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What Are German Shepherds Used For

German Shepherds Are Healthy

Why Are German Shepherds Used As Police Dogs?

German Shepherd are one of the healthiest dog breed. They can live to up to 13 years if they are properly cared for. German Shepherds love to exercise, thus they are free from weight problems. German Shepherds are prone to several health risks such as hip and elbow dysplasia which later lead to arthritis, degenerative myelopathy and others diseases, but the risk of suffering from these diseases is greatly reduced if proper nutrition and veterinary care are given.

Are German Shepherds The Only Police Dogs

German Shepherds arent the only police dogs. Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherds are also used. And its due to their intelligence, alertness, trainability, and stamina. While Retrievers, Beagles, Bloodhounds, and English Springer Spaniels are sniffing dogs. And also used in search-and-rescues.

Apart from these, there are other canines that are used as cop dogs all over the world.;

But, theyre less common. Such as:

  • Boxers.
  • Doberman Pinschers.

How Do German Shepherds Help The Police

General Responsibilities

You probably have watched movies showing German shepherds working with law enforcers. This situation also happens in real life. A trained police service dog can help law enforcers in a variety of ways. Their general responsibilities include protecting officers and finding, repressing or apprehending suspects or criminals. They can attack criminals who dont surrender willingly and becomes aggressive. Theyre widely used by the police because they can easily take down criminals.;

Specialized Assignments

In addition to general tasks, they are also involved in specialized assignments like tracking missing individuals, hidden explosives, illegal drugs or narcotics, and crime scene evidence. Thats why dont be surprised when you see them at the airports sniffing for concealed narcotics or bombs. Because of their strong sense of smell and agility, they can even detect cadavers on land and water. They can also search and rescue humans in dangerous places. They wont stop unless their handlers asked them to do so.;

Some German shepherd police dogs searched survivors in the World Trade Center in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. One of the most notable German shepherds who participated in the rescue effort was Apollo. He worked 18 hours a day to search and rescue living victims and hes happy to work for long periods.

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About The Breed: German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is a medium to large-sized working dog. Abbreviated as GSD, German Shepherds are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world, ranking second in our 2019 analysis of the top 50 dog breeds.

Originally bred to be herding dogs, the intelligence and agility of German Shepherds made them stand out and seen in many types of work today. Thanks to their strength, obedience, and trainability, German Shepherds make great working dogs as well as family pets.

In this edition of About The Breed, well look at the breed characteristics of the German Shepherd, examine the history of the breed, and answer some of the most frequently asked questions.

German Shepherds As K

7 Wonderful Things For Which German Shepherds are Used For!

German Shepherds have it in their genes to be protective they were bred as herding type dogs, and the Shepherd dogs they were bred from contained sheep and flock protection instincts.

In modern times, there are professional companies that breed and train German Shepherd protection K-9s;to protect people.

These K-9s are usually used for either personal, family or estate protection.

Protection K-9s that are trained to protect families in particular will appear civilised and loving like a normal dog in a family environment, but when they detect a threat they are trained to react according to their training which might be to immobilise the threat.

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Which Type Of German Shepherd Is Right For You

Ask yourself this

  • What do I want from a German Shepherd dog?
  • What can I offer in terms of time, effort, training, and stimulation?
  • Your answer lies where the two needs meet

    Next, you need to find a breeder that understands their lines and breeding programs.;

    You don’t want someone who breeds for the sake of breeding.

    All lines have some issues, and thats true for any other breed of dog too.

    But if you know exactly what you want, go to the right breeder and let them know, you will get the right German Shepherd breed type for your family.

  • Oliver Stan

    Hello there I need some help with a lot of thing since this is going to be my first ever pup!!! and to show my mum I can show responsibility and commitment I would need i little helpI want a pup who can be my protector, my best mate, a shoulder to cry on and a workout buddy

    I hope Ive well written this. if you need anymore information I would be happy to answer.

    And I would 10/10 recommend to a friend/family/random people on the street.

  • Taylor Bishop

    Thanks for helping me learn more about German Shepherd breeds. Its interesting to learn that the DDR working lines will need a lot of mental and physical stimulation. Maybe it could be good to learn what other owners have done to really ensure that this breed of German Shepherd remains happy.

