It can be hard to determine the German Shepherd’s exact origins; however, there is evidence that they have been around for hundreds of years and possibly longer. A group of working dogs was developed sometime in the 16th or 17th century. These dogs worked with their owners to guard sheep and cattle against predators in Germany. Around this time, the first German Shepherd litter was born. Because these dogs were so adaptable and intelligent already, many different tasks were performed by them. They were used for herding, tracking, guarding, and many other tasks.
The original German Shepherds were large double-coated dogs with long muzzles and thick fur coats that typically covered both the front and rear legs. These dogs had a unique and courageous temperament. They protected their owners from danger and were also used in dangerous situations such as search and rescue (SAR) and police work. The breed’s large size, agility, intelligence, loyalty, and strong protective instincts made it a perfect working dog.
The AKC recognized the German Shepherd in 1909. It was previously known as the Deutscher Schaferhund or German Shepherd Dog. German Shepherds are a widely popular dog breed in the United States. They have been used for many jobs, such as police work, search and rescue, and herding.
German Shepherds are the second most popular breed of dog in the United States. They are also the most common breed used in police work. They are brilliant and can learn new commands very quickly. However, they may become bored easily if you do not provide them with enough mental and physical stimulation.
Physique
German Shepherds are very popular among American families. They come in four different sizes: standard, medium, miniature, and toy—the standard German Shepherd measures from 58 to 64 centimeters at the withers (shoulders). The medium German Shepherd measures approximately 61 to 66 centimeters at the withers. The miniature German Shepherd is about 55 to 59 centimeters at the withers. And the toy German Shepherd stands about 45 to 48 centimeters at the withers. German Shepherds are typically white, but purebreds can also come in black, fawn, sable, brindle, gray, or blue.
A German Shepherd dog can live up to 17 years. German Shepherds are very loyal dogs who bond strongly with their families.
The German Shepherd is a medium-sized dog with a sturdy and muscular build fast becoming a popular pet. German Shepherds are energetic, loyal, intelligent, and protective dogs. They are huge dogs that can weigh anywhere between 50-90 pounds. The typical German Shepherd comes in white or sometimes black coloring. They have a glossy coat that is dense enough to have a thick feel but not so dense that it will weigh the dog down. A German Shepherd’s coat is easy to groom and doesn’t need much maintenance throughout their lives. German Shepherds have one double-layered coat, the outer guard coat, a soft undercoat, and the inner woolly coat. This coat provides proper insulation and serves as another layer of protection from the weather and other dangers.
German Shepherds also have a deep chest which allows them to have excellent lung capacity. As a result of the deep chest, the dog can run long distances without fatigue or exertion.
German Shepherds are large dogs with a stocky and muscular build that is generally slightly longer than it is tall. This breed has a broad chest and shoulders, and its hindquarters are usually somewhat higher than the shoulders. Its legs should be straight with oval feet and tough pads. The tail should curve upward even when the dog is relaxed.
The German Shepherd’s head is broad with a strong muzzle and wide skull. Its eyes should be dark in color with small, oval-shaped, dark amber if it has brown or blue colored eyes or small round amber colored if it has light-colored eyes. Its ears are small and pointed, but they can have a slight drop at the tip. The muzzle is squared with a firm bite. It has deep lips, which usually hold a white or pink tongue.
German Shepherds have heavy bodies and stocky legs that allow them to move quickly across wide-open areas. They are powerful dogs that can carry large amounts of equipment, including dogs, sleds, wheelbarrows, or food from one place to another. As a result of their larger size, GSDs typically have short coats.
The German Shepherd’s coat can take two forms: rough or long-haired. The hairs of the rough coat are typically coarse and short. The long-haired coat is longer, thicker, and has more undercoat than on the rough skin. German Shepherds can come in any color, from white to fawn to black.
