german shepherd dog

History of origin

In the middle of the XNUMXth century, people really needed dogs that could protect livestock. The dog had to be strong, powerful, easy to manage. Also, the dog had to live quietly in urban conditions. 

The task of breeding such a breed was undertaken by Max Emil Frederick von Stephanitz. He knew biology well, understood cynology and clearly understood what they wanted from him. All types of the Old German Shepherd Dog were at the disposal of the specialist. 

In 1882, the first dog to be registered as a German Shepherd was the male Greif. His color was off-white, it was he who worked out the entire program perfectly, without scaring the sheep. But this dog did not fit in terms of external parameters – nevertheless, the color should be beautiful and noble. 

In 1889, another male was found, which became the ideal representative of the German Shepherd breed. He had the character and appearance of a gentleman: the dog was distinguished by intelligence, was handsome, with strong bones and a noble posture. 

The breed came to Our Country only in 1924, when German Shepherds were brought from Germany. At first there were problems with breeding dogs – there were not enough funds and specialists. But then a kennel club appeared in the country, whose representatives were interested in breeding healthy dogs.

Breed description

The German Shepherd is a large dog with a strong skeleton and well-developed muscular build. They have a wide, powerful chest, a slightly lowered pelvis, and an easily recognizable stance. Their limbs are long, even and strong, and the tail is straight and saber-shaped. The skin tightly fits the body of the dog, so that not a single fold is formed. The head of the shepherd dog is wedge-shaped, the ears are large, erect, slightly pointed at the tips. 

The coat of the German Shepherd is short, thick, with a developed undercoat, which allows you to endure even frost. Colors are very different: both black and gray, but the most common is black-backed (a classic combination of black and tan for this breed). 

Very rarely there is a white color – some distinguish such shepherd dogs as a separate “American” breed, but they are not officially recognized.

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Character

The German Shepherd, like many other large breeds, requires a lot of time and attention. It is better for a dog to live in a private house so that there is access to the street, garden or yard. 

The dog has a well-developed instinct to protect its loved ones. These dogs get along well with children and other animals, provided that the first acquaintance happened in puppyhood. An adult dog is unlikely to accept a new four-legged family member, although this problem can be solved with the intervention of a professional dog handler. 

The German Shepherd is both a policeman, a nanny, a companion, a comrade and a faithful defender. It is worth remembering that this breed will not suit you if you work hard and often leave. The dog will be sad for the owner, which can negatively affect its behavior. 

German Shepherds are excellent watchdogs, but it is better not to tie them in one place, let them run freely in their territory. Dogs need a large yard where they can vent their energy and stretch.

Care and maintenance

When getting a dog, remember that German Shepherds shed a lot. They need to be brushed 3-4 times a week. Also, the dog needs to be walked a lot – to train it physically and mentally, so if you spend a lot of time at work, and on the weekend you prefer to lie on the couch than go for a walk – this breed is not for you. 

German Shepherds do not require special care, but the owner must constantly monitor the condition of the ears and teeth. Teeth should be cleaned with a special paste or allowed to gnaw on raw bones. Wipe the ears once every two weeks with a damp cotton pad. Shepherd’s nails should be trimmed every three weeks because they can hurt when jumping and walking on pavement. 

Getting a German Shepherd in the house, get ready to fork out for her food. The breed is large, so the dog needs 3 to 4 meals per day. 

If you decide to feed your dog dry professional food, then it should be super-premium. However, many owners prefer to feed their German Shepherds with natural foods: organ meats, trimmings, beef tripe, vegetables such as pumpkin, squash, carrots, as well as eggs and cottage cheese are good. If you notice that the dog has begun to gain weight, you need to reduce portions. If it looks thin, on the contrary, increase it. 

When a person decides to bring a German Shepherd home, he wonders if it smells like a dog? According to veterinarians, German Shepherds smell only if they are in the rain for a long time or swim in the river in summer. Also, dogs can smell after bathing, so it is recommended to dry the dog with a towel after bathing and dry it with a hair dryer.

Education and training

Training should start at a young age. German Shepherds are able to learn simple commands with just a few repetitions. 

The puppy needs to be taught in a playful way, to be able to interest him. Do not show aggression – the dog will not understand it, and contact with it can be easily lost because of this. 

First of all, the dog must learn its name. You need to stroke her head and call her name. When he becomes a little older, you need to learn the commands “Come to me”, “Sit”, “Lie down”, “Voice”, “Give a paw”. It is impossible to punish a small puppy for not following the command. 

You also need to arrange for him a place where he will sleep, as well as learn the “Place” command. 

Be sure to teach the commands “Fu” and “No”. It is important to wean the dog from picking up from the ground. 

From the age of 6 months, the puppy should be taught to wear a muzzle, rewarding good behavior with treats. The dog should be wary of strangers, so do not allow guests to stroke the dog and play with him. 

Health and disease

With proper care, your pet will live from 9 to 13 years. Often these dogs suffer from hip dysplasia, and many of them are already born with this disease. When the dog is one year old, it is necessary to conduct a diagnosis of the joints in order to identify the disease in advance and take corrective therapy. 

German Shepherds also have epilepsy and blindness.

Popular questions and answers

Answered our questions about keeping German Shepherds biologist, cynologist, dog training specialist Irina Makarenkova.