  • Reply
  • Training A German Shepherd To Use Invisible Fence

    Invisible Fence® Brand06-17-2021

    Welcome to our Pets of Invisible Fence® Brand blog series, where we share stories of pets who graduated our Perfect Start Plus Training program. This week, Invisible Fence of the Triad shares how Sam the German Shepherd stays safe in his yard with the help of Invisible Fence Brand’s Boundary Plus® Technology.;

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    Physical Requirements Of The Belgian Malinois

    The exercise requirements of the Belgian Malinois are similar to that of a German Shepherd. The Malinois, however, will expect more. This breed will demand your attention and will need training, mental stimulation, and a lot of activity.

    A minimum of 90 minutes is required for the Belgian Malinois. However, this highly active dog will likely want a lot more than that! This breed can run for hours and may be prone to leave your side if bored.

    This highly intelligent, athletic, and muscular dog really needs to be actively engaged with the owner. This cant be stated enough. You cant leave this guy in the backyard on his own. In order to keep this dog happy, the owner must be willing to put in the time.

    If youre into hiking, biking, running, the Malinois will love you. His keen mind and readiness for action will always keep you on your toes.

    Belgian Malinois dogs are excellent at agility, tracking, herding, and obedience. Keep him actively engaged in these things and this dog will be your loyal best friend forever.

    Bring your dog to new places as much as possible. The new sights, sounds, and smells will help to keep him mentally stimulated.

    How Did German Shepherds Begin Working With Police

    Things to know as a new German Shepherd owner | Mistakes made by new owners

    The history of how German Shepherds began working with the police is a short but extremely layered one. It helps to look at the history of the breed first.

    For example, when looking at German Shepherds for the first time, you would be forgiven for thinking that they are closely related to wolves. However, this is not the case. Instead, they are a relatively modern breed of dog, with their origins only dating back to around 1899 much later than the majority of dog owners would imagine.

    Around this time, large, industrialized cities were popping up all over Germany, causing the local populations of predators to heavily decline. As a byproduct of this, the need for sheepdogs, who had previously been used to defend flocks of livestock, began to become unnecessary.

    However, this was not the end for the breed, and instead, they became highly prized as strong and intelligent working dogs.

    Eventually, a German man named Von Stephanitz developed a keen interest in Germanys native sheepdogs. You can read more about him on Wikipedia.

    However, although Von Stephanitz greatly admired the breeds, he was not completely satisfied, and instead set his sights on finding the perfect working dog. In 1899, he would attend a dog show wherein he was shown a remarkably intelligent canine named Hektor Linksrhein.

    Von Stephanitz was so impressed with Hektor that he immediately purchased him, and from there history was made.

    How did German Shepherds become police dogs?

    • Airedale Terrier
    • Rottweiler

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    Furminator Long Hair Dog Deshedding Tool

    This undercoat deshedding tool is the best for removing loose hairs that the slicker brush may not be able to get to completely.

    It has a stainless steel edge that grabs the hair and the FURejector for releasing the hair when you are done grooming.

    Many GSD owners swear by this brush and say they love it. Use it at least once a week to remove loose hair from the undercoat and every day during seasonal blow outs. Your clothes and your house will thank you! Your dog will be cleaner and happier as a result!

    Features:

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  • Stainless steel edge that extends below the top coat reaching the loose undercoat hair.
  • Note: It works great but in moderation. The slicker brush is better for a daily light brushing. This tool should only be used moderately and not with a heavy hand to avoid any damage to the coat.

    Positives

    How Did German Shepherds Become Police Dogs

    German Shepherds became police dogs in 1910. Stephanitz, the founder of the breed, showed what they can do in the German police. After many trials, the dogs were found to excel in the tasks. So they were added to military and police units. And in 1920, a training school for police dogs was built.;

    Let me share with you a brief history.

    As their name says

    German ShepHERDS were first used as herding dogs.

    Their ancestors were bred to control cattle and sheep. And this is why theyre highly:

    • Active.

    But how did they change careers?

    First, lands were slowly turned into cities. So the need for shepherd dogs was reduced.

    However, their discovery was also a factor in this.

    AKC says that the founder of German Shepherds was a cavalry officer. His name is Max von Stephanitz.

    During his duty in the countryside, he saw how fast and clever they are. And became fond of herding Fidos.

    So he attended a dog show. And there he found and bought Horand.

    Who is it?

    Hes the first registered German Shepherd in history.

    From then on, he developed the breed we know today. Loyal, reliable, and even-tempered.

    Because for him

    The dogs function is more important than appearance. So he focused mainly on their inner traits. Like obedience and intelligence.

