GERMAN SHEPHERD FACTS
German Shepherd = Image = Sady Munoz = Pixabay.com
ORIGIN OF THE GERMAN SHEPHERD
Shepherds were originally bred in Germany in 1899 by Max von Stephanitz as a farm and herding dog. They were bred primarily to herd sheep.
Von Stephanitz wanted his dogs to be bred for a high degree of intelligence and for their capacity to work.
“Looks” or a dog’s “attractiveness” did not matter. What mattered to Von Stephanitz was a dog’s ability to perform the tasks it was assigned by its master.
The Shepherds that we see today did not appear until after WWII.
The Shepherds of today are the result of much inbreeding and selective breeding.
SOURCE: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/german-shepherd-dog-history/
GERMAN SHEPHERD TRAITS
⦁ Shepherds are very protective of their owner and their families. They do not trust strangers and will protect their families with aggressive behavior.
⦁ They need to be properly socialized at an early age to control any aggressive behavior. Socialization needs to continue throughout the dog’s life.
⦁ Shepherds are full of energy. You need to give your dog plenty of room to run and burn that energy off especially if it is a younger dog.
⦁ It is best if you exercise with the dog by taking the dog for a long walk or by jogging with him. If kept inside, they can become destructive.
⦁ The most common color pattern for a Shepherd is tan and black but, solid white and solid black shepherds are not uncommon.
⦁ Large breeds of dogs like Shepherds, are prone to develop canine hip dysplasia. This can cripple your dog or lead to its death.
⦁ Shepherds are considered to be medium to large size dogs.
⦁ Most Shepherds weigh between 75 to 95 pounds.
⦁ Males stand 24 to 26 inches in height. Females stand 22 to 24 inches in height.
⦁ They can run at a top speed of 30 mph.
⦁ Shepherds are considered to be loyal and highly intelligent dogs. They are known for their strength, speed and a keen sense of smell.
⦁ They are also obedient, extremely loyal, alert, and courageous.
⦁ Shepherds live to an average of 10 to 12 years of age.
MOST LOYAL DOG BREEDS
A dog can be very loyal to you and your family but, you must understand that loyalty is a two way street.
If your dog is loyal to you, you should be loyal to him.
You should feed him good food, provide fresh clean water for him and spend some time with him every day.
If you seek a dog that has proven itself to be loyal to its owner, a German Shepherd, may be suitable for you and your family.
German Shepherds have been listed as one of the smartest and most loyal dog breeds.
Opinions on this topic vary, but most dog owners agree that this dog breed tends to be very loyal and highly intelligent.
GSD’s are one of the most loyal dog breeds.
SOURCE: https://www.cesarsway.com/10-of-the-smartest-dog-breeds/
ARE GERMAN SHEPHERDS INTELLIGENT
Shepherds are considered to be highly intelligent by many people who are dog experts.
In 1994, Stanley Coren, a professor at the University of British Columbia, wrote a book titled, “The Intelligence of Dogs”.
According to Professor Coren, the top ten most intelligent dog breeds are:
⦁ Border Collies
⦁ Poodles
⦁ German Shepherds
⦁ Golden Retrievers
⦁ Doberman Pinscher
⦁ Shetland Sheepdog
⦁ Labrador Retriever
⦁ Papillon
⦁ Rottweiler
⦁ Australian Cattle Dog
SOURCE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Intelligence_of_Dogs
Shepherds are very intelligent.
They were judged third in intelligence out of 137 breeds by Professor Stanley Coren in his book “The Intelligence of Dogs”.
The Intelligence of Dogs: A Guide to the Thoughts, Emotions, and Inner Lives of Our Canine Companions Paperback — January 5, 2006
by Stanley Coren
WHAT ARE GERMAN SHEPHERDS KNOWN FOR?
Shepherds are known for their:
⦁ loyalty
⦁ courage
⦁ intelligence
⦁ guarding instinct
⦁ and for their striking appearance.
CAN A GERMAN SHEPHERD BE LEFT ALONE?
