German Shepherd
German Shepherd is basically the breed of working dogs that originated in Germany. These are medium to large in size and are known to be originated in Germany. The dog is protective and loving at the same time. This is the reason it makes the great choice to choose German Shepherd for adoption by families with children. There are multiple names that are associated with this breed of dog. These include military and police dogs, assistance dogs, rescue dogs, and more. If you look at the dog then you will find that it has a strong, agile, and muscled body.
The breed is officially recognized as German Shepherd Dog. The conclusion of World War Ied to their name change. It was believed that the term “German” would hinder the popularity of the breed. So the UK Kennel Club renamed the breed to Alsatian Wolf Dog. It was derived from the region called Alsace that is located at the border of Germany.
Again, the term “wolf dog” was dropped from the name owing to the numerous campaigns by breeders. It was only in 1977 that is after five decades that the breed got registered as German Shepherds. This was due to the continuous effort by the dog enthusiasts who pressurized the British Kennel clubs to do so.
Now, you might be wondering why a German Shepherd dog was given this name. The reason is the breed’s original purpose. Initially, these dogs used to help shepherds in herding. Shepherds move from one place to another with their sheep so this breed of a dog helped in protecting them while on the go. The height of this breed varies from 55 to 65 cm with shorter females. With a black nose, domed forehead, and square-cut muzzle they look super strong.
Also, Check: Best Dog Strollers For German Shepherd
German Shepherd History
There has been a genetic study that claims that it was before 1859 that German Shepherd is the result of crossing various breeds. This includes Lupino del Gigante, Cane Paratore, and others.
In the 1800s all the breeds that were involved in the herding sheep and protection of homes were counted as a continental shepherd dog. It was only in 1890 that the breeds got separated into three breeds that are Dutch Shepherd, Belgian Shepherd, and German Shepherd.
In the year 1899, Von Stephanitz was attending a dog show where he saw a dog named Hektor Linksrhein. The dog’s strength and intelligence pleased him so he immediately bought the dog.
After buying it the dog was given a new name and that was Horand von Grafrath. After that, he even formed a society for these dogs. It was only after this that Horand was declared as the first German Shepherd dog and it was amongst the first one to be added to the society’s breed register.
German Shepherd Color and Coat
Just like any other breed this breed also comes in a variety of options in terms of coat and color. However, there is a rule for the acceptance of these dogs in major kennel clubs. The German Shepherd black, white, gray, sable, black and tan, blue, red and black, black and silver, and liver are common colors.
If we talk about the most standards then sable and all-black are acceptable. The tragedy with all German Shepherd white is that there is a straight disqualification for them from all-breed and specialty shows.
The German Shepherd coat is another characteristic that is differentiating. The coat is two-layered. So you will get them in two variants that are medium and long. The latter one is rarely found so their treatment differs in various standards. Talking about the German and UK Kennel Clubs they do not consider them for competition with standard coated ones.
Related: 9 Things You Must Know Before Buying A German Shepherd
German Shepherd Temperament and Personality
People often ask that “Are German Shepherd good pets?”. The answer is yes as the dogs get along really well with other pets and children. One interesting thing about their nature is that this breed is protective in nature. They will immediately alert you if there are strangers or intruders around.
If the German Shepherd puppy comes from parents with good temperaments then it will socialize well with different people. It is an intelligent breed that is easy to train and fun-loving. Another fact about their nature is that they need some sort of task to do.
As you might have understood by now that these are working dogs so you have to involve them in some sort of exercise or training. You can involve the German Shepherd baby in multiple tasks at your home. This would help them grow stronger both mentally and physically. You might have understood by now that what kind of personality does a German shepherd have. In fact, the Labrador Retriever dogs have similar temperament towards its owners.
People Also Ask
How much do German shepherd puppies cost?
The German Shepherd price ranges from $500 to $1600. The price varies with the breed. If you go for a family pet then it will be around $700 while the form quality-shows may range up to $1000. You won’t get a German Shepherd for free. The rescue teams also charge around $325 if you plan to adopt them.
Do German Shepherds bark a lot?
No, but in a certain case, they will. Barking is a way of communication for dogs. They try to express their feelings and emotions. If your dog is barking constantly then try to figure out the issue with it. Notice the situations in which your dog reacts in that way. You can use voice commands to stop them from barking so that whenever it barks a lot you can immediately make the dog stop it.
No, but in a certain case, they will. Barking is a way of communication for dogs. They try to express their feelings and emotions. If your dog is barking constantly then try to figure out the issue with it. Notice the situations in which your dog reacts in that way. You can use voice commands to stop them from barking so that whenever it barks a lot you can immediately make the dog stop it.
German Shepherd health problems
Unfortunately during the history of German Shepherds, there has been a certain amount of inbreeding within the breed. This inbreeding has led to there being a number of health problems that German Shepherds suffer from. These include:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Epilepsy
- Cancer
- Bloat
- Diabetes
If you’d like to find out more about the sorts of health problems German Shepherds can experience, we’ve written a full article on 6 common German Shepherd health problems.
Can you keep a German Shepherd indoors?
German Shepherds are a dog that requires a decent amount of exercise. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t have German Shepherds living indoors with you most of the time.
As long as you ensure that a German Shepherd is taken outdoors for exercise and relieving themselves it is ok to keep a German Shepherd indoors most of the time. Be warned though, if you don’t keep your German Shepherd entertained and exercised then you may find that they will become destructive, which would not be ideal in your home.
German Shepherd’s lifespan?
When you’re looking to bring a dog into your life you’re looking for someone that you can spend a long time with, it is therefore normal to question what the life span of German Shepherds is.
A German Shepherd’s life span is normally somewhere between 9 and 13 years. Many factors will go into how long your German Shepherd will live for such as hereditary diseases and the lifestyle they lead. If they have a high-quality diet, are adequately exercised, and avoid unnatural causes of death (being hit by a car for example) then you are likely to find your German Shepherd will live closer to the upper bound of their normal life span, giving you many years of great companionship.
FINAL VERDICT
The German Shepherd is a wonderful dog that is intelligent in nature. This is one of the most preferred breeds for multiple types of work. The work could be in the military and police, disability assistance, or search and rescue. You must take care of them while you take them outside. For public places, it is advised you carry them in dog strollers so that it is safe to take them anywhere.