German Shepherds

Appearance:

Body: Powerful sturdy body with deep chest, long back, long well-sprung ribs, long shoulders, and long, broad loins.

Coat: Long or short with a straight, harsh outer coat, and dense, thick undercoat. Coat sheds year round as the seasons change.

Color: Found in any color: Usually found in tan (cream) and brown but also found in solid black or white or tri-colored (black, brown and red). Though more rare than other colors, he is also found in solid white.

Ears: Medium sized, somewhat pointed, broad-based, erect and high set.

Eyes: Medium sized, dark brown, somewhat oblique or slanting, almond-shaped, not protruding and alert.

Feet: Small, round and compact with well-arched toes, dense hard pads, and short dark nails.

Head: Well-proportioned and clean. Wide between the ears, gradually narrowing towards extended black nose. Slight stop, powerful long wedge-shaped muzzle and tight lips.

Legs: Forelegs are straight and powerful, bones are oval-shaped. Hind legs have broad, well-muscled thighs and firm, bent hocks.

Neck: Medium length, strong and muscular.

Size:
Weight: 75 - 85 pounds (34 - 38.5kg)
Height: 22 - 26 inches (56 - 66cm)

Tail: Bushy and low set. Hangs with a slight curve when at rest.

Behavior

Recommended for experienced dog handlers
Most are good with children
Can be bossy with dogs of the same sex

The German Shepherd is the worlds most famous dog. He is intelligent, handsome, obedient, resourceful, powerful, sturdy and easily trained. He is a loyal, fearless and versatile working dog with an exceptional capacity for learning and making sound judgments.

He is used in rescue missions, to assist the police and the military to detect drugs and bombs, and to track and capture criminals, to guide the blind, to herd sheep, as a guard dog, and as a companion. AKC standards say, "The impression of the dog as a whole is one of ruggedness combined with nobility, and power combined with agility."

Due to indiscriminate breeding practices, some lines have physical problems such as arthritis, eye disease, and gastrointestinal problems and some have behavioral problems such as being high-strung, shy, skittish, or aggressive. Unfortunately this has damaged the German Shepherd's reputation.

If you are considering owning this breed be certain to work with an experienced and reputable breeder and to ask about the history of the parents and line.

An experienced dog handler is best suited for this breed. Early training and continued socialization along with a vast amount of mental and physical exercise is necessary to keep him healthy and mentally stimulated.

Breed Type

AKC Group: Herding Group

There are three major breed lines:
International working line
International show line
North American Show line

There are five varieties:
Black and tan shorthaired
Black longhaired
Cream longhaired
Sable longhaired
White shorthaired


Originally bred to herd sheep and protect livestock. Today the German Shepherd is often used for search and rescue (SAR), for military puposes, by police to detect narcotics and bombs, as well as to track and capture criminals, and as guard dogs. The have also been used as service dogs for blind and otherwise disabled people.

Care and Grooming

Exercise: A vast amount of exercise is required. Be sure to include activities that will stimulate him both mentally and physically.

Grooming: Sheds constantly (very heavily two times yearly) requiring frequent brushing (every one to two days). Bath two to three times yearly.

Health

Life Expectancy: 12 Years

Possible Problems:
Bloat
Cancer
Cardiac problems
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
Low Thyroid
Panosteitis - bone inflammations
Sebaceous Adenitis - a disease that destroys the sabaceous gland and may result in dermatitis
Seizures
Skin Allergies
Von Willebrand's Disease - a congenital (inherited) bleeding disorder.

Recommended Certificates:
OFA (hips and elbows)

Country of Origin

Germany - 1800s