⦁ You must give your dog time and attention every day, not just once in awhile.
⦁ You must develop a relationship with your dog. If you cannot do this, it would be better for you and the Shepherd if you chose another breed of dog.
⦁ These dogs must be with their people. They love their families and can become lonely and depressed if they are left alone for long periods of time.
⦁ They form a very close bond with their owners. If you ever have to give your dog away, this may lead to a sense of insecurity in the dog.
⦁ Shepherds will not do well if left alone in a yard or kennel. They need to be with their people.
⦁ Shepherds should not be left alone for more than two to three hours.
ARE GERMAN SHEPHERDS EASY TO TRAIN
Shepherds were originally bred to be herd dogs. They were bred to guard and watch over their master’s sheep.
A herd dog must:
⦁ be alert
⦁ be intelligent
⦁ be athletic
⦁ have a strong work ethic
⦁ he must have grit and be determined to do his job, he cannot give up easily
⦁ be strong and energetic
⦁ have an innate desire to protect the herd
⦁ be obedient
Because of these innate characteristics, Shepherds are easy to train.
They can learn a new skill or command with a few lessons.
This is one of the reasons Shepherds are used by the military and police departments in their work.
ARE GERMAN SHEPHERDS GOOD FOR BEGINNERS?
Shepherds are big, strong dogs who need physical activity and attention from their owners every day. Every day, not once in awhile, every day.
They require you to spend a lot of time with them. Be sure you have the time to be with them every day.
GSD’s are known to have certain hereditary diseases, primarily due to poor breeding practices done by unscrupulous breeders.
A new dog owner who is considering owning a Shepherd must be prepared to pay for vet bills that may be necessary to care for his dog.
For a beginner who can be with his dog for an hour or two every day and is prepared to pay for vet bills, a shepherd can be a good dog.
If a beginner dog owner cannot spend an hour or two with his GSD every day, and can’t pay for vet bills to care for his dog’s health issues, it would be best for them and the dog if they did not get a Shepherd.
When you are considering acquiring a dog, you need to think about the dog and his needs more than you think of your needs.
IS A GERMAN SHEPHERD A GOOD FAMILY DOG?
How do you define the word “good”? If by good you mean:
⦁ Loyal — these dogs are very loyal to their families.
⦁ Protective — they can and will protect their families and their homes.
⦁ Intelligent — police and military departments use them because they are intelligent and easy to train.
⦁ Fearless — Shepherds are used to sniff out bombs by the military.
⦁ Kind — Shepherds are used as a guide for the blind.
These terms are often used to describe a German Shepherd dog.
Yes, Shepherds can be a good family dog if they have been properly trained and socialized and if you can spend time with them every day.
ARE GERMAN SHEPHERDS GOOD WITH KIDS?
In other words, would you trust your dog enough to leave him alone with your small children?
Some questions you need to ask yourself:
⦁ Is your dog a calm dog, or does he get upset easily?
⦁ Has your dog been properly socialized with many people, especially with small children?
⦁ Has your dog been aggressive with your children or other children?
⦁ Has he been aggressive with strangers?
⦁ How does your dog act when your small children “rough house” with him?
⦁ Have your children been taught to love and respect your dog?
⦁ Have you taught your children to leave your dog alone when he gets tired of playing with the kids?
⦁ Generally speaking, GSD’s are good with children if they were raised with children. If they have been properly trained and socialized with children, they can be good with children.
⦁ You must never forget that Shepherds are large, muscular, heavy and powerful animals. They may accidentally hurt a small child when playing with the child.
⦁ I would be very careful of having a large animal around small children for this reason alone.
⦁ Even if you trust your dog with your small children, you must never forget that your dog is much stronger and heavier than your small child.
⦁ It would be best if you did not bring an adult Shepherd you are not familiar with, to be around your children.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofCZNgnPtqU&t=49s
LITTLE GIRL PLAYING WITH 14 GERMAN SHEPHERDS
WILL YOUR GERMAN SHEPHERD PROTECT YOU WITHOUT BEING TRAINED?
