The German Shepherd Dog
The German Shephard also known as the Alsatian, was developed in the late 1800s and early 1900s by Captain Max von Stephanitz to be an all purpose working dog.
This versatile large breed (males and females weighing in between 75 and 95 lbs.) are often used as working dogs excel as sheep herding, guard dog, police and army dog, tracker, search and rescue dog, show or obedience dog, as well as wonderful companion.
The German Shepherd is extremely intelligent and has a very high learning ability, is known as being loyal, fearless, curious, highly adaptable, strong and active dog.
Breed Group
Herding
Size
22 - 26 inches tall (at shoulder)
Weight
77 - 95 lbs
Color(s)
The coat vary in color and most often comes in black and tan (mostly cream), sable or all black.
Coat
The German Shepherd is a medium to long double coat breed. The outer coat is rough, flat, and dense while the under coat is thick and smooth. The Breed comes in three varieties of coat rough coat, long hair, and long rough coat.
Life Expectancy
About 12 - 14 years.
Personality
The German Shephard is esteemed for their deep devotion to his owner and family, this dog thrives on human interaction and may suffer from separation anxiety when left isolated for extended periods of time. Exceptionally wary of strangers and not overly outgoing the German Shepherds should be supervised with visitors and visiting children. However, the German Shepherd is an outstanding companion dog and will do ok with other household pets they have been raised with.
Care
Certain German Shepherds may suffer from hereditary diseases such as hip and elbow dysplasia, von Willebrand’s disease (a blood disorders), Bloat (digestive problems), epilepsy, seasonal or year round skin allergies, eye problem (inflammation of the cornea). This breed requires a quick daily brushing because they are continuous shedder with seasonal heavy shedding bathed them with a mild shampoo rarely (once or twice a year) to avoid skin oil depletion.
Training
The German Shepherd is not recommended for inexperienced owner. With is very strong protective instinct this dog requires early intensive socialization and obedience training to prevent over-guarding when they are an adult. Training must be done with consistency, firmness, fairness, and reward, avoids harsh or heavy-handed methods.
The German Shepherd exceptional intelligence needs to be utilized in some positive way, it is essential that he feels that he has a real job to do, also keeping him busily involved in family activities or agility sport like schutzhund, fly-ball and ring.
Activity
The German Shepherd will do okay in an apartment life if provided with enough exercise, stimulation and challenge. They are relatively inactive indoors and do best with at least a large safely fenced area to play and run freely in.