The German Shepherd - A Four-Legged Challenger - Family - Pets

Though repetition is okay to a point, going over and over and particular command becomes boring to these dogs.

The German Shepherd is what the name implies. These dogs originated in Germany, the result of selective breeding of several shepherding breeds. The goal was to create a dog that could withstand the rigors required to be good shepherd dogs along with the intelligence to understand their training. That goal seems to have been met and the German Shepherd is an excellent working dog. But these dogs are also often used as both companions and family pets, and as watch and guard dogs for individuals and businesses.

The German Shepherd is sometimes known as Alsatian or the Dutch Shaferhund. These dogs have been officially recognized for more than a century, though there may be an additional recognition on the horizon. Traditionally, the coat of these dogs are silver, black and cream, though some additional colors are also possible and are generally accepted by canine organizations Solid white has traditionally been a disqualifying feature, but there is a movement by breeders and German Shepherd enthusiasts to recognize white German Shepherds as a separate breed.

Remember that these dogs were bred to withstand the harsh conditions of the German countryside. They have a thick double coat and shedding can be a real problem for these dogs. They may also have a serious shedding episode at specific times of the year, aggravating those with allergies. Regular grooming will help keep the shedding to a minimum. There are three distinct types of German Shepherd, based on the type of coat - rough, long and rough-long coats are individually recognized.

These dogs have a reputation for facing several serious health issues. In fact, the potential for those health problems depends largely on the breeding lines and some lines are quite healthy. It's a good idea to check into any hip problems that the parents may have had. Good breeding practices can produce healthier pups, but you should be wary of purchasing German Shepherds from puppy mills that have mass production of pups as their only goal.

When choosing a puppy, some people may be disappointed that the ears don't stand at attention. This is common in young dogs, but most learn to hold their ears at attention - a distinctive feature of the German Shepherd. No docking or other procedures are necessary to accomplish this.

German Shepherds are very smart dogs. They tend to learn new things quickly and do well when called on to use their natural instincts. This makes them a natural choice for guarding, tracking, obedience and agility trials. Many law enforcement agencies have used these dogs over the years - the reason some people call them German Police Dogs. Remember that these dogs tend to want new challenges. They love to find that something new is expected of them and will generally rise to meet the challenge with an alertness and intelligence that some say approaches that of a person.

German Shepherd. Protective Noble Breed. His Highness The German Shepherd Dog - Family - Pets

The History of the German shepherd

The German shepherd dog is known to be one of the most beautiful and devoted dogs around today. With its toughness and nobility, the breed can sometimes, unfortunately, get judged unfairly; though despite that, it still remains one of the most popular breeds of dog around today.

The History of the Breed

The German shepherd has not actually been around for a long period of time. It was developed in the late 1880's when a man named Captain Max von Stephanitz decided to standardize the breed.

He saw a wolf like dog at a show in Western Germany and he noticed just how energetic, tough, steady and intelligent the dog actually was. It was medium in size and the dog was also a natural sheepherder which knew exactly what to do. So Captain Max von Stephanitz bought the dog and named him "Horand von Grafrath".

That was the first ever registered German shepherd dog.

So the main purpose of the breed was to herd cattle and sheep. The main priority was to develop a dog which was intelligent and stable. The looks of the dog were not as important; just as long as the breed could herd really well that was all that mattered. If a dog was born that was not intelligent and which would not obey its owner then it was automatically classed as being useless.

At first, mistakes were made with inbreeding. Captain Max von Stephanitz would breed the pups with their half sisters and the daughters of dog's sons. This created a lot of problems with the breed and eventually dogs were brought in that were not related by blood.

Another problem also occurred which needed to be addressed and that was the fact that the pastoral era had started to decline. As the main purpose of the German shepherd was to herd, the fact that the pastoral era was declining meant that it was likely that the breed would no longer be needed.

German Shepherds were then introduced into police dog roles as well as for tracking and guarding purposes.

Throughout the war, the breed was even used as a Red Cross dog and they were also used partially as messenger dogs, too. So they certainly had a wide range of purposes throughout the war period. As time went on, various breeders started to experiment with the German shepherd and a newer version of the breed was developed.

However it had a faulty temperament and Captain Max von Stephanitz was horrified. The breed may not have been around for a large amount of time, but for the time it has been developed, it has changed quite a lot.

Its popularity after World War II meant that Americans became interested in the German Shepherd and they were developed completely differently to the German standard.

These days the German shepherd is mainly a companion dog but it is also widely used as a police dog and a guarding dog, too. Its temperament has changed over the years, though it still has a fantastic working instinct.