⦁ If your Shepherd has not been trained to protect you, he probably will not protect you should that need ever happen.
⦁ However, Shepherds that have not been trained to protect their humans have been known to protect them.
⦁ They were originally bred to protect sheep and other livestock.
⦁ They can protect their humans without being trained to protect them. It is in their nature to protect their family.
⦁ Sometimes just having a German Shepherd with you will deter people who want to harm you or your family.
ARE GERMAN SHEPHERDS DANGEROUS?
German Shepherds were bred to herd livestock.
They were not bred to be a fighting dog. GSD’s are not inherently aggressive dogs.
By instinct, a Shepherd will protect its family and domain so they can have an aggressive tendency towards strangers.
A GSD can be a dangerous dog because of its size, speed and strength. They are large powerful animals.
The dog’s owner should be aware of this and should strive to socialize his Shepherd to accept other adults, children and dogs without harming them.
If you treat your dog well, he is less likely to be a threat to other pets and humans.
DOG BREEDS MOST LIKELY TO BITE
According to this article by the Keating Law Firm, the dog breeds most likely to bite are:
⦁ Pitbull
⦁ Rottweiller
⦁ Cocker Spaniel
⦁ Tosa Inu
⦁ German Shepherd
⦁ Bullmastiff
⦁ Chihuahua
⦁ Doberman Pinscher
⦁ American Bulldog
⦁ Cane Corso
⦁ Husky
⦁ Chow-Chow
The GSD ranks fifth in this list of dog breeds most likely to bite.
SOURCE: https://www.keatingfirmlaw.com/post/dogs-most-likely-to-bite
WHY GERMAN SHEPHERDS ARE NOT GOOD PETS
⦁ GSD’s can develop canine hip dysplasia, a crippling disease that can be fatal.
⦁ They are also susceptible to elbow dysplasia, allergies, cleft palate, degenerative myelopathy, perianal fistulas, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, bloat, panostetis, Von Wildebrand’s disease, Wobbler’s Syndrome, heart and skin diseases, thyroid disease.
⦁ Shepherds shed a lot throughout the year. Twice a year, they “blow” their undercoat, the dense, thick coat under the top coat. You will have dog hair everywhere in your house.
⦁ Shepherds develop a very close bond to their owners. Should the owner ever have to give their dog away, the Shepherd can become insecure and cause problems for their new owner.
⦁ Shepherds are large, heavy animals. They must be properly trained and socialized so they will not harm children or elderly people.
⦁ GSD’s require a lot of attention, every day, not once in awhile. If you are not prepared to spend time with your dog, it would be best not to get a GSD.
⦁ GSD’s need daily exercise and mental stimulation. If they are not exercised sufficiently every day, they could become bored and ill tempered.
⦁ Good breeders that breed healthy dogs are hard to find.
DO GERMAN SHEPHERDS SHED A LOT
German Shepherds, have a dense double coat. They have an outer coat and a woolly undercoat that insulates the dog against cold weather.
They shed throughout the year.
Twice a year they “blow” their undercoat.
If your dog is inside your home, you will have dog hair all over the place.
If this bothers you, a non-shedding breed would be better for you.
Yes, German Shepherds shed a lot.
DO GERMAN SHEPHERDS BARK A LOT?
The GSD was bred to herd flocks of sheep. They are strong, energetic and intelligent dogs.
They need daily physical and mental challenges to keep from becoming bored and restless.
⦁ Shepherd puppies bark more than adult Shepherds. The puppy will bark less as it gets older.
⦁ A Shepherd can start barking if he is bored and has nothing to do. He will bark to burn energy and to do something besides laying around all day.
⦁ Dogs will bark a lot if they are excited.
⦁ Dogs bark to communicate their needs or fears. They could be telling you they are hungry or in pain.
⦁ Dogs are very territorial. They may see strangers as a threat to him and his family and start barking at them to alert their owner.
⦁ Some dogs bark at other dogs to tell the dogs to leave their domain.
⦁ Shepherds will also bark a lot if they feel lonely. They bark to get attention from their humans.
