German Shepherd Dog

The German Shepherd Dog is one of America’s most popular dog breeds — for good reasons. They’re smart and skilled working dogs. Their dedication and bravery are unmatched. And they’re amazingly versatile.

The breed also has its name Alsatian. Even though they are purebred, you may find German Shepherds in shelters and breed-specific rescues. Make sure to adopt! Don’t buy if this is the right breed for you.GSDs excel at almost anything they’re trained to do help and guide work for those with disabilities in military and police service, herding, search and rescue drugs, competitive obedience and — last but not leastthe devoted

More About This Breed

This German Shepherd Dog, also known as Alsatian, also known as Alsatian of Great Britain and parts of Europe, is among the top 10 most popular breeds of dog in the U.S., and probably one of the world’s most recognized breeds.

They owe a portion of their fame to a tiny puppy taken from an explosive- and bomb-strewn breeder kennel located within France in World War I by Corporal Lee Duncan. After the War, Duncan brought the puppy back to his home town of Los Angeles, trained him to become one of the most well-known dogs in show biz–Rin Tin Tin. Rin Tin Tin went on to be featured in a variety of movies , and, at the peak of his fame, received 10,000 fan letters a week.

It is believed that the German Shepherd has held many jobs other than movie star- taking care of blind people in pursuit of criminals, sniffing out illegal substances working within the military and visiting the sick and herding stock are only a few of the many jobs performed by this versatile breed.

The dog even took on the role of national hero. German Shepherds are the rescue and search dogs walking through the rubble of the World Trade Center after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. They were searching for survivors and comforting the rescue workers and families.

It’s true that the German Shepherd may embody some characteristics that make them desirable dogs, but they’re not for all. Originally bred for herding animals throughout the day, this is a high-energy dog who needs plenty of movement and exercise. If they’re not, they’re likely to display their boredom or anger in ways that you don’t like which include barking and the chewing.

The breed also has an unassuming and sometimes suspicious temperament. It’s great for a watchdog, but not the sort of dog that will make your guests feel comfortable. However, if you expose to German Shepherd to various situations and people starting in the puppyhood stage, they’ll learn to take different people and situations with ease.

If you’re adopting a pup, you’ll get a slightly different breed of German Shepherd depending upon whether they’re descendents of dogs that come from American rather than German breeders. In general, American breeders tend to create champions for dog shows They breed more to create that unique German Shepherd look than for distinctive German Shepherd talents.

Fans say they believe that the American-bred German Shepherds are more calm as compared to German counterparts, but the critics argue that the dogs have lost some of their talents for working conventional German Shepherd jobs, and are more prone to behavior problems such as anxious separation.

German breeders On the other hand are bred for their work-related abilities and fitting the breed’s tradition-based look. Before the German Shepherd is bred in Germany the breeder must undergo a series of tests to show they are up to the mental and physical requirements the breed is renowned for. German Shepherd Dogs from Germany tend to have an dynamic and driven personality.

But the only way of knowing what type of pet you’re likely to receive is to get to know them. So get to the shelter and meet your new best friend before you even take them home!

