Dog Breeds - German Shepherd Dog

Breed Attributes & Qualities

CARING WITH FAMILY + Independent Lovey-Dovey
The level of fondness a breed tends to exhibit towards their family members and acquaintances. Certain breeds may display aloofness towards everyone except their owner, while other breeds treat all familiar faces as if they were their closest companions.
LOVE WITH CHILDREN + Unwise Good With Children
The degree of patience and compatibility a breed shows towards children's conduct, as well as their overall family-friendly disposition. It is crucial to always supervise dogs when they are in the presence of young children or children of any age who have limited experience or exposure to dogs.
BEHAVIOR WITH DOGS + Unwise Good With Other Dogs
The general amicability of a breed towards other dogs. While it is always important to supervise dog interactions and introductions certain breeds tend to have a natural inclination to get along well with other dogs both in home environments and in public settings.

SHEDDING LEVELS & MANAGEMENT No Shedding Hair Everywhere +
The amount of fur and hair that can be anticipated from a particular breed. Breeds that shed heavily will necessitate more frequent brushing are more prone to trigger specific allergies and are more likely to require regular vacuuming and lint-rolling to manage the shedding.
COAT GROOMING STANDARDS Monthly Daily +
The grooming needs of a breed, including bathing, brushing, trimming, and other forms of coat maintenance. It is essential to take into account the time, patience and budget you can allocate for such care when considering the grooming requirements. Additionally, all breeds require regular nail trimming as part of their routine care.
DROOLING INTENSITY Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel +
The tendency of a breed to drool. If you prioritize cleanliness and find it undesirable for dogs to leave slobber trails on your arm or create significant wet spots on your clothes breeds that are prone to excessive drooling may not be the ideal choice for you
COAT TYPE +
Double
COAT LENGTH +
Medium

FRIENDLINESS Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend +
The level of friendliness a breed typically exhibits towards strangers. Certain breeds may display reserved or cautious behavior around unfamiliar individuals regardless of the setting, whereas other breeds will eagerly greet new people whenever they are encountered.
LIVELINESS Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop +
The level of enthusiasm a breed typically displays towards play, even beyond the puppy stage. Some breeds will maintain a strong desire to engage in interactive games like tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be content to spend most of their time relaxing on the couch with you.
VIGILANCE INTENSITY What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant +
The breed's inclination to alert you of the presence of strangers. These breeds are more likely to react to potential threats, whether it's the arrival of the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. Furthermore, these breeds are prone to warming up to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.
ADAPTATION CAPACITY Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable +
The adaptability of a breed to handle changes. This encompasses adjustments to living conditions, noise levels, weather, daily routines and other variations in day-to-day life.

OBEDIENCE LEVEL Self-Willed Eager to Please +
The ease of training your dog and their willingness to learn new things. Certain breeds are highly motivated to please their owners and are eager to learn, while others may exhibit a more independent nature preferring to do as they please, when and where they please.
STAMINA LEVEL Couch Potato High Energy +
The level of exercise and mental stimulation a breed requires. High-energy breeds are typically ready for action and enthusiastic about their next adventure. They tend to engage in activities like running, jumping and playing throughout the day. On the other hand, low-energy breeds are more inclined to be like couch potatoes content with lounging around and snoozing for extended periods of time.
VOCALIZATION Only To Alert Very Vocal +
The frequency of vocalization in a breed, whether through barks or howls. Some breeds tend to bark at every passerby or even at birds at the window, while others only bark in specific situations. It is worth noting that some barkless breeds may still be vocal and use alternative sounds to express themselves.
LEARNING CURIOSITY LEVEL Loaf Needs an Activity +
The level of mental stimulation a breed requires to maintain their happiness and overall well-being. Purpose-bred dogs, in particular may have jobs that involve decision-making, problem-solving, concentration and other mentally engaging tasks. Without sufficient mental exercise, these dogs may resort to creating their own activities to keep their minds occupied, which may not align with the preferred activities you have in mind.

