German shepherd: Dog Breed Information Guide 2022
One of the most popular dog breeds, the German shepherd is famous for being a hard worker and an excellent protector. They are popular dogs for service in the public sphere and the military.
If you’re thinking about adopting a German shepherd, there are many things that you need to consider. German shepherds are high-energy working dogs, so they require a lot of care and effort.
Here atSpot Pet Insurance, we understand there’s a lot that goes into adopting a pet. Each breed has its own unique set of needs. Our goal is to help you learn about your new pet so you can be prepared.
Before you adopt, it’s important to determine how well you and your pet will be able to get along. You need to have a lifestyle that will be able to fit the needs of your pet, so you both can be happy together.
By providingeducational resourcesfor prospective pet parents, we hope to be able to help pets find homes that will work for them, and by giving you tips and tricks, we can help you learn how to keep your pup happy.
If you’re thinking about adopting a German shepherd but aren’t sure about what is required to be a good pet parent for a German shepherd, continue reading to learn more.
German shepherd: An introduction to the breed
German shepherds are large dogs. They have a very distinctive and well-known look. Even German shepherd puppies look strong and confident. Their ears and tails stick up, making them look alert and ready to go.
German shepherds have a medium-length double coat. Their coats are usually a variation of two different colors, especially black, tan, or red. They don’t have any official markings, but the most famous version of the German shepherd has black tips and black spots on its back.
The history of the German shepherd
The German shepherd was developed as a breed in the late1800sin, as you’ve probably guessed, Germany. Shepherds were looking for a dog who could help them herd and protect their sheep.
A German captain by the name of Max von Stephanitz decided that he would try to find the ultimate sheepdog that had the traits necessary to herd sheep in Germany. In 1899, he located a dog that he called Horand von Grafrath, who became the father of the German shepherd breed.
Captain von Stephanitz trained Horand and his offspring, and they were quickly able to herd sheep. Unfortunately, large herds of sheep were becoming less common around this time. The captain switched gears and began to train German shepherds as military and police dogs. During WWI, the German shepherd became famous.
Before WWI and their rise to fame, German shepherds were accepted by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in1908. During World War I, their name was changed to shepherd dog in the United States to remove their association with Germany. Their popularity grew as their activities during the war were described by the soldiers that returned home. Some of the dogs returned to the United States with the soldiers, like the famous Rin Tin Tin.
Rin Tin Tin went on to star in movies alongside a shepherd named Strongheart. In the mid-1920s, the German shepherd was the most popular dog in the United States, although they lost that title around ten years later. Today, German shepherds often serve as guide dogs and search and rescue dogs, and they’re often involved in police work.
What kind of care do German shepherds need?
It’s important to know your pet’s habits and needs so you can properly provide for them. Some pets need more care in some areas, and others have different needs. Depending on the breed, you will need to spend more time grooming, playing, or training.
The German shepherd does need some grooming, but not as much as a dog with long hair.
How much training does a German shepherd need?
They will definitely need plenty of training to keep them active mentally, and so they know how to behave in public.
They need to be well socialized too. To socialize a German shepherd, you should introduce them to new people, places, and dogs as they grow older. If a dog is isolated, they can become aggressive and antisocial.
Basic commands like sit, stay, come, and heel are great to start your pup’s training with, but you need to build on that to ensure they get enough mental stimulation. Otherwise, they might get bored, and bored dogs are not good for furniture or shoes.
To train your German shepherd, you can take them to a class or teach them yourself, but you need to be firm and sweet. You can’t give into
Do German shepherds get along with children?
If you have children, you might be curious about how your German shepherd will be able to handle having them poke and prod them the most of the time. Fortunately, German shepherds are great with kids.
German shepherds are famous for their work ethic, so they are often used by services that need dogs. They can work in the military or with the police. They can be service dogs, or they can be herding dogs if necessary.
What are some of the German shepherd’s health issues?
All dogs can have illnesses that they can get or inherit from their parents. Fortunately, reputable breeders try to prevent hereditary conditions from being passed.
Some of the health conditions a German shepherd can have are hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, von Willebrand’s Disease, degenerative myelopathy, and pannus.
We understand that these issues are pretty intimidating, especially if you’re new to being a pet parent. We wish we could help prevent these issues, but the most we can do is help by giving you the information you need about each one to try to prepare you.
What kind of exercise does a German shepherd need?
Make sure your German shepherd gets enough mental and physical exercise, so they don’t get antsy or restless. Good ways to exercise your pup are taking them for a walk, playing fetch or other games with them, hiking, or going for a jog.
Good mental exercises for your German shepherd would be obedience training, tracking, herding, or agility training. You could also combine physical and mental exercise with activities like agility training and herding.
