German Shepherds are one of the most popular dog breeds in Germany. They are very versatile and sporty. The dogs love it when they are given challenging tasks.
Many dogs are trained to help people. These are avalanche, protection, guard or guide dogs.
German shepherds therefore definitely need a task to keep them happy. In the US, German Shepherds are really popular, such as the French Bulldog or Golden Retriever.
If you want to buy a German Shepherd, you should know that this breed of dog sheds all year round.
Breed characteristics Sheepdog
- Size: 55 to 65 cm
- Weight: 22 to 40 kg
- Colour: grey, black, multi-coloured
- Life span: up to 13 years
- Character: versatile, protective, loyal, slightly suspicious
- Suitable as: Guide dog, family dog or guard dog
Special features of keeping a German Shepherds
German Shepherds originated in Germany.
If you want to train your dog, you should choose a puppy. Older German Shepherds should only be trained by professionals.
If German Shepherds do not have social contact with other dogs or people from the beginning, they will not be able to reduce their mistrust.
Due to its strong character and breed-typical characteristics, a German Shepherd is particularly demanding to train.
It is very important for German Shepherds to be sufficiently occupied. They were bred many years ago to create a breed that was particularly well suited as a working dog. In the past, they were mainly used by the police or the military.
Southern German or Central German shepherd dogs were particularly well suited for the basis of breeding. Max von Stephanitz was the first breeder of German Shepherds.
The breed was founded in 1891 and is considered one of the most popular dog breeds today.
Education and training
German Shepherds are particularly clever and capable of learning. For this reason, it is not that difficult to train them.
It is fun to teach the dogs the most different commands. After a short time they understand what they are supposed to do and thus implement what they have learned after only a few repetitions.
But training and education are not everything for a sheepdog in puppyhood. Older dogs also need their daily occupation.
German Shepherds have a strong protective instinct. For this reason, you as the owner must make sure that your beloved four-legged friend does not cross any boundaries.
You must therefore practise with him every day so that he respects the boundaries at all times.
Only through extensive activity in the form of walks, retrieve training, agility and whatever else brings you fun, will the German Shepherd become balanced.
His nature is also to be constantly active. He wants to work and please.
Social behaviour
German Shepherds are considered very reliable and loyal. As all-rounders they offer something of all qualities.
However, they are somewhat suspicious of other dogs and people.
To prevent this from becoming a problem, you should let your German Shepherd play with other dogs regularly when he is a puppy. In this way your dog will learn to reduce aggression and fear.
With a German shepherd, these experiences cannot be made up for at a later age. Even a lot of training or love won’t help.
It would be a pity if these versatile dogs do not meet their human and unfortunately have to wander through many hands and spend their twilight years in a shelter.
Care and appearance
German Shepherds look very athletic and muscular.
Many dogs have a black, beige, black and red or grey coat colour. The dogs shed a lot. For this reason, you should vacuum your home daily.
In addition, you should remember to brush your dog two to three times a week. This way, at least some of the hair will get caught in the dog brush and not spread all over the flat.
The coat protects your dog from rain, snow, heat and cold. Depending on the breed, it may have a long coat or a stick coat.
Visually, German Shepherds always appear elegant and strong.
Often his behaviour is very impressive and striking compared to other dog breeds. Many sheepdogs have a strong stature. They are of medium size.
Because of their stature, they are considered very long and not particularly tall. The standing ears of Sheepdogs are usually slightly tilted forward. The head shape is somewhat wedge-shaped. The dark eyes of the dog have a slanted position.
German Shepherd behaviour
Many dogs have a strong protective and prey drive. These characteristics are particularly strong in dogs that come from a performance breed.
German Shepherds attach great importance to the human pack. They are always very open-minded and loyal to their family. As soon as strangers are near, the dogs are on guard and alert.
If your dog is well trained, his behaviour towards strangers is quite neutral. Within the family he seeks a lot of closeness.
German Shepherds love their daily petting, but also demand their chores every day.
Dogs that are not exercised often tend to find tasks for themselves. In some dogs, boredom leads to increased alertness. Other dogs, on the other hand, start to poach.
As a rule, it is not difficult to teach a German Shepherd something useful. German shepherds are considered to be particularly docile. They have a great interest in working with you.
Because of its versatile range of use, you can teach it tasks or things that are very varied. When training a sheepdog, it is important that you remain consistent. This is especially important because your dog’s protective instincts will be very strong.
Who suits best to the German Shepherd?
Because the German Shepherd is special, you have to love this breed. It needs an experienced, confident and assertive person. Since this dog breed can be trained well in puppyhood, the Sheepdog is rather conditionally suitable especially for beginners.
In addition to consistent training, these dogs have an all-round talent. Basically, German shepherds are suitable for families, but only if an adult is in charge of training and exercising the dog.
With dog-experienced owners and those who want this challenge, the shepherd dog will find an appropriate home.
The nature of the shepherd dog is on the one hand calm and cautious, but on the other hand they can develop a strong protective instinct and this has to be controlled in time.
The key facts about German Shepherds
The popularity of sheepdogs has always existed. In addition to their watchful qualities, this dog breed has everything it takes to be an ideal guard dog.
With sufficient physical and mental activity, these dogs are still not sufficiently exercised. They always need more than other dogs.
Even in training they show themselves docile, understand quickly and at the same time they can also be aggressive, reckless or in hunting mode.
This mixture is what makes the German Shepherd so special. As an experienced dog owner, it should be easy to deal with these pretty dogs.
