German Shepherd Dog Breed | Personality |characteristics | Health
A German shepherd dog is a “universal working dog” with a muscular and solid body reminiscent of a wolf, and loyalty and understanding plus the ability that can also be used as a police dog or a search and rescue dog. People tend to think that they are “scary” or “aggressive” because of their appearance and image as a police dog, but for a family they trust, they have a very rich and spoiled expression of affection.
Dog category: herding/sheepdog
Lifespan: 9 – 13 years
Height and weight height: 60-65 cm / Weight: 30-40
German shepherd History
German shepherd is a new dog breed which dates back to 1899. The desire for a German captain max Von Stephenitz to create a German breed that can’t be matched by any other herding dog, brought about the existence of the German shepherd dog breed.
Using dogs to herd has been a common practice in Germany centuries before con made the German shepherd dog breed. Some farmer had to travel for days looking a male dog with strong qualities, to breed their female dogs
When von stephanitz retired as a military personnel, he found another vocation to imbibe his time in. In order to create a distinct herding german dog breed, which possessed all the qualities he desired( athletic, intelligent and capable of herding), he traveled round Germany, participating in a lot of fogs shows and closely studying how British dog breeders bred their outstanding herding breeds.
A dog show caught von Stephanitz eyes in 1899, he saw a wolf-looking dog which amazed him. He bought the dog named hektor, as it’s intelligence and powerful physique caught his attention further. He was so impressed that he had to found a society which saw to making defendants from the hektor’s genes.
With his dream breed originally intended to be a herding dog, the onset of industrialization had him chance his mind, as the society was changing fast and there was becoming little need for this herding dogs, determined that this dog will remain a working dog, he decided to bred them for police and military.
He further used his influence in the military to ensure this dog was adopted into the military. This dog was used a a a rescuer, messenger supply Carriers, and a red cross dog during the first world war.
While the German shepherd had already made it’s way into the USA, it’s popularity rose as it’s bravery and intelligence didnt go unnoticed by the soldiers who took them home.
The German shepherd has undergone transitions of names. During the war, things which beared ‘German’ in names were heavily stigmatized, which prompted the AKC to change it’s name to shepherd dog. In England, the changed the name of the dog to Alastian wolf dog. In 1931 the Akc reverted the name to German shepherd dog. It too the British kennel club 46 more years to do same, in 1977.
At the early stage of breeding, von stephanitz involved himself closely with the development of the breed, as he noticed most of the german shepherd dogs bred around 1922, where susceptible to easy tooth decay and bad temperaments. He created a rigid regimen for any individual german shepherd dog to be bred.
Recently, emphasis has been pointed to breeding a German shepherd to have it’s original abilities, not just for shows and aesthetics.
German Shepherd characteristics
Adapts Well To Apartment Living
In selecting an apartment dog, there are certain things you have to take into consideration, how often A dog barks, is it a dog that requires enough space for exercise? the German shepherd will perform average in an apartment home. they are best suited for fenced-in houses
Good For Novice Owners
GSD’s are characterized by their high intelligence, this dog is going to prove to be a handful for a new dog parents. comment if you are going to be buying a German shepherd, experience with training dogs need to find it frustrating keeping up with a had.
Do German shepherds dog Tolerate Being Alone?
This dog breed we will not tolerate being alone, going to be around throughout the day possibly going to work, it is best to leave them with a friend or a relative. They may destroy or chew on things if left alone.
Tolerates Cold Weather
German shepherds can tolerate both extremes of weather. There will do just fine in the winter as they will perform all great in the summer. Perfect for any geo-location.
German shepherd looking for you in the forest istock
German Shepherd lifespan.
German shepherd dog personality
Since it was created as a sheep dog, there are some aspects of being alert, such as not eating even if the person they meet for the first time gives them a snack, and staying away until they find it safe, and there is one aspect that they do not easily trust the other people.
Once they are confident, they will become a very calm breed . He is obedient and affectionate to his family, looks closely at his owner, and is good at obeying instructions.
