Breed Description
The German Shepherd is a very strong, muscular, slightly elongated-bodied dog with light but solid bone structure. The head is proportional to the body, the forehead is slightly rounded. The nose leather is usually black; blue and liver-colored occasionally occur, but are considered undesirable.
Its bite is scissor-like, its eyes are dark and almond-shaped. The ears are wide at the base, stand sharply upward, and face forward. Puppies' ears droop until 6 months of age, only standing up afterward. The bushy tail reaches down to below the hock and hangs down when the dog is calm. The front legs and shoulders are muscular, the thighs thick and strong. The German Shepherd occurs with 3 types of coat: double (hard outer coat and softer undercoat), smooth, and long-haired. Color variations: black and tan (accepted), black (accepted), but white (not accepted), blue (not accepted), or liver-colored (not accepted) also occur. The white German Shepherd is recognized as a separate breed. White and liver-colored patches on the limbs and chest hair may occur but are considered pigment defects.
Temperament
The German Shepherd is generally used as a working dog; it is brave, alert, and enthusiastic. Cheerful, obedient, eager to learn (and learns easily), calm and confident. Extremely loyal to its owner and family, not hesitating to give its life for them. It also likes to be close to its family but acts cautiously toward strangers. It does not tolerate its owner being away for a long time. It only barks when truly necessary.
Due to the above traits, the police also prefer to use the German Shepherd as a working dog. Socialization must begin at an early age. If it behaves aggressively toward people as an adult, this is the result of poor upbringing. The dog can become problematic if the owner does not assert who is the pack leader and if the daily physical and mental activities are neglected. It does not respond well to either excessive discipline or hesitation; in such cases, fear-biting may develop. It needs a firm but calm leader and training must begin early.
The German Shepherd is one of the smartest and most trainable breeds. That is why it is important to properly channel its mental and physical energy. It will not be happy just lying around resting in the yard. Therefore, it is excellent for various police services, guide dog work, life-saving, and military service. Naturally, it is also a great companion in any family.
Parameters
Height: 60-65 cm (males), 55-60 cm (females)
Weight: 32-40 kg
Health
Unselective breeding has unfortunately not been beneficial to this breed either. They are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, occurrences of blood disorders, digestive problems, epilepsy, corneal inflammation, flea allergy. But that's not all; the breed is also susceptible to other diseases such as tumors in the spleen, degenerative myelopathy, and pancreatic insufficiency.
Keeping
If no other option is available, they can live in an apartment, in which case they need a lot of exercise to remain calm. However, they feel best outdoors, preferably on a large yard.
Life Span
About 10-12 years.
Grooming
This breed molts heavily twice a year but sheds throughout the year. It is advisable to brush daily if kept indoors; otherwise, the fur will cover everything. Bathing should be done only when necessary, as it can cause skin irritation. Ears must be checked regularly, and nails kept short.
Origin
In Germany, Karlsruhe, Captain Max von Stephanitz and several dedicated breeders bred an obedient, capable, and manageable shepherd dog with long, short, and wire-haired coats. The dog was presented in 1882 in Hanover, and the short-haired variety in 1889 in Berlin. The first registered German Shepherd was a dog named Horan registered by von Stephanitz in April 1899. Today, the short-haired variety is more widespread in most countries.
