German Shepherd Dog

The German Shepherd Dog is a large-sized breed belonging to the herding group of working dogs. Intelligent as it is versatile. This breed was originally developed in Germany to guard and herd a shepherd’s flocks. German Shepherd Dog!

German Shepherd Dog

German Shepherd Dogs can stand as high as 26 inches at the shoulder and. When viewed in outline, presents a picture of smooth, graceful curves rather than angles. The natural gait is a free-and-easy trot, but GSDs can turn it up a notch or two and reach great speeds. It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more than a couch potato dog.

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History

The German Shepherd is a relatively new breed, dating back to 1899. And he owes his existence to one man: Captain Max von Stephanitz. A career captain in the German cavalry with a goal of creating a German breed that would be unmatched as a herding dog.

Stephanitz studied the breeding techniques of the British, noted for their exceptional herding dogs. And traveled throughout Germany, attending dog shows and observing German-type herding dogs. Von Stephanitz saw many fine herding dogs, dogs who were athletic, or intelligent, or capable. What he didn’t see was a dog who embodied all those traits.

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Mental exercise

Mental exercise (advanced obedience classes, agility classes, schutzhund, tracking, herding) is even more important for German Shepherds. This is a smart, thinking breed and his intelligence is often wasted in a home that simply wants a casual pet.

Most German Shepherds are fine with other family pets, if introduced when young. However, some individuals are cat chasers, and many individuals are dominant or even aggressive with strange dogs of the same sex.

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Care

The German Shepherd can live outdoors in cool or temperate climates, but enjoys living indoors too. Frequent training or exercise sessions are essential for keeping its mind and body active. And because the German Shepherd sheds throughout the year, its coat should be brushed once or twice a week to encourage turnover as well as to minimize buildup in the home.

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Health

The German Shepherd has an average lifespan of between 10 to 12 years. It is, however, susceptible to some serious health conditions like elbow dysplasia and canine hip dysplasia , hemangiosarcoma, panosteitis, degenerative myelopathy, malignant neoplasms, pannus, hot spots, skin allergies, gastric torsion, cataract, and perianal fistulas.

This breed is also prone to a fatal fungal infection due to the Aspergillus mold. There they will undergo hip, elbow blood, eye and other tests.

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General Appearance

The first impression of a good German Shepherd Dog is that of a strong, agile, well muscled animal. It is well balanced, with harmonious development of the forequarter and hindquarter. The dog is longer than tall, deep-bodied, and presents an outline of smooth curves rather than angles.

It looks substantial and not spindly, giving the impression. Both at rest and in motion, of muscular fitness and nimbleness without any look of clumsiness or soft living. The ideal dog is stamped with a look of quality and nobility. Difficult to define, but unmistakable when present.

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Feeding

Recommended daily amount: 3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. NOTE: How much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. Dogs are individuals, just like people, and they don’t all need the same amount of food.

It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more than a couch potato dog. The quality of dog food you buy also makes a difference — the better the dog food, the further it will go toward nourishing your dog and the less of it you’ll need to shake into your dog’s bowl.

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