How Strong Are German Shepherds

How Long Do German Shepherds Live Are They A Healthy Breed

German Shepherds typically live 10-12 years. Some do live to 13 or 14, but usually with chronic health issues such as arthritis.

And sadly, many don’t even make it to age 10.

As a long-time German Shepherd owner, I know first-hand how many health problems this breed suffers from. Crippling joint diseases, autoimmune diseases, digestive diseases, skin diseases, heart and eye diseases…. truly a breed with serious health problems.

It’s a good idea to have pet insurance when you own a German Shepherd.

Here is a complete list of health problems in German Shepherds.

See my advice on keeping your dog healthy.

The most common color in German Shepherds black and tan, in the saddleback pattern

German Shepherds Are Members Of The Herding Group

So, if you own this breed, youre no stranger to a nose nudging you. Whether its a nose in the back, a nose on your leg, or even a nose in your face, your dog is just doing what comes naturally. Although this breed isnt often used to herd anymore, that herding heritage remains. So, along with the herding traits of independent thinking and intelligence, its perfectly normal for your GSD to herd human family members. Your dog might also show following ahead behavior walking in front of you while looking back to ensure youre walking in the right direction.

West German Working Lines

This German Shepherd type is the closest representation of the dogs produced by Max von Stephanitz.

Their main focus is on strong working drives, stable temperament, and excellent working ability.

They will excel at a variety of different sports and also real working jobs like search and rescue, guarding, or protecting.

Although this type has a strong work drive, it knows how to settle down when needed and will make a fantastic pet for an active family.

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German Shepherds Love Children

If given proper socialization training from an early age German Shepherds love to play with children if they are trained well to do so when they are young. Proper puppy training is essential along with love, care and respect towards your pooch. Also, make sure not to allow children to play with the dog when eating or trying to remain alone.

EDIT 26/8/17: Removed section about the shedding behaviours of German Shepherds. Thanks for the comments!

Why Are German Shepherds So Strong

There are hundreds of dog breeds, so even to make it to number 12 is quite a feat. Surely, its not totally appearance-related, since the cute and cuddly chow chow makes it on the list. So what is it?

Firstly, its the size. GSDs are anywhere between 50 to 90 pounds, but some can exceed 100. They are quite tall and can reach 26 inches standing and they have a very muscular and athletic frame. To sum up, nature gives German Shepherds a bite force that not even the misunderstood pit bull can match.

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German Shepherds Are Obedient And Easy To Train

German Shepherds have high intelligence, thus they can be trained for various purposes. German Shepherds are obedient, making them easier to train compared to other dog breeds. Not only do German Shepherd perform well in task training, obedience training wouldn’t be any problem for them as well. They will listen and obey to your commands.

Gsds Provide Constant Companionship

In truth, German Shepherd owners are never lonely because their loyal canines are always by their side. Although GSDs are sometimes slow to warm to strangers, they are gentle and loving with their families. Their affectionate and dedicated personalities are a bonus of the breed, and they can be particularly fond of children. This means your GSD wants to spend time with you rather than being left alone all day, every day. Allowing your German Shepherd to be with you as much as possible will bring out the best in your dog.

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Ideal Human For A German Shepherd

German Shepherds are active dogs. Think: running at full speed across a field as much as youll let them. They prefer space to exercise at peak capacity and plenty of outdoor time. The ideal home for a German Shepherd would be a home with a large backyard for running around, and thats not counting all of the walks, runs, and adventures theyd like to go on with you.

German Shepherds can also make great family dogs and do fine with children as long as they are properly socialized.

How Is Bite Force Measured

As mentioned, the standard measurement for the bite force of a dog is calculated according to pound-force per square inch . It is the pressure resulting from a force of one pound-force applied to one square inch. The more pressure exerted, the higher the psi will be.

For German Shepherds, the bite force of 238 pounds per square inch is stronger than humans. In contrast, according to National Geographic, humans have a bite force of between 150-200 pounds per square inch. And the animal with the strongest bite force goes to the crocodile at a whopping 3,700 psi. Ouch!

Even though its pretty tricky to measure the bite force of dogs , scientists have experimented with various methods, including:

• A measuring device covered with flavored rawhide
• Sensors used to replace some of the dogs teeth
• Anesthetizing dogs and electrically stimulating the jaw

However, none of these methods were proved effective or accurate, and scientists decided the best way to measure bite force in dogs is by using their skull size and shape, body weight and taking into account their oral health.

