German Shepherd

Ask any German Shepherd owner what the dog’s character is. Everyone will tell you that it is an intelligent, loyal, obedient dog. If the owner is looking for a nanny for his child, the German Shepherd is perfect for this role. There is no need to be afraid to leave the animal with your child.

Breed Photos

Origin History

The first version of the German Shepherd was a cross between a wolf and a dog. A professional military man once bought a German Shepherd dog at a show. And then the man searched for the best specimens to mate with the pet.

Max von Stephanitz was actively engaged in studying the character and habits of this breed of dog. He very much wanted to create an intelligent German Shepherd with a set of the best qualities. In his mind, the German Shepherd was to be the standard among all breeds. At first, the man thought about creating the perfect shepherd dog. But Max realized that the world was moving forward and farming was falling by the wayside.

Therefore, the leading creator of the breed decided to emphasize the service characteristic of the dog. The First World War was looming. Max understood that dogs could help in the service. He made arrangements with the government agencies for a German Shepherd to be involved in the work. During the war, German Shepherds served as guards, rescuers, messengers, and guards. During the war, the German Shepherd even transported ammunition and food for the citizens.

The breed was added to the registry after World War I. They demanded the maximum from the dog – and they got the most.

Appearance

The German Shepherd is a large, muscular dog. It has a large chest.

The height of the male dog at the withers reaches almost 70 cm. They weigh about 30-40 kg. Females are slightly smaller – 65 cm and 25 kg.

The German Shepherd has a medium coat. It has a thick undercoat. Everyone is used to the standard color of this breed – black and brown. But there are many others, for example, black or solid gray, black with brown.

Character

Ask any German Shepherd owner what the dog’s character is. Everyone will tell you that it is an intelligent, loyal, obedient dog. If the owner is looking for a nanny for his child, the German Shepherd is perfect for this role. There is no need to be afraid to leave the animal with your child.

It is not a stubborn dog who will dictate the rules in the family. It is loyal and obedient to its owner and all family members. The German Shepherd is not afraid of new places, people, and animals.

Even though you can keep your dog in an aviary, he does not like to be alone. You must have companionship with your dog. Exercise the animal both mentally and physically. A German Shepherd will gladly learn and follow new commands.

Without reason, the German Shepherd will never bite a stranger. But will always be wary of him. The German Shepherd is ready to sacrifice itself to protect all family members. The guarding instinct is developed entirely.

Care

A German Shepherd should be brushed once or twice a week. During the molting period, a little more often. After each walk, you should wash your dog’s paws and belly with warm water and pet shampoo. It would be best if you did not wash your dog often. Their skin has a unique secret that acts as protection. If you wash your dog often, it will only wash off. It is vital to keep the ears and teeth of the German Shepherd dog clean. It is very important.

Training

The German Shepherd is one of the most intelligent dog breeds. Training is easy for the animal. It should be taken into account that the dog needs not only psychological but also physical activity. If the German Shepherd lives in an apartment, it should have its place. If the dog lives in an enclosure, a warm place to sleep should be arranged. If the owner goes for jogs, you can take the German Shepherd with him.

Common Diseases

The German Shepherd is not in perfect health. Some medical conditions – for example, arthritis, epilepsy, cataracts, hip dysplasia, cancer, hind limb paralysis.

Nutrition

It is best to feed your German Shepherd with dry food. It is vital to choose balanced nutrition with enough vitamins and minerals. And if the owner still decides to feed by-products, a balanced diet should be selected. A veterinarian can be consulted for help. The animal should have constant access to water.