| The German Shepherd Breed
in Brief: |
Training Your German Shepherd Dog
by:
Dan Rice,
Michele Earle-Bridges
Click to purchase online from
The Dog Lover's Bookstore!
The German Shepherd Today
by:
Winifred Gibson Strickland,
James A. Moses
Click to purchase online from
The Dog Lover's Bookstore!
German Shepherds for Dummies
by:
D. Caroline Coile
Click to purchase online from
The Dog Lover's Bookstore!
The German Shepherd Dog
by:
Ernest H. Hart |
| In 1890, in an attempt to
create a superior herding dog with an elegant
appearance, Capt. Max von Stephanitz stabilized the
German Shepherd dog breed, a breed that would become
one of the most valued dogs in history. From it's
German farm dog roots, the German Shepherd Dog has
become extremely well-known and popular world-wide for
it's talents as sentry, police dog, tracker, drug dog,
search and rescue dog, and guide dog for the blind, to
name just a few.
German Shepherds are loyal family dogs and fearless
guardians of the home that excel in obedience work.
German Shepherds are highly intelligent, affectionate
dogs that make excellent family companions. Their
dense, double coat requires regular, thorough
brushing, and these large dogs need plenty of outdoor
exercise. Training the German Shepherd puppy from an
early age is recommended. On the "cuteness scale" of 1
to 10, the German Shepherd puppy ranks at least an 11! |
|
German Shepherd Breed History: |
| One of the most versatile
and talented breeds in the world today, the German
Shepherd Dog has been valued in police work, tracking,
guiding the blind, drug and bomb detection, search and
rescue, herding, avalanche rescue and so much more. In
the 1890s, Captain Max von Stephanitz, a German
cavalry officer, envisioned a superb and versatile
herding dog and began a breeding program made up of
the best German farm dogs available. He succeeded
beyond all expectations. The German Shepherd Dog first
came to North America in the early 1900s and got a
huge boost in popularity here after World War I when
Rin Tin Tin's movie exploits captured the attention of
the public. |
| German
Shepherd Breed Description: |
|
Height/Weight: The ideal height for adult male
German Shepherds is 25 in (64 cm) at the shoulder and
weight ranges from 75-80 lb (34-36 kg). Female German
Shepherds will be somewhat smaller.
Coat: The German
Shepherd breed's outer coat is dense, straight, short
and close. There is a soft undercoat.
Colour: German Shepherd
Dogs may be black-and-tan, varying shades of sable or
all black. |
| German
Shepherd Breed Temperament: |
| The well-bred German Shepherd Dog is
stable, sensible, intelligent, quick to learn, loyal
and protective of his home and property.
Unfortunately, because of the breed's popularity, the
German Shepherd Dog has been exploited by some
unscrupulous and irresponsible breeders. It's a good
idea to be extremely selective when choosing a German
Shepherd puppy to ensure that you are getting a well
socialized puppy that will have a sound temperament. |
| German Shepherd Breed
Exercise Requirements: |
| A breed of exceptional stamina, the German
Shepherd Dog was initially bred to trot all day long.
Though relatively calm and quiet indoors, the German
Shepherd needs lots of outdoor exercise to maintain
condition. |
| German
Shepherd Breed Grooming Requirements: |
| Regular, thorough brushing is
necessary to keep shedding of the German Shepherd's
dense undercoat under control. |
Life
Expectancy: 11 to 13 Years
Good with Children:
Yes
Dog Breed Group:
Herding Dogs Group
Size Group: Large |
