German Shepherd
So You Want a German Shepherd?
The German Shepherd is one of the most well known dog breeds
on earth. This dog is quite versatile and is used in many
different areas such as search and rescue and as police K-9s.
This powerful dog will strike terror in the heart of a
criminal one moment and endure the affectionate attention of a
child the next.
This breed was developed for guard use and still retains a
strong protective instinct. A dog that is high strung or
nervous should never be bred as the resulting puppies can be
untrustworthy. Most German Shepherds are wonderful dogs and
devoted to all members of their family including other pets.
This breed is large and will grow to weigh 60 to 75 pounds and
will stand 22 to 26 inches high. It has erect ears, dark eyes
and a graceful tail. The German Shepherd is usually black and
tan, although grey and tan or black and grey dogs are also
available. An all white variety known as an Alsatian is quite
popular. It is important that before purchasing this type of
puppy its parents are met as they can be high strung.
German Shepherds are high energy animals. They can thrive in a
city but will need to be exercised frequently and will be
miserable if left alone for long periods of time with nothing
to do. A house with a large yard in a rural area is ideal for
this breed.
This dog needs obedience training as a puppy. It is easier to
control a small puppy than a full grown untrained dog.
Obedience classes will also provide the dog with socialization
skills to use with other dogs and people. This dog should not
be trained as a guard dog because it can lead to aggression if
it is not properly trained. German Shepherds are naturally
protective and do not need attack dog training to guard the
home.
This breed requires little grooming. The dense coat is quite
coarse and will not mat easily. The dog should be brushed
weekly to remove dirt and debris. Dogs housed in the city will
rarely need their nails trimmed because the concrete will keep
them worn down, however dogs in rural areas may need their
nails cut several times a year.
German Shepherds require nutritional food formulated for large
dogs. If the Shepherd is a working dog high protein food
should be considered. A vitamin is also suggested.
This breed commonly suffers from hip dysplasia and epilepsy.
It is important that the puppy's parents have been tested for
both diseases.
Anyone looking for a loyal and protective dog should consider
a German Shepherd.
Back to: Dog Bits
|
