What Are The Different Types Of German Shepherds Breeds
The German Shepherd, regardless of its type, is a playful, sociable and intelligent dog that has earned the sympathy of most people. Likewise, it has a balanced character, is not dependent on its owner, but it does show him loyalty.
Despite the characteristics that all types of German Shepherd have in common, other qualities cause them to differ greatly from each other. In this section we will explain the singularities of each one of them.
What Is A German Shepherd A Mix Of
German Shepherd Dogs can come from a number of different breeds including Border Collies, Standard Poodles, and more.In short, there is no one answer to this question. However, German Shepherds are known to be working dogs who excel at their jobs due to their intelligence and trainability. A member of the herding group of dogs, they get along well with all members of the family but prefer an active owner who can keep them engaged both mentally and physically. They also enjoy teaching new tricks!This breed would be best for someone living in a rural or suburban area that has a wide open backyard available for a dog of this size needs plenty of room to run free off leash. A GSD rel.
What Are The Other Names Of Shepherd Dogs
Due to their skills, the most common name for a shepherd dog is herding dog. Other names include stock dog or working dog. As these terms suggest, shepherd dogs are trained to control the movement of livestock.
They are trained not to see these animals as prey and, at the same time, maintain their hunting skills.
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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.
What Breed Of Dog Goes Well With A German Shepherd
As long as they are properly socialized, theres no reason why an Alsation should have any trouble getting along with another breed. They are easy to train and live to please their owners.
Common breeds that are raised alongside Germans are Golden Retrievers, Siberian Huskies, Labrador Retrievers, and Border Collies.
This is because they are quite similar in size and energy levels, which makes them ideal companions.
Not only can they keep up with one another, theres a small chance of injuring each other. Thats not to say that small breeds cannot work, quite the contrary!
There are some GSDs that have been reported adopting kittens! But in general, you want to avoid having prey-like animals in the house that could trigger their hunting instincts.
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The Different Types Of German Shepherd In Terms Of Coat Color
Aside from having different lines within the German Shepherd breed, they also come in a fair few colors. Many assume that GSDs are only Black and Tan but that is far from the truth.
The Black and Tan is only prevalent in the media, thanks to the depiction of a GSD of that color during the Golden Years of Hollywood called Rin-Tin-Tin.
Czech Working Line German Shepherds
The origin of this variety of dogs goes to their efficacy in military patrolling. They have retained their military nature and are considered to be fierce and wolfish.
They are also found less commonly as opposed to several other varieties of German Shepherds. You would find this variety more with police departments, forensics.
They also make a great part of rescue teams though some people also like to keep them in their homes.
Some of the defining features of the Czech working line German Shepherd include:
- The Czech working line German Shepherd is high on energy and endurance
- They are very athletic and agile
- These dogs come in dark shades and have thick paws and a large head
- They are prone to working hard and are extremely susceptible to their environs
- They are characterized by more muscle and less fat which is why they are supremely agile
- This is one species of a German Shepherd that is very keen on working hard and prefer it that way
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German Shepherd Show And Working Lines
While these are all considered the same breed, each is its own line. These lines usually indicate the heritage of the dog, and the differences between the types of German Shepherds usually stems from how these dogs were bred and for what purpose these dogs were bred. While there are technically seven different lines, there are only two general lines: show lines and working lines.
Show lines, from America, Canada, and West Germany , were bred for body type, color, and coloration pattern over healthy and personality, while working lines are more typically bred for personality and health, instead of to achieve a specific look.
Here are the most recognizable types of German Shepherd dogs and their defining features and characteristics:
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/czech Working Lines German Shepherds
Everyone is familiar with the different kinds of german shepherds, but the dogs pedigree has been split into many factions especially since they were such versatile dogs. so what we can know about the Czech Working Lines German Shepherds.
Czech GSDs were developed in Czechoslovakia before the country split into the two states of the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1992.
They were an independent communist country prior to that, up till 1918. Before communism ended in 1986, these protection dogs were largely used to protect the Czech border.
The Czech Alsatian breeding program began in 1955 at a kennel manned by the Pohranicni Straze or Border Control arm of the Czechoslovakian Army.
These Types of GSD were largely bred from the DDR German Shepherdstype, which means that they are quite similar, both in appearance and temperament. They are both valued for their strong work ethic, courage, and trainability.
