Should You Adopt A German Shepherd
When considering the right dog for you, its important to be honest with yourself about what your needs are as a prospective pet owner, and whether you can provide for the unique needs of a given breed of dog. Getting a dog is, after all, a huge commitment. Youre not just adopting youre making a friend. Generally speaking, all German Shepherds will require a significant amount of exercise, attention, and training to ensure a healthy, balanced life. Because of their fierce loyalty, you will likely need to board your German Shepherd rather than leaving them with friends or family when traveling. Show dogs will require more maintenance and care, which means more trips to the dog groomer. Big dogs are more expensive to feed than small ones. These are just some of items you should consider before making your decision. For more information, dont hesitate to contact a member of our expert staff at K9U Chicago. Were always here to help you find the best fit for the role of your new furry friend.
Where Should I Look For My Next Purebred German Shepherd
The sources available to you to find a German Shepherd are nearly endless, thanks to the internet:
- The American Kennel Club Market Place is an excellent place to find purebred German Shepherd puppies bred by reputable breeders.
- Social media can also be a great resource for finding your next German Shepherd. Many breeders post pictures of their litters, or you can find a puppy or adult who needs a home from a German Shepherd Rescue or a private individual.
- If the German Shepherds military heritage appeals to you, one of the most wonderful ways to obtain a purebred German Shepherd is to adopt a former military dog from Mission K9. To thank these four-legged heroes for their service, they help retired working military dogs find homes to live out the rest of their lives happily in peace.
- If you are looking to rescue a German Shepherd, Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue has many wonderful dogs waiting for loving homes.
- Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue has many German Shepherds waiting to be adopted and loved.
- If you live in Virginia and want to rescue a German Shepherd, browse the adoptable shepherds waiting for loving homes with the Virginia German Shepherd Rescue.
- Pet Quality breeders often list their German Shepherd puppies on Craiglist. Private individuals also list their puppies or dogs on Craigslist in an attempt to re-home them.
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Which Line Should I Choose
Which line you choose really depends on what your German Shepherd is going to be doing. Adopting a champion or the child of a champion from a show line simply to have the title may not be the best option if the dog does not have the proper temperament for a family setting. Some of these dogs have issues with anxiety or fear, which are a sign of weak genetics in the dog breeding world. However, if you are trying to find a dog to show, a German Shepherd from the American, Canadian, or West German show lines from a reputable breeder is a great option.
On the other hand, if you want a dog as a family pet or to train in some sort of job, an animal from the working lines may be a better option, since these dogs are bred specifically for their trainability, loyalty, obedience, and intelligence, which are all important when it comes to having a German Shepherd as a pet or to do a specific job.
It is, of course, possible to get a dog from a show line that is just as intelligent, trainable, and healthy as from a working line, if you source your dog from the right breederone that cares about a dogs health, rather than just getting the right look. A well-bred German Shepherd, of any type, will be caring, loving, protective, and intelligentthose are the characteristics to look for, as well as looking for a certain coloration, pattern, or body style.
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Caring For A German Shepherd
German Shepherds are incredibly active dogs that require intense training and regular exercise to keep them out of trouble physically and mentally. They are best for active families and experienced pet parents.
Socialization and consistent training will be essential when a German Shepherd is a puppy. This will help them to grow out of unruly behaviors such as nipping and jumping.
German Shepherds have a double coat that sheds a lot. They will also typically go through a molting, which is a period of excessive shedding, one to two times a year.
Purebred German Shepherds Have Well
Their head is wedge-shaped, and in proportion to their body size , without being plump or too elongated, dry in the overall appearance, and moderately broad between the ears.
Seen from the front and side, the forehead is only slightly arched and without any or with only a slightly indicated middle furrow.
The eyes are of medium size, almond-shaped, slightly slanted, and not protruding. The color of the eyes should be as dark as possible. Light, piercing eyes are undesirable since they impair the dogs impression. The nose must be black.
