Breed Profile –
German Shepherd |
The German Shepherd is family dog and a guardian of the home.
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| Group: |
Herding |
Uses: |
Herding, law enforcement, search-and-rescue, protection and performance sports. |
| Color: |
Usually black-and-tan "saddle." Also acceptable: black, black and silver, black and red. Blues, livers and washed-out color are faults. White is a disqualifying fault in AKC conformation, although it is accepted at UKC conformation shows. |
Coat: |
Double coat of medium length desirable; dense outer coat, downy undercoat. |
| Life Span: |
10 to 12 years |
Grooming: |
Brush daily, trim nails regularly, and bathe and clean ears as necessary. |
| Height: |
Females, 22 to 24 inches tall; males, 24 to 26 inches |
Weight: |
75 to 80 pounds |
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General Information
German Shepherds were originally found on German farms, and its type was standardized in the 1890s by a German cavalry officer, Capt. Max Von Stephanitz, whose aim was to perfect a superior herding dog of elegant appearance. The breed was first imported to North America early in the 1900s and got its biggest boost in popularity after World War I, largely because of the screen exploits of Rin Tin Tin. The breed makes a loyal family dog and fearless guardian of the home.
German Shepherds are now renowned for their intelligence. Their intelligence and strength makes the breed desirable as police, guard, and search and rescue dogs, as they are quite adaptable to learn new tasks very quickly and interpret instructions better than other large breeds.
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Physical Characteristics
The German Shepherd has a domed forehead, a long square-cut muzzle and a black nose. They have strong jaws with medium-sized brown eyes.
The ideal height for males is 25 inches at the shoulder, and weight ranges from 75 to 80 pounds. Females are somewhat smaller. German Shepherds can be a variety of colors, the most common of which are the tan/black and red/black varieties. Puppies have floppy ears that stand erect by six or seven months of age. Some dogs have ears that never stand. German Shepherd Dog comes in a wide variety of colors such as black and red, black and cream, all black, all white, sable (with various colorations), black and silver, liver and blue. The fur can range from short and coarse to long and soft in the German Shepherd.
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Health and Training
Exercise is also a consideration for the German Shepherd. Remember, these dogs were bred to work and to be active. Exercise is essential for the German Shepherd’s well-being, both physically and mentally. It provides this athletic breed with much-needed activity, plus it helps him feel like he has a purpose.
Without regular exercise and activity, the breed is foremost susceptible to rheumatism, the symptoms of which are similar to those seen in humans: swelling and stiffening of the affected joints and pain in movement. Because some of the symptoms of this condition are shared by the far more serious hip dysplasia, prompt professional attention is necessary when symptoms are first displayed.
Skin problems are also frequent in the breed. Slow, constant scratching, as opposed to the short burst of scratching associated with fleas, is a sign of skin trouble. If observed early, the majority of these problems can be reduced quickly by veterinary care and diet.
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Use as Working Dogs
German Shepherds are very popular for the use as working dogs. Known well for being police dogs, used for tracking criminals, patrolling troubled areas, and detection and holding of suspect. Additionally 1000's of German Shepherds have been used by the military. Often trained for scout duty, they are used to warn soldiers to the presence of enemies or of booby traps or other hazards.German Shepherds have been trained by military groups to parachute from aircraft.
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