The German Shepherd is a robust, athletic and enduring dog. It has a very harmonious body and is built for physical effort. For 10 years, he has reigned as master on the 1st place of the podium of the favorite dogs of the French. The German Shepherd is a complete dog, tireless, docile, vigilant and very attached to its owner.
History of the breed
The methodical breeding started in 1889. This breed was created by Captain Max Fréderic Emile Von Stephanitz from the crossing of central and southern German sheepdogs. The goal was to create a very intelligent and physically strong utility dog for herding.
It was not until the end of the 19th century and the industrial revolution in Germany that the first German Shepherds were bred. Then, Captain Von Stephanitz defined the breed. A German Shepherd is essentially a working dog. A versatile dog, the German Shepherd is useful in many fields. During the First World War, it accompanied the German army and was particularly intended to rescue wounded soldiers.
As the herds disappeared, the evolution of the breed pushed man to use the German Shepherd’s faculties to make it a police dog, war dog, guide dog or health dog.
Physical characteristics
Its hair: short and hard is very dense. Lined with a rich undercoat, the hair lies flat along the body.
Its color: the most common is black and tan. It can also have black with shades of brown, reddish brown or yellow to light gray.
His head: well proportioned to the size of the dog with a reasonable width between the ears. It is not too heavy nor too elongated. In general appearance, the head has a pronounced and powerful muzzle.
Ears: are of medium size and broad at the base. Symmetrical, they are carried straight and end in a point.
Its eyes : remain almond-shaped and must be as dark as possible.
His body : rather elongated and rather rectilinear gives way to a muscular and slightly plunging back. It has a slightly sloping croup. Pure trotter, it has a harmonious pace with ample movements.
Tail: Must reach at least to the hock. On its inner side, the hair is longer. It is carried hanging, but when he is in full action or excited it rises considerably without going above the horizontal.
Education
The German Shepherd is the epitome of versatility. A working dog par excellence, it can be trained as a police dog, herding dog, tracker and guide dog. As a companion dog, his suspicious nature towards strangers and his past as a sheepdog make him a good guard dog since he naturally defends his territory.
For education, it proves to be very docile and very intelligent, even if it recognizes only one master. It is important to socialize him and get him used to strangers or public places, because his distrust for the unknown is important to take into account. Moreover, this breed can sometimes suffer from separation anxiety and you will often have to travel with it.
Living conditions
Very active, the German Shepherd can stay outside in any season. It is more adapted to the life in the countryside. However, life in the city and in an apartment is not impossible as long as you take him out frequently and offer him regular physical activities. It is also a dog that does not tolerate solitude. If he feels lonely, bored or not exercised enough, he will show his frustration by chewing everything he can or by barking excessively.
Health
The German Shepherd Dog, like all medium and large dogs, is genetically susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism and von Willebrand disease. Screening and selection of animals at breeding have greatly reduced the risk. Apart from that, its life expectancy is good (12 years).