German Shepherd: The Loyal Protector - Family - Pets

It is believed that the German Shepherd breed was developed by "Captain Max" von Stephanitz in the late nineteenth century and originally developed for herding sheep, hence their name. Over the years, their roles have changed somewhat, but by selective breeding; they have been bred for specific tasks or working environments such as protection, tracking and obedience.

According to Kennel Club figures from 2006, German Shepherd Dogs are one of the most popular breeds in the UK and also one of the most popular breeds in the United States. German Shepherds have proven to be very versatile in their working roles, working as guide dogs for the blind, for police and detective work, guarding people, possessions or properties, part of search and rescue teams, any kind of therapy and working in the military. Even though they are well bred and very capable of all of these lines of work, they are also very loving, loyal and devoted pets inside the home. Early socialization is a must for younger puppies so that they do not become aggressive and exhibit dangerous, menacing or threatening behavior when they are adults. Otherwise, German Shepherds are very social, as they enjoy being around people and other animals.

The German Shepherd is a strong, sturdy breed, standing twenty-two to twenty-six inches at the shoulder and weighing anywhere between sixty and one hundred and ten pounds. His muscular, strong body is covered by a beautiful medium length, coarse shedding coat. It has a softer undercoat, which needs to be brushed daily, as they can shed quite a bit. The color of the German Shepherd may vary but can be black, black-and-tan, golden with black-tipped hairs, or gray with black-tipped hairs.

This breed's personality is marked with an inherent direct willingness and fearless instinct to protect what it considers its "den" or territory (i.e. house, car, and property in a home situation) and "pack" (i.e. human family in a home situation). The German Shepherds temperament is usually poised, calm and fairly even keeled, however when the circumstance demands, they quickly can become very alert, ready to protect or guard and eager to perform the task at hand. They can immediately "shift gears" from loyal companion to being fit and willing to serve and perform as a watchdog, guide dog for people who are blind, herding dog, or guardian or whatever the circumstances demand, no matter how rapid the change.

German Shepherds should be fed anywhere from one and a half to two and a half cans of a high-quality meaty product with a biscuit added in equal part or five cupfuls of a complete, dry dog food with vitamins and minerals.

This breed is considered the most keen, aware and perceptive of his surroundings, atmosphere and person's attitudes, moods and dispositions. Because of this he must be socialized to cover as many differences in atmosphere and disposition as possible. If this is not done and trained as a puppy, they may exhibit an unexpected aggression or be afraid of certain surroundings or people.

German Shepherds - The Family Watch Dog - Family - Pets

There's a lot of different breeds of dogs, but among the world's most popular dog breeds there are a few that have been singled out as the most loyal, hard-working and intelligent. German Shepherds have long been valued for these qualities and more.

The German Shepherd is a newer breed. It originated in 1899 in Germany and was used for herding sheep. The breed was created when German ex-military member and veterinary student Max von Stephanitz saw a dog with admirable working qualities. The dog was strong and intelligent, with a superior sense of smell and fierce loyalty.

Von Stephanitz purchased the dog and bred it with his own working dogs. Eventually, he created the breed we now know as German Shepherds. Every German Shepherd today can be traced back to von Stephanitz and his breeding efforts.

The name of the breed has been a source of several controversies since its inception in 1899. The original name given to the breed by Max von Stephanitz translated literally to "German Shepherd Dog." In the 1940's, the Kennel Club officially changed the breed's name to Alsation Wolf Dog. The change was due to the fear that the breed would become unpopular because of widespread anti-German sentiments during WW2.

Not long after this name change, the general public began to fear that Alsation Wolf Dogs were actually wild and aggressive half wolves. While this was not true, the public's fear was enough to prompt the Kennel Club to change the name again, this time to simply Alsation.

Dog lovers in various countries pressured kennel clubs for another name change in 1977. This time, they asked that the breed revert to its original name. Since then, the official name of the breed has been German Shepherd Dog.

The original German Shepherd Dogs were used to herd and protect sheep on working farms in Germany. Since then, German Shepherds have been used in a variety of working capacities. Perhaps most well-known is their use as police and military working dogs. In rural settings, German Shepherds are extremely useful for search and rescue missions. Their keen sense of smell and dedication to pleasing their masters make them diligent workers.

In a more urban environment, German Shepherd Dogs are extremely useful for locating drugs, explosives and fleeing suspects. The strength of the dogs makes them ideal for taking down dangerous or running suspects. They are often used in airports and mail processing facilities to sniff out contraband in luggage and packages.

In recent years, some concerns have been raised about the safety of German Shepherd Dogs. There have been some reported cases of the dogs turning violent or attacking people. However, most of these cases are based on anecdotal evidence. Dogs tend to react aggressively when mistreated or threatened, or when protecting their masters. This has been the cause for many of the so-called German Shepherd 'attacks'.