A German Shepherd’s coat is about 4 to 5 inches long and 2 to 3 inches wide. Sometimes, when the dog is active or excited, it may “feathered” out. This feathering occurs due to the cold air that the dog breathes through its nose and the quick heat loss through its back which causes the hair to stand up. This feathering can vary from soft downy coats to stiff silky coats. The GSD coat colors are black and red, black and tan, tan and white, or white with brown markings. Typically, these dogs have an almost black color that may appear gray in a particular light. Many people will bathe their German Shepherds a few times a year to prevent their coats’ matting.
What You’ll Love About the German Shepherd
The German Shepherd is a prevalent breed of dog that is just as much at home working or playing as it is close to its families. German Shepherds are intelligent, loyal, and loving dogs that require proper training and attention to grow into the appropriate dog that all families need.
German Shepherds are widely known for their police work skills, herding, and search and rescue, but they are also active in many other fields. Many serve as guide dogs for the blind and as service animals for people with disabilities. Some are trained to detect drugs or explosives for the police departments. They can be also be trained to work as therapy animals and become beloved companion dogs.
Because of their intelligence, this dog is an excellent watchdog and companion. German Shepherd dogs are great watchdogs, and these dogs love to play with children. The dog is very obedient to commands and can be trained through positive reinforcement.
Besides being a beautiful dog, German Shepherd dogs are also strong and full of energy. They have a lot of stamina and a powerful bite. These dogs are very active, and they will need plenty of exercise. If not trained well, German Shepherd dogs can be stubborn, and they have the potential to become aggressive toward strangers. They don’t like to be left alone, and if they don’t get enough exercise, they can become destructive toward their furniture and possessions. German Shepherds must be given plenty of mental and physical stimulation — this will help prevent behavior problems from developing down the road.
German Shepherds need to be with their families and are very loyal. The German Shepherd is very dedicated to its family, and it will protect them at all costs. They bond very closely with children and prefer to be in the middle of family action. An isolated dog is likely to become grumpy or depressed. German Shepherds can live peacefully with other pets if properly introduced, but care must be taken when introducing a new adult dog to a home with other pets. If not trained early, they can be hard-headed once grown.
German Shepherds are very intelligent and easy to train — an undereducated puppy can be housebroken by age three months; a dog trained in obedience, tracking and herding can qualify as a therapy dog. German Shepherds get along well with other animals and people. They are aloof with strangers but can become leaders of the pack is allowed.
The German Shepherd was bred to be an intense and courageous guardian of his owners and his surroundings. German Shepherds are often used as police dogs because of this protective nature. They are also commonly used in search-and-rescue missions because they have a strong sense of smell and a strong desire to protect their humans.
What You’ll Hate About the German Shepherd
This dog is not for everyone because of its stubbornness. A dog with a solid headstrong personality can be hard to train. This dog is also not a couch- potato dog. The German Shepherd requires regular exercise, and it will need to be taken on long walks every day.
Due to its size, this dog is not very good with kids that are smaller than four feet tall. This breed is also energy-intensive and needs plenty of room to run around in. If you live in an apartment, then this is not the right dog for you.
German Shepherds are excellent watchdogs, but they may bark too much and disturb the neighbors. These dogs will get along with other dogs if they have been introduced to them when they were puppies. However, these dogs can be aggressive toward dogs half their size or more significant if not adequately trained. They can also be aggressive toward other pets, especially if the dog is allowed to romp in a yard free of fences while the cat stays in its area.
German Shepherds are brilliant dogs and can be trained for many tasks. However, with a solid headstrong personality, this dog may be challenging to train. These dogs can be very stubborn, and they require firm but patient training to get the most out of them. If you’re not such a patient person when it comes to training German Shepherds, you should enlist the help of a dog trainer or an obedience-oriented breed-specific dog training school that provides these services for your dog.
In Summary
If you want a dog that will protect you and love you unconditionally throughout its lifetime, then this is the dog for you. German Shepherds are very obedient dogs that can be easily trained through positive reinforcement. These dogs can be used as watchdogs, and some of them are trained as police dogs because of their protective nature. German Shepherds have been used as police dogs worldwide.