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What Is Double Coated German Shepherd
German Shepherds are generally considered double-coated dogs, especially purebred dogs that are used in shows. However, some domestic dogs do not have undercoats. German Shepherds without undercoats often require less grooming during the spring and fall months than their undercoated brethren.
Why Should I Know The Mix
Theres nothing quite like looking into the eyes of a new furbaby. And, regardless of heritage, love trumps all. The first meeting was love at first sight, and that made the decision final. The dogs behavior over time, though, may become a problem. Or, they may have a weird health concern crop up that doesnt appear common in GSDs. Therefore, its that same love that requires some investigation into the dogs genetics.
The first thing to consider is how to determine exactly what youre looking for. In some cases, there will be one bloodline, and there may also be two. In the final category, the lineage may contain many mixes.
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How Many Types Of German Shepherd Dogs Are There
These cute yet ferocious little bodyguards are categorized into two breeding types, the working line and Show Line. You would be surprised to know that there are 5 different types of show line German Shepherd dogs that you can find. The most popular distinction that separates them among their different types is the color of their coats.
German Shepherd is also sometimes differentiated by the length of their hair and coat, but that is generally done only for purebred German Shepherds.
Apart from being characterized based on their looks, they are also differentiated based on their personality and health, which is known as working lines.
List of 5 different types of German Shepherds based on their looks and coat patterns:
German Shepherd Colors: A Complete List Of All 13 Recognized Coat Colors
Loyal, obedient, protective, hard-working, intelligent, and oh-so-loving these are all great adjectives for a German Shepherd dog.
But, what about their appearance?
You have probably seen the stereotypical German Shepherd coat color of black and tan this is the most popular and easy to identify variation.
Did you know that there are 13 German Shepherd Colors?
From white to black, to blue to red, the German Shepherd coat color variation is a long list. The best part of which is that color actually plays no part in any health conditions, behavioral, or temperament.
Each coat color gives useful information into a Shepherds history, so relax and enjoy as we explain each color for the German Shepherd in detail.
Contents and Quick Navigation
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What Are The Characteristics Of German Shepherds
German Shepherds are confident, courageous, intelligent and gentle, although it can take them some time to make friends. Due to history of herding, they are incredibly noble and loyal both to the work they do and to their owners.
âGerman Shepherds are energetic, confident and highly intelligent dogs. They are strong and courageous, but also have a well-balanced nature and are considered one of the most versatile and trainable breeds,â Bill adds.
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Is There A Dwarf German Shepherd
There is no recognized Dwarf German Shepherd breed. As with humans, German Shepherds can have genetic mutations which lead to conditions such as dwarfism. Unfortunately, dwarfism in German Shepherds negatively affects their heath in a very serious way, causing many problems and even resulting in pain. They have a much lower life expectancy and are not believed to live past 5 years. For this reason, breeding of these dogs is discouraged, being considered cruel.
If you want to read similar articles to Types of German Shepherd – All Breed Variations, we recommend you visit our Comparisons category.
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How To Tell A Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
There is a difference between a registered dog, a purebred dog, and a well-bred dog.You can tell a registered dog by his registration papers. That& #x27 s the only way.You can assume a dog is purebred if he looks purebred. Purebred dogs don& #x27 t necessarily have papers. In fact, if they& #x27 ve been through a shelter, their papers have been cancelled if they had any to start with.The kennel club has a program that allows owners of dogs which appear to be purebred to get an & quot Indefinite Listing Privilege& quot so that they can compete with their dog even if it isn& #x27 t registered. The catch is that the dog must be spayed or neutered and is not permitted to compete in conformation but only in performance sports like obedience, agility, tracking, and herding.What& #x27 s the difference between a purebred dog without papers and one that looks purebred? There is no significant difference. They look the same, and you can do the same things with them.Now the well-bred puppy. This is a puppy produced by a skill
She is a very cute puppy, but I dont think she looks like a pure GSD. Her coloring is right for a GSD pup, but her head doesnt have the correct bone structure, her ears are not erect and her coat is way too different from a shepherd. She is adorable though. When she grows up she will probably show more of the mixed charactistics that she has.
