Dangerous Dogs Act Of 1991
Sometime in the 1990s, the United Kingdom saw an increase in dog attacks. Some of which, led to serious injury and death. In response, the Parliament decided to step in and enact the Dangerous Dogs Act to reduce these attacks.
However, rules were applied to only a handful of aggressive dog breeds. The Parliament also applied strict bans on certain dog breeds, making it illegal to own these specially controlled breeds in the United Kingdom.
Dog Breeds covered in U.K.s Dangerous Dog Act:
- Tosa Inu
- Fila Brasileiro
- Dogo Argentino
Not only are these specific purebreds covered in the Act, but also any dog crossbred with one of the four listed breeds. Consequently, the Dangerous Dog Act has stirred up a lot of controversy and has been heavily criticized for discriminating against dogs based solely on breed label.
Any dog that looks like a mix or possess similar characteristics of the four breed is considered dangerous. And unfortunately, whether a dog falls into the Dangerous Dogs Act is determined by the United Kingdom court system.
Are German Shepherds Aggressive Breeds
The German Shepherd breed is known for their aggressive behaviors and tendencies. German Shepherds are considered good guard dogs but if they are not trained guard dogs, then you need to curb any aggressive tendencies.
Are German Shepherds a dog for everyone? Thats where theyre not a dog for everyone, because German shepherds play this game of Whos in charge, me or you? at a very high level. I call it the dog code. Its basically the psychology of the dog. They have a code or a set of rules, which they follow.
What are the different breeds of German Shepherds? Types of German Shepherd All Breed Variations. 1 1. Saddle Back German Shepherd Dog. This by far the most common of all types of German Shepherd. While they are usually of two colors, it is the 2 2. Solid Color German Shepherd Dog. 3 3. Panda German Shepherd Dog. 4 4. Sable German Shepherd.
How many German Shepherd breeds are there? This is partly due to their intelligence, compatibility with humans and usefulness as a working dog. There are only two officially recognized German Shepherd dog breeds, but there are many ways you can differentiate the breed.
Health Conditions In German Shepherds
The German shepherd is a popular dog breed and hence poor breeding of this dog breed is increased so it is essential that you should learn to choose a German shepherd puppy before buying one because poor breeding also causes many diseases by birth which many peoples are unable to figure out.
GSD is an active and Energetic dog breed and hence they need regular exercising to keep themselves healthy. They suffer mostly from Bone related problems including Hip dysplasia, Elbow dysplasia, OCD , and some other bone-related issues.
To keep them healthy and fit a good diet from their initial days, regular checkup, and daily exercising is required. Vaccination is also important to prevent many diseases because prevention is better than cure.
Bloat and pancreatitis is another common health problem in German shepherds.
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How To Choose The Perfect Diet Of German Shepherds
German Shepherd is an active and energetic breed of dog so their diet should be perfect according to the energy level of their body. Most of the trainers feed their dog mainly meat but you can feed both vegetarian and non-vegetarian to your GSD but the protein, fat, and other nutrition should be perfect according to the growth stages of your German shepherd.
The protein fat composition in the diet of Adult German Shepherd should be-
18% of Protein
The protein fat composition in the diet of German Shepherd Puppy should be-
22% of Protein
Skeletal Health And Supplementation
Musculoskeletal disorders are debilitating conditions that are often associated with genetic makeup, malnutrition, and stress-related events. Some breeds like the German shepherd, are predisposed to a variety of different skeletal disorders, including but not limited to: canine hip dysplasia, Cauda equina syndrome, and osteoarthritis. These conditions can be a result of poor breeding or induced by intense exercise and poor diet.
Canine hip dysplasia is an orthopedic condition resulting from abnormal development of the hip joint and surrounding tissue causing the instability and partial dislocation of the hip joint, resulting in pain, inflammation, lameness, and potentially osteoarthritis of the joint. German shepherds are genetically predisposed to CHD and the University of Veterinary Medicine in Germany found its prevalence estimated to be approximately 35% of veterinary cases associated with the disorder.
Osteoarthritis is one of the main contributors of musculoskeletal pain and disabilities that commonly affect German shepherds. Mechanical stress, oxidative damage and inflammatory mediators combine to induce the gradual degeneration of the articular cartilage in the joint, resulting in reduced muscle mass, pain, and locomotion.
Vitamins such as A and D also have crucial roles in bone development and maintenance by regulating bone and calcium metabolism. Adequate levels should be incorporated into a German shepherd diet to promote a healthy musculoskeletal system.
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Where Did The German Shepherd Come From
The German Shepherd descended from a combination German herding dogs .
This dog was bred by cavalry officer Captain Max von Stephanitz, who combined various strains of local dog DNA to get the German Shepherd we see today.
