There is no one who does not know the German Shepherd. The dog of this breed is one of the most popular quadrupeds in the world. Who does not remember Szarik from the series "Czterej Pancerni i pies", Cywil's dog, or Commissioner Alex? Many owners are proud to express themselves about this dog. He is a perfect combination of high intelligence, fidelity and temperament.
The German Shepherd is often called an Alsatian because of its wolf-like appearance. This breed was officially registered in 1989, although the progenitors of German Shepherds lived in Germany probably as early as the 1th century. Captain Max von Stephanitz contributed to the definition of the German Shepherd standard. During a large breeding exhibition in Karlsruhe, his attention was drawn to one of the presented dogs, which was a type of working sheepdog - a strong and durable dog. Von Stephanitz acquired this dog for his breeding. He named him Horand von Grafrath and registered him under number XNUMX in the German Shepherd breeding book.
In the 19th century, the breeding of German Shepherds was aimed at developing a utility breed for versatile use. Breeders have developed a loyal, persistent and obedient dog that can accompany police officers in their daily work or be used for military purposes.
Here are the suggested sizes for adult dogs of this breed. They were selected on the basis of many years of experience in sewing accessories and the most common choices of other dog owners of this breed. Remember, only measuring will give you 100% certainty - every dog is different.
According to the FCI classification No. 166, the German Shepherd Dog belongs to the group of medium and large shepherd dogs. It is characterized by a compact and proportional silhouette and good muscles. The dog reaches a height at the withers of 60 - 65 cm (male) and 55 - 60 cm (female). The weight of the quadruped is respectively: 30 - 40 kg and 22 - 32 kg.
When viewed from all sides, the forelegs should be straight and, seen from the front, the forelegs should be perfectly parallel and well muscled. The hind legs should be placed slightly backwards and, when viewed from the rear, parallel to each other. A dog of this breed runs at a low trot in a harmonious and stable manner. The hind limbs provide him with a long range, and the front limbs provide sufficient reach. While walking, the Sheepdog has the ears pointing forward and the tail slightly raised.
The head of the German Shepherd is proportional and wedge-shaped, with the forehead slightly rounded to the sides. The bridge of the nose is straight and always black, and the jaws are strong. This dog's eyes are almond-shaped. They are always dark and set slightly obliquely. Its pointed ears point forward and should not be folded. In a puppy, one ear may be floppy. This is not a disadvantage, as it should straighten as it grows.
The German Shepherd has a strongly muscled neck, directed at a 45° angle to the back line. The teeth of this dog, according to the FCI standard, should be tightly arranged and deeply embedded in the jaw. The German Shepherd has a scissor bite (the incisors of the upper jaw are placed tightly in front of the incisors of the lower jaw). Its back is straight and well muscled. The croup is elongated and smoothly connects with the base of the tail. The chest is quite wide, with a clearly defined long sternum. Its tail reaches at least to the hock joint. He is straight and saber-like when walking. When the dog shows joy, it lifts its tail slightly towards the line of its back. The German Shepherd has strong paws and wide loins, thanks to which it can cover long distances without much fatigue.
The coat of the German Shepherd Dog is two-layered, consisting of an undercoat and a top coat. The undercoat is soft, fine and dense. It acts as an insulation. The top coat, on the other hand, is stiff and thick. It protects the dog from injury, providing him with additional insulation. Representatives of this breed come in two varieties: short-haired (Stockhart) and long-haired (Longstockhart). Both are black with red, brown or gray burns.
The coat hair of the Shorthair Sheepdog is close to the skin, thick and hard. The head, ears and front sides of the paws are covered with shorter hair. They are longer and denser around the neck and on the back sides of the forelimbs. On the other hand, the hair on the thighs is thick and long. The coat hair of the Longhair Sheepdog is long, soft and does not stick to the skin. On the limbs and ears they are longer. The tail of this type of dog is covered with dense and hanging hair. Likewise, the neck has long and more abundant bristles. On the other hand, the head, the inside of the ears, the front sides of the limbs and the paws are covered with shorter hair. On the thighs, on the back side, the hair forms characteristic "pants".
The German Shepherd Dog is a very intelligent, loyal and obedient dog. He is characterized by a calm and balanced character. He is confident, courageous and always ready to defend his owner. He can be distrustful of strangers. It usually takes time to make new friends. Sensing the positive attitude of new acquaintances, he is able to reciprocate with friendship. The German Shepherd is a quick learner and happy to work with the owner.
