GERMAN SHEPHERD
APPEARANCE
German Shepherds are a large-breed dog. They have a domed forehead, a long square-cut muzzle and a black nose. The jaws are strong, with a scissor-like bite. The eyes are medium-sized and brown with a lively, intelligent, and self-assured look. German Shepherds can be a variety of colours, the most common of which are the tan/black and red/black varieties. The German Shepherd Dog weighs in at 60-80 pounds for females, and 75-100 pounds for males.
PERSONALITY
German Shepherds are highly active dogs. The breed is marked by a willingness to learn and an eagerness to have a purpose. Shepherds have a loyal nature and bond well with people they know. He is often used as a military, police or search and rescue dog. This breed thrives on human interaction from their family and does not like to be left alone for extended periods of time.
TRAINING
The breed is uniquely intelligent and eager to learn and perform new tasks. Training must be done with respect, firmness, fairness, reward, and consistency. German Shepherds are a very popular selection for use as working dogs. They are especially well known for their police work, being used for tracking criminals, patrolling troubled areas, and detection and holding of suspects. Additionally thousands of German Shepherds have been used by the military.
EXERCISE
The German Shepherd Dog needs regular physical and mental exercise. A vigorous run or challenging game is ideal. The German Shepherd will need regular exercise, including daily walks and regular runs, although this should obviously be either in a safe and secured area or on the leash. German Shepherd Dog also loves to go on a nice long walk.
SOCIALIZATION
The German Shepherd Dog can become over-protective of their family and territory, especially if not socialized correctly. The German Shepherd is known to get along very well with children, although you should bear in mind his size if you have younger children. Early socialization is important if you have other pets, as these dogs may chase smaller animals such as cats, and can also be aggressive or dominant with other dogs of the same sex. German Shepherds are exceptionally wary of strangers.
LIVING CONDITIONS
The German Shepherd Dog can adapt to slightly confined living quarters since it is quite inactive indoors. However, it needs to receive a moderate amount of exercise, preferably in a large yard.
GROOMING
German Shepherds has a double coat. The outer coat sheds all year round and depending on length, the it should be brushed daily or twice a week to keep the dog looking clean. Bathing should only be done when absolutely necessary using a mild shampoo to preserve the integrity of the coat. German Shepherd Dog is a heavy shedder all year round, and is therefore not well suited to allergy sufferers.
HEALTH ISSUES
The average lifespan of a German Shepherd is 10-12 years. Health issue is hip and elbow dysplasia which may lead to the dog experiencing pain in later life, and may cause arthritis.Due to the large and open nature of their ears, Shepherds also are prone to ear infections.German Shepherds, like all large bodied dogs, also are prone to bloat.
HISTORY
The German Shepherd Dog is a mixture of various dog breeds from Wurtemberg, Thurginia and Bavaria. Today the German Shepherd is one of the most popular breeds in the world used in police work and military work, guard dogs, search and rescue. The bred was registered with the AKC in 1908.
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