German shepherd dog

Athletic and sleek: the appearance of the German Shepherd

With the German Shepherd, a distinction is made between performance breeding and high-level breeding. According to most breeders, the animals differ slightly in appearance and character. The dogs in the performance line are said to have a stronger urge to work and move. However, there is no breed standard of their own.

In general, German Shepherds are medium-sized animals: males reach a height of 60-65 centimeters at the withers, while females remain somewhat smaller at 55-60 centimeters. When fully grown, the German Shepherd weighs 30-40 kilograms (male) and 22-32 kilograms (female). The comparatively large intervals result from the different lines.

Basically, a German Shepherd should have a strong body . The upper body is ideally slightly elongated and is well proportioned to the wedge-shaped head. A characteristic feature is the pointed, upright ears.

Strong performance : The dog’s ear is mobile and allows the animal excellent three-dimensional hearing. The subtle movements of the German Shepherd’s ears are very easy to recognize.

One result of the 20th century ideal of beauty is a back line that often runs slopingly, with the hips lower than the shoulders. Due to a strong focus on this feature, there were an increasing number of animals with hip problems. The trend in modern breeding is therefore to breed German Shepherd puppies with straight backs again.

The coat color is striking, the animals come in reddish brown, black and gray with markings. The coat itself is dense, and both short and long hair are permitted according to the standard.

Character of the German Shepherd: a working animal with heart

The history of the German Shepherd Dog probably goes back over 1000 years. For centuries, the animals were bred for one reason in particular: to help people with herding and driving . This background explains the character that can still be observed in the animals today – even when they live as companion dogs in the family.

The German Shepherd is internationally regarded as a particularly docile, loyal, persistent and watchful dog. Every potential owner should be aware that the animals have a very strong protective instinct . This means that they guard the family, the house or the garden. To a certain extent, this is often desired – but excessive watchfulness can develop. This happens if the dog is not sufficiently challenged physically and mentally .

German Shepherds are also considered brave, which is an advantage when herding. However, this trait can become a challenge when walking them on the street. Owners should therefore train their animals consistently from puppyhood . Then the German Shepherd almost always develops a balanced character, which makes it a loving family dog. With appropriate socialization, the German Shepherd even gets along well with other pets.

Inspector Rex : Because of their character, German Shepherds are considered to be particularly good service dogs, for example in the police or in rescue. This breed is therefore often found there. They are also used as guide dogs for use.

Exercise is important: Keeping the German Shepherd

Its history as a herding dog is not only reflected in its character, it is also crucial for the species-appropriate care of a German Shepherd. The animals generally need a lot of exercise and also want to be mentally challenged .long walk is therefore the minimum that most animals want per day. It is even better to include games.

Accordingly, it is easiest to keep the animals in rural areas where they have enough space to run around . In principle, German Shepherds can also cope with city life if they are not confined to an apartment.

It should be noted that animals from different lines can develop very different urges for movement . Trained companion dogs, for example, are very calm and balanced – but this is preceded by selection and appropriate training.

If you want to do dog sports, you have almost unlimited choice with a German Shepherd. Work is just as possible as “fun sports” – for example Frisbee. Some owners also train their animal’s nose, because the German Shepherd is a very good sniffer dog .

Health of the German Shepherd Dog

Does a typical German Shepherd get illnesses because of its breed? There is no general answer to that. In fact, there are some ailments that German Shepherds are considered particularly susceptible to. First and foremost, there are joint problems , especially hip dysplasia. This is a result of the sloping back line. By choosing the right animals for breeding, the susceptibility can be reduced.

In addition, German Shepherds are sometimes considered to be somewhat sensitive when it comes to the gastrointestinal tract . In the case of intolerances, owners should switch to an exclusion diet to avoid digestive problems.

You can cover the costs of medical treatment for your dog with thedog health insurance simply get a refund from SantéVet.

In addition, the German Shepherd can also suffer from the fearedgastric torsion A characteristic symptom is, for example, the inability to swallow. If you notice this sign in your dog, you should immediately consult a veterinarian who will initiate treatment immediately.

Despite the vulnerabilities mentioned, the animals are generally robust. The life expectancy of a German Shepherd is around 12 years, although some animals live significantly longer.

Care for the German Shepherd

When it comes to grooming, the coat change is an important issue. During this time, the dog sheds a lot of hair, which is a completely natural process for the animal. For humans, however, it means finding a lot of hair in the home or even on the sofa. In your own interest, it is therefore advisable to comb and brush the animal regularly, especially during the coat change.

Otherwise, caring for a German Shepherd is relatively easy, as the animals are considered to be very robust. For example, cutting claws is only necessary if the dog does not move enough to wear down its nails for some reason. Owners should then trim the claws themselves or visit a vet and ask them to do the job.