He is not a loner type and feels great in a multi-person family with children. As a rule, he accepts other pets, especially when he has been accustomed to them from a puppy. He quickly attaches to the owner, creating a strong bond with him. He is a good guardian of the quiet of the home. Before buying a dog of this breed, it is worth considering that the Shepherd Dog is an energetic dog and does not feel comfortable in a cramped apartment. He needs a large space where he can discharge excess energy. This quadruped loves fun, various types of physical activity, combined with proper training.
The coat of the German Shepherd requires constant care. This dog moults profusely - usually twice a year, regardless of whether it is a representative of the short-haired or long-haired variety. Then its very dense undercoat can come out in handfuls. Therefore, it should be brushed twice a day during the molting period. The rest of the time, the dog's coat also needs to be groomed, but
it is enough to brush it every 3 days. Remember to clean your ears and to cut hair from between the pillows. Trimming claws should not be forgotten, unless the dog is rubbing them himself on long walks. Bathing can be limited only to the necessary necessity, when the pet gets very dirty.
The German Shepherd is very resistant to weather conditions. It is a healthy and resistant breed, although it is prone to some diseases. The most common symptom is painful stomach volvulus, which should not be underestimated. Such a twist can even lead to the death of the pet. Another disease that may plague the German Shepherd is degenerative myelopathy of the spinal cord, which manifests itself as gradual paralysis. It most often affects dogs over 5 years of age. Its first symptom is gradual weakness of the hind limbs. After a few months, the croup becomes paralyzed, muscles atrophy and problems with continence of urine and feces occur.
In the next stage, the changes may extend to the forelimbs. The dog loses the ability to move independently within 4-6 months of diagnosis. In addition, German Shepherds, due to their size and growth rate, are burdened with a high risk of diseases of the locomotor system. This mainly applies to hip dysplasia, juvenile osteitis, "cauda equina syndrome" (degenerative lumbosacral stenosis), spondylosis (chronic age-related spine disease) and inflammation of the intervertebral disc and vertebrae.
Endurance, diligence, versatile talents and obedience are the features that predestine the Shepherd to perform various utility functions: in the police, border guard, army, mountain rescue and medical. Dogs of this breed are great as: a guide, rescuer, tracker and shepherd dog. They also achieve successes in various canine sports and, as mentioned in the introduction, they do well on a film set.
What is the history of the German Shepherd breed?
The German Shepherd, also known as the Alsatian, has a rich history that dates back to the late 19th century in Germany. This breed was developed by Max von Stephanitz, who strived to create an ideal shepherd dog. German Shepherds quickly gained popularity thanks to their intelligence, strength and working abilities.
What are the main character traits of a German Shepherd?
German Shepherds are intelligent, loyal and temperamental. These dogs are very devoted to their owners, as well as brave and ready to protect. Thanks to their high intelligence, they easily learn new commands and are willing to work.
Is a German Shepherd a good family dog?
Yes, a German Shepherd can be an excellent family dog, provided it is properly trained and socialized from a young age. They are loyal and protective dogs towards family members, but their strong protective instinct requires proper socialization to prevent overly protective behavior.
What are the physical activity requirements for a German Shepherd?
German Shepherds are very active dogs and require regular physical activity. Long walks, running, and games requiring mental stimulation are recommended. Their activity needs are high, making them ideal companions for active people and families with a large yard.
How to care for a German Shepherd's fur?
German Shepherds have a thick, double coat that requires regular grooming. Brushing at least once a week helps remove loose hair and prevent tangles. During shedding periods, which typically occur twice a year, they may require more frequent brushing.
Scabies is a highly contagious parasitic disease. The disease is caused by scabies mites. The basic symptom associated with a scabies mite invasion is very severe itching, which is not seasonal. The parasite attacks, among others, people and pets, i.e. dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs. Young animals are most susceptible to the disease, although it can occur at any age. It is worth learning how to protect your pet and yourself against this dangerous disease.
Bichon Frize is a small dog that is distinguished by a very impressive appearance. Thanks to its beautiful and curly white fur, it resembles a slightly plush mascot, created for caressing. He is a cheerful and cheerful quadruped, willingly spends time with people and other domestic animals. He loves walks, enjoys playing and playing ball, as well as learning various tricks. He is an excellent companion dog and a great family friend.
Everyone knows the saying "live like a dog with a cat", which generally means a clash of two elements and endless quarrels because of their differences. It is difficult for a dog and a cat to reach an agreement, although it is not impossible. This friendship also happens! With the right approach to the domestication process, we can get our pets used to each other and make their relationship not troublesome. So how do you get your dog used to your cat?