It did not start out as a purebred, but after so many decades of generational breeding, it is now considered one.
According to a 2017 survey, the German Shepherd is considered the second-most popular dog in the worldbut why is that?
Well, it could be because this dog appeared in classic pop culture movies such as Rin-Tin-Tin and Strongheart.
Stephanitz was a smart man who quickly picked up on the with the advancement of technology, weapons, and corporations.
And so, he began marketing the German Shepherd as the ideal K-9 worker as management careers took over the dogs herding duties.
We still see the German Shepherd in police work to this day. Stephanitz was onto something.
German Shepherds Are Gentle Giants
They may look intimidating but in reality, they are quite affectionate and caring. GSDs are known for their fondness for their owner and family.
Some of them are known for becoming a little clingy and doing weird activities for gaining attention. GSDs always want the attention of their loved ones and sometimes they can become attention seekers.
Also, German shepherds are quite social by nature, they always want to be among the family members and hates to be alone.
Some of them may become little rough towards strangers but if properly socialized they can become really friendly. They can also become good with children and other pets in the family if properly socialized with them. However, they are not good for too small children as small kids dont know how to behave or act with animals.
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Why Do Apartments Have Breed Restrictions
There are three reasons dogs may face restrictions living in an apartment building:
Examples Of Breed Specific Legislation:
- Louisiana has 32 cities with breed bans. In fact, the Cityof Crowley includes German Shepherds on its restricted breed list.
- Iowa has the most cities with breed specific legislation 72 cities in this state outlaw at least one breed. While the majority of thesecities go after pit bulls in their legislation, Fairfieldincludes German Shepherds on its list, as well as any dog who weighs over 100pounds.
- In Denver, Colorado, no one is allowed to own a pit bull orany dog displaying the same physical traits as a pit bull.
- In North Little Rock, Arkansas, the ownership ofrottweilers, pit bulls, or bull terriers is restricted, owners of these breedsmust pay a licensure fee of $500.
There are some states that have more tolerable laws in place that do not restrict specific breeds instead, these laws focus on the dogs actual conduct with dangerous dog laws. This is the case in several states, such as Nevada, Arizona, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
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German Shepherds Are Tough
German shepherds are regarded as a strong dog breed. They are powerfully built and are gifted with intimidating looks and strong bite force. Not only physically these dogs are also known for their courage and confidence. Also, they are quite better in comparison to other dog breeds when it comes to adapting to different climatic conditions.
List Of All Types Of Shepherd Dogs
In the previous section, Ive mentioned several shepherd dog breeds and gave a brief overview of their behavior and other fun facts about them. Sadly, I can only cover so much in one article.
If you are curious to know the other shepherds acknowledged by the American Kennel Club, refer to the complete list of herding dogs below, arranged alphabetically for your convenience:
- Australian Cattle Dog
- Spanish Water Dog
- Swedish Vallhund
With all of the dog breeds listed here, Im sure you can better decide which dog is the right one for you. I know some of the breeds might be unfamiliar to you, so consider it a bonus to have new knowledge about them.
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German Shepherd Characteristics Facts And Information
German Shepherd Characteristics, Facts, and Information: German Shepherd is a popular police dog breed known for its smartness and loyalty.
An All-Purpose dog known as GSD or German shepherd is a large-sized dog with a muscular body besides their size and strength they are very agile and have a good working ability. A German shepherd is highly intelligent and is adaptable which makes him a good family dog. German Shepherd is very protective and loyal this means that they are of good and noble character and states that German shepherd temperament is not dangerous or aggressive if their training is done properly, Not only their personality and behavior GSD are very beautiful also they are often famous for their dense and heavy coat of medium length which sheds almost all year.
The German Shepherd is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world and their popularity creates greed among breeders which increases poor breeding of German shepherds and it becomes difficult for dog lovers to buy a healthy and pure breed German shepherd Puppy. They are so popular as almost everyone knows this dog breed but the question is how much you know about German shepherds?German shepherds are large-sized working dogs and they are often called all-purpose workers.We will discuss German shepherds in Detail including their temperament and behavior, Size including height and weight, appearance, health conditions, and diet .
Belgian Malinois Vs German Shepherd: Choosing The Right Dog For Your Family
OK, enough military talk!
The German Shepherd is easier to train than the Belgian Malinois simply because its more loyal and obedient.
If you want to train a Belgian Malinois, prepare to spend a lot of time socializing it .
Both the German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois can be good around children as theyre naturally protective.
But dont leave your baby unattended with these larger breeds. Always be watching!
As for other pets, the German Shepherd has a better chance of getting along with dogs and cats.
The German Shepherd also takes up more room at home because its bigger.
Meanwhile, the Belgian Malinois is more hyper and active and needs a house with a large, fenced yard.