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CARING WITH FAMILY Independent Lovey-Dovey
The level of fondness a breed tends to exhibit towards their family members and acquaintances. Certain breeds may display aloofness towards everyone except their owner, while other breeds treat all familiar faces as if they were their closest companions.
LOVE WITH CHILDREN Unwise Good With Children
The degree of patience and compatibility a breed shows towards children's conduct, as well as their overall family-friendly disposition. It is crucial to always supervise dogs when they are in the presence of young children or children of any age who have limited experience or exposure to dogs.
BEHAVIOR WITH DOGS Unwise Good With Other Dogs
The general amicability of a breed towards other dogs. While it is always important to supervise dog interactions and introductions certain breeds tend to have a natural inclination to get along well with other dogs both in home environments and in public settings.
SHEDDING LEVELS & MANAGEMENT No Shedding Hair Everywhere
The amount of fur and hair that can be anticipated from a particular breed. Breeds that shed heavily will necessitate more frequent brushing are more prone to trigger specific allergies and are more likely to require regular vacuuming and lint-rolling to manage the shedding.
COAT GROOMING STANDARDS Monthly Daily
The grooming needs of a breed, including bathing, brushing, trimming, and other forms of coat maintenance. It is essential to take into account the time, patience and budget you can allocate for such care when considering the grooming requirements. Additionally, all breeds require regular nail trimming as part of their routine care.
DROOLING INTENSITY Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
The tendency of a breed to drool. If you prioritize cleanliness and find it undesirable for dogs to leave slobber trails on your arm or create significant wet spots on your clothes breeds that are prone to excessive drooling may not be the ideal choice for you
COAT STYLES GUIDE
Double
COAT SPECTRUM
Medium
FRIENDLINESS Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
The level of friendliness a breed typically exhibits towards strangers. Certain breeds may display reserved or cautious behavior around unfamiliar individuals regardless of the setting, whereas other breeds will eagerly greet new people whenever they are encountered.
LIVELINESS Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
The level of enthusiasm a breed typically displays towards play, even beyond the puppy stage. Some breeds will maintain a strong desire to engage in interactive games like tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be content to spend most of their time relaxing on the couch with you.
VIGILANCE INTENSITY What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
The breed's inclination to alert you of the presence of strangers. These breeds are more likely to react to potential threats, whether it's the arrival of the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. Furthermore, these breeds are prone to warming up to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.
ADAPTATION CAPACITY Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
The adaptability of a breed to handle changes. This encompasses adjustments to living conditions, noise levels, weather, daily routines and other variations in day-to-day life.
OBEDIENCE LEVEL Self-Willed Eager to Please
The ease of training your dog and their willingness to learn new things. Certain breeds are highly motivated to please their owners and are eager to learn, while others may exhibit a more independent nature preferring to do as they please, when and where they please.
STAMINA LEVEL Couch Potato High Energy
The level of exercise and mental stimulation a breed requires. High-energy breeds are typically ready for action and enthusiastic about their next adventure. They tend to engage in activities like running, jumping and playing throughout the day. On the other hand, low-energy breeds are more inclined to be like couch potatoes content with lounging around and snoozing for extended periods of time.
VOCALIZATION Only To Alert Very Vocal
Medium
LEARNING CURIOSITY LEVEL Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
The level of mental stimulation a breed requires to maintain their happiness and overall well-being. Purpose-bred dogs, in particular may have jobs that involve decision-making, problem-solving, concentration and other mentally engaging tasks. Without sufficient mental exercise, these dogs may resort to creating their own activities to keep their minds occupied, which may not align with the preferred activities you have in mind.
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About The Breed

The German Shepherd Dog is widely regarded as one of the finest all-purpose working breeds. It possesses a combination of size, agility, strength, nobility, and high intelligence. This breed is known for its loyalty, confidence, courage, and steady temperament, making it a favorite among dog enthusiasts. German Shepherds typically reach a height of up to 26 inches at the shoulder featuring smooth and graceful curves in their outline rather than sharp angles. They have a natural and free-and-easy trot although they can accelerate to high speeds when necessary.

German Shepherds possess numerous commendable traits, but their character is often regarded as their defining feature. They exhibit loyalty, courage and confidence making them adept at learning and carrying out various tasks. Additionally, German Shepherds are known for their willingness to protect their loved ones often placing their own lives at risk. While they can be gentle family pets and reliable guardians the breed standard highlights that they tend to maintain a certain aloofness making them selective in forming immediate and indiscriminate friendships.

What to Expect When Caring for a German Shepherd

Owning a dog is indeed a significant responsibility that extends far beyond providing the basic necessities of food and shelter. Dogs as sentient beings require a comprehensive level of care that encompasses physical health emotional well-being and mental stimulation.

Anticipating the Needs of Your German Shepherd Dog: Insights and Tips.

Taking a dog under your wing is no small favor; it's a true commitment. These devoted pets count on us for life's necessities such as food and a safe abode, however, they are entitled to a greater level of care.