History

• The German Shepherd is a relatively new breedthat dates back to 1899. they are the result of one person named Captain Max von Stephanitz, a professional captain in the German cavalry with a goal of creating an German breed that would be unmatched as a Herding Dog. For centuries before von Stephanitz came along, farmers in Germany like in the rest of Europe were dependent on dogs to help drive and guard their herds. Some dogs were legendary for their agility and the sheepherders would travel for through the day in order to breed their male dogs to an eminent sire. However according to what von Stephanitz noted, no one had developed the herding dogs of the region into a distinct breed. In the year 1898, von Stephanitz retired from military life and began his second career and what would prove to be his passionwas to experiment with dog breeding to create a superior German breed of herding dogs. Stephanitz took a look at the breeding methods of the British, noted for their outstanding herding dogs and traveled all over Germany, attending dog shows and observing herding breeds that were similar to Germans. Von Stephanitz saw many fine herding breeds, dogs that were intelligent, athletic or able. He didn’t notice a dog who embodied all of those characteristics. In 1899, one day, von Stephanitz was visiting an exhibition for dogs when a dog that looked wolfish caught his eye. He immediately bought the dog, named Hektor Linksrhein. Later renamed Horand v Grafeth, the dog’s powerful physique and intelligence so attracted von Stephanitz that he formed a group–the Verein for German Schaferhunde to find a breed out of Horand’s descendants. Although he had intended to use his breed as herding dogs, as Germany was becoming industrialized von Stephanitz saw the need for these dogs becoming less. He decided that his breed could continue being a dog that worked and it was decided that the dog’s future was the military or in police work. Making good use of his connections to the military, von Stephanitz convinced the German government to employ the breed. During World War I the German Shepherd served as a Red Cross dog, messenger as well as a guard, rescuer, supplies carrier, and sentry. Although German Shepherds were able to make their way to their home in United States before the war but it wasn’t until following the war that they were famous in the U.S. Allied servicemen noted the dog’s bravery and intelligence and a lot of dogs returned home with the soldiers. One of them was a five-day-old puppy plucked from a bomb-riddled kennel in France by an American military officer who was located in Los Angeles. The corporal brought the dog home, trained him, and made him one of Hollywood’s best-known Four-legged celebrities: Rin Tin Tin, who was in 26 films and helped make the breed more popular in America. Although it was true that the Allies were impressed with German dogs but they weren’t as thrilled about the dogs’ German origins. When war broke out, everything German were stigmatized, and in 1917, The American Kennel Club (AKC) changed the breed’s name to the Shepherd Dog. In England the dog was changed to the Alsatian Wolf Dog, after the border region between France and Germany that is Alsace-Lorraine. The AKC was back to the original name German Shepherd Dog in 1931; it took until 1977 to get to get the British Kennel Club to do the similar thing. Von Stephanitz stayed closely involved in the development of the breed, and as beginning in 1922 he was alarmed by the characteristics that were turning up in the dogs, such as poor behavior and a tendency to tooth decay. He created a system of tight quality control: Before any single German Shepherd was bred, they were required to pass numerous tests of their intelligence, temperament, athleticism, and good health. American German Shepherd breeding On the other hand was not as well-regulated. The United States, the dogs were bred to compete in contests for dogs and the breeders placed more emphasis on appearances and the dogs’ gait, or manner of walking. Following World War II, Americanand German-bred German Shepherds began to diverge drastically. At one point, the U.S. police departments and military began importing German Shepherd working dogs, because homegrown German Shepherds failed performance tests and were suffering from genetic health issues. In the last couple of years, a few American breeders have begun to place more emphasis on the breed’s potential instead of just its appearance. taking work dogs from Germany to supplement their breeding programs.
• Size Males range from between 24 and 26 inches, females are 22 to 24 inches. The weight ranges from 75- 95 pounds.
• Health Germany Shepherds generally are healthy however, like all breeds, they’re susceptible to certain health problems. It’s not the case that all German Shepherds develop any of these diseases, but it’s vital to be aware of them should you be considering this breed.
  • Hip Dysplasia Hip dyplasia is a heritable condition in which the femur isn’t able to fit into the pelvic socket of the hip joint. Hip dysplasia is a condition that can occur with or without clinical indications. Some dogs show the symptoms of lameness and pain in either or both of their rear legs. As the dog ages arthritis may begin to develop. The X-ray screening test for hip dysplasia is carried out in conjunction with Orthopedic Foundation for Animals or the University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program. Hip dysplasia-afflicted dogs should not be bred.
