DOGS

German Shepherd Dog

In April 1899, Captain Max von Stephanitz registered dog with name Deutsche Schäferhunde, which means “German Shepherd Dog” in English. The first German shepherd dog was shown in America in 1907 and the breed was recognized by AKC in 1908. This dog breed was also used in movies Strongheart and Rin-Tin-Tin, which brought a lot of attention, making it very popular

Description

Well proportioned and very strong breed, German shepherd has a muscular, sturdy, and slightly elongated body type with a light, solid bone structure. Their forehead is little rounded and nose is most often black. Their teeth meet in a strong scissors bite and dark eyes are almond-shaped, and never protruding. The ears of German shepherd are wide at the base, and upright, pointed and turned forward. The bushy tail of this muscular breed reaches below the hocks and it hangs down when the dog is at rest.

German shepherd’s thighs are thick and sturdy and front legs and shoulders are muscular. On the basis of coat type, there are three varieties of the German shepherd: plush coat, double coat and longhaired coat, which most often comes in black with tan, sable or all black as well as white, blue and liver color, but white, blue and liver colors are considered a fault according to most standards.

The German Shepherd Dog is a natural protector and so adaptable and intelligent that he has performed just about every job known to dog. If he had opposable thumbs, he would be unstoppable.

Rin Tin Tin, a pup found in a World War I battle zone, became the world’s first canine movie star, forever marking the German Shepherd Dog as one of the most easily recognized breeds. From his imposing size to his erect ears and dark, intelligent eyes, he has achieved legendary status as the ideal canine. A versatile, athletic and fearless working dog, the Shepherd has done just about every job a dog can do, from leading the blind and detecting illicit drugs to bringing down fleeing criminals and serving in the armed forces. An energetic, loyal and devoted companion, the German Shepherd isn’t a breed but a lifestyle.

The abilities of this breed go far beyond its origin as a herding dog. The German Shepherd has made a name for himself as a police and military dog, guide and assistance dog, search and rescue dog, and detector dog. He has excelled in every canine sport, including agility, obedience, rally, tracking and, of course, herding. German Shepherds still work livestock on farms and ranches around the world, including the United States. If you have horses, they will trot alongside you while you ride and help you put the horses back in the barn when you’re done.

It takes some dedication to live with a German Shepherd. Be prepared to provide plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. A half-hour walk twice a day, plus a vigorous play or training session, is a good start.

The protective but loving German Shepherd is a great choice for families with children, but singles and couples who love the outdoors also match up well with this breed. With sufficient exercise and opportunities to use their considerable athleticism and brains, these versatile companions can handle anything from a small city apartment to a vast ranch. They're not suited for life in the backyard or a doghouse, but need to live indoors as a member of the family.