German Shepherd Dog

German Shepherds are Excellent working dogs for farms and for homes. They are very loyal to the master and this make German Shepherds excellent guard dogs!

Other Names          : Alsatian
                                   Deutscher Schäferhund

Origin                      : Germany

Used in  past as     : Working dog for Herding and Protect farms.
Life Expectancy     : 10-13 years
Height                     :  Male : 24-26 inches (60-65cm)
                                   Female: 22-24 inches (55-60cm)

Weight                    :  Male : 30–40 kilograms

                                   Female: 22–32 kilograms

Colors                     : 

                                                                                                    

  ** Special breed

                           

                                                                    
History:
                                 

In 1889 Captain Max von Stephanitz began the standardization of the breed. It all started at a dog show in Karlsruhe in western Germany. A medium-sized yellow-and-gray wolf like dog caught his attention. The dog was of the primal canine type, supple and powerful, and possessed endurance, steadiness, and intelligence. He was a working sheepherder, born with this ability, requiring no training other than direction and finish to become proficient at the task. This dog, Hektor Linksrhein, was purchased by von Stephanitz, renamed Horand von Grafrath, and became the first registered German Shepherd Dog.

Characteristics: 

German Shepherds are highly active dogs. Very intelligent marked by a willingness to learn.

Shepherds are extremely faithful and brave. They don't think twice to sacrifice even their lives to protect their human pack.

This breed is very attached to his family and owner. So they shouldn't be left isolated for a long time periods. This breed needs owners who are naturally Authoritative in a calm but firm and confident way. They should be trained well and socialized from early age. 

This breed likes to work and release its energy rather than living locked up in a cage. So make sure you give more time for exercises for this breed. 

Appearance:

• The German Shepherd Dog is well proportioned and very strong. 
• This breed
   has a sturdy, muscular, slightly elongated body with a light, solid bone structure.
• The head should be in proportion to its body, and the forehead a little rounded.
• The nose is most often black however, blue or liver still do sometimes occur, but is considered a fault.
• The teeth meet in a strong scissors bite.
• The dark eyes are almond-shaped, and never protruding.
• The ears are wide at the base, pointed, upright, and turned forward.
• The ears of puppies under six months may drop slightly.
• The bushy tail reaches almost to its hocks and hangs down when the dog is at rest.
• The front legs and shoulders are muscular and the thighs are thick and sturdy.
• The round feet have very hard soles. 

Health Problems:

·                   Hip and elbow dysplasia: a problem with joints

Blood disorders.

Digestive problems.

Epilepsy.

Chronic eczema.

Keratitis: the front part of the eye, becomes inflamed

Flea allergies.

Bloat: stomach becomes overstretched by excessive gas content.

Exercises:

German Shepherd Dogs love strenuous activity. They need to be taken on a daily, brisk, long walk, jog or run alongside you. While out on the walk the dog must be made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as in a dog's mind the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. Most shepherds love to play ball or Frisbee. Ten to fifteen minutes of fetching along with daily pack walks will tire your dog out quite nicely as well as give him a sense of purpose.

The daily exercise must always include daily walks/jogs to satisfy the dog’s migration instinct. If under-exercised and or mentally challenged, this breed can become restless and destructive.

Grooming:

Brush daily. Don't over bathe.check ears and claws regularly. Do other grooming mentioned for dogs as needed.

Group: Herding, AKC(American Kennel Club) Herding

Further Reading: Wikipedia