German Shephard

German Shepherd Dog

Breed: German Shepherd Dog

Description: The German Shepherd is a medium to large sized athletic dog with a thick double coat that comes in a wide range of colors, but is most commonly seen in black/tan or red/black. They usually weigh around 50-90 pounds and measure about 23-25 inches at their withers, females being smaller than males. He has an overall look of nobility and strength.
Characteristics: The  German Shepherd was bred for intelligence and it is easy to understand why he is considered one of the smartest of all breeds when you see him at work in one of the many jobs he excels at. He is definitely best suited for those who have experience with dogs, even though he is easy to train and willing to work, his great intelligence and exercise needs can overwhelm  many who are not quite up to the challenge. Sadly the German Shepherd is a dog who do to improper training and lack of socialization has gotten a bad reputation, this is the fault of the owners and not the dog itself, when raised properly the German Shepherd is one of the best all around  dogs.

The German Shepherd is a very loyal dog, one who is  reserved,  even suspicious of strangers, he makes an excellent home protector but because he bonds so closely with his family he can get overprotective, making him dangerous. Lots of socialization with different people is very important to help ensure he will never be a problem  When raised properly the German shepherd is a reliable dedicated friend who loves his family beyond all else.

He does enjoy and needs a fair amount of exercise, which at times can be difficult for city dwellers to meet, taking him jogging, bicycling or rollerblading with you is a great way to help him expel some of his excess energy. He is also a great choice for those interested in participating in any of the many fun dog trails and organized events that are available. When not given enough to do , he can get bored and amuse himself with destructive behaviour and barking.

The German Shepherd does very well in active home with  children and adults of all ages, though he is a dominant dog and may not respect those who have not established leadership over him, it is important that all family members show themselves as pack leaders. He also does well in a home with other pets, especially when he has been brought up with them. Some German Shepherds can be aggressive with dogs they don’t know and some will chase game, so care should always been taken when allowing him to run free.
Origins: Developed in Germany as a herder and guardian of sheep, the German shepherd, due to his intelligence, quickly became one of the best known and well respected working dogs throughout the world. Despite the fact that he is a relatively young breed in comparison to many others, he is one of the most popular dogs worldwide.
Special needs: Due to the fact that he sheds year round, his coat does need to be brushed a couple times a week. Like many bigger dogs he is susceptible to bloat , so should never be exercised right after eating.

Highlights:

-  The are many German Shepherd Breeders and unfortunately many do not offer a good quality dog, he is also very susceptible to Hip Dysplasia which is a disease that can be prevented by proper testing of the parents, those looking to add a German shepherd puppy into their lives should go to a reputable Breeder who offers pups from OFA- registered parents and a  2 -3 year health guarantee.

- His usual life span is about 10 years.

-  When training this intelligent dog there is no need to be heavy handed, the German Shepherd responds best to positive reward based training.

- For people wanting a German Shepherd as just a family pet and friend, it is best to not purchase your puppy for working or German lines as these dogs are often far more active and aggressive.

- For those interested in adding an adult German Shepherd into their lives, due to his popularity and the fact that people often overestimate their own abilities to keep up to him, there is many German shepherds in rescues and animal shelters in need of homes. Adopting an older dog is need can be a very wonderful fulfilling experience for all involved.