No apartments!
Being the second-most popular dog, the German Shepherd is an obvious choice for families. The Belgian Malinois ranks at #44.
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Breeds Which Are Always On The Insurance Aggressive Dogs List
There is an aggressive dogs list used by insurance companies.
Yep.
Its true.
Insurance companies are in the business of risk assessment, so its only natural that they would have a list of dogs deemed so dangerous that the insurance company either wont cover the homeowner or they will cover them at a drastically increased premium.
Insurance companies base their lists on documented bite cases , case studies, and sometimes news stories.
Any breed that has any appearance of costing extra money will make their list.
Ive listed the most common breeds appearing on insurance companies aggressive dogs list, so you can see if youre in danger of not being covered.
A Police Officers Best Friend
Both breeds belong to the Working Group, which makes them naturally intelligent, strong, and watchful.
The temperament of a Belgian Malinois is alert, confident, and protective with a sweeter, friendlier side around familiar faces. Not with strangers.
The personality of a German Shepherd is loyal, confident, and obedient these traits will come into play when we talk about training later.
Based on these characteristics, both breeds make great field dogs for police officers.
Belgian Malinois are said to be most common at TSA lines inside the airport as well as train and subway stations.
Why? Because theyre smaller and can fit into tighter spaces. And their noses are great for sniffing out drugs.
German Shepherds, on the other hand, are more often used in chases to take down enemies because theyre heavier and stronger.
Heres a useful tip for aspiring police officers: this forum recommends starting with a German Shepherd because theyre easier to handle.
One user even wrote, Every Malinois Ive seen is CRAZY, good at what they do, but crazy!
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How To Train Your German Shepherd Using Positive Reinforcement Training
Training your German Shepherd using positive reinforcement training is actually very easy. The basic idea behind this method is that you want to reward your dog for a job well done rather than punishing them when they do something wrong.
Here is the step-by-step instruction on how to get started.
What Places Typically Have Dog Breed R Estrictions
Notlong ago, I was making plans for a short trip and Allie needed a place to stay.Because Allie is so lovable , a friend offered todoggy-sit.
Fortunately,I was aware of breed restrictions and told her to double check that herapartment manager didnt have a restriction against German Shepherd.
Sureenough, after checking her lease, my friend discovered that German Shepherdsare a restricted breed at her complex.
Whilebreed restrictions at apartments are common, thats not the only place you mayencounter breed restrictions. Check out this list for other places where yourGerman Shepherd may not be allowed.
- Condos
- Great Danes
- Wolf Hybrids
Its also important to note that your homeowners insurance may have dog breed restrictions with a similar list of aggressive breeds. This means your insurance premium may increase if you own a dog on this list. Or the company may not cover any damage caused by an aggressive dog, period.
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Is German Shepherd Dog Naturally Aggressive
The German Shepherd breed is known for their aggressive temperament and tendencies toward dominance. In fact, The American Animal Hospital Association has identified German Shepherds as one of the dangerous dog breeds in the US. Studies demonstrate that this dog breed is an extremely aggressive dog, as proven by many documented attacks on people.
This trait is rooted in its DNA. German Shepherds are naturally protective over their family and territory. When they sense danger, their instinct tells them to attack the threat or escape from it as far as possible. This explains why some German Shepherds can be aggressive towards strangers or other dogs.
Training From Puppyhood & Beyond
With proper training at the right age, its more likely youll see an adult German Shepherd that doesnt show unnecessary aggressive behaviors.
Socialization is key with these dogs. Take advantage of every opportunity for your puppy to play with unfamiliar adults, children and dogs. The more often, the better. And the earlier they start, the less anxious theyll be to meet new friends.
The point of socialization is that your German Shepherd interacts with as many types of people as possible. This way, theyre more likely to be able to differentiate good people from bad people and develop less anxiety in environments.
This is especially important if you plan to have your German Shepherd as a guardian of the home. After all, you wouldnt want him attacking the visiting neighbors.
Its possible that a young GSD wont react well to an strange people and dogs. However, being young means that they are unlikely to cause significant harm.
It is important to note, however, that even though a mature dog is well-trained, it could end up becoming aggressive later on as ailments and pain take hold. If this is the case, a trip to the vet should help discover the cause of aggression.
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Are German Shepherds Dangerous Dogs
For the most part, German Shepherds are very loyal and loving companions. They make excellent watchdogs because of their size and strength. Most often, the reason why a minority of German Shepherds exhibit dangerous behaviors is because of mistreatment by the owner.
If you have a German Shepherd, the first thing to understand is that they are very protective by nature. If you tell your dog that someone is not to be trusted, they will defend you accordingly. For this reason, it is imperative that owners take responsibility for how they raise their pets.