%20(274%20%C3%97%2048px).png)
The German Shepherd breed is also known as Alsatian, Alsatian wolf dog, Berger Allemand, German Shepherd, Shepherd dog, and Shepherd.
The German Shepherd is a guard dog and a dog that does many activities. The GS has high emotional intelligence and relates well with everyone when well-socialised and educated.
It must possess courage, combativeness and temperament to be suitable as a companion, guard, service and herding dog. It is also a good companion for small children.
- German Shepherd breed. General description
- Appearance and Attributes of the German Shepherd breed
- Price and maintenance German Shepherd breed
- Pros and cons of the German Shepherd breed
- German Shepherd breed. Character and sociability
- The adaptability of the German Shepherd breed
- Care and Health of the German Shepherd breed
- German Shepherd breed and its learning
- The German Shepherd breed Needs Exercise.
German Shepherd breed. General description
His Health is good, and he has no particular deficiencies other than those he shares with other breeds, such as dysplasias. However, it is energetic and vigorous and should be treated appropriately. Training is recommended to enhance its excellent qualities.
It is a medium-sized breed that can weigh up to 40 kg. The German Shepherd Dog is medium-sized, slightly elongated, strong and very muscular, with a dry bone and solid structure. He must be well-balanced, steady of nerves, self-confident, wholly calm and (if not provoked) good-natured, attentive, and docile.
It has two varieties: long-haired and shorthaired. The coat colours are black with red-brown, brown, and yellow to light grey highlights.—single-coloured black, grey with darker shades, black saddle and mask. A small, inconspicuous white patch on the chest and sides is allowed but not desired.
Appearance and Attributes of the German Shepherd breed
The German Shepherd is a medium-sized, slightly elongated, strong, muscular dog with dry bones and a solid structure.
It has a critical physicality and is a multi-purpose breed. It has a peculiar dorsal line that proceeds from the base of the neck, along the high and long withers, straight back, up to the slightly hollow croup, without visible interruption. The head is cone-shaped, the eyes are medium-sized, and it has erect ears of medium size. The neck must be strong.
The lower part, the tail, has a longer coat slightly and is carried, hanging, with a slight curve. The front limbs are straight, and the feet are rounded. The German Shepherd is bred in two varieties: stock hair, rugged and compact hair, and long and tight hair, both with undercoats.
Physical characteristics permitted by the standard:
- Height: 55 to 65 cm
- Weight: 22 to 40 kg
- Longevity: 10 to 14 years
- Colours: black, silver, fiery
- Fur: dense, straight, hard, short, long
- Coat: two-tone, double coat
Price and maintenance German Shepherd breed
The price of a German Shepherd puppy is in the middle range (£500-2500), as are the maintenance costs. The diet must be of excellent quality and well-integrated.
Purchasing is only advisable from experienced breeders who test their breeding stock for hereditary diseases and know how to raise physically and mentally healthy puppies.
Apart from the initial cost, the German Shepherd is generally healthy and does not require professional grooming. However, the cost of enrolling in a work camp for education and possible training should be included in the overhead.
Pros and cons of the German Shepherd breed
Top 5 characteristics:
- Loyalty and escapism
- Tendency to play
- Tendency to bite
- Tendency to hunt prey
- Health and illness
The five most problematic characteristics:
- Need for Exercise
- Vigour
- Suitable as a first dog
- Adaptability to flat life
- Tolerance to hot temperatures
German Shepherd breed. Character and sociability
Character and temperament
“It has a balanced temperament and great temperament.”
The Breed Standard defines the character of the German Shepherd as follows: The German Shepherd must be well-balanced, steady of temperament, self-confident, completely easy-going and (if unprovoked) good-natured, as well as alert and docile.
He must possess courage, combativeness and temperament to be suitable as a companion, guard, protection, service and herding dog. I could say so much about the great qualities of the German Shepherd as it has all the tremendous affective, physical, character and working potential that has made it such a popular breed.
Affection for the family
“Excellent affection for the family.”
Of all breeds, the German Shepherd is considered the most suitable dog for family life as it can interact with every family member, from children to older people, with the same effectiveness and affection.
