Welcome to Purebred Star, the weekly blog exploring the wide diversity of dogs out there!
In my last “Purebred Star” blog I talked about the “Labrador Retriever“.
This week: German Shepherd
German Shepherd
Originates From: Well the name says it all! The German Shepherd is from Germany and is a herding breed. Also known as Deutscher Schaferhund (literally meaning German Shepherd Dog) or GSD; the German Shepherd continues to soar in popularity!
Bred For: The GSD is used mainly for herding and guarding sheep. However, this breed is used for many other purposes such as; police and military use, guide dog, search and rescue, and a therapy dog. Interesting Fact: The German Shepherd is listed as NUMBER TWO as the most popular purebred of 2011 and has only been around since 1899!!! Best known for its role on TV as Rin Tin Tin and its service in World War I, the breed’s popularity took off from there.
Build: The GSD height is from 22 – 26 inches and can weigh about 60 – 140 pounds. They are a large and muscular dog and can be very powerful.
Appearance: The large prick ears and black mask on their face is a strong physical feature of the GSD. They come in a variety of colors but are best known for their tan/black or red/black markings. The White GSD is sometimes considered a fault in the gene line and can be disqualified by some standards. They have a double coat that sheds all year round, so daily brushings (sometimes a 2-3 times a day) will be required to help maintain their beautiful coat.
Personality: The GSD is extremely intelligent (ranked third most intelligent breed behind the Border Collie and Poodle) and highly trainable. They are very self-confident, affectionate and playful with friends and family. However, this breed can have difficulties accepting strangers but with proper early socialization with different people, they will learn to quickly warm up to them. The GSD is fantastic with children and other animals!
Activity Level: Their activity level is high, making them a breed that enjoys a good job outside. This breed lives to “serve” people, so some type of “job” or competitive sportsmanship with the GSD will be required to keep them mentally healthy and happy! A 30 minute walk twice to three times a day will be a must for this breed. This will help prevent behavioral problems that can develop from boredom, therefore this breed does NOT make for a good apartment dweller or left home alone for many hours. They enjoy being outdoors and will need access to a backyard on a regular basis.
My Training Experience: I truly get overly excited when I get an opportunity to work with a German Shepherd. Their intelligence soars off the marks for picking up on commands and hand signals. They are not only a quick learner, but eager to learn and please you. As a trainer, I have also seen the other side of the GSD when they are not worked with, trained or exercised properly, which can make this breed miserable to be around. Not to their fault, they weren’t bred to lie around all day and be a couch potato, so they will be happy to entertain themselves and can be very destructive and aggressive if not properly socialized. It saddens me when I meet a GSD that is narcotic (pacing back and forth) or has severe anxiety issues due to lack of mental stimulation and exercise. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with a GSD and look forward to continue doing so.
Health Concerns: This breed has issues with Hip and Elbow Dysplasia, Epilepsy, Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (inability to properly digest food due to a lack of digestive enzymes made by the pancreas) and Bloat (an abundance of Air, Fluid or Foam in the stomach).
Rescue First
Germa Shepherd Puppies
Did you grow up watching Rin Tin Tin and long to have a GSD as part of your life? The German Shepherd is a wonderful all-around active and loyal dog to have. They truly can do it all! If this breed sounds like a breed that would fit well into your family’s lifestyle, then start your search today. They are a beautiful and regal purebred! Just remember they require a lot of training and exercise.
Consider looking into a rescue organization for a purebred, there are many out there and this will give you the chance to “Save a Life” by adopting. NEVER purchase any dog from a pet store, unfortunately, those puppies come from puppy mills, instead look for a reputable breeder to work with.
As for all animals, it is important to spay and neuter your puppy by 6 months old to have a healthy and happy pet for many years to come!
