| Other Names of The German Shepherd Dog: | | | | Females: 22 – 24 inches |
| Alsatian, Deutscher Schaferhund, GSD. | | | | German Shepherd Dog Health Issues/Life |
| German Shepherd Dog Temperament | | | | Expectancy |
| The German Shepherd dog is amongst the most | | | | This dog breed on average has a lifespan of 10 |
| intelligent of dogs and its versatility and excellence | | | | – 12 years. Due to rather intense in breeding |
| in performing all manner of activities has secured | | | | over the years the German Shepherd dog |
| its eternal position in the hall of fame when it | | | | suffers from a number of genetic disorders which |
| comes to policing duties, search and rescue, | | | | include the following: |
| military functions such as bomb sniffing and even | | | | Major Concerns: |
| as sight-seeing dogs for people who are blind or | | | | CHD |
| those with impaired eyesight. The German | | | | Elbow Dysplasia |
| Shepherd is a quick study and due to their innate | | | | Minor Concerns: |
| high intelligence are very easy to train. | | | | PanosteitisvWD |
| These dogs are active, alert and like many other | | | | Degenerative Myelopathy |
| animals of a high intelligence and active nature the | | | | Cauda Equina |
| German Shepherd needs to be constantly | | | | Skin Allergies |
| challenged and stimulated both physically and | | | | Hot Spots |
| mentally to avoid becoming a nuisance. That said, | | | | Neoplasms |
| this dog breed makes a great companion and is | | | | Pannus |
| both brave and loyal. Though some dogs tend to | | | | Cataract |
| be somewhat aloof and wary by and large this | | | | Gastric Torsion |
| dog breed makes for a great family pet and they | | | | Perianal Fistulas |
| generally get on well with children. Occasionally | | | | Cardiomyopathy |
| certain dogs may become a tad domineering with | | | | Hemangiosarcoma |
| children which may manifest in the form of the | | | | German Shepherd dogs are also extremely |
| German Shepherd trying to herd them about; in | | | | susceptible to a potentially fatal systemic infection |
| keeping with its breeding pedigree. | | | | from the fungus Aspergillus. |
| German Shepherd dogs have excellent watchdog | | | | German Shepherd Dog History |
| ability and are typically wary of both strangers | | | | The modern German Shepherd dog is the end |
| and other dogs. Early socialization is a must if your | | | | result of a concerted effort in the late 19th |
| dog is going to be around other animals. As far as | | | | century to breed the perfect German sheep |
| climate tolerance is concerned these dogs adapt | | | | herding dog. Up until that time each district |
| fairly well to moderate cold as well as moderate | | | | boasted its own distinct herding dog. To achieve |
| heat, though extremes in either direction | | | | the perfect herding dog various dog breeds from |
| don’t go down well. | | | | the north were crossbred with those from the |
| German Shepherd Dog Grooming & Exercise | | | | central district ultimately resulting with the |
| Requirements | | | | forbearer of the modern German Shepherd. |
| The German Shepherd boasts a high energy level | | | | The goal of the German Shepherd dog breeding |
| and thus this dog breed requires plenty of | | | | program was to produce a dog that could watch |
| exercise on a daily basis. Its grooming | | | | out for and control straying sheep from the rest |
| requirements however are not quite as | | | | of the flock without spooking the entire flock. |
| demanding and its coat only requires brushing | | | | Thus unlike cattle herding dogs it was undesirable |
| once or twice a week. The German Shepherd is a | | | | for the German Shepherd dog to exhibit leg |
| moderate to heavy shedder and thus is perhaps | | | | nipping and neither could it control its wards by |
| not the best choice of dog for allergy sufferers. | | | | barking at them because either one of those |
| German Shepherd Dog Appearance | | | | attributes would more than likely cause the entire |
| The body of the German Shepherd dog is | | | | flock to panic! |
| typically longer than it is tall and in the modern | | | | In essence the German Shepherd dog breeding |
| variant when the animal is standing the body | | | | program had to come up with an extremely |
| slopes downwards as though the dog is poised to | | | | intelligent, versatile, swift and independent thinking |
| spring off of its hind legs. This was not always the | | | | breed of dog that executed its duties in a precise, |
| case, the early variant of the German Shepherd | | | | swift, calm and steady manner. |
| dog having a squarer body and less slanting | | | | Between 1899 and 1901 a specialist breed club |
| haunches. The tail is usually bushy and hangs with | | | | was established and was originally headquartered |
| a slight curve. | | | | in Stuttgart before moving to Munich and then |
| This dog breed boasts an athletic build and erect | | | | finally ending up in Berlin. This club was known as |
| ears atop a head with a pointed snout which | | | | Der Verein Fur Schaferhunde (SV for short), and |
| enhances the alert appearance of the dog. Coat | | | | this organization’s primary goal and purpose |
| color may vary and includes the following: black, | | | | was to oversee the continued positive |
| black and tan and sable. From a show dog | | | | development of the German Shepherd dog breed. |
| perspective white-coated dogs are not allowed | | | | Within a decade of its breeding the German |
| although of recent there is a movement for such | | | | Shepherd dog had soon become one of the most |
| specimens to be represented in their own | | | | popular dog breeds in the world. Its rising star in |
| sub-category. | | | | popularity was slightly marred by the occurrence |
| This dog breed has a double coat with a thick | | | | of the two world wars, when it was considered |
| outer coat comprised of close lying medium-length | | | | prudent in both Britain and France to refer to the |
| hair that may be straight or slightly wavy. | | | | dog breed as either an Alsatian or simple the |
| Weight: Males: 75 – 100 pounds | | | | Shepherd Dog to avoid the inevitable backlash at |
| Females: 60 – 80 | | | | the time associated with the word German |
| pounds | | | | incorporated in the dog breed’s name. |
| Height: Males: 24 – 26 inches | | | | |