German Shepherd

German Shepherd

General

 

The German Shepherd Dog (GSD), (German: Deutscher Schäferhund) is a breed of large-sized dog that originates from Germany. German Shepherds are a fairly new breed of dog, with their origins only dating back to 1899. Part of the herding group, shepherds are working dogs developed originally for herding sheep. Their strength, intelligence and obedience often sees them employed in police and military roles in forces around the world. They are popular as pets and guard dogs because of their loyal and protective nature.
Their popularity has seen multiple references to the breed in popular culture. The performing dog Rin Tin Tin is credited with being the world's most famous German Shepherd.

History :  German Shepherds are a fairly modern breed, originating in the late 1800's as sheep herders. They were used often during the First World War, by both German and British soldiers. American soldiers also brought the dogs back home with them, introducing the breed to the United States.

Today, they are one of the most common and popular breeds in both North America and the United Kingdom. The dogs are also the most common breed used as military, police and search and rescue dogs, but have been known to be excellent guide dogs as well. Because the breed is generally used as a working dog, they must be extremely socialized as a pet. It is wise to shower German Shepherd puppies with love and affection to prevent aggressive behavior as an adult.

Breed Standards : 

The German Shepherd is a large, strong and muscular dog. The head is very large, with long ears that stand erect. The breed has large, pointed teeth and an extremely strong jaw. In the show ring, the breed is not only judged on physical appearance, but also on its abilities as a service dog. The Shepherds must be able to distinguish a genuine threat from a forged threat. The breed standards differ between countries. The German standard is to have a straight back, while American German Shepherds have sloping backs that lead to collapsed hips.

 Appearance : German Shepherds are a large-breed dog which are generally between 55 and 65 centimetres (22 and 26 in) at the withers and weigh between 22 and 40 kilograms (49 and 88 lb).The ideal height is 63 centimetres (25 in), according to Kennel Club standards.They have a domed forehead, a long square-cut muzzle and a black nose. The jaws are strong, with a scissor-like bite. The eyes are medium-sized and brown with a lively, intelligent and self-assured look. The ears are large and stand erect, open at the front and parallel, they are often pulled back during movement. They have a long neck, which is raised when excited and lowered when moving at a fast pace. The tail is bushy and reaches to the hock.   German Shepherds can be a variety of colours, the most common of which are the tan and black and red and black (shown) varieties. Both varieties have black masks and saddles. Rarer variations include the sable, all-Black, all-White, liver and blue varieties. The all-Black variety is mostly acceptable; however, the blue and liver are considered to be serious faults and the all-White is grounds for instant disqualification in some standards.This is because the white coat is more visible, making the dog a poor guard dog, and is harder to see in conditions such as snow.

Intelligence : Shepherds were specifically bred for their intelligence, a trait for which they are now renowned. They are considered to be the third most intelligent breed of dog, behind Border Collies and Poodles. In the book The Intelligence of Dogs, author Stanley Coren ranked the breed third for intelligence. He found that they had the ability to learn simple tasks after only five repetitions and obeyed the first command given 95% of the time. This trait makes the breed desirable as Police, guard and rescue dogs.
 

Temperament :German Shepherds are highly active dogs, fearless but not hostile and are often described in breed standards as self-assured and never shy. The breed is marked by a willingness to learn and an eagerness to have a purpose. Shepherds can become over-protective of their family and territory, especially if not socialised correctly. Due to their loyal nature Shepherds bond well with children they know. While typically approachable, Shepherds do not become immediate friends with strangers.German Shepherds are highly obedient and not easily distracted, but due to their self-strong will must be trained by a firm hand.

Health : The average lifespan of a German Shepherd is 11-12 years,which is normal for a dog of their size.

Many of the German Shepherds common ailments are a result of required inbreeding early in the breed's creation. One such common issue is hip and elbow dysplasia which can lead to the dog experiencing pain in later life, lameness and can cause arthritis. Due to the large and open nature of their ears, Shepherds are also prone to ear infections.

Other health problems sometimes occurring in the breed are von Willebrand's disease, skin allergies and canine degenerative myelopathy. German Shepherds, like all large bodied dogs, are also prone to bloat, which is a medical condition in which the stomach becomes overstretched by excessive gas content.

Breed Name :

German Shepherd (aka Shepherd)

Country of Origin : Germany

Average Lifespan :     9 - 12 years

      Size :                            Large (70–95 lbs, 60–65 cm)        

White Shepherd Dog : There is a recessive gene in the German Shepherd Dog line which manifests as a pure white coat. White German Shepherds are disqualified in conformation competitions and there is much controversy regarding their status as a breed.

                   

White German Shepherd

German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is a large, strong and muscular dog. The head is very large, with long ears that stand erect. The breed has large, pointed teeth and an extremely strong jaw. In the show ring, the breed is not only judged on physical appearance, but also on its abilities as a service dog. The Shepherds must be able to distinguish a genuine threat from a forged threat. The breed standards differ between countries. The German standard is to have a straight back, while American German Shepherds have sloping backs that lead to collapsed hips.

Breed Name :

German Shepherd (aka Shepherd)

Country of Origin :

Germany

Country of Origin :

Germany

Average Lifespan :     9 - 12 years

Average Lifespan :     9 - 12 years

Average Lifespan :     9 - 12 years

White Shepherd Dog :

There is a recessive gene in the German Shepherd Dog line which manifests as a pure white coat. White German Shepherds are disqualified in conformation competitions and there is much controversy regarding their status as a breed.

White German Shepherd