Due to the prevalence of mixing between lines and unregulated breeding practices coupled with the desire for a more manageable house dog, the majority of Czech GSDs of today are no longer the elite forces of the past.
so What does a Czech German Shepherd look like?Erect ears and a wolfish appearance, thats what all types of german shepherds look like. A closer look will reveal that not all GSDs are built the same.
Czech Working Lines German Shepherds
Czech Working Lines German Shepherds Price
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Best Different Types Of German Shepherds Breeds
German Shepherds are a popular breed that can be trained to be an effective guard dog or attack on command. They have high intellectual faculties and generally come in the category of working dogs. These breeds have been used time and again for search and rescue and even by military patrols. They originally belong to Germany quite obviously and now have been found in all parts of the globe.
If stats are to be believed, then in the US alone there are more than 77 Million dogs altogether in which about 4.59% of all AKC regd. Dogs are German Shepherds. They are big in size and are quite fearless yet approachable personalities when fully trained and socialized.
This article is specially curated to bring into your knowledge about the different types of German shepherds along with their characteristics and how they blend in with kids and adults.
When Did The German Shepherd Originated
1800sAs the name suggests, the German Shepherd originated in Germany in the late 1800s. The most intelligent, responsive and obedient local shepherd dogs in Germany were bred to create what is now known as the German Shepherd. This breed was responsible for herding sheep and protecting flocks from predators.
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West Working Line German Shepherds
- The West Working Line German Shepherds have a very stable temperament and got stunning looks. These GSDs have strong drives, excellent working ability, calmer attitude and perfect colors.
- The West Working Lines GSDs have different colors like sable, black, bi-color, and black and tan. The back of West Working Line German Shepherds is bit more sloping than the East Working Line DDR German Shepherds.
- These GSDs could counter more health issues than the East Working Line GSDs.
- West Working Line GSDs often excel at different sports and jobs such as search and rescue operations or guarding protection.
- Though the West Working Line GSDs have a very strong desire, but they have such a cool temperament that they know when to become aggressive and when to sit calm. This fantastic trait make them ideal German Shepherd breed for an enthusiastic family.
How Many Types Of 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 colour 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.
Notewe wont talk about the mixed breed of a german shepherd like wolfdog or any other type of mixed German Shepherd with other dogs. because it not considered as an original type of german shepherd dogs.
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German Shepherd + Collie = Shollie
The Shollie is not a purebred dog. It is a cross between the German Shepherd and the Collie. These mutts are highly defensive of their loved ones. However, they demonstrate excellent delicacy with their relatives, making them fantastic puppies for the family. The German Shepherd Border Collie Mix is ideal for active families to keep up with his workaholic nature.
- Life Expectancy: 12 to 18 years.
- Weight: 4 10 pounds
German Shepherd Body Types
The first known GSD was designed to be a working dog. But since the popularity of GSDs, demands increased and so did different preferences. Thus, the birth of show lines. At present, there are 2 kinds of GSD show lines and 3 kinds of GSD working line. All of which are recognized by their respective GSD regulatory bodies.
- East German Working Lines
Originally bred for military purposes, this line has been preserved and being bred under very strict standards. Dogs with hip dysplasia are not allowed to be bred , including dogs with health issues and physical defects. In fact, each and every puppy is checked for their temperament, bone structure and coat quality. Standard East German Working GSDs have incredibly strong bodies that can withstand extreme weather conditions. They usually have big heads,broad,solid shoulders and shiny coat. Modern Easter German Working dogs are the top choices in military and police work. As police or military dogs, their tests include walking on a balance beam, searching 10 blinds, undergoing tracking tests in series and scaling a 1.8 and 1.5 meters straight wall. Being energetic, having a calm demeanor and protective instincts make them great family dogs even around kids especially if they will be trained.
- West German Working Lines
- American and Canadian Show Lines
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Types Of German Shepherds By Hair Length
In the case of dogs, even the length of the hair is taken into account when talking about one variety or another. There are two types of German Shepherd taking this characteristic into account.
1. Short-haired German Shepherd
As their name suggests, they stand out for having a short coat. Likewise, they are very active dogs, therefore, they need to perform physical exercise daily.
