Mary Allen
Whether it is a service dog for the military and the police, a rescue dog, an avalanche rescuer, or a guide dog: the German Shepherd is suitable for a wide range of jobs thanks to its intelligence, agility, endurance, and good senses.
However, initially, it has only two tasks: to graze cattle and guard the house. At the end of the 19th century, the Central and South German breeds of herding dogs known in that country were crossed with each other so that could do this job in the best possible way, which eventually led to the appearance of the “German Shepherd” breed.
However, another group of people also learned about the qualities of the breed and used them for their own purposes: during the Second World War, thousands of dogs were sent to the front by the National Socialists and were also used for the propaganda machine.
Luckily, German Shepherds have been able to put this dark chapter behind them and continue to impress with their many positive traits, which is why they are still the most common and most used working dog breed to this day.
General
- FCI Group 1: Shepherd and Cattle Dogs (excluding Swiss Mountain Dogs).
- Section 1: German Shepherds
- Size: 60 to 65 centimeters (males); 55 to 60 centimeters (females)
- Colours: Black, grey-black, yellow, or brown with black saddle or black markings, black with yellow, brown, or white markings.
Activity
Even if a Shepherd’s Dog has gotten a little bigger over the years of breeding and has lost some of its agility, it still needs a lot of exercise. Simple walks, even many hours, are usually not enough to keep these hardy four-legged friends physically satisfied. So combine the walk with some small play (like fetching) or go for a walk with other dog owners so the animals can frolic and exercise.
But dog sports are also a good way to encourage and use a German Shepherd. In particular, it also trains mental performance, which is also of great importance for this intelligent breed.
Obedience, tracking, or dog dancing – especially if the Shepherd Dog is kept exclusively as a family dog - must be provided with various sports for sufficient activity. Agility is also most suitable, although jumping should be avoided for the most part because this dog breed is considered particularly susceptible to joint damage such as hip dysplasia.
Features of the Breed
The FCI breed standard states: “The German Shepherd must have a balanced temperament, strong nerves, self-confident, completely laid-back and (when not in an annoying situation) good-natured, as well as attentive and accommodating. It must have stamina and self-confidence to be a suitable companion, watchdog, service, and herding dog.
However, this is, of course, the ideal image of a dog, which can only be achieved with consistent, constant, loving, and understanding education.
Otherwise, if your four-legged friends are not properly socialized or raised incorrectly, the breed’s typical overconfidence can quickly breakthrough. Or a pronounced protective instinct manifests itself where it really does not belong.
Therefore, it is important that you really take this ready-to-work and actually obedient dog and lead him. If you’re not assertive, the self-confident German Shepherd will soon be dancing on your nose – if you want to assert yourself with toughness, you’re unlikely to get to know the relaxed, balanced, and good-natured side of four-legged friends.
Recommendations
Therefore, German Shepherds should definitely be given to experienced dog breeders who are ready to work hard with their dogs. Whether it’s sports, continuous training, or constant new mental tasks/challenges: this breed is very well suited for active people who have plenty of time and patience.
In terms of maintenance, a house with a garden would certainly be the best so that the German Shepherd can frolic between walks. But above all, numerous green spaces (forest, park, lake) are of great importance, which is actively used for walking several times a day. For this, dog sports should be practiced, especially if the four-legged friend is kept only as a family dog, in order to properly use it.
And if you offer your German Shepherd all of this, you will have an incredibly loyal companion who enjoys being with and working with his people.