Without the proper training, GSD’s can bark a lot.
Professor Stanley Cohen ranked Shepherds second in a list of breeds most likely to bark as watchdogs.
WHY DO POLICE USE GERMAN SHEPHERDS?
Image by dendoktoor from Pixabay = German Shepherd Police Dog
The most common breed of dog used by Law Enforcement departments is the German Shepherd.
Police use GSD’S to help them:
⦁ search for people who are lost.
⦁ find evidence at a crime scene.
⦁ search for drugs and drug related materials.
⦁ search for explosives.
⦁ protect their handlers and other policemen.
⦁ control riots.
Police departments use GSD’s because:
⦁ Shepherds are magnificent athletes. They can reach full speed in 3–4 strides.
⦁ They can round a corner without tripping over their own feet with little loss of speed. They can come to a sudden stop without losing control of their bodies.
⦁ Shepherds are large, strong, muscular dogs. They range in height from 24 to 26 inches and weight between 60 to 90 pounds.
⦁ Shepherds intimidate people with their size, strength and menacing appearance.
⦁ They are fast and powerful dogs. If necessary, they can overwhelm a person, pull him to the ground and hold him until his handler arrives.
⦁ They make good “attack dogs” because of their size, strength and speed.
⦁ They are highly intelligent so they are easy to train.
⦁ They were bred to work so they are able to work long hours without tiring. They are energetic and have lots of stamina.
⦁ They remain calm under pressure.
⦁ They bond with their handlers and they become very loyal to their handlers. Police know they can depend on their dogs in stressful situations.
⦁ They were bred to protect and herd sheep. They are courageous and will protect their handlers at all costs.
⦁ They want to please their handlers so they will carry out their instructions. They are obedient and respond well to their handler’s commands.
⦁ Shepherds have a double coat. Their woolly undercoat enables them to work in cold weather.
⦁ Shepherds are heavy but not so heavy that their handlers cannot lift them.
⦁ They have been used by military and police units for decades. The breed has a proven track record in these lines of work.
GERMAN SHEPHERD HEALTH ISSUES
In the early days of the history of the German Shepherd, inbreeding was used to standardize the breed. This created health issues that are common in this breed of dog.
Today, unscrupulous breeders are known to create “puppy farms” in order to make money. These breeders produce puppies with many health problems.
Common GSD health issues:
⦁ canine hip dysplasia, a crippling disease that can be fatal. This may be the number one health issue for GSD’s.
⦁ elbow dysplasia, a health issue that affects GSD’s and other large dogs.
⦁ allergies
⦁ cleft palate
⦁ degenerative myelopathy
⦁ perianal fistula are openings in the skin around the dog’s anus. It is another common health problem for GSD’s.
⦁ exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
⦁ bloating occurs when the dog eats too much at one time and becomes active soon after he eats. It is best to feed your dog several small meals throughout the day to prevent bloating. Human food may also cause bloating in your dog.
⦁ panostetis is a “lameness” in the dog that cannot be explained.
⦁ Von Wildebrand’s is a disease where the blood cells cannot form clots to seal a wound.
⦁ Wobbler’s Syndrome is a disease of the cervical spine that causes a compression of the spinal cord.
⦁ heart disease
⦁ skin diseases
⦁ thyroid disease.
⦁ cataracts
⦁ degenerative disc disease
⦁ bladder stones
⦁ urinary tract infections
⦁ nasal infections
⦁ dental problems
⦁ diabetes is a common health issue because GSD’s often eat too much.
⦁ hemophilia caused by inbreeding. The blood cannot clot properly.
⦁ cancer.
To learn the questions you should ask a German Shepherd breeder before buying a puppy, click on the link below:
https://trainyourgsd.com/questions-to-ask-german-shepherd-breeder/
TYPES OF GERMAN SHEPHERDS
There are five main types of GSD’s:
1) The American Show line.
⦁ American Show line Shepherds are also known as the AKC Lines GSD’s.
⦁ This type of Shepherd is taller and longer than other Shepherds.
