Did You Know These Pawsome German Shepherd Facts
German Shepherds are highly intelligent dogs that were originally bred as herding dogs. The first ever German Shepherd was bred by Captain Max von Stephanitz in 1889. Before that, German Shepherds were similar-looking dogs involved in herding. Stamina and intelligence are considered the strength of this breed of dogs. German shepherd dog breeds are easy to train. These large sized dogs are a popular dog breed often kept as working dogs, in the police and military, as a guide dog, herding dogs. Due to their high smelling ability, the German Shepherd dog breed was chosen during World War II for search and rescue, sending messages, and as guard dogs.
A German Shepherd puppy and an adult German Shepherd dog need high quality food and a controlled diet to avoid abnormal growth. A German Shepherds health and wellness are a prime concern. Without proper care, exercise, health checkups, these dogs may often be affected by common health conditions like hip dysplasia, epilepsy, pancreatic insufficiency, elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy. German Shepherds often have a black tan, red black, blue, white, gray coats. Once, Max von Stephanitz said, No good dog can be a bad color.
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The Origin Of German Shepherd Dogs
Sam Shephard is an experienced German Shepherd owner and has learned throughout the years how to optimize the breed’s health and wellness.
The German Shepherd Dog is one of the most popular and well-known breeds of dogs worldwide. It didnt gain popularity overnight, though. This dog has a rich origin story and has been a crucial aspect in the development of domestic dogs across the world.
We are going to look in detail at the origins of this fascinating breed. German Shepherds have been around for quite a long timetheyre big, furry, and originated fromguess where? Germany! They were bred initially to be guard dogs and help with the herding of animals, but their companionship, intelligence, and friendliness quickly made them a popular choice for pets.
After reading this article, you will have a much better understanding of the ancestry of your favorite furry friends.
German Shepherds Are Known For Their Intelligence And Trainability
Due to their exceptional curiosity, German Shepherds like to use their nose to get into everything and everyones business. This is why German Shepherds are commonly used for a number of police and military services, including bomb and drug detection. You may see them riding along in the back of a police cruiser, chasing down a suspect while wearing a bullet-proof vest, or assisting with cadaver searches. German Shepherds have been trained for search and rescue missions and were essential during the 9/11 Terrorist Attack in the United States. The first service dog was actually a German Shepherd, who was trained as a seeing eye dog in the early 1920s.
With great intelligence and training also comes a high level of obedience. German Shepherds can be trained to listen, follow, and understand quick commands. German Shepherds used by law enforcement are trained to respond immediately to their handlers in life or death situations, and have the tenacity to work beyond the capabilities of their human counterparts.
In the below video, you can see how quickly and precisely German Shepherds can be trained to act and respond on command.
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Noble Facts About German Shepherds
Intelligent, agile, and spirited, the German Shepherd is the ultimate service dog. Theres a lot underneath that thick coat of fur you might not know.
1. Germans standardized the breed .
In 1889, breeder Max von Stephanitz noticed a wolf-like dog with yellow and black markings at a dog show in western Germany. Impressed by the poochs intelligence and discipline, the breeder purchased the dog and changed its name from from Hektor Linksrhein to Horand von Grafrath. Von Stephanitz then started the German Shepherd Dog Club and set up guidelines for the breeds standard. His motto for the breed was “utility and intelligence” good looks came second.
2. They work like dogs.
As Germany became more industrialized, von Stephanitz realized that the need for his dogs might decline. To maintain their relevance, he worked with police and other service workers to secure a place for the dogs in the working force. Since they had been bred to be highly intelligent and athletic, they were easy to train and were tireless workers. Thanks to von Stephanitzs help, the diligent canines found work as messengers and guards.
3. World War I brought German Shepherds out West.
During the war, Germans used the dogs for a number of purposes. Mercy dogs brought first aid to wounded soldiers after battle and would stay near mortally injured soldiers to keep them company as they passed away. Others delivered messages or worked as guard dogs.
4. America loves them.
5. They really are smart.
What Were German Shepherds Called During Ww2
Alsatian Wolf DogBecause of this, the name of the breed was changed to the Alsatian. Later, after World War II, the name was changed again to the Alsatian Wolf Dog, to remove the Hitler Germany connection. Bonus fact: These dogs were first introduced to America in 1906 and quickly became very popular.
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What Is The Strongest Dog In World
10 of the strongest dog breeds in the worldMastiff. Described as massive and heavy-boned, this giant breed, which can weigh up to 200 pounds, are known to be loyal and protective of their families. Saint Bernard. Rottweiler. Irish Wolfhound. Rhodesian Ridgeback. Siberian Husky. Boxer. Newfoundland.More itemsJan 25, 2019
German Shepherd Breed Surveys Begin
Germany was one of the first countries to start surveying and formally standardizing breeds like the shepherd. Representatives would write down the body shapes, colors, and personality traits for each dog in that breed, to determine which really were part of the breed, and which were not.