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German Shepherd Breed Types: Which Is Right For You

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All 5 of the German Shepherd breed types are sought after across the globe depending on the needs of future owners.

It’s essential to research each breed type thoroughly before making your final choice.

It wasnt by chance that the German Shepherd has become one of the most sought after breeds in the world.

But tracing its roots back to 1899 how is it possible that such a young breed dating back just over 100 years has become the second most popular breed worldwide?

The answer to this lies in the versatility of the breed. Highly intelligent, devoted, dependable, and a work ethic second to none.

These are just some of the traits that have catapulted this breed to virtual stardom.

Their loyalty, guardian instinct, sound nerves, and easy-going nature make German Shepherds great companions.

Over the years distinct types of German Shepherds have developed.

Each with their own unique traits, each suitable for its specific purpose and each one a German Shepherd in its own right.

Meet the 5 German Shepherd Breed Types

What Is Bite Force

Understanding the meaning of bite force will give you a better understanding of how dangerous dogs can truly be. The bite force is the strength behind a dogs bite to its victim. This level of pressure determines the level of injury inflicted on a target. The more power in the bite force, the more damage inflicted. A German Shepherds bite force is powerful enough to break human bones with one bite.

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Why Do German Shepherds Bite

Dogs mirror the owners personality. The best you can do is train a dog carefully and give it lots of exercise. I dont have anyone to tell me otherwise. Buying a fully-trained puppy in New York is essential and can help.

Some dogs are naturally more aggressive than others, and this is just a fact. You are more likely to see a German Shepherd deliver a killer bite compared to a Pomeranian, which is almost incapable of killing with just one clamp of its jaws. Why do dogs bite? More specifically, why do German Shepherds bite? Natural aggression is the most common reason, which is also why they make such great partners and protectors.

The sheer size of some breeds, such as the German Shepherd is what contributes to their hard bites. If they feel someone they love is threatened, they will not hesitate to respond with force. Training is the key to ensuring German Shepherds wont dole out a lethal bite but keep in mind that they are still a sweet-natured and loyal breed despite their strong jaws.

What Is The Bite Force Of A German Shepherd

It can be challenging to describe and measure a dogs overall strength accurately, but one thing that we can measure is bite force. The term bite force really means the level of pressure exerted by a dogs bite. So what is the bite force of a German Shepherd?

The bite force of a German Shepherd is 238 psi which is strong enough to break bones. Although this is a scientific estimate, its difficult to measure the exact bite force of dogs because they wont bite as hard on every occasion, and they will bite harder when provoked.

You probably already know that your German Shepherds jaw is stronger than yours, but how exactly do we measure jaw strength in dogs, and why is their bite force stronger than humans?

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How Do You Discipline A German Shepherd For Biting

The best way to prevent or cut down on your German shepherd biting is by training them not to do so as early as possible in the time that you have them.

They are very strong-minded and muscular dogs, even as puppies, so discipline from a young age to show them who is boss and what is right from wrong will prevent any accidents from happening in the future.

Please bear in mind that puppy biting is completely normal behavior when theyre young, as it is a sign of playfulness and sometimes affection.

If your puppy is biting in the early stages, then try to give them a chew toy to prevent them from biting you, or when they do bite you, say no or act as if theyve hurt you and walk away to show them that you didnt like that.

These dogs love to please their owners and theyll be sad that theyve disappointed you and learn not to bite you in the future. Make sure to let anyone else in your home and guests follow this same process so they learn not to bite anyone they come across.

You can also try touching your German shepherds nose and rewarding them when they dont flinch or lash out to bite you. If they do try to bite, do not reward them and simply continue until they begin not biting. This will train them to be comfortable with having other people around them and touching them.

Kurgo Snout About Halter: The Gentle Comfortable Head Collar

Popular for dog training and owners new to head halters, the Kurgo Snout About Head Halter is often used as an alternative to a traditional head halter, gentle leader, or no-pull harness.

Owners find this easier to use and take on and off, and some dogs prefer not having a chin strap connection to their collar.

The face and nose straps are almost double the width of regular headcollars for a more comfortable wearing experience for your German Shepherd.

This is a gentle alternative to other traditional headcollar models mentioned in this article, but the strap is still strong enough to prevent unwanted behavior in large breed dogs.

The Kurgo face halter is easier to wear for many dogs. If you dont want to deal with attaching the halter to a collar, then this model suits you best.

The strap attaches directly to your leash to provide control during walks.

