The German Shepherd, defense and assistance dog par excellence
Table of Contents
The German Shepherd Dog is a powerful looking dog, often referred to as a "wolfdog". Very intelligent, docile, and hardworking, he is a great companion, but also a defense or assistance animal used by the police and rescue services.
- Size: from 55 to 65 cm
- Weight: from 22 to 40 kg
- Coat: short and harsh
- Color: black and tan
- Life expectancy: 13 years
- Gestation period: 9 weeks
Description and characteristics of the German Shepherd
The German Shepherd is a large dog with a short, hard coat most often black
in color with reddish-brown, brown, or tan markings. He has a double coat: a
covering, dense, rough, and well lying, and an equally dense undercoat. His
appearance is harmonious with his straight, muscular body and his slightly
sloping back. The German Shepherd Dog has a pronounced and powerful muzzle
and ears carried very straight and ending in a point. Its tail is rather
long and drooping. Built like a trotter, his rear limbs have the
particularity of being oblique, which allows him to push strongly when
running or jumping.
Origin of the German Shepherd
The German Shepherd was created in Germany at the end of the 19th century
by Captain Max Frédéric Émile Von Stéphanitz who crossed several breeds of
shepherd dogs to give a robust and docile breed. The German Shepherd breed
was officially recognized in 1898.
Character and behavior of the German Shepherd Dog - Who is it for?
The German Shepherd is a very easy dog to train. He is playful, very
intelligent, docile, and seeks to please his master. He is a dog that adapts
as much to children, whom he always seeks to protect, as to the elderly. The
German Shepherd is as much a companion dog as a guard dog, a quality due to
his origins as a herder. His qualities as a working dog also make him an
excellent companion for the visually impaired, but also a very good defense
and rescue dog. The German Shepherd loves water and is a very good
swimmer.
How to take care of your German Shepherd Dog: his needs!
The German Shepherd needs to exercise every day. If he lives in an
apartment, he must be taken out several times a day. Very attached to his
master, the German Shepherd Dog can be subject to anxiety if separated from
them. It is therefore preferable that he always accompany him on his
travels. His hair needs brushing at least three times a week to detangle it
and restore its shine. It is also important to trim his nails regularly,
especially if the German Shepherd is not exercising too much.
The diet of the German Shepherd
The German Shepherd is carnivorous but he must also eat vegetables.
Industrial foods are fine for them as long as they are well suited to
their weight, height, age, and physical activity. It is recommended that
you only give one meal a day or two, including a lighter one, at regular
times. The German Shepherd Dog needs a lot of water to quench his thirst
regularly.
The health of the German Shepherd
The German Shepherd is a robust dog with a relatively long lifespan,
around 13 years. It is a breed that is not prone to any particular health
problems, apart from, like all large dogs, dysplasia (malformation) of the
hip or elbow.
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Dogs Breeds