Testing The Dna Of The Dog
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Whats In A Purebred German Shepherd
But first thing first, you need to ask the question:
What was a German Shepherd originally developed for ?
The German Shepherd Dog was originally bred for herding. With their high intelligence, high self-confidence, trainability, and ability to focus, they are now widely used as police dogs, military messengers, and guard dogs. That said, you would expect these traits hard-wired to this breed:
- A compulsion to chase things that move quickly
- Swift responsiveness to their human/master/handler
- Aloofness toward strangers
- Protective/territorial instincts
All of those traits are what you get in an ideal German Shepherd. One of the most capable and trainable breeds in all of dogdom, an ideal German Shepherd, when properly raised by a confident owner, can be a magnificent companion.
By Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Behavioral Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books
Talk To A Veterinarian
Veterinarians not only deal with many dog breeds, but they also attend to many dogs of the same breed. As such, they have mastered characteristics proper to the GSD and will give you purebred German Shepherd facts and proofs from their own experience.
Suppose you already own the dog that you are trying to identify as purebred. In that case, you can bring your dog to a vet who has vast experience with German Shepherds and have them assess the dogs physical, temperament, and behavior traits.
Alternatively, you can explain to the vet features and behaviors you have observed in your dog and have the vet tell you if they are typical of the breed.
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Notice Their Unmatched Intelligence
The modern German Shepherd dog is a descendant of 19th-century German herding dogs. The German Shepherds used as a herding dog is where its well-known classification as a highly intelligent dog comes from.
In the 21st century, German Shepherds are the top choice for police and military units across the world. Does this mean you have to put your GSD to work? Of course not!
This just means that your GSD is easy to train, susceptible to learning a large number of commands and can follow directions easily. All of which are qualities that make for an excellent home guard dog and loving companion.
This trait can be immediately identified as GSDs tend to learn very quickly, pick up on commands, and are generally well behaved and attentive.
Do you want to learn how to train your GSD as a guard dog?Weve got you covered.
Looking At The Dogs Coat
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Which German Shepherd Is The Best
German Shepherds can be divided into two groups show line German Shepherds and working line German Shepherds. Ultimately, your lifestyle and expectations will determine which German Shepherd is the best for you.
If you are looking for a canine companion, a show line German Shepherd is the right choice. These dogs are bred to accommodate the needs of pet parents, have lower energy levels, and make great family pets.
But, if you are looking for a capable working dog who will guard your property or herd cattle on a farm, a working line German Shepherd is a better choice. Dogs from West German working lines, Czech working lines, and East German DDR working lines are bred to meet the rigorous rules set by the German Shepherd Club of Germany.
These German Shepherds are bred to work and have little to no resemblance to German Shepherds that are found in most homes.
Can I Show A German Shepherd
Yes! If your puppy is registered with the American Kennel Club, then you can show your puppy. Some breeders will have you sign a contract saying that they dont allow their puppies to be shown, so make sure to read the contract carefully.
You will also want to get a dog with certain markings if you want to show your dog. Some German shepherds, like the sable coats and white coats, cannot be show dogs.
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What Is The Size Of A Full
An adult male German Shepherd is typically 24 to 26 inches tall, while adult female German Shepherds are 22 to 24 inches tall, according to the American Kennel Club German Shepherd Standard.
The estimated full-size varies significantly between sexes. In terms of weight, an adult male German Shepherd weighs anywhere from 75 to 90 pounds. A female German Shepherd weighs notably less at 55 to 70 pounds.
Please keep in mind that these numbers are only estimates to give you an idea of how much bigger a German Shepherd puppy may get. Some dogs will be both smaller and larger than these weight ranges when fully grown due to a variety of genetic and environmental factors.