The German Shepherd Breed
(Deutscher Schäferhund)
German Shepherd Dog Breed Information
Originally created for herding sheep,
the German Shepherd breed (also
called Alsatian or Alsation) is an amazingly versatile dog.
They
epitomize intelligence, strength and obedience. A working dog, their
potential ferociousness makes them well suited for police
and military roles.
But, their loyalty and protectiveness also make them
great family companions.
Roots of the German Shepherd Breed
 It all
started in 1889 at a
dog show in Karlsrühe, Germany. Captain Max von Stephanitz saw
a medium
size wolf-like dog, yellow and gray in color. The dog was graceful and
powerful, and embodied endurance along with intelligence.
A working sheep herder, the dog was born with natural
ability and required little direction. Hektor Linksrhein, was purchased
by Captain von Stephanitz and later renamed Horand von Grafrath. Horand
became the first registered German Shepherd Dog.
The German Shepherd breed standard was based on mental
stability and utility. The Captain believed that beauty was secondary.
He thought a dog should have strong intelligence but was
worthless
without the proper utility and temperament to make it a good servant of
man. The breeding blueprint contained structure, gait and inherent
attitude.
German Shepherd Appearance
Utility is the true criterion of beauty
~Max von Stephanitz
Though the Captain did not place a high value on beauty,
a German Shepherd is one of the best looking dogs out there.
 It has a strong chest with a
slightly elongated
body. Sturdy and muscular with a light but solid bone structure. Their
front legs and shoulders are muscular with thighs that are thick and
sturdy. Their feet are somewhat rounded with very hard soles.
The coat can be either rough-coated, long rough-coated
or long-haired.
Their coat color
is most often black and tan, sable or all
black. Solid black German Shepherds
are a striking sight. They can also be blue, liver and white, although
those colors are considered a fault, according to breed standards. White German
Shepherd dogs are not recognized by the AKC, but
are now considered a
separate breed called the American White Shepherd.
German Shepherds grow fairly quickly. Check your pups
progress with the German
Shepherd Growth Chart.
 Their head
is in proportion to their body with a
forehead that is rounded slightly outward. Wide at the base, their ears
are upright, pointed and turned forward. Until about six months, the
ears of puppies may droop slightly.
Their noses are most often black, but can also be blue
or liver. This is considered a fault for showing purposes.
Eyes are dark and almond shaped, with an intelligent and
lively expression.
A bushy tail reaches almost down to its hocks and hangs
down when the dog is at rest.
Their age expectancy is around 10-13 years. German Shepherd Breed StandardMore information on shepherd dog breed standards:
German Shepherd Breed Traits
These dogs love to be close to their families. They
have
a strong protective instinct and are very wary of strangers. At just 18
weeks old, my GSD puppy barked at strangers approaching me or "her
yard."
This protective nature requires extensive socialization.
Obedience training from an early age is an absolute must. Strictly
positive reinforcement should be used. Angry or coercive training does
not work well with these dogs, and may backfire.
It is highly important to obtain your German Shepherd
from a reputable breeder. Do not visit a backyard
breeder. They lack the knowledge and expertise it requires to
breed a quality German Shepherd. As a result, they typically create
dogs that are timid, skittish and prone to fear biting.
Get a Job
To be truly
happy, the German Shepherd needs a task in life. They are extremely
intelligent and learn very quickly. Their talent has been used
as sheepdogs,
guard dogs, K9 police dogs,
guide for the blind, for search
and rescue, and as dogs
in the military.
They also excel in
the
following activities:
German Shepherd Breed Popularity
As opposed to other breeds, German
Shepherd dog puppies are not a common sight in my area. A
simple
visit to PetSmart or the local dog-friendly mall creates quite a stir.
It seems that everyone wants to meet a GSD puppy. On a
recent visit to the mall, two shopworkers high-fived each other after
we entered their store before pausing outside. At an agility
demonstration, a lady was overheard saying that she just had to meet
the German Shepherd puppy.
Thinking of Getting a German Shepherd Dog Puppy?
Avoid Pet Stores. Most reputable breeders will not sell
their pups to pet shops. Many of these puppies come from puppy mills.
Stay away from backyard breeders as well. These breeders
contribute to the pet overpopulation problem. Due to this irresponsible
breeding, many of these beautiful dogs become abandoned or wind up in
shelters.
Check our tips for finding a quality
german shepherd breeder here.
Did You Know?
25% of all dogs that end up in the shelter are purebred.
In your search for a GSD, please check with your local shelter, humane
society, or German
Shepherd Rescue group.
Consider Your Living Arrangements
I would highly advise you to ensure your housing
situation is stable before obtaining a German Shepherd. Should you have
to move unexpectedly, you may end up losing your best friend.
Many landlords do not allow large dogs such as German
Shepherds. And some insurance companies will charge higher rates, or
may not insure you at all.
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