The size of a German shepherd dog
Body length * is 10 to 17% longer than body height. When you look at the body from the side, it is characterized with buttocks that are slightly lowered. It is said to have strong body with strong muscles, agile movement, endurance and jumping ability.
Some puppies have round faces and ears, but when they become adult dogs, their ears stand out and look dignified. Shepherd’s fast legs are so low that the dog is parallel to the ground, taking a big step, and the speed is very fast, which makes it a big attraction.
Male height: 60-65 cm / Weight: 30-40 kg
Female height: 55-60 cm / Weight: 22-32 kg
* Height: The height from the ground to the vicinity of the boundary between the neck and back, which is equivalent to the height of a person.
* Body length: The length from the protruding part of the front chest to the protruding part of the buttocks.
German shepherd dog coat color type
The hair color is “all black” , which is covered with black coat , and dark brown to light brown, yellow, light gray, etc., which are rare, are also recognized on the black background. In addition , there are short coats called “stock haul” , which are often seen , and slightly long coats called “langstock haul” , which have ornamental hair on the mane and tail.
German Shepherd Dog Price
There are various ways to welcome your dog, from pet shops and breeders to protected dogs. For example, when purchasing at a pet shop, the market price is as follows.
| Price of a GSD in Japan will cost around ¥25,000 |
What i should know about German Shepherd Dog
Suitable for people who can control dogs to some extent
The German Shepherd Dog is large and quite active, so it is suitable for people who can properly secure exercise time such as walking. It can be pushed down or pulled and overturned, so it’s suitable for people who can control medium-sized dogs and have some control over their dogs .
In addition, it is necessary to consider that it is good to know about the financial burden such as food expenses, medical expenses, old dog care expenses, etc. because the body is large.
Thorough discipline is needed
The German Shepherd Dog has excellent understanding and insight, and is a breed of dog that has a strong desire to work with “I want to do something with my head and body” . Being obedient and wise, It finds it worthwhile to respond to the owner. If you teach it, it can do anything as it is, so you can participate in daily instruction and intelligent plays.
The large body is the charm of the German Shepherd Dog, but it also has a strong pulling force, so you can thoroughly discipline and cool down so that you do not get excited and jump on other people or dogs. Let’s teach and incorporate discipline rules into it’s daily regimen.
Strong against cold and weak against heat
Install sturdy partitions in places where you do not want the dog to enter, in order to prevent intrusion and prevent accidents. In addition, it is effective to apply an anti-bite coating agent to electrical cords and furniture that you do not want to be bitten .
As a large dog loses muscle mass with aging, it becomes difficult to stabilize the center of gravity on a slippery floor, which puts a strain on joints such as ankles. When breeding, be sure to choose a non-slip floor. Place a highly cushioned rug on the place where the dog sleeps to prevent bedsores and octopuses on the elbows and joints.
This breed is strong against the cold and not good at the heat of summer. In the summer, set the temperature so low that your dog won’t hurt, and be careful of the humidity so that it can stay cool. In addition, since a large amount of hair loss is scattered throughout the house during the “moulting period”, it is essential to take measures against hair loss — Grooming!
Food that suits their age and purpose
For its staple food, give a comprehensive nutritional diet that is designed to balance nutrition with food and water alone. General food is not suitable as a staple food because it emphasizes bite rather than nutritional balance. Choose the one that says Comprehensive Nutrition on the back of the food package .
Dogs need different amounts of each nutrient depending on their growth and age. Give food according to age and purpose, such as “for puppies”, “for adult dogs”, “for senior dogs”, and “for large dogs” .
The homemade food gives the owner a sense of security that he / she can understand what he / she is giving, and it is also fun to cook while thinking about his / her dog. However, it is not easy to maintain nutritional balance, so it is recommended to supplement with supplements if necessary.
And, until your German puppy is at least two years old and their joints are properly matured, don’t allow them run, jump, or play on hard surfaces like pavement. Puppy agility, with its inch-high jumps, is acceptable. It is fine to let your puppies to play on grass.
Overfeeding your German Shepherd and allowing them to gain weight can lead to joint problems as well as other health issues. Instead of leaving food available at all times, limit treats, keep them active, and feed them regular meals.
