Pros And Cons Of German Shepherds
The Good
- Thrives on challenging activities and exercise
- Loyal to his own family
- Looks imposing and has a reputation that bad guys don’t want to fool with, so makes an effective deterrent
- Highly intelligent and versatile can learn almost anything
The Bad
- Can be hard to find one with a family-oriented temperament and a decent chance of staying healthy
- Needs plenty of exercise and interesting things to do
- Needs careful socialization
- Destructiveness when bored or not exercised enough
- Potential aggression toward other animals
- Constant shedding 365 days a year
- Legal liabilities
- High risk of serious health problems
Keep in mind that the inheritance of temperament is less predictable than the inheritance of physical traits such as size or shedding. Temperament and behavior are also shaped by raising and training.
What Are The Origins And Characteristics Of The Ddr German Shepherd
The DDR type of German Shepherd is also known by the name Deutsches Demokratische Republik German Shepherds.
During the Cold War era, the East German Communist Party established a breeding program for the German Shepherd Dogs used in the military.
At the time, the East German government was trying to keep pace with the changing demands of their country, including dealing with desertion attempts from the military.
Both of the countries saw the advantages that superior dogs would provide.
These dogs were bred with traits like withstanding harsh winter weather and climbing six-foot walls in mind. These traits help the dogs excel in police and military work.
Like all other German Shepherd Dogs, DDR German Shepherds are descended from the same dogs that formed the foundations for the German Shepherd as we know it today.
The dogs that would form the basis of the East German Shepherd type originated from working lines.
Sam Shepherds notes that German Shepherds in former West Germany came from what is now treated as show lines. Many Shepherds used as pets descend from these lines.
When Germany reunified in 1990, the demand for East German Shepherds declined, with some, unfortunately, being put down or abandoned.
Others were sold by breeders intent on preserving the breed type as much as possible, keeping this variety alive.
Their heads are also larger and blockier than many others of this breed.
Ddr Gsd As Protection Dogs
Since the unification of Germany in 1990, DDR German shepherds became rare for many reasons. These reasons include being:
- Put down,
- Abandoned, and
- Sold.
Fortunately, some of them were sold as protection dogs, and for a high price to boot. As a result, there was an increase in DDR German shepherd breeders that continued breeding East German shepherds the old-fashioned way.
So if there are those who want to continue the bloodline, there are also breeders that want to profit from these rare protection dogs.
With that said, DDR dogs are still the protective dog they were during the World Wars, with the suitable temperament and appearance:
- They are naturally a protective dog, loyal to its master and anyone within their owners house.
- Being a protection dog in the past, East German shepherds are likely to be wary of any threat they recognize
- They are also bred to be stronger than most, with heads larger than that of a standard GSD and more muscular build.
These characteristics tell us that it would be most suitable to consider DDR GSD as protection dogs.
However, the need for such a specialized dog is not as prevalent today. Families tend to prefer dogs that are loving and gentle. Rather, DDR German shepherds are more popular to those looking forward to Schutzhund training.
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Why Are German Shepherds Banned From Apartments
German Shepherds need exercise and room to run, they can’t do that very well in an apartment building. Depending on there age they may be aggressive due to being locked up all day long. Because they are alone all day they may bark cry annoying other tenants. And making the dog miserable .
The German Shepherd personality is aloof but not usually aggressive. They’re reserved dogs they don’t make friends immediately, but once they do, they’re extremely loyal. With their family, they’re easy-going and approachable, but when threatened, they can be strong and protective, making them excellent watchdogs.
The History Of German Shepherd Bloodlines
There are more than 20 dog breeds that originated in Germany. And breeders in Germany take great pride in producing canines that are national treasures.
From Doberman Pinschers to Great Danes to German Shepherds, dog breeds originating from the Deutschland have different and robust bloodlines.
Just over a hundred years ago, German Shepherd Dogs were bred in Germany to be medium-sized for herding purposes.
Later, their increased popularity as a guard dog led to selective breeding for more confidence and a larger size.
The result created a line of working dogs that could serve the specialized needs of everyone.
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Are German Shepherds For Me
German Shepherds are fantastic dogs that bring the brains and brawn. GSDs are some of the most popular breeds in the world for a reason. But know that they come with a lot of work.
If youre looking for a big lap dog or a low maintenance dog, these dogs are not for you. Sure, it can make training easier in the beginning, but the extra amount of mental exercises needed will make a GSD more time-consuming than you think.
When deciding which dog breed to raise, never pick one based on how intelligent they are. All dogs are capable of learning basic tricks and commands. Some dog breeds just require more patience or consistency than others.
Instead, ask if the dog breeds temperament and personality match yours. Are they a good fit for you and your lifestyle? German Shepherds are devoted, brave and freakishly intelligent. If that sounds like a pet youd like in your family, then go ahead! You certainly wont regret it!