⦁ Show line Shepherds are used to show in dog shows.
⦁ Show line dogs have backs that slope down from the shoulder to the rear end.
⦁ They are bred primarily to have a preferred appearance and gait.
⦁ These Shepherds make good family pets because they are not as energetic as Shepherds from a working line.
2) The West German Show line.
⦁ These Shepherds are considered to be the most beautiful Shepherds.
⦁ They have a sloped back but not as sloped as the American Show Line.
⦁ This line is believed to be the closest to the breed created by Max Von Stephanitz, the originator of the German Shepherd dog breed.
3) West Working line.
⦁ Working line Shepherds are bred to work.
⦁ This line of dogs do well at guard tasks and at search and rescue.
4) East Working line DDR German Shepherds
⦁ This line of dogs are use by military units and for search and rescue.
⦁ This line has the darkest colored coats of all the GSD lines of dogs.
⦁ They have very long coats.
⦁ Their long coats enable them to endure cold and harsh weather.
⦁ This line is only allowed to breed if they do not suffer from hip dysplasia.
5) Czech Working line
⦁ This line of GSD’s came from Czechoslovakia.
⦁ This line has very strict breeding standards so they have fewer health and temperament problems.
⦁ They were used by the Czech military to patrol the Czech border.
“Show line” Shepherds are bred primarily for dog shows. They are bred for appearance and for their gait.
“Working line” Shepherds are bred primarily to perform assigned tasks in a work environment. These dogs are generally stronger, more self willed and can be more difficult to train than other GSD’s.
RIN TIN TIN (Sept. 1918 — August 10, 1932)
Perhaps the most famous German Shepherd of all time is Rin Tin Tin.
Rin Tin Tin was a male German Shepherd puppy that was rescued by an American soldier, Lee Duncan during WW1.
Duncan found a mother Shepherd with a litter of five puppies that were still nursing.
He brought the dogs to his unit. After the puppies were weaned, he gave the mother to an officer and three of the puppies to some of the other soldiers.
Duncan kept a male and a female puppy.
French children often gave American soldiers good luck charms they had named Rin Tin Tin and Nanette.
Duncan named the male puppy Rin Tin Tin and the female puppy Nanette as symbols of good luck, similar to the good luck charms the French children gave to the American soldiers.
After the war, Duncan and Rin Tin Tin arrived in Duncan’s home town of Los Angeles California.
Duncan trained the shepherd to obey his commands.
Sometime later, Duncan contacted several movie studios to have Rin Tin Tin appear in a movie.
His big break came in 1922 when he replaced a wolf in the movie “The Man From Hell’s River” starring Wallace Beery.
In 1923, Rin Tin Tin starred in the movie “Where the North Begins”.
The movie was a huge success and has often been credited with saving Warner Bros. from bankruptcy.
Rin Tin Tin died on August 10, 1932 at Lee Duncan’s home in Los Angeles.
On February the 8th, 1980, Rin Tin Tin was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1627 Vine Street.
Rin Tin Tin starred in 27 Hollywood movies and was a huge box office success.
For more information on Rin Tin Tin, click on this link:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rin_Tin_Tin
RIN TIN TIN MOVIES
The Return of Rin Tin Tin — 1947 — Full Movie — English
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hp4dlzfEN4I
Public Domain movie.
TOP RATED DOG FOOD FOR GERMAN SHEPHERDS
GERMAN SHEPHERD PUPPY
Shepherd puppies may grow until they are twenty four months old.
The first eight months of their life are the most crucial as they go through a tremendous growth spurt in that time.
They need a nutrient dense food to maximize their physical growth and to develop a healthy immune and digestive system.
Shepherd puppies need a food formula that contains 18% to 22% protein content and 8% to 12% fat content. To much protein can upset your puppy’s stomach.
The food should have calcium and phosphorous in a ratio of one to one.
Ask your vet when you should start feeding your puppy an adult formula.
ADULT GERMAN SHEPHERDS
Adult Shepherds can have a short colon so you must feed them with this in mind.
