an alert, lively, loyal, and very intelligent breed. He is
often used as a military, police or search and rescue dog. These
dogs are obedient and very quick to learn. He is one of the easiest
of all breeds to train due to his high intelligence. The German
Shepherd is active, full of energy, courageous, confident, and
independent. Some German Shepherd Dogs can be quite aloof and
serious, and some can be dominant and sharp. However, these are very
capable dogs, and are eager to please their owners, although their
personality makes them best suited to those with some experience of
dog ownership. You will need to ensure that you provide your German
Shepherd with physical and mental stimulation, and these dogs do not
fare well when isolated or neglected. The German Shepherd is known
to get along very well with children, although you should bear in
mind his size if you have younger children. Early socialization is
important if you have other pets, as these dogs may chase smaller
animals such as cats, and can also be aggressive or dominant with
other dogs of the same sex. Whining can be a problem with the German
Shepherd, as some will whine a lot. The German Shepherd is known for
its protectiveness too, and therefore makes a very affective
watchdog and will not back down if he feels that he or his loved
ones are being threatened.
Grooming
The German Shepherd Dog is a heavy shedder all year round, and is
therefore not well suited to allergy sufferers. This breed requires
daily brushing to minimize loose hair. Bathing should only be done
when absolutely necessary using a mild shampoo to preserve the
integrity of the coat.
Health Problems and Life Expectancy
German Shepherds are prone to such health issues as blood disorders,
elbow and hip dysplasia, epilepsy, flea allergies, digestive
problems, and chronic eczema. The life expectancy of the German
Shepherd Dog is around 12 years.
Activity Level
This breed is happiest when given a job to do. They require
strenuous exercise and enjoy securely leashed walks, family play
sessions, and a large safely fenced area to romp and run freely in.
The German Shepherd will do okay in an apartment or condominium
dwelling provided they are given sufficient exercise, stimulation,
and attention.
|