GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG GUIDE
German Shepherd Dog Guide
Breed Group: Herding Dogs
Middle Age: 5 years
Geriatric Age: 10 years
Life Span: 10-14
Information and history of the German shepherd
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The German shepherd, although popular all over the world, really started at the end of the 19th century. A German Calvary commander wanted to create the best sheep dog in the world. Maybe he didn’t achieve that exact goal (that’s debatable), but he certainly created one of the best and most popular dogs in the world.
The captain – a man named Von Stephanitz – eventually wanted to know the “alpha” breed of the German Shepherd Dog and went to some places to find out about the different breeds. Eventually, he found a breed he liked, bred them, and later used his breed during World War I, making it a working dog.
Although many German Shepherds returned home to American soldiers, they were actually in the United States before the war, and they became famous for their service to the military.
But at the time, because of the American hatred of Germany, the AKC actually called the name “Shepherd dog”, instead of the German shepherd. Later, the name was changed, but funny enough, the names almost separated the two breeds in a good way: the Americans breed German shepherds for their shows, which are which destroyed some of their unique characteristics, and the Germans carefully selected their species, always looking for. to create an alpha species among canines.
German Shepherd Personality and Temperament
This is one of the types of personalities you may know. You see a beautiful German Shepherd, and when you want to run up and feed him, you know better, because those watchful eyes are questioning you and checking you out. And you are not afraid of them, because the temper of the German Shepherd is not violent. These dogs are aloof and usually reserved with strangers. They are unwaveringly loyal, and once they decide that you can be trusted, they will show you a part of their personality that they think is a reward. They are so intelligent and have so many different things to train them to do that they are in a class of their own.
These dogs are aloof and usually reserved with strangers. German Shepherds are unwaveringly loyal, and once they decide you can be trusted, they will show you a part of their personality that feels like a reward. They are so intelligent and have so many different things to train them to do that they are in a class of their own.
They are good guardians and you can trust them to protect the children. They need exercise, a lot of stimulation, and being with their loved ones all the time (German Shepherd’s separation anxiety is a big problem with these dogs, as they get scared without their owner).
By the way, this dog is really an alpha character: calm, confident, courageous, brave, intelligent, strong and playful, and too big to make you back down. Then, at home, the behavior of the German shepherd is affectionate, calm, quiet and even sometimes courageous.
German shepherd training
This dog was bred to be trained. If you read a little about their history, you know what we’re talking about. Although the German shepherd can be trained (perhaps more than any other breed in existence) at home, it is very useful to send it to a puppy class or a professional trainer (There are many). . They are docile, hyper intelligent and eager for instruction and work. They like to learn and be challenged, and in turn, they like to take on challenges when given the opportunity. This is why obedience classes are important for this type, because they know how to get into trouble and challenge you in every learning process. At home, you will establish yourself as an alpha, this is one of those types that benefit from the owner holding a firm hand (non-violent).
Early contact is also important. Expose them to other dogs, people and the environment from the start. These dogs are very careful in this situation, although it is suitable in some cases, it must be fixed in time or the German shepherd can be dangerous. In the last words, they are not as dangerous as some of the larger breeds known for their anger (Rottweilers and Pitbulls), but any dog of this size and strength should know when it is appropriate to show his hand.
Exercise requirements for German shepherds
The subject of the exercise is a dynamic one. The reason is: on the one hand, they need a lot of physical stimulation (often linked to their training) and on the other hand, they should not exercise enough in their youth to reduce the risk of creating joint problems. That being said, a German Shepherd puppy has a lot of energy. They like to run, have large prey and high animal activity, often make you spend the night or destroy the furniture if they are not tired by the end of the day. This enthusiasm will wane, but they need to exercise 30 to 45 minutes a day for the rest of their lives.
These are large dogs that benefit from lots of opportunities to run around, and you can add variety to their exercise routine. They like to swim, play frisbee, fetch, hite (or do anything related to nature), and chase you. Be sure to include their exercise routine in their obedience training, as physical and intellectual stimulation is the key to making a German shepherd look good.
German Shepherd Longevity and Life span
A German Shepherd usually lives between 9 and 13 years.
The Popularity of the German Shepherd Breed
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The German Shepherd ranks second on the AKC’s list of the 155 most popular dog breeds. This means that they come in behind the Labrador and are perhaps even more interesting in their ranking, considering that they have been in the United States since the 1920s. Perhaps they are popular because they variable. They are great companions, guard dogs, show dogs, police dogs, service dogs and everything a dog can be (they are trained for many different purposes).
