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German Shepherd Dog
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The German Shepherd Dog (GSD, also known as an Alsatian),
(German: Deutscher Schäferhund) is a breed of large-sized dog
that originated in Germany. German Shepherds are a relatively
new breed of dog, whose origins date to 1899. As part of the
Herding group, the German Shepherd is a working dog developed
originally for herding sheep. Because of their strength, intelligence
and abilities in obedience training they are often employed in
police and military roles, in forces around the world. Due to their
loyal and protective nature, the German Shepherd is one of the
most registered of breeds.
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German Shepherd Dog
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Country of origin
Germany
Weight
49-88 lb
Height
22-26 in
Coat
Double coat; dense undercoat, thick
outercoat
Color
Most commonly black and tan; sable or
black
Life span
7-10 years
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Description
German Shepherds are a large-breed dog which generally are
between 55 and 65 centimetres (22 and 26 in) at the withers and
weigh between 22 and 40 kilograms (49 and 88 lb). The ideal
height is 63 centimetres (25 in), according to Kennel Club
standards. They have a domed forehead, a long square-cut
muzzle and a black nose. The jaws are strong, with a scissor-like
bite. The eyes are medium-sized and brown with a lively, intelligent,
and self-assured look. The ears are large and stand erect, open at
the front and parallel, but they often are pulled back during
movement. They have a long neck, which is raised when excited
and lowered when moving at a fast pace. The tail is bushy and
reaches to the hock.
German Shepherds can be a variety of colours, the most common
of which are the tan/black and red/black varieties. Both varieties
have black masks and saddles. Rarer variations include the sable,
all-black, all-white, liver and blue varieties. The all-black variety is
acceptable; however, the blue and liver are considered to be
serious faults and the all-white is grounds for instant
disqualification in some standards. This is because the white coat
is more visible, making the dog a poor guard dog, and harder to
see in conditions such as snow or when herding sheep.
German Shepherds sport a double coat. The outer coat, which is
shed all year round, is close and dense with a thick undercoat. The
coat is accepted in two variants; medium and long. The long-hair
gene is recessive, making the long-hair variety rarer. Treatment of
the long-hair variation differs across standards; they are accepted
under the German and UK Kennel Clubs but are considered a fault
in the American Kennel Club.
Intelligence
German Shepherds were bred specifically for their intelligence, a
trait for which they are now renowned. They are considered to be
the third most intelligent breed of dog, behind Border Collies and
Poodles. In the book The Intelligence of Dogs, author Stanley
Coren ranked the breed third for intelligence. He found that they
had the ability to learn simple tasks after only five repetitions and
obeyed the first command given 95% of the time. Coupled with
their strength, this trait makes the breed desirable as police,
guard, and search and rescue dogs, as they are able to quickly
learn various tasks and interpret instructions better than other
large breeds.
Aggression
German Shepherds have a reputation for aggression and have
been banned in some jurisdictions as a result. In the United States,
German Shepherds are responsible for more random bitings than
any other breed, and have a known tendency to attack smaller
breeds of dogs. Reports have found that statistically German
Shepherds are the breed third most likely to attack a person.
Another report found that German Shepherds accounted for
almost half of the dog bites that required medical attention. These
claims have been refuted on the basis that German Shepherds
represent a higher proportion of the population than other breeds.
However, reports indicate that Shepherds are over-represented
when the statistics take into account the difference in population.
Temperament
German Shepherds are highly active dogs, and described in breed
standards as self-assured. The breed is marked by a willingness to
learn and an eagerness to have a purpose. Shepherds have a
loyal nature and bond well with people they know. However, they
can become over-protective of their family and territory, especially
if not socialized correctly. An aloof personality makes them
approachable, but not inclined to become immediate friends with
strangers. German Shepherds are highly intelligent and obedient
and some people think they require a "firm hand", but more recent
research into training methods has shown they respond as well, if
not better, to reward based training methods.
Health
Many common ailments of the German Shepherds are a result of
the inbreeding required early in the breed's life. One such common
issue is hip and elbow dysplasia which may lead to the dog
experiencing pain in later life, and may cause arthritis. Due to the
large and open nature of their ears, Shepherds are prone to ear
infections. German Shepherds, like all large bodied dogs, are
prone to bloat.
The average lifespan of a German Shepherd is 7 - 10 years, which
is normal for a dog of their size. According to a study done by R.M.
Clemmons, DVM PhD who is a Professor of Neurology and
Neurosurgery at the University of Florida, Degenerative
Myelopathy, or DM is a neurological disease that occurs with
enough regularity specifically in the breed to suggest the disease
is one that is genetically predisposed in German Shepherd Dogs.
Additionally, German Shepherd Dogs have a higher than normal
incidence of Von Willebrand Disease, a common inherited bleeding
disorder.
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German Shepherd Portrait
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Your No. 1 Dog Breed Test
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