    With this in mind, he knew that theyre fit to be police dogs. So he continued on promoting them as good working canines.

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    Things You Should Know About The German Shepherd

    So youre thinking about getting a new dog or puppy and you have several things on your list that are must haves: loyalty, intelligence, and protection. A German Shepherd certainly fits into all of those categories and more. However, German Shepherds do require a little extra work. Before adding a German Shepherd to your family, its good to become acquainted with their unique characteristics. Here are 13 things that I think any future German Shepherd owner should know.

    Before adding a German Shepherd to your family, its good to become acquainted with their unique characteristics.

    Contents

    What You Should Know Before Getting A German Shepherd

    Why Are German Shepherds Used As Police Dogs?

    The German Shepherd, or now more correctly known as the German Shepherd Dog or GSD, is a very popular breed thats easy to recognize. Although the breed is often depicted as a police dog or a guard dog, the origins of the GSD was a farm dog that excelled in working with sheep as both a herding dog and a flock guardian.

    The GSD was originally bred for performance and not for a breed standard. They were developed in Germany in the mid to late part of the 19th century. In 1899 a military officer, Max von Stephanitz, actually developed the breed as it is now recognized.

    The German Shepherd was recognized as a dog breed in Germany and was used as a military dog in the World War l. At the same time, these dogs were also used by the Red Cross and the police throughout Europe. It was smart, highly trainable and fearless, even in combat situations. While there were some of these dogs in the USA in the early part of the 1900s, it was really the efforts of American soldiers to bring these dogs home that sparked the popularity of the breed.

    The Characteristics

    Todays GSDs are still the same loyal, courageous and highly intelligent dogs they have always been. While they are still used as police and military dogs, they are equally effective as guide and assistance dogs, bomb and drug dogs, as well as wonderful family pets, guard dogs and companions.

    Training

    General Care

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    Top 10 Reasons Why You Would Want A German Shepherd

    German Shepherds are a relatively new dog breed with origins that can be traced back to 1899. Although it is a new breed, German Shepherds are now one of the most popular dog breeds worldwide. In the United states, German shepherds ranks as the second most popular dog breeds of 2016. In fact, German Shepherds have many talents and desirable traits which make them the best dogs that every household should own.

    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.

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    East German Ddr Working Lines

    This type of German Shepherd has continued to be developed and maintained after the end of WWII.;

    The establishment of the Deutsche Demokratische Republik meant strict government-controlled pedigree registration.

    And 40 years of closed breeding.

    From this developed a distinctive looking dog.; With dark pigment, a big head, deep chest, athletic body, supreme intellect, and stamina to boot.

    This type of German Shepherd has a sound temperament and a high work drive .

    They must have plenty of mental and physical stimulation and an experienced handler.

    Check out this infographic and learn some fun facts about the German Shepherd Breed!

    Why Do The Police Use German Shepherds As Police Dogs

    Family Uses Their German Shepherd Protection Dog, Aspen, in Training

    The German Shepherd is renowned for its strength, trainability, obedience, and high intelligence. This makes the breed ideal for several lines of work. These dogs are also highly active and confident with a keen willingness to learn. Furthermore, German Shepherds have no inclination to become friends with strangers immediately, which makes them ideal for protective roles. Also, German Shepherds have greater restraint over their prey drive in comparison to other breeds. As a herding breed, the German Shepherd has good impulse control and analyzes the best approach to a situation. Lastly, German Shepherd dogs are lighter than other breeds that have a history of working as police dogs. This is important, as police dog handlers must be able to lift and maneuver their canine partners in the field.

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    German Shepherds And Children

    Adult German Shepherds can range from being calm and patient to bouncy and boisterous, depending on their personality, training and socialisation. Some can make great family pets in homes with children of all ages, but dogs should always be supervised around young children.

    Make sure you can recognise the signs of unhappiness or anxiety in your dog to help avoid any conflicts. German Shepherds can be nervous of strangers so make sure theyre never left unsupervised. Be careful if you are introducing a German Shepherd to younger children or adults unfamiliar with the breed as they often dont know their own strength.

    German Shepherds And Barking

    As with any dog, German Shepherds are likely to bark. Their main purpose was for herding and guarding so they can be quite vocal when people walk past or enter or exit the house, but how much noise they make will vary from dog to dog. If youre having problems with excessive noise or barking, we recommend seeking the advice of an accredited behaviourist.

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