While this practice did not really catch on outside of Germany, but American buyers still wanted to source their dogs from these formally approved lines, and because the Germany economy was running rampant, American money was highly valued and welcomed for this breed.
During this time, von Stephanitz reviewed the breed standard against his own standard and discovered that they were much larger and squarer than his dogs. They were also being bred mostly for size and color and not for their personality traits or even temper. Because he was still a warden of the breed, he was able to divert breeding efforts, at least in Germany, towards the original standard. In order to start this breeding process, he chose a new breed leader, his name being Klodo von Boxberg.
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Which Type Of German Shepherd Is The Best
Dutch Shepherd dogs are herding dogs bred by Dutch farmers and shepherds to adapt to tough conditions. Dutch Shepherds are among the best shepherd dogs and most competent at herding, agility, obedience, and guarding. They are great companions who are very loyal and protective of their owner and family.
The Origin Of The German Shepherd: History And Fun Facts
Animal file: German Shepherd
The German Shepherd is an icon of the loyalty and courage of animals. This dog breed is one of the most popular and versatile. The German Shepherd is one of the world’s smartest dogs, which has led to it being used as a police dog, sniffer dog, sheepdog and therapy dog, among many other functions.
Besides its beauty and intelligence, the German Shepherd has a well-deserved reputation after the success of canine film and television stars, with Rin Tin Tin and Inspector Rex being the best known of all.
This Animal Wised article will share the origin of the German Shepherd, along with its history and more fun facts. Keep reading!
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Which Dog Is Mostly Used In Army
Belgian Malinois and German Shepherds are the most popular service dogs in the U.S. Army. The Belgian Malinois is most often used in military and police work and is considered to be one of the most intelligent dog breeds, with a 97% success rate on AKC obedience tests while German Shepherds are known for their keen sense of smell that makes them excellent at sniffing out anything from drugs to explosives, perfect for bomb- or drug-sniffing duties such as those performed by Amtrak Police canines or K9s belonging to some local law enforcement agencies. Neither breed has been specifically trained for combat but they have been used in some recent US conflicts including Iraq and Afghanistan according to many.
What Kind Of Dogs Do Marines Use
There are two types of Marine Corps dogs currently in use, the MWD and the CID. The MWD is a working dog, used for detection operations such as explosive ordnance detection, narcotics detection, and gas cloud/chemical agent identification. They usually range from 75-115 pounds and stand 21-25 inches tall at the shoulder. The CID is a canine detective who performs a variety of important duties including but not limited to patrol work, crowd control and establishing crime scenesthey usually weight 15-35 pounds. Primarily these breeds are German Shepherds or Belgian Malinois mixed with Labrador Retriever or Portuguese Water Dog because they have exceptional herding qualities while also showing great skill in water rescue missions because.
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What Is Their Conservation Status
In 2008, the old German Shepherd dog was listed as ‘extremely vulnerable to extinction by GEH. The modern German Shepherd dogs, also known as Alsatian, are not under any considerable threat of extinction. For the good German Shepherd temperament, they are mostly trained as herding dogs, companion dogs, search and rescue dogs, and sniffing dogs.
Why Do German Shepherds Lick Other Dogs
The affection and communication reasons discussed earlier why your German Shepherd Dog licks you also apply to his licking other dogs and pets. Below is a photo of my female German Shepherd Willow licking the face of her Boxer dog friend. Looks like he was more interested in the forthcoming treat!
But did you know that in the doggie world licking behavior also has a dominance element?
People who have lived in a multi-dog household know that one dog may lord it over the other and will access things first, , always win fights, go for attention first from the owner, and receive more licks from their subordinates.
In a study on dog dominance, licking their subordinates less was one of the indicators of dominance in 83% of dogs rated as dominant by their owners.
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The Resurgence Of The Shepherd
Sieger Pfeffer von Bern, a GSD with a namesake that holds true to its ancestry, was a huge part of the reason that the dog breed gained its popularity back. This dog became the grand victor in some of the American Kennel Club shows and was the first German Shepherd to do so. People were once again reminded of the fantastic appearance and loyalty of these dogs, and popularity surged.
As it will, the popularity of the breed decreased again soon after. Its namesake did not hold well in America given the current circumstances of World War IIthe rise of the Nazi regime led to a lot of anti-German propaganda in the Western world. Nobody wanted a dog with the namesake of the enemies of the State. Many people with German Shepherds would often tell people that they were a different breed entirely.