Benefits

• Reflective ribbon for an additional night safety
• Easy on/off
• Strong nylon webbing with comfortable padding
• Extra-wide straps for added comfort

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Are German Shepherds Smart

According to the author of The Intelligence of Dogs,, Stanley Coren, Ph.D., ranks the German Shepherd as the third smartest dog breed. This study took a look at more than 100 dog breeds as they were judged by 200 dog obedience judges while learning new commands. Dogs were ranked based on their ability to perform commands 95% of the time or better based on less than five command repetitions.

The incredible level of intelligence in the German Shepherd, a level only bested by the Border Collie and the Poodle, makes this breed incredibly versatile. An ability to quickly pick up new commands and an intense desire to please its master means that this breed is the perfect candidate for any number of professional positions available to canines. This trait is perhaps why this is the breed of choice for both military and police work worldwide.

When theyre serving professionally, the German Shepherd can take part in police work, guard dog work, sheepdog work, service dog work, military work, and search and rescue work. German Shepherds also frequently participate in dog sports, including obedience, tracking, flyball, ring sport, and agility.

Is A German Shepherd A Good Family Dog

“German Shepherd dogs are a good choice for a variety of owners due to their intelligence and well-balanced character,” Bill explains.

“They can be a good addition to a family but can also be a great four-legged companion for a single owner or a couple. However, they are large and very active dogs that require more than a two hours exercise every day, which means they are better suited for owners with a larger house with a garden, and someone who enjoys exercise and spending time outdoors.”

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Famous German Shepherd Names

There are a number of famous Germansboth canine and humanthat might inspire the perfect name for your dog. Some were famous for their real-life accomplishments, like Rin-Tin-Tin or Bullet and others were famous for on-screen antics, like Bullet of the Roy Rogers show. Germany also had many famous composers, musicians, and scientists that might make the perfect name for your German shepherd.

• Rin-Tin-Tin

Key Components Of A Harness For A German Shepherd

So, what should you be looking for when youre shopping for a harness for your dogs Here are 6 key features and components you should look for in the best German Shepherd harnesses.

Depending on your dog and your needs, it may be best to purchase several harnesses for different situations, based on the criteria listed above. You should take the age of your dog, its tendency to pull on its leash or try to escape, and other such factors into account when making your buying decision.

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Our Picks For The Best Harness For A German Shepherd

Ready to see our top picks for the best German Shepherd harnesses? Weve taken a look at some of the most popular products on the market, and come up with the following picks. Check them out, and see if any of our top picks may be right for your German Shepherd.

• Simple buckle closure
• Adjustable belly and shoulders

Most Affordable Pick If youre looking for a great harness for your German Shepherd at a low price, its hard to beat this product from Frisco, which features a padded chest, a no-pull ring, and a lightweight design thats easy to put on and take off of your German Shepherd for quick walks. Its relatively light-duty, though, so we do not recommend it for GSDs that tend to pull extremely heavily or try to escape their harnesses.

Pros:

Cons:

• Requires regular re-adjustment

What Were German Shepherds Bred For

German Shepherds a large-sized breed that originated in Germany in 1899 was part of the Herding Group. Known for their courage, loyalty and guarding instincts, their history of herding has meant they are great guard dogs, police dogs, military dogs, search and rescue dogs, and guide dogs for the blind.

“As the name suggest, German Shepherd dogs were originally bred to help shepherds herd animals, but have since become a versatile working dogs, often in the military, police and other emergency services, as well as guide and assistance dogs,” Bill tells us.

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Why Does A Measuring A Dogs Bite Force Matter

Aside from being an interesting statistic, the measurement of a dogs bite force is actually significant to veterinary medicine. Proper measurement of a dogs bite force is used to determine the overall health and diagnose issues with a dogs masticatory system.

The masticatory system is looked at as one whole unit which is composed of a dogs teeth and its supporting structures, the jaws, as well as the joints and muscles that are involved both directly and indirectly in mastication .

In addition to this, measuring a dogs bite force is used in veterinary medicine to develop implants such as plates and screws to fix bone fractures. Its also used to evaluate restorative materials that must be able to withstand the extreme pressures being exerted by the dog biting down on them.

Measurement also relevant to the assessment of different dog foods, chew toys, and dental treats.

A dogs bite force, along with the intention behind a dogs bite also matters for purposes of public health and safety, so lets now take a look at how the damage that a dogs bite inflicts upon a person is used in determining exactly how dangerous a particular dog is.