What Are German Shepherds Known For

Do German Shepherds Like Other Dogs

Most German Shepherds are fine with other dogs if they are introduced when they are young. Sometimes, they can be unsure or aggressive towards other dogs, but proper training can avoid any of these problems you may find in a German Shepherd.

Early socialization is the key. They do not become friends with other dogs if they see them as a threat.

Expose your German Shepherd to other people, family, and pets. This need to be done in a positive way. If done well, they will grow up to be loyal, obedient, and loving dogs.

Below is a good way to get your German Shepherd on the right path for socialization.

The best way to ensure that your German Shepherd gets along with other dogs is to introduce them to another dog in neutral setting.

Once they are introduced, take them for a walk together so they can get acclaimed with each others company. It is a good idea to keep them a few feet apart on the first walk.

If you are still in a neutral territory after their walk, have the two dogs smell each other before letting them play. If you find that they are getting along well, let them play for a few minutes.

It is very important to let playtime end on a happy note.

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.

Recognized By The Akc In 1908

The American Kennel Club officially recognized the German Shepherd breed in 1908. The breed had been shown the previous year in Pennsylvania at the open class in Newcastle and Philadelphia. It would take until 1913 for the breed to be awarded a first champion status and for the German Shepherd Dog Club of America to be formed.

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Are German Shepherds Good Family Dogs Here’s Everything You Need To Know

Excellent and loyal guard dogs, they make brilliant service pups

Each month we will be shining a light on different dog breeds in our series, Dog Breed of the Month. This month, we look at the loyal and courageous German Shepherds. Keep reading for everything you need to know about this gorgeous breed, including characteristics, temperament and personality traits.

“German Shepherd Dogs are versatile, intelligent and energetic dogs, known for their loyalty,” Bill Lambert, spokesperson for The Kennel Club, tells Country Living. “They’re capable of learning many commands, which is why they are make good service, military and assistance dogs. Outside of ‘work’, German Shepherds are loving dogs that make a great companion, as well as an exercise or exploration buddy.”

German Shepherds Are Protective

German Shepherds have a very strong instinct to be protective. This instinct is so powerful that the German Shepherd will risk its life to save its owner or family members. They will even protect the home, not just family members. If you own a German Shepherd, you can be assured of feeling safe, as it is one of the most protective breeds out there. They are so known for their ability to protect that they are even employed by businesses as part of their security, to protect things of value. They are also used by police forces around the world, which has built them a fearsome reputation. That reputation adds extra value to the German Shepherd as a protective dog, as people know their reputation and wouldnt want to mess with one!

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Rin Tin Tin Finds Fame:

Rin Tin Tin got lucky and was at the right place at the right time. The Warners Brothers film studio was struggling. They suffered countless loses and were going bankrupt. They were trying to shoot a scene with a wolf but it wasnt working out. This was when Duncan took the opportunity. He suggested replacing the wolf with his dog.

Because of this, the film The Man from Hells River was a major success. Rin Tin Tin became a true hero and star who later helped the Warner Brothers film company earn back most of their money and gain considerable fame. Rin Tin Tins fame only grew from here and he became one of the most famous dogs around.

How Cute Are They

German Shepherds are adorable, good-looking dogs but at times they may look intimidating. They are loyal, fiercely protective, and have very expressive eyes. They are one of the most popular family dogs chosen for this reason! They are playful, agile, swift, and fiercely protective. A German Shepherd puppy may look like a cute ball of fur but as an adult dog German Shepherds make hefty lap dogs. With good care, grooming, and a strict exercise regime these dogs remain adorable forever.

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They Are Beautiful And Handsome

I think we can all agree that the German Shepherd has a very striking and powerful appearance! The way they carry themselves with strength and grace inspires respect and admiration all over the world. Sometimes you can even find them in uniform, which makes them even more handsome! There is also a lot of beauty in their variety, because they come in all sorts of color combinations. Black and Tan is the classic look, but you can also find black and red, black and gray, black and fawn, black and cream, light or dark sable, all black, and even all white. Also, their ears pointed up in alertness give them an extra smartness which is utterly irresistible.

Gsds Are First Service Dogs

German Shepherds have found fame throughout the years as movie starsâRin Tin Tin and Strongheart were both popular in the 1920s. GSDs also have been famous as service dogs, including Appollo, the first German Shepherd police service K-9 to respond to Ground Zero on 9/11. However, it was Buddy the GSD who became the first seeing eye dog to Morris Frank in 1928. The hard-working seeing eye dog trained in Switzerland at a school operated by American Dorothy Harrison Eustis.

After Morris Frank returned to the United States with Buddy and had enormous success with the seeing eye dog, Eustis returned to the States as well. She worked to establish The Seeing Eye, a school to train more seeing eye dogs and Morris Frank became its managing director, with Buddy at his side. The school continues today to train service dogs for the blind.Bonus fact: Buddy’s original name was Kiss and she was a female.

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Unique German Shepherd Names

To draw even more inspiration for German shepherd names, consider these unique options that refer to Bavarian life and cultureincluding one of Germanys most well-known exports, beer.

• Deutsche: The word for German, in the German language.
• Donner: Means thunder in German.
• Hansel: Popular nursery rhyme character from German fable the brother of Gretel.
• Gretel: Popular nursery rhyme character from German fable the sister of Hansel.
• Heinz: Translates to ruler of the home and is similar to the English name Henry.
• Hund: The German word for dog.
• Jaeger: Translates to Hunter in German. While youre shepherd is more of a herder than a hunter, the name is a popular choice for GSDs.
• Kaiser: A German term meaning ruler.
• Schnapps: Spirits, in German
• Bock: Type of lager-style beer
• Dunkel: Describes a dark German beer
• Beck: German brewery in the city of Bremen
• Stein: A traditional German beer mug

What To Do If Your German Shepherd Has Itch

Food Allergies: Your German shepherd is likely to have trouble breathing or experience dizziness. So make sure you let him rest for a while. Also, consider using a warm or cold compress brag to any swelling part of their body. Skin Allergies: You can use anti-itch cream to your dog if hes having itchy skin.