It will have an eye for its owner, who it considers to be its pack leader, who will have absolute responsibility for its education, training and socialisation.
Friendly with children
“Excellent affection for children.”
Despite its size, the GS is a very child-friendly dog due to its patient and playful character. He happily entertains the little ones and can keep them entertained. In addition, he is attentive to their every need.
He is an irreplaceable nanny who knows how to be with children playfully but also responsibly. In any case, the presence of an adult to supervise the interaction between child and dog is essential.
Relationship with strangers
“Very tolerant towards strangers.”
As already stated, the German Shepherd is an excellent guard dog that does its job with passion. However, socialisation and education are necessary for the German Shepherd to have the basis on which to base its perceptions and judge when and whether to intervene.
The GS is always friendly, even towards strangers who are not dangerous to his family and home.
Sociality with other dogs
“Medium sociable with other dogs.”
Socialisation from puppyhood onwards is essential for him to be able to live with other dogs and animals. However, it is necessary to consider the German Shepherd’s size and make him interact with dogs of his size, as he may be unintentionally abusive towards small dogs.
Must read:
The adaptability of the German Shepherd breed
Adaptability to flat life
“Not suitable for flat life only.”
Due to its size, responsiveness and inclination, the German Shepherd is a dog that prefers outdoor life and needs ample space to maintain its high standards of activity.
The conditions for allowing this dog to share a balanced life involve outdoor space, a courtyard or a garden. Due to its size and physicality, the German Shepherd needs to move and be able to interact outdoors.
Tolerance of being alone
“It has a medium tolerance for being alone.”
The German Shepherd is a guard dog whose main task is defending his owner, family, and home. For this reason, the German Shepherd can be alone for a few hours: he has responsibility for his territory. This behaviour satisfies him as the task gives him an active sense of belonging within the family.
He must not be left to his own devices and take advantage of his valuable company. Of course, work demands are obligatory, but spending time with one’s four-legged friend is also an absolute responsibility.
Suitable as a first dog
“Unsuitable as a first dog.”
The German Shepherd has many qualities, making it a multi-purpose breed well suited to any owner, from the most experienced to the dog-loving beginner. The German Shepherd is considered the breed par excellence, as it manages to be the best companion for any owner.
It is also very suitable as a first dog because it is very malleable and capable of understanding its owner’s wishes. But it will need to be educated and socialised to meet all the expectations one has of it.
Tolerance to cold temperatures
“Good tolerance to cold temperatures.”
The German Shepherd shows resistance to cold temperatures, whether long-haired or shorthaired. Therefore, he must have a dry, sheltered place to take refuge during winter. However, the cold does not frighten him as his coat defends him well.
Tolerance to hot temperatures
“Medium tolerant to hot temperatures.”
The German Shepherd shows all its physical prowess and the perfect combination of characters to not suffer too much from the heat. During the winter, the German Shepherd must also have a place to shelter in the summer, which must be calm and shady during this season. It must always have fresh water available.
Care and Health of the German Shepherd breed
Care and hair loss
“Average hair loss.”
Both long and short hairs undergo two seasonal moults per year. During these periods, frequent coat brushing is sufficient to avoid shedding.
Salivation and drool containment
“Average drooling.”
The German Shepherd does not have significant drooling if there is no ongoing inflammation or infection of the oral cavity. However, checking the mouth, teeth, and gums weekly ensures everything is normal.
Ease of cleaning
“Average ease of grooming.”
Grooming the German Shepherd is relatively simple. Weekly brushing and combing are sufficient to keep the coat in excellent condition. Bathing should not be too frequent to avoid removing the grease that protects the coat and skin, but it will be as needed. In addition, weekly mouth, ear, and eye inspections are essential to ensure no abnormalities.
Health and illness
“Good general health.”
There are generally few diseases that can affect the German Shepherd. Unfortunately, these problems are also quite common for many other breeds. Indicatively, one should pay attention to disorders originating from the musculoskeletal system.
In this case, reference is made to pathologies such as dysplasia of the hips and elbows. Other possible pathologies may concern some degenerative nature at the spine level.
Tendency to put on weight
“Stays in shape easily.”