In addition, it is noteworthy that the German Shepherd is among the most intelligent dog breeds, although they need training from puppies.
2. Long-haired German Shepherd
In this case, the opposite of the above happens â the animal boasts of having its long coat. This characteristic gives them great beauty and, for this reason, they attract even more attention.
The fur can measure up to 60 centimeters, making it very soft and shiny if it is cared for well. Thus, it is important to brush their hair twice a week with a metal brush.
Caring For Your German Shepherd
German Shepherds are fantastic dogs and its easy to see why they are such a popular breed. However their size and strength means they arent suited to all families and need a lot of space to burn off their energy. Youll need to make sure you have a lot of time to spend with these dogs and you are committed to providing for their exercise needs every day.
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German Shepherd + Akita = Shepkita
The Shepkita is a hybrid dog, a cross between the Akita and the German Shepherd dogs. Shepkita also was known as Akita, Akita, and a German Shepherd mix. These puppies are now and again used to serve individuals. The Shepkita is well disposed, great with kids, yet a magnificent defender of the family.
This huge measured, physically intense pup is known for its calm, steadfast nature and has a genuinely hefty worked with broad shoulders and solid components. These puppies are keen, reliable, dedicated, and anxious to work.
- Life Expectancy: 10 to 13 years.
- Weight: 75 pounds 120 pounds
- Height: 26 inches 28 inches
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.
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Are There Different Types Of German Shepherds
The American Kennel Club and the Kennel Club in the UK each only have one type of German Shepherd Dog on their registries.
This is also true of the Federation Cynologique Internationale a European registry which serves dog owners internationally.
The Australian National Kennel Club takes a slightly different approach however, and well come to that in a moment.
But first lets look at some of the criteria we can use to separate German Shepherds into informal groups:
- Purpose
- Size
Difference Between Working Line And Show Line Types
Dogs that were bred to work, rather than to show, usually have fewer health problems, fewer temperament issues, and more variation in color and coat type. German Shepherd dogs that are bred for show are bred to conform to a very specific set of standards and the dogs in a litter that do not adhere to those standards are generally not used for further breeding. This is not true of working stock, who can look exactly the same as a show dog, with the typical black saddle and tan body, or can be completely black or even completely tan. Sable is the most common color for working stock German Shepherds since sable is the dominant color gene in this breed.
When it comes to temperament, these dogs often have more intense personalities than their show counterparts. This often because breeders of these types focused on energy and loyalty when selecting individuals to breed. They love working and some owners might find that if they do not find some sort of job for their dog, that they will start acting out. Not every working dog will demand to be a drug sniffer or a security guard, but they will often demand to be near their owners almost constantly. These dogs will love to learn tricks and even some more advanced tasks like fetching specific items or opening doors.
If you choose a working line dog, give them something to do.
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West German Working Line German Shepherds
Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the German Shepherd breed, would be proud of this breed because they come the closest to the dogs bred by him.
This breed is known for its incredible ability and agility for work, soft stable temperament and robust working drive.
They love to play the protector and would enjoy activities such as rescue and search and high-intensity sport.
Some of the defining features of the West German working line German Shepherd include:
- The West German working line is blessed with the right temperament and personality which makes it a fantastic house pet.
- They are strong, agile and excellent and listening and understanding.
- They are uniformly black with brown legs, though sometimes you can see a variation, which tends to be very rare.
- They have a sloppy back.
- They are a very convenient breed to keep as pets as they are calm and relaxed.
German Shepherd Breed History
Historically, German Shepherds originated in Germany and were used for herding purposes. They would lead the flock and protect it from predators.
The development of the German Shepherd Dog breed is credited to Cavalry Captain Max Emil Friedrich von Stephanitz back in the 1890s.
Stephanitz occupied himself by experimenting with dog breeding, intending to standardize the working shepherding dogs in Germany. In 1899, a shepherd dog named Hektor Linksrhein caught his attention at a dog show for it apparently possessed all the qualities he desired.
For that reason, he purchased the dog and changed its name to Horand von Grafath. This name is now known as the first-ever registered German Shepherd Dog in history and the main breeding stud that basically founded the breed as it is known today.
To this day, the standards and requirements that Stephanitz set for the breed are recognized around the world and are still followed strictly in Germany.
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