Their unwavering loyalty and fearless nature make them great travel companions, family lovers, and dogs strong enough to protect even the most caring of people if the situation calls for it. need it. Not to mention, the purebred German Shepherd is very handsome in his black, brindle-colored coat, and his handsome and handsome face still has a kind of stoicism that is lost in most breeds.
Dietary Requirements for a German Shepherd
Your German shepherd should eat 3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food per day, divided into two equal meals. It is important that you strive to create the healthiest (and best) food for your German Shepherd, because the way he eats during his puppy years can directly affect the health of his joints in time. They are not usually slimy and because they like to exercise, you will not see a lot of obesity in this breed.
But, age, metabolism, weight and activity level are all important factors to consider when eating right. Be aware that these dogs may be more prone to joint and leg problems as they get older, and make sure you feed them the best food so they can grow well.
Grooming a German Shepherd
The German Shepherd sports a double coat that is usually thick and thick on the bottom and wiry on top. These beautiful dogs have a coat that protects them from the cold (it is water resistant), and sheds its coat during the winter in preparation for the summer heat. They are bad shedders and require weekly brushing (and sometimes daily if time demands it).
In fact, they are often considered one of the worst shedders, and it doesn’t help that their coats are often dark (black hair will stand out in the light). Note that when you buy this style, you will want to do a lot of dressing.
In terms of hygiene, brush their teeth 2 to 3 times a week to avoid the buildup of tartar and bacteria. Encourage their efforts, although it is unlikely that you will need to do this all the time, as their level of activity discourages them. Check their body for anything suspicious and take them to the vet to make sure they are growing properly, because these dogs are prone to joint problems (if caught in time, it is easy to treat them to control).
Do German Shepherds Good with Children?
The general answer: absolutely. If raised properly, a German Shepherd will take children as his own, love them forever and protect them at all costs. They playful in their youth, are smart enough to know their limits when it comes to youngsters, and are smart enough to know what is right and wrong. The personality of the German Shepherd makes a wonderful addition to a home with children.
In other words, their attitude towards children depends on how they are brought up, trained and introduced to young people. Since they are guard and protection dogs by nature, just because they love your children does not mean they will like your children’s friends, or all children for that matter. But – and we’re clarifying here – they get along well with children and are generally gentle with children.
Common German Shepherd Health Problems
The German Shepherd is a very healthy dog with a good life expectancy (9-13 years). But since they are in second place on the most popular list, this means that there are puppy mills that are trying to produce large puppies, without respect for the role they also have in maintaining quality . It is important when buying a German Shepherd puppy that your breeder can provide a health certificate for the parents. These licenses must be issued by an authorized agency.
German shepherd health problems include:
Hip Dysplasia:
If you’re familiar with the dog world, you’ve probably heard at one point or another that German shepherds can have hip problems. This means that German shepherd hip dysplasia is common in this breed. This is not an exaggeration, since hip dysplasia affects 20% of all types. They are very sensitive to this problem, which occurs when there is a change in the hip joint. Symptoms include pain when walking, poor gait, lameness in the leg(s), and worst of all, inability to move. There are many preventions, treatments and surgical procedures available for this condition, and it is never life threatening.
Elbow Dysplasia:
In the same vein as hip dysplasia, it occurs when there is a misalignment of the elbow joint. It can cause lameness of the legs (legs), difficulty in extending the joints, poor walking and, in the worst cases, inability to move. Although it is not common in German Shepherds, it can still happen if the dog is not raised properly or has inherited bad genes. There are preventive, curative and surgical methods for this disease.
Degenerative myleopathy:
This degenerative disease affects the spinal cord, gradually limiting its ability to communicate with the brain. If this happens, your German Shepherd will have difficulty controlling his back legs and may forget they are there altogether. In some cases, there are treatments and dietary changes that can cure the condition, but most of the time the dog is put down.
Keratitis:
This condition occurs when the cornea becomes inflamed. If you do not know what the cornea is, it is the same in humans; the dome that covers the pupil and iris of the eye. This painful condition can affect your dog’s vision, sometimes it is so painful that he does not want to open his eyes. The causes are bacteria, fungi, exposure (injury) and sometimes just bad genes. However, there are many treatments available for this condition, and they are never life threatening. Although it is most common in small dogs, it is also common in German shepherds.
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