This dog is not accustomed to the sedentary life of the flat, and the preference for daily life in the open air facilitates maintaining good fitness. Specific control of the diet will help to keep a good figure. In addition to a regulated diet, the German Shepherd should have the opportunity to exercise daily.
German Shepherd breed and its learning
Do you want to train your dog? Then, why not try this online course on developing your dog’s “Hidden Intelligence.”
Intelligence and training
”Excellent intelligence in training.“
The German Shepherd is a very reliable dog. It is quickly socialised and educated, and the training is a great pleasure for the dog and the handler. Its intelligence is proverbial as it is very malleable and adapts well to different activities.
The GS is employed not only as a member of the family but also by the police as an anti-drug and bomb-sniffing dog, as an aid to the visually impaired, and as a helper in earthquake and flood searches and other jobs; he can handle excellent efficiency and dedication. So naturally, he will need expert training to be employed in various activities. However, he has no limits and knows how to prove his talent in every job.
Loyalty and escapes
“Very loyal with little tendency to run away.“
The German Shepherd is a very loyal animal that tends to be challenging to separate from its owner. This characteristic develops in an animal raised in a safe environment and with a responsible owner who can nurture and develop this breed’s main features.
In this sense, its inclination to be a guarding animal helps to develop this sense of belonging to the family, thus further limiting what may be this dog’s inclination to escape.
Tendency to bite
“High self-control in biting.”
The German Shepherd’s bite is used almost exclusively to defend himself and his family members. However, his intelligence makes him realise when to go further. He has a very effective sporting bite, but he would not rush at someone unless there was a more valid reason.
Tendency to hunt prey
“It may tend to chase prey.”
The German Shepherd’s tendency to chase prey is not specific. As repeatedly stated, the German Shepherd is a multi-purpose dog, not a hunting dog. It may chase something just for fun or out of curiosity, but not really for hunting. It could, however, become deleterious if over-excited.
Tendency to bark or howl
“Tendency to bark or howl average.”
Like any good guard dog, the GS also barks at the presence of strangers in its territory. It may also howl when it hears sirens or bells or respond to the barking of other dogs. In any case, when the German Shepherd barks, the owner must pay attention to him.
The German Shepherd breed Needs Exercise.
Energy level
“Excellent energy levels.”
A German Shepherd’s energy levels are always very high. They must be adequately managed through outings in the open air, in large spaces where he can move freely, and in interaction that allows stress levels to be consumed effectively. Therefore, this Exercise mainly serves to maintain his Health and figure to excellent standards.
Vigour
”High level of vigour.”
The physical appearance of the GS makes it much more explicit about its vigour. Moreover, its particular set-up of the hind legs, mainly due to the inclination of the spinal column, allows an unequal driving thrust in the canine world.
This characteristic also allows it to develop energy and strength in perfect aerodynamics. Of course, carrying a German Shepherd capable of producing such vigour on a leash will not be easy. Still, a minimum of education is sufficient for it to walk without expressing too much energy.
Need for exercise
“Much need for daily exercise.”
The need for Exercise is a characteristic developed daily and constantly for the GS. Therefore, it is not only a question of physical health but also a question of mental Health. Therefore, a German Shepherd that develops adequate daily Exercise is a healthy dog that can respond promptly and intelligently to its owner’s input.
It is always advisable to develop varied activities in at least two outings in open spaces, in which the dog can vent the stress accumulated at home during the day.
Tendency to play
“Highest tendency to play.”
As with all dogs characterised by intelligence and dynamism, the German Shepherd can also develop a pretty varied interaction characterised by play. This specific aspect is linked to the dog’s need to be able to interact with its owner, eliminate high levels of daily stress, and develop a constant search for new and challenging activities.
The German Shepherd has an excellent predisposition for a playful activity that it expresses well with children.
German Shepherd Club and other links to sources:
- The Kennel Club German Shepherd
- British Association for German Shepherd Dog
- German Shepherd Owners Club UK
Thank you for reading the article to the end. Your reading contribution was significant to us.
Affiliate Disclosure: The Frenchie Breed website may receive a small commission from the proceeds of any product(s) sold through affiliate and direct partner links at no cost to you.
Follow Frenchie Breed on Google News
Post a Comment