Introduction

The German Shepherd Dog is a breed of large sized dog that originates from Germany. With their origins only dating back to 1899 German Shepherds are fairly new breeds of dog. Shepherds are working dogs developed originally for herding sheep. The German shepherd dog is greeted as the world’s leading police, guard and military dog. Their strength, intelligence and obedience often see them in military or police roles in forces all around the world. However, this dependable breed is more than its 9 to 5 job. Due to their loyal and protective nature the breed is amongst the most registered. German shepherd is very loving family buddy, herder and a show competitor, consistently according to one of the most popular breed of the United States. The breed is approachable, direct and fearless, with a strong, muscular body. The most expected color of the German Shepherd Dog is white.

Height
Male: 60-65 cm that is 24-26 inches.
Female: 55-60 cm that is 22-24 inches.

Weight
Male: 30-40 kg that is 66-88 lb.
Female: 22-32 kg that is 49-71 lb.

Coat

The ideal dog has a double coat of medium length. Hairs are straight, harsh, lying close to the body. The neck is covered with longer and thicker hair; while the head, including the inner ear and foreface, the legs and paws are covered with shorter hair. The rear of the forelegs and the hind legs has somewhat longer hair extending to the hock and pastern, respectively. The outer coat should be as thick as possible. A slightly wavy outer coat, often of stiff texture, is permissible. Faults in coat include soft, silky, too long outer coat, woolly, curly, and open coat.

Life Expectancy

About 10-12 years.

Origin

Germany.

History

The German Shepherd dog has been the subject to intensive development, derived as the oldest breeds of farm dogs and herding, and associated for centuries with man as servant and companion. In the year 1899 the parent club of the breed was found in Germany, Sponsored by the Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde.

The cult of the Shepherd spread rapidly from about 1914 onwards in many parts of the world. The interest in the breed has been nurtured by the specialty clubs in many lands as it has been in the United States by the German Shepherd Dog Club of America.

After the Second World War, the name of the breed was changed due to some reasons. Von Stephanitz named the breed as Deutscher Schaferhund, and then it was literally translated to “German Shepherd Dog”. The original purpose of naming the breed was due to assisting shepherds in herding and protecting sheep. At the time, all the other herding dogs in Germany were referred to by this names; Old German Shepherd dogs or Altdeutscher Schaferhunds. In 1908 the Shepherds were first exported to Britain and in the year 1919 the UK Kennel Club started recognizing the breed. But in 1977, the original name of the breed was returned and is currently used in most countries.

Though there were high risks in having imperfect offsprings, inbreeding was necessary to permanently fix the qualities during the early years of the German Shepherds. Von Stephanitz had to find other uses for the breed aside from the regular sheep herding, in order to keep the breed alive. He quickly realized that the abilities of the breed can be very helpful for government activities. During the two world wars, the German shepherd has achieved much praises from the owners for being a very brave and reliable companion in the field. It is for these reasons that the breed has become one of the most popular breeds in the world.

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General Appearances

German shepherd is a powerful creature and a handsome dog. The first impression of a good German Shepherd Dog is that of a strong, agile, well muscled animal, alert and full of life. The dog is well balanced, with harmonious development of the hindquarter and forequarter. The dog is tall, deep-bodied, and presents an outline of smooth curves rather than angles. Giving the impression, both in motion and at rest, of muscular fitness and quickness without any look of soft living or clumsiness, it looks substantial and not spindly. It is difficult to define, but unmistakable when present that the ideal dog is stamped with a look of quality and nobility. Secondary sex characteristics are strongly marked, and according to its sex, every animal gives a definite impression of femininity or masculinity.

The dog is longer than tall, with the most desirable proportion as 10 to 8½. The point of the prosternum or breastbone to the rear edge of the pelvis, the ischial tuberoses is the length measured. From the overall length with relation to height, the desirable long proportion is not derived from a long back, which is achieved by length of forequarter and length of withers and hindquarter, viewed from the side.

Head:
The head is noble, strong without coarseness, cleanly chiseled, but above all not fine, and in proportion to the body. Male head is distinctly masculine, and the bitch head is distinctly feminine.

Chest:
It is well filled and carried well down between the legs, commencing at the prosternum. The chest is capacious and deep, never shallow, with ample room for heart and lungs, carried well forward, with the prosternum showing ahead of the shoulder in profile.

Neck:
The neck is relatively long and clean-cut, muscular and strong, proportionate in size to the head and without loose folds of skin.

Topline:
The back is straight, very strongly developed without roach or sag, and relatively short. The withers are higher than and sloping into the level back.

Tail:
Tail is hairy, with the last vertebra extended at least to the hock joint. It is set smoothly into the croup and low rather than high. While at rest, the tail hangs in a slight curve like a saber. Sometimes a slight hook is carried to one side is faulty only to the extent that it mars general appearance. The curve is accentuated and the tail is raised as soon as the dog is in motion or excited, but it should be curled forward beyond a vertical line. Due to ankylosis, the tails are too short or clumpy ends are serious faults.

Health

German Shepherds are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, which may lead to severe pain in the dog’s later life, as in common in many large breeds. It can cause arthritis. Some other health problems occurring in this breed are skin allergies and von Willebrand's disease. They are also prone to bloat. The popularity of the German shepherd has resulted in many breeders breeding for quanity of puppies, not quality. Search out for a reputable breeder and check their breed stock. Shepherds have open and large nature of their ears, due to these there is a possibility of ear infections. Shepherds are also prone to canine degenerative myelopathy.

Favorite Pastimes

The shepherd dog is very friendly and lovable. They love to play and move here and there. They like playing with kids and collect their toys and place it back into the room. They like to go around for a walk. German shepherd’s favorite toy is tennis ball and favorite time pass is to play with it. Running down the hill is also loved by Shepherd.

More Information

Temperament: The most important side of the dog, which is first considered, is its character. The German shepherd is distinguished for the ability to assimilate, for loyalty, courage and retain training for a number of special services. They are highly active dogs, and described in breed standards as self-assured. He should be of equable disposition, unexcitable, with well controlled nerves and poised. Herding sheep dog is his typical work, must not be gun-shy and must have courage to protect his flock from attacks, either animal or human. A development which follows upon his natural aptitude for training, working as a police dog, he must be courageous and in addition must be able to make use of the excellent nose which he usually possesses. Shepherd has a high order of intelligence and discrimination involving the qualities of observation, patience, faithful watchfulness, and even, to a certain degree, the exercise of judgment. They are over protective for their family and territory, especially if not socialized correctly.