Overview
Group: Herding Group
AKC Breed Popularity Rank: No. 2 of 195
Height: Male – 24-26 inches; Female – 22-24 inches
Weight: Male – 65-90 lbs; Female – 50-70 lbs
Life Span: 7-10 years
Temperament: Intelligent; Courageous; Confident
Of all the dog breeds, dog lovers can readily identify German Shepherds because of their frequent association with law enforcement. However, German Shepherds are more than just police dogs. With their intelligence, agility, loyalty, confidence, and bravery, these dogs have come to serve in a variety of purposes, including dedicated protector and guardian of the family.
History
As its name denotes, the German Shepherd originated from Germany as a protector and herding dog of sheep. In the late 19th century, there actually existed various strains of the dog depending upon the district.
In his desire to develop the ideal herding dog, German cavalry officer Captain Max Von Stephanitz and his fellow breeders crossed the dog strains in the northern and central districts of Germany, resulting in the ancestors of what would come to be known as the German Shepherd Dog (GSD). It was Von Stephanitz who also created the first club devoted to the breed.
In the course of refining the breed, breeders ensured the retention of the dog’s key characteristics, namely intelligence, speed, agility, stealth, and that overall aura of confidence, nobility, and authority.
A number of German Shepherds have carved their niche in human history. Two of Hollywood’s famous movie dogs were GSDs. The first was Strongheart, who starred in White Fang. He was then followed by Rin Tin Tin, the popular movie dog who was rescued by a soldier in a war zone during WWI. Both dogs earned stars on the Hollywood Walk of Game. Another notable GSD is Buddy who became the world’s first seeing eye dog. In the field of law enforcement, black Lab Mattie was noted for detecting evidence of arson in fires for the Connecticut State Police.
General Appearance
The German Shepherd cuts a graceful figure of smooth angles which is evident when the dog moves from a trotting gait to a high-speed sprint. Its head is clean cut with erect, perky ears.
GSDs are either short- or long-haired, and come in a variety of colors. The most common coat is a black mask and saddle black-and-tan. You also have black mask and sable coat. GSDs can also be solid black or bi-color. However, dogs with coats that are all white, blue, or liver are subject to instant disqualification in dog shows.
Although there have been some reports of aggressive tendencies, GSDs produced by responsible breeders possess a steady temperament and retaining its appealing characteristics of loyalty, confidence, courage, and undeniable intelligence, as evidenced by its quick learning of commands. The German Shepherd’s courage, in particular, cannot be questioned. As law enforcement officers will attest, GSDs do not hesitate to put their lives on the line in protecting their loved ones. In fact, it is advised that dog owners should not mistrust their dog because of its inherent aloofness. They are, in truth, gentle pets who can and will indulge in play with their beloved owners.
Nutrition
High-quality, power-packed dog food, either commercially-manufactured or home-prepared, will provide sufficient nutrition to a German Shepherd. Ideally, GSDs should have 22 percent protein in their diet. 5 to 8 percent of fat is needed to maintain its fur. If you are not sure as to what dog food you should give, always ask your veterinarian, who can come up with appropriate diet plans at every stage of your dog’s life (puppy, adult, and senior). Usually, puppies are given 3-4 small meals daily. Upon reaching six months of age, your dog can be given 1-2 big meals daily.
While dog food should contain the vitamins and other supplements your GSD needs, you can add small amounts of cooked vegetables, eggs, and yogurt. During training, you can give your dog kibble, but don’t overdo it if you don’t want to have an overweight dog. You know you are feeding your dog right if you can still feel its ribs beneath its powerful muscles.
Grooming
The German Shepherd has a medium-length double coat. The outer coat is dense, rough, and close lying, while its under coat is much softer. It is sufficient to brush your dog twice a week. But it is necessary to brush daily during heavy shedding seasons, namely spring and fall.
The GSD only needs the occasional bath, but make sure you have a hair dryer on hand since its thick coat is very difficult to dry with just a towel.
To prevent discomfort in your dog while walking or running, make it a point to trim and/or grind its nails monthly.
Exercise
Your German Shepherd will require lots of exercise if you want to keep it happy and healthy. Undesirable behaviors can develop if the dog gets frustrated because it is unable to release its energy.
Short daily walks and play sessions in fenced areas are sufficient for puppies. Older dogs can benefit from training activities, such as herding, tracking, and agility. However, GSDs should be kept on a leash because even a well-trained dog can easily get distracted and not obey a command.
Training
It is very important that your GSD be enrolled in early socialization and training classes while still a puppy. This is to ensure that they are well-mannered and adaptable as adults. To get the best results, you should observe a positive and consistent reward-based training regimen. If the dog is to be a family pet, it should be introduced to all the family members and their activities to ensure proper bonding.
Health & Well-Being
German Shepherds are noted to be healthy dogs. However, it is best to purchase a puppy from responsible breeders who screen for GSD medical conditions such as hip dysplasia, perianal fistula, and degenerative myelopathy. Because German Shepherds are particularly at risk for bloat, owners should be taught the symptoms of this life-threatening condition, so that they would know what to do if it develops in their dog.
Costs
The average price of a German Shepherd puppy is around $800. However, it can go as high as $2,400 to $10,000 for puppies belonging to a top-quality bloodlines.
Other costs that you should consider include vet check-ups and vaccinations, dog food, toys, training school, grooming items, etc. It is very important that you prioritize your dog’s health. Medical costs for GSDs can go as high as $20,500.
For proud owners of German Shepherds, no cost is too high nor can it replace the fierce loyalty, dedication, and courage that these dogs display towards the humans who love and care for them.
SOURCES:
1) German Shepherd https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/german-shepherd-dog/
2) Feeding Guidelines for German Shepherds https://www.shepped.com/feeding-guidelines/
3) German Shepherd Grooming https://thehappypuppysite.com/german-shepherd-grooming/
4) Bloat in Dogs https://gsrne.org/gsrne-live/bloat/
5) German Shepherd Puppies for Sale https://www.nextdaypets.com/German-Shepherd.htm/
