German Shepherd | Dog Breed Information & Facts – Pictures

Last Updated on May 31, 2023 by Pets Feed

The German Shepherd is one of the most recognizable breeds in the world. His appearance should be that of a muscular and attentive dog, with a noble and aloof demeanor. He is an agile, well-balanced dog who moves with pride.

When one observes a German Shepherd Dog, few people stop to think that it was bred to lead and protect flocks. Most people see the German Shepherd as a police dog, the dear friend of children, the faithful companion who can lay down his life for his family, the guide he sees for his blind friend, the deadly rescuer he does not know. not and the quintessential canine hero.

Breed name	Berger allemand
Country of origin	Germany
Weight	30 – 40 kg
Height (at the withers)	55 – 60 cm
Life expectancy	12 – 15 years
Size	Medium

Representatives of this breed are an example of impeccable canine beauty. Previously, shepherd’s dogs were divided into large and small dogs, but they were then reduced to one.

The general aspect of the physique has a stretched format. The body is harmoniously skinny, no rudeness, with solid bones and well -developed muscles.

The height at the withers of a male is 60-65 cm, the females of 55-60 cm. The weight of a male is 30-40 kg, which far exceeds the body weight of females which weigh only 22-32 kg.

• Head: the head is proportionate to the body, cuneiform, of moderate width and roundness. The muzzle, elongated with a right bridge, gradually thinks towards the tip of the nose. The length of the muzzle and skull is the same. The front line of the front at the muzzle is clear.
• Teeth: strong and powerful jaws. The teeth are strong, white, quite large, in full ensemble. Scissor bite.
• Ears: medium -sized ears, erect, triangular, parallel with each other, clearly perpendicular to the head. At the base of the epis, the sheet is quite wide with a smooth narrowing at the rounded ends.
• Eyes: medium -sized eyes, not protruding, almond -shaped with a slightly oblique and wide set. The color of the iris is dark brown.
• Body: the body is strong, muscular, massive. The neck is of medium length, wide with a moderate slope, good mobility. The tourniquet is pronounced strong. The back is powerful with a curvature slightly tilted towards a long and tilted rump. The chest is elongated, wide and deep, strong. Rounded ribs.
• Members: The members are thin, parallel, strong and robust. The front legs are rounded with arched fingers. The hind legs are compact, with slightly arched fingers. The pads are firm and resistant. Strong, strong claws.
• Pelage: the coat is straight, of coarse texture, of medium length and very dense. There are beautiful long fringes on the tail, neck and back of the thighs. The sub-point is dense and fluffy. The color is black and fire, black with yellowish or reddish fire and plain black. Possible dark mask and black saddle.

Read also : Types of German Shepherd

The character of the German Shepherd is balanced, sure and reliable. The courage of these dogs is legendary, as is their defensive instinct. This is why the German Shepherd is one of the most demanded guard and protection dogs, since it has a natural predisposition to these tasks.

The German Shepherd is a sociable and easy to train dog by nature, which can be the perfect pet or the perfect working animal if properly trained. It is very important to start the education and socialization of your dog around 3 months, because it will be much easier to obtain a balanced animal capable of behaving correctly in all circumstances.

He also generally gets along well with children and other animals, but you have to be careful with his games because sometimes he does not control his strength. He is also relatively easy to control if he receives the proper training, so it is very easy for the German Shepherd to be a balanced dog on all levels.

The German Shepherd is distinguished by good health, therefore, no special diseases characteristic of this particular breed have been recorded, mainly typical ailments are diagnosed:

• Dysplasia of the hip joint and elbow joint. It develops against the background of excessive stress on the joints.
• Allergic reaction. Provocateurs can be food, hygiene products, etc.
• Constipation and indigestion. They are the result of an incorrectly compiled menu or the dog ate foods from the list of prohibited foods.
• Epilepsy. It appears for various reasons. The animal should be examined to establish the root cause of the illness.

You should brush your German Shepherd’s coat twice a week, trim its nails three times a month, and always keep your pet’s eyes and ears clean. Bathe the dog usually 1-2 times a month.

• The Monument of Devotion is installed in Tolyatti, it is dedicated to the memory of the German Shepherd, who has been waiting for its owner for 7 years.
• A deaf German Shepherd rescued a drowning girl in a pond. The baby was only 5 years old. The dog sensed the child needed help, rushed into the water and was able to drag him to shore.
• A man named Rin Tin Tin has his own star in a well-known Hollywood alley. This dog has appeared in more than twenty-five films, most often he had to play the role of a wolf.
• During the war, a German shepherd named Dzhulbars was able to detect more than four hundred mines and about one hundred and fifty shells. The dog actively participated in the battles. For this he received the award “For Military Merit”.

The homeland of the German Shepherd is Germany. Initially, dogs of this type were used as shepherds. It is assumed that the distant ancestors of the breed are the Norse and Indian wolves that lived in Scandinavia.

You cannot call a pure natural breed a German Shepherd, because breeders worked on its creation. Initially, these dogs were in demand and appreciated as excellent shepherds. Over time, the number of grazing flocks declined dramatically, and “unemployment” threatened the shepherd. It was decided to change the breed, for this purpose representatives of herding dogs from the southern and central regions of Germany were crossed with German Shepherds.

Thanks to the meticulous work of German breeders, at the end of the 19th century, the German Shepherd acquired that exterior, character and skills that we see there today. This dog, in addition to the work of a shepherd, is able to guard, it is used in the army and in the police service. At the same time, he has a balanced character, adequate in difficult situations. This feature allows the use of “Germans” as a guide for the blind. The universal dog has gained great popularity among different segments of the population.

In the last changes to the standard (December 2010), German Shepherds with long hair were recognized with short hair. Their current main focus is a service dog.

During World War II, German Shepherds were widely used in the German army, as well as in the Entente troops and in the Allied armies. During the hostilities, many representatives of the breed died, breeding was practically stopped. Only a few purebred “Germans” remained, using them breeders began to restore the number of sheepdogs.

For the moment, the disappearance of the German Shepherd is not threatened. There are kennels all over the world. These animals are considered one of the most popular.