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German Shepherd Dogs Are Protective Of Their Loved Ones

They are known for being fearless and self-confident. GSDs will assertively stand their ground and are suited to be either watchdog or guardian, whichever the situation demands. They can be aloof with strangers yet are not hostile. This natural protective instinct is reassuring to the German Shepherd owner. But it also comes with a certain responsibility. You should be committed to spending time socializing and training your dog to ensure your companion feels comfortable around strangers and other dogs. If you do, you will benefit from all this dog has to offer.

Ellie: A Dogs Purpose

Ellie is a fictional female German Shepherd who appears in not only the book A Dogs Purpose but the movie as well. She is an lovable, devoted character who is trained to be a police dog. And although Ellie may not be one of the most famous German Shepherds, she is an inspiring fiction character that may inspire children or even adults to join the police force.

Here is a short summary: Bailey, who has lived numerous lives, is reborn as a female German Shepherd puppy, who grows into a police dog named Ellie. This is around the late 1970s or early 1980s. While she is retaining fond memories from the lives past.

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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.

German Shepherd Dogs Have A Club For Seniors

German Shepherd Dog puppies are lovely to have around and the adult dogs are often used for working purposes. However, during the later years of these dogs, most people do not think about them.

Notwithstanding, the senior German Shepherd Dogs are not completely forgotten as they have a club called âThe Thirteen Club.â This club is within the German Shepherd Club of America and it is for seniors that are aged twelve and above.

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The History And Origin Of The German Shepherd Dog

Other names for the German Shepherd Dog

Alsatian

The German Shepherd Dog is a breed of large-sized dog that originated in Germany in 1899. As part of the Herding Group, German Shepherds are working dogs developed originally for herding and guarding sheep. Because of their strength, intelligence and abilities in obedience training they are often employed in police and military roles around the world.

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.

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What Colors Do German Shepherds Come In

The most common colors are black and tan, black and red, black and cream, or black and silver. These colors cover the dog in one of these three patterns:

• Saddleback the black overlays the dog’s back and sides . The rest of the dog is tan, red, cream, or silver. Usually there’s some black on the face, as well.
• Blanketback the black extends further down the shoulders and hips.
• Bicolor like a Doberman or Rottweiler, which is mostly black with small tan/red/cream markings specifically confined to the head, chest, and legs. Honestly I don’t know why this pattern is called bicolor, which simply means two colors. As we’ve just seen, the other two patterns also have just two colors.

Another common color is sable, which is an overall shade of gray, golden, or red, with black-tipped hairs that create a “dusted with black” effect.

A less common, but perfectly acceptable, color is solid black.

“Faulty” colors

Then there are two controversial colors: blue and liver:

• Blue German Shepherds have inherited a color-modifying gene that changes their black pigment to smoky gray. Many blue dogs look as though they’ve been dusted with flour.
• Liver German Shepherds have inherited a color-modifying gene that changes their black pigment to brown .

Blue and liver are considered serious faults by the official German Shepherd clubs and breeders who show their dogs in the conformation ring. But you can still register these dogs and compete with them in activities such as obedience and agility.

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Why Do German Shepherds Lick Themselves

Have you ever seen German Shepherd behavior where your dog licks his mouth just after looking at someone? If yes, check the person for an angry face.

Researchers in animal behavior in the UK and Brazil have discovered that dogs will lick their mouths in response to angry human faces. So, dont think your dog likes your angry face if he licks his mouth. He is just trying to communicate with you!

But dogs will also lick themselves for medical reasons, especially pruritus. You should, therefore, seek the intervention of your dogs vet if you notice the first signs of excessive itching in your dog.

Some of the medical conditions that will cause your German Shepherd to lick his paws and other parts of his body include:

• Allergies
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Sarcoptic mange and bacterial/fungal/parasite infections
• Injury and arthritis pain
• Some prescription drugs
• Hormonal imbalance

Note, however, that dogs will often lick their paws as part of self-grooming, and those who are obsessive groomers may do so a bit exaggeratedly.

German Shepherds Are Highly Intelligent

It is a well-known fact that German Shepherds are highly intelligent. They can learn and do almost every task you give them. Perhaps this is why the largest percentage of police dogs all over the world is German Shepherd. Due to their high intelligence and versatility, German Shepherds are also widely trained as service dogs to aid people with disabilities. Some German Shepherds are trained to compete in dog sporting events.

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Are German Shepherds Good Family Dogs

Definitely a great family dog, we believe that this puppy is a little more hands-on and therefore should be left to experienced owners with a family .

The German Shepherd thrives in a household with older children due to their large size.

Because of their high activity levels, they are not recommended for senior parents due to their huge need for exercise. With correct socialization and training they can easily be compatible with other pets and dogs.

How Do They Reproduce

Like most mammals, German Shepherds reproduce sexually. A male German Shepherd dog is sexually mature around the age of two years while the female experiences the first heat cycle when she is around six months. However, a female German Shepherd should have puppies only after she has experienced her second heat cycle. Though female German Shepherd dogs experience heat cycles every six months, breeding is advised only once a month to have healthy German Shepherd puppies.

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