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How Big Are German Shepherds
Males stand about 24-26 inches at the shoulder and weigh 75-110 pounds.
Females stand about 22-24 inches and weigh 65-90 pounds.
Some German Shepherds are considerably larger than that, but shouldn’t be. This breed is supposed to be athletic and agile, not giant-sized and ponderous. Larger dogs can have more joint problems and a shorter lifespan.
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German Shepherd Bloodline Breeding Requirements In Germany
German breeders adhere to the strictest and most challenging breeding requirements.
To ensure that the German Shepherd bloodlines they produce are the finest, Germans adhere to strict and challenging breeding requirements.
The country has established the most comprehensive system of any other breed in the world.
And every dog must demonstrate worthiness before passing its genes on to its progeny.
Before breeding, a German Shepherd must have, at the very least, the title of Schutzhund I, or the equivalent. This is no small feat and challenging to achieve.
Breeding stock must pass hip certification and have a stable temperament. Additionally, German Shepherds must pass rigorous physical endurance tests.
These requirements ensure that only the best and healthiest stock go on to produce future generations.
What Is A German Shepherds Behaviour Like
German Shepherds are self-assured and active dogs. They are a highly curious dog breed having a strong willingness to learn. This trait makes them excellent watchdogs and appropriate for search missions. If not socialized properly, they can be overprotective of their family and may exhibit aggressive behaviour. They may be a bit standoffish to strangers but a well trained German Shepherd understands the difference between a house guest and a robber. They get along well with children making them great family pets. They love to go for walk with their owners and like to explore things in the outside. German Shepherds double coat makes them adaptable to both cold and hot climates.
Are German Shepherds Easy To Train?
German Shepherds innate need to please and a highly attentive behaviour makes one of the easiest dog breeds to train. German Shepherd thrives in obedience and agility work. As they develop a dominant character when they grow older, it is, therefore, advisable to train them when they are young to teach maximum manners to the German Shepherd.
Do German Shepherds Shed?
How Much Physical Activity Does A German Shepherd Need?
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Having A German Shepherd?
Pros
Cons
Some Interesting Facts About German Shepherds
History Of German Shepherds
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American Vs European German Shepherds
The American German Shepherd and the European German Shepherd are the same breed, but with different backgrounds. Is there really that much difference between these two? Let’s take a closer look.
The European German Shepherd
Not surprisingly, European German Shepherds are bred mainly in Europe. Although these dogs are usually brought over to the United States from Europe, there are some German Shepherd Breeders in America who breed European lines. A few things to know:
- Regulation: European German Shepherds are regulated under the SV , which gives each and every registered dog the seal of approval.
- Physical Characteristics: Physically, European German Shepherds have bigger heads, a straighter line on their hind legs, and a shorter and wider backline.
- Traits: European German Shepherds are believed to be better suited as working dogs than their American counterparts. Because of this, it’s also believed that they make better guard dogs. The majority of police dogs are from European lines. This may be due to the fact that the SV has worked hard at preserving the working temperament of German Shepherds for many years.
The American German Shepherd
American German Shepherd Dogs are bred and raised in the United States. Here are a few things that distinguish them from the German Shepherds that are breed across the Atlantic:
Lets Start With How German Standards Began
The German shepherd breed was created in 1899 by Captain Max von Stephanitz, in Germany. The captain wished to create a single breed that could serve instead of the several different highly specialized breeds farmers were using to work their flocks of sheep. He dreamt of a single, multi-purposed dog that could herd sheep, protect boundaries, defend against predators, protect the shepherd, his property and his family and still lie down in the house to play with the children at the end of the day. He set out with determination to select the best dogs exhibiting the desired traits and started building his breeding program. He was a very methodical man with a plan, and he produced some very detailed documents to guide breeders in their efforts.
The standard and breed worthiness requirements are recognized internationally and most countries in the world abide by the German standards. So basically, the German shepherd dogs we find worldwide are pretty much the same and compete side by side in local shows and at the World Sieger Show in Germany once a year.
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German Shepherds Adaptive Intelligence
The last dimension of dog IQ is adaptive intelligence. It refers to the ability of the dog to learn for itself. Problem solving and the ability to learn from past experiences are both associated with high adaptive intelligence in dogs.
Though theres no objective way to measure this type of intelligence. Though, we do have real owner stories that suggest high adaptive intelligence in German Shepherds.
For example, a German Shepherd owner tells us:
If were sitting on the couch, I can tell Odin Ok Odin, its bath time. and hell hop off the couch, go into the bathroom and get in the tub.
Kelsey
She adds, Ive never met a dog who can do that before! Kelseys GSD quickly learned that the action that follows the words bath time. From his previous experiences, Odin knew exactly what was going to happen and did what he had to do. Smart boy, indeed.
