Last Updated on December 2, 2022 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.
There is no dog more versatile than a German Shepherd. This dog can be a shepherd, a military or military dog, a guard, a defender. Even “Germans” are successful in custody, are excellent companions, guide and get along well with children. Such an animal is suitable for both an experienced and inexperienced dog breeder. But to avoid problems with the Shepherd, the German Shepherd must take several training courses.
| Breed name | Berger allemand |
| Country of origin | Germany |
| Weight | 30 – 40 kg |
| Height (at the withers) | 55 – 60 cm |
| Life expectancy | 13 years |
| Size | Medium |
Photos of the German Shepherd
Characteristics of the German Shepherd
Representatives of this breed are an example of impeccable canine beauty. Previously, sheepdogs were divided into large and small dogs, but later they were reduced to a
The overall look of the physique has a stretched format. The body is harmoniously lean, without coarseness, with strong bones and well-developed muscles.
Height and width. The height at the withers of a male is 60-65 cm, females – 55-60 cm.
The weight of a male is 30-40 kg, which significantly exceeds the body weight of females who weigh only 22-32 kg.
Important
“German Shepherds” do not reach full psychological maturity until they are three years old, and until this age they remain vulnerable, need attention
Read also : Types of German Shepherd
Behavior and character
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.
Note
The German Shepherd is the third smartest dog breed behind the Poodle and the Border Collie.
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.
Note
The German Shepherd can obey several people when other breeds only obey one owner.
Health
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.
Despite the good care given to this great dog, a visit to the vet every 6 months and his vaccination schedule will allow us to enjoy him for a long time. Its current life expectancy is about 13 years.
Basic care
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.
Important
The bite power factor of a German Shepherd dog is 238 PSI, which is slightly higher than the bite force of a Pit bull 235 PSI.
Exercise
The German Shepherd can adapt to apartment living, but he needs a lot of exercise and long walks. He is agile and active and needs to exercise his muscles outdoors. A small garden can help, but it never replaces the rides and play sessions it must have.
Dog sport, like agility, can help maintain a dog’s health. Training dogs is also important in helping to develop the intellectual abilities of the dog.
Read also: German Shepherd puppies: the basics of care and education
How long does the German Shepherd walk?
It is recommended to start walking with a German Shepherd puppy for 5-10 minutes. This time is enough for the dog to begin to familiarize himself with the world around him and to have time to go to the toilet. But you need to go out often – 5-6 times a day immediately after eating.
The duration of the walks is adapted to the age. Three months – 30 minutes, and in six months the usual walking regimen is established – at least an hour.
Fun facts about the German Shepherd
- 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”.
History of the breed
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.