Overall, German Shepherd Dogs are very safe to have around. In fact, they make outstanding guard dogs. They are protective of their owners and will often put themselves in danger to save their masters. They are currently the third most popular dog breed in the United States and enjoy popularity all over the world.

In Spain and the Balearic Islands especially, dog lovers appreciate the loyalty and beauty of this regal breed. According to licensing records, in fact, the German Shepherd Dog is the most popular dog breed in Menorca - the popular holiday island has a reputation of being extremely safe. That reputation is thanks, in part, to these gentle working dogs. They are always on the job, protecting their adoptive families and keeping watch for any signs of trouble such as housebreakers.

The German Shepherd - Relationships - Weddings

The German Shepherd Dog is also known as the Alsatian. During the First World War there was so much anti German feeling that the breed were remained Alsatians. The name German Shepherd came back into use after the second world war.

It is a very good looking dog, well proportioned and very strong. The coat most often comes in black with tan, sable or all black, but also can come in cream/white.Bred as working dogs, German Shepherds are intelligent and alert. They are bold, good natured, obedient and eager to learn and extremely loyal. They also have a tendency to be over protective and this can cause problems if the owner does not recognise this and take the pack leader stance thus controlling this tendency.

They have an extremely high learning ability and love to work. They are excellent at agility.

German Shepherds love to be close to their families, but can be wary of strangers. This breed needs his people and should not be left isolated for long periods of time. They only bark when they feel it is necessary. Because of their strong protective instinct it is essential that they are fully socialised from puppyhood. Aggression and attacks on people are due to poor handling and training. Problems arise when an owner allows the dog to believe he is pack leader or does not give the dog the exercise it needs. Dogs require to be walked not only for physical exercise but also for mental stimulation. They need long walks because they have a great deal of energy and should never be just turned out into a garden to exercise. This breed needs owners who able to be firm and confident with the dog. A stable, well-adjusted, and trained dog is for the most part generally good with other pets

They are generally a healthy breed but there is a tendency for hip dysplasia in the breed so try to ensure that any puppy you buy is from parents who have good sound hips. The average life for a German Shepherd is around 12 years.

This breed sheds hair constantly and is a seasonally heavy shedder. Tp keep the coat in good condition a daily brush is essential to avoid your carpets being covered in hair. An occasional bath is necessary to keep the dogs coat clean but this should not be done too often.

German Shepherd Dog - Family - Pets

The German Shepherd Dog Is Also Known By These Other Names: Alsatian, Deutscher Schaferhund, GSD.

German Shepherd Dog Temperament

The German Shepherd dog is amongst the most intelligent of dogs and its versatility and excellence in performing all manner of activities has secured its eternal position in the hall of fame when it comes to policing duties, search and rescue, military functions such as bomb sniffing and even as sight-seeing dogs for people who are blind or those with impaired eyesight. The German Shepherd is a quick study and due to their innate high intelligence are very easy to train.

These dogs are active, alert and like many other animals of a high intelligence and active nature the German Shepherd needs to be constantly challenged and stimulated both physically and mentally to avoid becoming a nuisance. That said, this dog breed makes a great companion and is both brave and loyal. Though some dogs tend to be somewhat aloof and wary by and large this dog breed makes for a great family pet and they generally get on well with children. Occasionally certain dogs may become a tad domineering with children which may manifest in the form of the German Shepherd trying to herd them about; in keeping with its breeding pedigree.

German Shepherd dogs have excellent watchdog ability and are typically wary of both strangers and other dogs. Early socialization is a must if your dog is going to be around other animals. As far as climate tolerance is concerned these dogs adapt fairly well to moderate cold as well as moderate heat, though extremes in either direction dont go down well.

German Shepherd Dog Grooming & Exercise Requirements

The German Shepherd boasts a high energy level and thus this dog breed requires plenty of exercise on a daily basis. Its grooming requirements however are not quite as demanding and its coat only requires brushing once or twice a week. The German Shepherd is a moderate to heavy shedder and thus is perhaps not the best choice of dog for allergy sufferers.

German Shepherd Dog Appearance

The body of the German Shepherd dog is typically longer than it is tall and in the modern variant when the animal is standing the body slopes downwards as though the dog is poised to spring off of its hind legs. This was not always the case, the early variant of the German Shepherd dog having a squarer body and less slanting haunches. The tail is usually bushy and hangs with a slight curve.

This dog breed boasts an athletic build and erect ears atop a head with a pointed snout which enhances the alert appearance of the dog. Coat color may vary and includes the following: black, black and tan and sable. From a show dog perspective white-coated dogs are not allowed although of recent there is a movement for such specimens to be represented in their own sub-category.