Health

	Most German Shepherds are generally considered to be healthy dogs. Responsible breeders often prioritize the screening of breeding stock for various health conditions such as degenerative myelopathy, elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These measures aim to ensure the overall health and well-being of the breed. However, it is worth noting that German Shepherds like many larger breeds can be prone to certain health issues. One such condition is bloat which refers to a sudden and potentially life-threatening swelling of the abdomen. It is important for owners to educate themselves about the symptoms and seek immediate veterinary attention if bloat is suspected. Recommended Health Tests from the National Breed Club: Hip Evaluation Temperament Test Elbow Evaluation

Grooming

	The German Shepherd Dog possesses a medium-length, double coat that consists of a dense, harsh and close-lying outer coat, along with a softer undercoat. In terms of maintenance this breed is generally easy to care for. Regular brushing every few days is usually sufficient to remove loose hairs and keep the coat in good condition. However, during shedding seasons which occur once or twice a year more frequent brushing may be necessary to manage the amount of hair around the house and on furniture. Bathing requirements for German Shepherds are relatively infrequent and they typically only need an occasional bath to maintain cleanliness. It is important to pay attention to their nails and trim or grind them every month especially if they are not naturally worn down. Overly long nails can cause discomfort and potentially lead to structural issues.

Exercise

	Due to their active and athletic nature, German Shepherds require ample exercise to maintain their physical and mental well-being. Insufficient exercise can lead to frustration and the development of undesirable behaviors. For puppies, it is recommended to start with short walks on a daily basis along with supervised play sessions in a securely fenced area. It's important to note that even well-trained dogs should not be let off-leash as they can get easily distracted and fail to follow commands. Engaging in canine activities such as agility, herding, tracking and dock diving can provide excellent physical and mental exercise for German Shepherds. These activities are not only fun but also rewarding for both the dog and the owner. They allow the breed to utilize its natural abilities and instincts while keeping them mentally stimulated and physically fit.

Training

	Early socialization and puppy training classes play a vital role in shaping the behavior and adaptability of a German Shepherd. Continuous obedience training is also important throughout their lives to ensure they become well-mannered and adaptable adults. German Shepherds are highly intelligent companions and exceptional workers, and they respond well to consistency and positive reward-based training methods. These dogs form strong bonds with their families and are at their happiest when they live closely with their loved ones. It is recommended to raise a German Shepherd within the household exposing them to various family activities and providing ample socialization opportunities. The German Shepherd Dog Club of America offers valuable training advice for owners on their website. This resource can provide detailed guidance related to training and nurturing a German Shepherd allowing owners to access specialized information on raising these remarkable dogs.

Nutrition

	Feeding a high-quality dog food that is appropriate for the age of the German Shepherd (puppy, adult, or senior) will provide all the necessary nutrients for the breed's well-being. It is generally recommended to avoid feeding table scraps, as they can potentially cause digestive upset especially foods high in fat content and cooked bones. When it comes to treats for training purposes small pieces of dog biscuits or the dog's own kibble can be used instead. It's important to note that if the dog is already being fed a high-quality food additional vitamin and mineral supplements are typically not necessary. However, incorporating small amounts of yogurt cooked vegetables or eggs into the dog's food can be beneficial. It is crucial to educate oneself about which human foods are safe for dogs and which ones should be avoided. If there are concerns about the dog's weight or diet consulting with a veterinarian is always recommended. They can provide personalized advice and address any specific concerns regarding the German Shepherd's nutrition and overall health.

Historiography

The German Shepherd Dog also known as the Deutshe Schäferhund originated from the diverse family of German herding dogs that varied in type across different regions until the late 19th century. Captain Max von Stephanitz a German cavalry officer dedicated himself to developing the ideal German herder during this time. Von Stephanitz and other breeders carefully crossed various strains from different districts of Germany laying the foundation for the German Shepherd Dog we know today.

Von Stephanite co-founded the world's first club dedicated to German Shepherd Dogs and devoted 35 years to promoting and improving the breed. Although the breed was originally bred for herding, its versatility now extends to a wide range of tasks. The breed's renowned qualities of intelligence, agility, speed, stealth and a commanding presence were initially honed in sheep pastures rather than in police academies.

German Shepherd Dogs gained popularity in the United States in the early 1900s, partly due to the success and fame of canine movie stars Rin-Tin-Tin and Strong heart. However, like other German breeds the German Shepherd Dog faced discrimination and anti-German sentiment during and after the world wars. In World War I-era Britain the breed was referred to as the Alsatian a name that still resonates with some British dog lovers.

As herding declined as a common canine occupation and modern livestock management practices arose von Stephanite capitalized on the breed's qualities and marketed German Shepherds as ideal working dogs for police and military units. Presently, the German Shepherd Dog is widely recognized as the preferred breed for such roles worldwide.