  • Elbow Dysplasia: This is a heritable condition common to large-breed dogs. It is thought to be caused by different levels of development of three of the bones that make up the dog’s elbow. This causes joint stiffness. It can cause pain and lameness. Your veterinarian may suggest surgery to correct the problem or medication to ease the pain.
  • Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus It is commonly referred to as bloat, this is a life-threatening condition that affects big, deep-chested breeds like Golden Retrievers, especially if they are fed one daily large meal eating quickly, drinking lots of fluids after eating, and exercise vigorously after eating. Bloat is a condition that occurs when the stomach becomes bloated with gas or air and then twists. The dog is not able to belch or vomit to get rid of the air trapped inside their stomachs. Consequently, the normal return for blood back to heart impeded. Blood pressure is reduced and the dog goes into shock. Without medical attention immediately the dog could die. Consider bloating if your dog’s abdomen is dilated abdomen, is excessively salivating and vomiting without throwing up. They also may be anxious, depressed, irritable and weak with a rapid heart rate. It’s important to get your dog to a vet as soon as possible.
  • Degenerative Myelopathy: Degenerative myelopathy is an advancing disease associated with the nerves of the spinal cord, in particular that part of which transmits messages to the brain concerning the hind legs. Dogs with DM act as though they don’t know where their rear legs are, and cannot move them as they should. The disease progresses to the point where the dog can’t walk. The majority of the time, there is no treatment and the dog is put to lay down. However, in instances, the problem may be due to a deficiency of vitamin 12 or vitamin E. Should this be the case supplements to vitamin E could help stabilize the condition.
  • Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency The EPI gene is responsible for causing a disorder of the pancreas in which the cells that produce digesting enzymes die. This means that the dog is unable to digest food and absorb nutrients. The first symptoms of the condition are gas, a decrease in appetite, loss of weight, and change in stools. The dog gets very thin and hungry. EPI is detected with a simple blood test, and treatment is very simple too. Pancreatic enzymes are put into the dog’s diet. If the medication is administered properly The majority of dogs heal.
  • Allergic reactions: A few German Shepherds suffer from a variety of allergies which range from food allergies to contact allergies. The symptoms of allergies in dogs are the same as those experienced by human beings. In the event that you notice that your German shepherd is scratching or licking their paws or rubbing their face frequently, suspect that they have an allergy and have an examination by your veterinarian.
  • Feeding It is recommended that a German Shepherd Dog diet should be designed to suit a larger breed with a high level of energy and physical demands. It is recommended to consult with your veterinarian or professional nutritionist for advice regarding what you give to your German Shepherd Dog and the correct portion sizes. The dietary requirements for German Shepherds will change as they progress from young to adulthood, and as they reach. Be aware of their nutritional needs. It is essential to take particular care when it comes to feeding and exercising a German Shepherd puppy, however. German Shepherds grow very rapidly between the ages between four and seven months which makes them vulnerable to bone diseases. They can be very healthy eating a high-quality, low-calorie diet that stops them from growing too fast. Be careful not to allow the German puppy run around, jump or play on hard surfaces such as pavement until they’re at least 2-years-old and they have fully formed joints. It’s fine playing with puppies with grass, though, and puppy agility, which includes inches-high jumps is fine. In excess feeding you German Shepherd and letting them pack on the pounds can cause joint issues, and other health issues. Limit treats, keep them active, and give their meals regularly instead of having food on hand at all times.
  • Children And Other Pets If they’re well-trained , and have been given plenty of exposure to children, especially as a puppy A German Shepherd is a great companion for children. Indeed, some claim they’re a mix of a babysitter and a cop, as they are both gentle with, and protective of, the children in their family. This is a big dog, but it’s also at risk of accidentally bumping the toddler or small child. In keeping with their reserved nature, they’re not tail-wagging friendly with kids that they don’t understand, but they’re generally trustworthy. It is important to note that the German Shepherd can also live happily with other dogs and pets, provided that they are taught in the early years of puppyhood. The process of introducing an adult German Shepherd to a household that includes other pets could be more difficult if the dog isn’t used to having a great time with other pets and cats. It may be necessary to employ an expert trainer for help you, or consult the rescue organization if that’s where you acquired the adult German Shepherd.