It is essential to remove excess hair
The German Shepherd Dog coat is a double coat consisting of thick, dense lower hair and long bristle upper hair. Since it has a larger body, it is essential to remove excess hair that interferes with the heat dissipation of its body temperature, especially in the summer .
Careful brushing and shampoo are necessary for health management, especially during the “moulting period” when the seasons are clear from spring to summer. No trimming is required, but you should take care of it by brushing daily and wiping it’s body with a squeezed towel
ARE GERMAN SHEPHERDS GOOD WITH KIDS and other dogs?
A German Shepherd is an excellent company for children if it is well-trained and has had ample of exposure to youngsters, particularly as a pup. In fact, some describe them as a cross between a babysitter and a cop, being both compassionate and defensive of their family’s youngsters.
This is a large dog, however, and it is capable of accidentally bumping a toddler or young child. They’re not tail-wagging nice with kids they don’t know because of their reserved demeanor, but they’re generally trustworthy.
The German Shepherd may also peacefully coexist with other canines and pets if taught to do so from puppyhood. If the dog isn’t used to being around other animals, introducing an adult German Shepherd to a household with other pets can be more difficult
A German Shepherd is an excellent company for children if it is well-trained and has had ample of exposure to youngsters, particularly as a pup. In fact, some describe them as a cross between a babysitter and a cop, being both compassionate and defensive of their family’s youngsters.
This is a large dog, however, and it is capable of accidentally bumping a toddler or young child. They’re not tail-wagging nice with kids they don’t know because of their reserved demeanor, but they’re generally trustworthy.
The German Shepherd may also peacefully coexist with other canines and pets if taught to do so from puppyhood. If the dog isn’t used to being around other animals, introducing an adult German Shepherd to a household with other pets can be more difficult. It may be more difficult for some German shepherd to get along with cats and other dogs.
Health
German shepherds are healthy dog breeds, but like all other dogs, they are susceptible to certain illnesses. Not all GSD will experience these diseases, cos if you get these breeds from quality pet breeders, you may hardly have your dog facing any of these health issues. It’s is however, important you know about the conditions that could affect your dog.
Elbow Dysplasia: This is a hereditary disorder which is mostly frequent in giant breed dogs. Different growth rates of the three bones that make up the dog’s elbow are hypothesized to produce joint laxity. This brings about excruciating lameness. Your veterinarian may advise surgery to repair the condition or pain medication to alleviate the discomfort.
Hip dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a heritable disorder in which the femur does not fit nicely into the hip joint’s pelvic socket. Hip dysplasia can be present with or without clinical symptoms. Some dogs have pain and stiffness in one or both of their back legs. Arthritis might occur as the dog matures. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals provide X-ray imaging for hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia dogs should not be bred.
Degenerative myopathy: Degenerative myelopathy is a degenerative spinal cord disease that affects the section of the cord that sends information to the brain about the rear legs. Dogs with This disease lose the ability to tell where their hind legs are and are mostly unable to move them appropriately. The condition worsens to the point where the dog is unable to walk. Most of the time, no treatment is available, and the dog is euthanized. As reported in rare cases I have read that the reduced intake of vitamin-12 or vitamin E have been primed the use of DM. In this scenario, vitamin pills may help to stabilize the illness.
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency: Epi is a pancreatic hereditary condition in which the cells that create digestive enzymes are damaged. As a result, the dog is unable to digest or absorb food. Gas, loss of appetite, weight loss, and changes in feces are the early symptoms of the illness. The dog becomes extremely thin and hungry. EPI is identified with a simple blood test and treated with pancreatic enzymes added to the dog’s diet. Most dogs recover with adequate medication care.
These are the major sickness your dog may be susceptible to, be sure to take the necessary precautionary steps.
Final thought on the German shepherd dog breed
This loyal sweetheart is the best dog you can get for your home if you have previous dog experience. They are charming, loving, and protective at the same time. What more can you ask for?
We advise you to adopt and not buy. However, if you must buy, get these dogs from quality breeders.
Lend us a paw and share this exciting breed.
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