As we already know, learning verbal commands is easy for the German Shepherd. As such, learning word correlations is not a problem for this dog. But how about learning actions through other stimuli?
Another GSD owner, Jacob, tells us why his German Shepherd is highly intelligent:
I go into my bathroom all the time, but the moment I put on sunscreen he knows that were about to go for a walk and waits patiently next to his leash.
These are just two examples, but if you asked any German Shepherd owner, they would probably tell you equally remarkable stories of adaptive IQ in these dogs.
What Other Health Issues Might A Ddr German Shepherd Have
The East German Shepherd, as a whole, is a type mostly free of common issues that other German Shepherds often end up living with.
The same stringent breeding practices that have eliminated hip dysplasia have eliminated or at least reduced most other problems.
Even though there are fewer instances of hip dysplasia and other joint issues, you will still need to be careful, anyway.
Stiffness or lameness may indicate the beginnings of a bone or joint disease, or possibly an injury.
As some DDR German Shepherds have been crossed with other breeds, it is reasonable to expect these dogs to have inherited some health issues from the other breed.
Keeping up-to-date on veterinary care is an excellent way to catch any possible problems.
If youve decided that adding a DDR German Shepherd to your family is right for you, understanding their origins and traits will make welcoming your new dog much more comfortable.
You and your family will enjoy what this dog has to offer.
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Top 10 Claims For German Shepherds
Like all dogs, German Shepherds can get sick or injured unexpectedly. The top 10 accident and illness claims received by ASPCA Pet Health Insurance^ for this breed are:
- Allergies*
- Lamenesswhich could indicate hip or elbow dysplasia
- Arthritis
*Pre-existing conditions are not covered. Waiting periods, annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit limits and exclusions may apply. For all terms and conditions visit www.aspcapetinsurance.com/terms. Preventive and Wellness Care reimbursements are based on a schedule. Complete Coverage reimbursements are based on the invoice. Levels 1-4 reimbursements are based on usual and customary eligible costs. Products, schedules, and rates may vary and are subject to change. Discounts may vary and are subject to change. More information available at checkout.
The ASPCA® is not an insurer and is not engaged in the business of insurance. Products are underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company , produced and administered by C& F Insurance Agency, Inc. , a Crum & Forster company. Through a licensing agreement, the ASPCA receives a royalty fee that is in exchange for use of the ASPCAs marks and is not a charitable contribution. C& F and Crum & Forster are registered trademarks of United States Fire Insurance Company. Crum & Forster Pet Insurance Group is a trademark of United States Fire Insurance Company. The Crum & Forster group of companies is rated A by AM Best Company 2020.
Common Reasons For Breed
There are a number of reasons why some countries feel they must ban a specific dog breed.
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German Shepherd Breeding Practices Line
Line-breeding is the Gold Standard for producing excellent temperament and health in German Shepherd litters.
It’s critical to understand best breeding practices when purchasing your German Shepherd.
Regis Regal always uses line-breeding, which is the best practice for producing excellent temperament and health in German Shepherd litters.
Read on to find out what we mean by line-breeding and out line-breeding
Are German Shepherds Easy To Train
Some are easy to train, while others are more moderate.
As we’ve seen, different lines have different temperaments. German Shepherds from working lines are typically more assertive and stronger-willed. A “tougher” German Shepherd will be more challenging to train unless you pay closer attention to building the right Leader-Follower relationship with the dog.
That doesn’t mean “softer” German Shepherds are automatically easy to train. Some dogs with soft temperaments are skittish or shy, making them just as challenging as a strong-tempered dog.
In general, though, a sound-tempered German Shepherd who is a good fit for family life should be easy to train. Just establish the right Leader-Follower relationship and the dog will be happy to work with you.
This is taught in my puppy training book, Respect Training For Puppies .
Or see my advice on dog training
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There Are Two Major Different Types Of German Shepherds In The World Standard: The Working Lines And The Show Lines
The information below was used with permission from the author, Jackie Athon and any reprint must list her as author at www.4germanshep.com.
The working lines are usually smaller, have very little angulation, are usually only KKL2 . All German Shepherds in Germany must get Schutzhund titles before they are permitted to breed, so obviously both types can do the work, but not necessarily with the same amount of intensity.
Working lines are usually bred to have a very high pain tolerance. This means they do not respond very much to pain. This helps a Police dog when a crazy man on drugs is trying to kick the s**t out of him so he won’t give up the fight. It also means he will not respond to normal corrections and requires much harder discipline to get the dog to obey you.
Working dogs have more ‘hair trigger’ aggression, and generally a higher Prey drive. Because of this, they must be monitored carefully around people, especially children. Anything that moves fast becomes Prey to be chased down and caught. If a jogger runs by, or a child zips by running, or is on a bicycle or on skates, the Working dog may react to them as if they are Prey. They can’t grab with their paws, so they use their mouth to grab to stop their Prey.