After the Second World War, there was a low in the popularity of the breed. As tension with Germany died down, the popularity of the breed slowly began to rise. By the 60s, many people didnt mind owning a dog with a German name.
Populations and popularity continue to increase. By 1993, GSDs were the third most popular breed in the US. Their popularity continued to improve, and as of 2009, German Shepherds were the second most popular. Its not uncommon to see the breed within the top five spots of dog registries worldwide.
At What Age Is A German Shepherd Fully Grown
about 18 months oldLike many large breeds, a German Shepherd dog is not considered fully grown until they are about 18 months old. Female German Shepherds continue to fill out until they are around two years old, while the male German Shepherd growth rate continues until they reach two and a half years of age.
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Comparison Between Show And Working German Shepherds
You probably havent thought much about different German Shepherd characteristics but it is amazing how many there are.
For a start working German Shepherds have less health problems than show dogs. This is because show dogs are bred to certain standards and this can affect their health.
Working dogs also have less temperament issues and they have more variation in color and coat type. They also have more intense personalities than show dogs.
German Shepherds arent couch potatoes and this goes for all the different lines. If you want to have them as pets, you have to give them plenty of exercise and find things to challenge their minds.
German Shepherd Breed Characteristics
- German Shepherds stand around two feet tall. Males can reach 24 to 26 inches and females between 22 and 24 inches.
- A medium-to-large sized working dog, male German Shepherds weigh between 65 and 90 pounds and females between 50 and 70 pounds.
- German Shepherds have a double coat. The outer coat is dense and can be straight or a little wavy, whilst the undercoat is thick but soft.
- German Shepherds are one of the most common police dogs used for everyday duties. The trainability and intelligence of the breed make it the ideal candidate for police work.
- German Shepherds are considered one of the most intelligent dog breeds, along with the Border Collie and Poodle.
- Contrary to popular belief, German Shepherds are very loving and protective pets of their owners. However, they can display aggression if their aggressive tendencies arent kept in check.
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History Of The German Shepherd
The ancestors of German shepherd dogs acted as both servants and companions to humans for hundreds of years. Developed from old shepherd and farm dogs, the GSD we know today was first introduced in Germany in 1899. Captain Max von Stephanitz is credited with the breed’s beginnings.
During World Wars I and II, the word “German” was dropped, and the breed was referred to as the shepherd dog or the Alsatian .
Worldwide interest in the breed began rising in the early 1900s and the GSD was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908. In modern times it remains as one of the most popular dog breeds, currently ranking second in the AKC listings. Cross-breeding these dogs with Shiloh shepherds resulted in king shepherds.
There is recent controversy over the breeding of show dogs to have a sloping back rather than the straight back seen with working dogs. This practice has been criticized as leading to poor gait.
A Short History The Role Of German Shepherd And How Alsatians Evolved
During the world war, both sides were employing the German Shepherd in their ranks to attack, surprise and outmaneuver their opponents. The German Shepherd being a big working dog with high intelligence and a natural propensity for training was considered to be of great value by the armed forces and was therefore hotly pursued. However, the British were loath to using the name German Shepherd as the Germans were their arch-enemy and they didnt want to associate with the Germans in any way, at least symbolically in this case. So, they coined a new name for the German Shepherd, Alsatian, which somehow some people has come to refer to as a different dog breed.
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Tips To Introduce Your Dog To Water
There are lots of different approaches you can take to safely introduce your German Shepherd to water and swimming.
Be Patient: not all dogs have an affinity to water. For some, new situations are scary. You must never force your dog into water. Allow them to approach and check it out on their own. It may take several attempts before they are comfortable enough to get their paws wet.
Get In With Them: our dogs look to us to lead and take control of new situations. If your dog sees you calmly getting into the water, it shows your dog that the water is safe and nothing to be afraid of.
Start Small: it is unrealistic to expect your dog to jump straight into a lake the first time they see water. Try setting up a small doggy pool or kiddie pool in your yard. With the water only deep enough to cover their feet, it is much less intimidating than a deep swimming pool.
Lots of Praise: verbal praise and encouragement will really help to relax your dog and make them more comfortable with getting into the water. Praise them just for stepping close to it, even if they dont get in. the more positive experiences they have, the easier it will be to get them used to the water.
Swimming Lessons: yes, you read that right. Dogs can take swimming lessons! There are lots of facilities that offer swimming lessons for dogs, as well as hydrotherapy sessions. You can also search for outdoor dog pools. Some facilities offer doggy pool parties for friendly dogs!