It can be difficult for them to digest their food. This can cause problems for your Shepherd if you feed him the wrong food.
Adult Shepherds need a food formula that contains 18% to 24% protein content and 14% fat content. The protein source should be meat.
Many Shepherds are allergic to grains. It would be best if your dog’s food is grain free.
Shepherds are known to develop:
⦁ food allergies
⦁ bloat
⦁ inflammatory bowel disease
The quality of the food you feed your Shepherd will, to a large extent, determine the quality of his life.
With these health issues in mind, some of the best dog foods for GSD’s are:
WELLNESS COMPLETE HEALTH
Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Large Breed Puppy Food, Chicken, Salmon & Rice
LARGE BREED PUPPY FOOD FOR A LIFETIME OF WELL BEING: High quality proteins and grains are balanced to deliver a complete diet packed with the nutrients your large breed puppy needs to thrive; No meat byproducts, fillers, or artificial preservatives
SUPPORTS HEALTHY GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT: Guaranteed levels of DHA from Salmon Oil supports brain development, antioxidants support strong immune systems, balanced nutrients promote optimal energy and Omega Fatty Acids ensure healthy skin and coat
WHOLE BODY HEALTH: Supported by omega fatty acids, essential vitamins, antioxidants and probiotics
ORIJEN
ORIJEN Dry Dog Food, Grain Free, High Protein, Fresh and Raw Animal Ingredients
ORIJEN Original dog food delivers a diet rich and varied in fresh, whole animal ingredients from free-run chicken and turkey, wild-caught fish, and cage-free eggs
With 85% quality animal ingredients, ORIJEN nourishes dogs according to their natural, biological needs
Using fresh and raw animal ingredients, including meat, organs, cartilage, and bone, ORIJEN is the Biologically Appropriate, grain-free diet that dogs have evolved to eat
Our Fresh Regional Ingredients are supplied by people we know and trust, and are delivered to our kitchen fresh or raw, in their most natural and nourishing form
HOLISTIC SELECT NATURAL DRY DOG FOOD CHICKEN
DIGESTIVE HEALTH: Optimal levels of protein plus prebiotics and probiotics, live yogurt cultures, digestive enzymes, and natural fiber in this dog food enhance digestion for your dog
HEALTHY SKIN AND COAT: Omega 3 fatty acids from salmon oil and flaxseed to support healthy skin and coat
WHOLE BODY HEALTH: Supported by omega fatty acids, antioxidants, glucosamine, probiotics and taurine for a healthy heart
Made in the USA using only the finest globally sourced ingredients, we prepare each of our diets in our own state of the art facility; we craft delicious natural recipes with wholesome ingredients chosen for their nutritional benefits
BLUE WILDERNESS
Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein, Natural Adult Dry Dog Food
PACKED WITH REAL DUCK: A recipe made to satisfy your dog’s natural love for meat, this high protein dog food features real duck to help build and maintain lean muscle mass
HEALTHY INGREDIENTS: BLUE Wilderness grain free dog food, made with healthy carbohydrates including sweet potatoes and peas, helps fuel your adult dog’s active lifestyle; It also contains omega 3 & 6 fatty acids to support skin and coat health
ANTIOXIDANT-RICH LIFESOURCE BITS: A precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals carefully selected by holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists to support immune system health, life stage needs and a healthy oxidative balance.
CONCLUSION
A German Shepherd is a great dog to have as a family pet if you are prepared to spend time and money on him.
If you can’t give your dog the time and affection he needs, or the medical attention he might need, it would be best if you didn’t get a Shepherd for a family pet.
You and the dog would be better off if you didn’t get a Shepherd for a pet.
However, if you have the time and money to invest in a Shepherd, a Shepherd would make a great addition to your family.
DISCLOSURE:
I am an Amazon associate.
This article contains affiliate links to products that will provide a quality food for your German Shepherd pet.
If you click a link and buy a product or service, I will receive a small commission, at no additional charge to you.
Thank you for your support.
All the best to you and your family.
