German Shepherd Dogs
Thinking about
German Shepherd Dogs as a companion?
Height:
Females:
55-60cm (21.5-23.5 inches) at the shoulder; Males: 60-65cm (23.5-25.5 inches) Group Lifespan: 10-12 years Who is the German Shepherd Dog?A clever, loyal, trustworthy dog, German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs) can be many things: companion, guardian, tracker or guide. Breed historyGSDs are a relatively recent breed: they were not developed until the 1890s. They were bred as a working dog from several different herding and farm dogs by Captain Max von Stephanitz. Today, this ability to work in a variety of tasks is what makes the GSD so popular and the breed has become the world's leading police, guard and military dog, as well as one of the most popular family puppy breeds. For some years, after World War I, the breed was known as the Alsatian because it was thought that anti-German sentiment would harm the breed's popularity. However, in the late 1970s the breed's original name was reinstated. The GSD's trainability and dependability has led it to the large and small screen: Rin Tin Tin was the famous star of a huge number of movies from the 1920s and, more recently, Inspector Rex (Kommissar Rex) is a TV police dog from Austria who has won fans around the world. Personality
Good with children?Yes. GSDs should be introduced to children as puppies so they can establish a strong relationship.Exercise needsThey are an active large dog breed and require daily exercise and mental stimulation. HealthGenerally, GSDs are a strong, healthy breed. Possible health problemsHip and elbow dysplasia (a disease that can cause lameness and arthritis in the hips or elbows) Haemophilia (a group of hereditary genetic blood disorders that impair the body's ability to control blood clotting)
If you're planning to buy a German Shepherd puppy,
Good breeders should x-ray or test their dogs for
as many of these
conditions as possible before
breeding, or should avoid breeding from dogs that display the
conditions. GroomingGSDs have a double coat of medium length. The coat requires a weekly brushing. When grooming, remember to check the paws, ears and coat for grass seeds. Also check for any minor injuries and check the teeth to see if they need cleaning. More information for new puppy owners:Want to know more about buying, raising and caring for a puppy? Check out these PuppyPrimer.com pages: Ideal ownerOwners of German Shepherd Dogs should be prepared to train their dog to be sociable and approachable, and should ensure that the dog never develops aggressive or fearful tendencies. The ideal owner will involve their dog in family activities and will be prepared to give him regular exercise and mental stimulation.
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