This dog breed has a double coat with a thick outer coat comprised of close lying medium-length hair that may be straight or slightly wavy.

Weight: Males: 75 100 pounds Females: 60 80 pounds

Height: Males: 24 26 inches Females: 22 24 inches

German Shepherd Dog Health Issues/Life Expectancy

This dog breed on average has a lifespan of 10 12 years. Due to rather intense in breeding over the years the German Shepherd dog suffers from a number of genetic disorders which include the following:

Major Concerns:

CHD

Elbow Dysplasia

Minor Concerns: Panosteitis; vWD; Degenerative Myelopathy; Cauda Equina; Skin Allergies; Hot Spots; Neoplasms; Pannus; Cataract; Gastric Torsion; Perianal Fistulas; Cardiomyopathy; Hemangiosarcoma

German Shepherd dogs are also extremely susceptible to a potentially fatal systemic infection from the fungus Aspergillus.

German Shepherd Dog History

The modern German Shepherd dog is the end result of a concerted effort in the late 19th century to breed the perfect German sheep herding dog. Up until that time each district boasted its own distinct herding dog. To achieve the perfect herding dog various dog breeds from the north were crossbred with those from the central district ultimately resulting with the forbearer of the modern German Shepherd.

The goal of the German Shepherd dog breeding program was to produce a dog that could watch out for and control straying sheep from the rest of the flock without spooking the entire flock. Thus unlike cattle herding dogs it was undesirable for the German Shepherd dog to exhibit leg nipping and neither could it control its wards by barking at them because either one of those attributes would more than likely cause the entire flock to panic!

In essence the German Shepherd dog breeding program had to come up with an extremely intelligent, versatile, swift and independent thinking breed of dog that executed its duties in a precise, swift, calm and steady manner.

Between 1899 and 1901 a specialist breed club was established and was originally headquartered in Stuttgart before moving to Munich and then finally ending up in Berlin. This club was known as Der Verein Fur Schaferhunde (SV for short), and this organizations primary goal and purpose was to oversee the continued positive development of the German Shepherd dog breed.

Within a decade of its breeding the German Shepherd dog had soon become one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. Its rising star in popularity was slightly marred by the occurrence of the two world wars, when it was considered prudent in both Britain and France to refer to the dog breed as either an Alsatian or simple the Shepherd Dog to avoid the inevitable backlash at the time associated with the word German incorporated in the dog breeds name.

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A Trained German Shepherd Is A Happy German Shepherd - Family - Pets

German Shepherds may be one of the most easily recognized of the dog breeds. Used for many purposes, these dogs are intensely loyal, hardworking and intelligent. This breed can be found anywhere, being used for a family pet, to an intimidating guard dog, or sniffing drugs out for the police department.

The German Shepherd breed was developed by a man named Max von Stephanitz. He wanted to create a breed that would epitomize his vision of "utility is the true criterion of beauty", and bred a dog for the character, working ability, loyalty and intelligence. A fairly new breed, German Shepherds have only been around for about one hundred years. In spite of the newness of the breed, German Shepherds are a very popular choice for pets and working dogs. This extremely intelligent dog offers so much more than just companionship.

If you have decided to train a German Shepherd, it is important to remember that there are two levels of obedience for this breed. The type of training that you instill in your own German Shepherd is going to depend on what his role is going to be. If you are keeping your German Shepherd as a pet, he should go through the basic dog obedience training. If you are not used to handling dogs, remember that training starts the day you bring him home!

Short lessons are imperative, always end the training in a positive way. Never punish during training sessions, always be positive. Make time for at least one short training session EVERY day. Check out our link below for a guaranteed training program. Once you and your dog have successfully completed a training class, it is imperative to continue the lessons at home. Until you are sure you have complete control of your dog, make sure to start in part of the home or yard where both of you are comfortable. At first, you will want to eliminate distractions, but as time goes on you will start to introduce more. Once your dog obeys your commands in the regular spot, start changing locations. It is important to have control of your dog anywhere you might be. Once you change locations and introduce outside activity, it may seem like you are going back to square one. Just remind yourself that your dog needs to be able to listen anywhere, and read back over the above tips.

The time and money invested in training German Shepherds will yield rewards for many happy years. A well trained dog is a happy dog, and so are the owners. A well trained German Shepherd will also exhibit more confidence, will be safer, and can be trusted more with people and possessions than an untrained dog. Investing in the right training for your German Shepherd will yield a companion that is fiercely loyal, playful, and protective. Make sure to begin training right away because these large dogs can quickly get out of control if left to their own devises. Establishing the rules from the start is the secret to having a happy relationship with any dog.

For more training tips see: How To Train A German Shepherd