Romanian Carpathian Shepherd Dog
Ionete, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Carpathian shepherd dogs hail from the Carpathian Mountains in Europe.
They were originally bred for guarding livestock but make good family guardians and companions as well.
Carpathian shepherds are large, strong, people-oriented dogs.
Once theyve developed a bond with their family, theyre protective and loyal.
Carpathian shepherds are similar in physique to German shepherds, with some noteworthy differences.
The Carpathian shepherd is larger in size, weighing in at over 100 pounds.
It also has a thicker coat, floppy ears and a milder temperament than its German shepherd counterpart.
Heath Considerations: What To Know About The Black German Shepherd
In addition to the Bloat that we mentioned in the feeding section, large dogs are also more prone to issues with their hips, elbows, and joints. For example, Hip/Elbow Dysplasia is very common to German Shepherds. This condition is caused by abnormal development and leads to pain and disability. It can usually be treated with medication, physical therapy, or surgery in extreme cases. And you may be able to avoid it altogether by checking the hip scores of your puppys parents. All reputable breeders will have this information available.
Osteoarthritis is also common in large breeds as they age. This condition causes the joints to deteriorate over time, leading to pain and disability as well. However, it can be managed successfully with medications and supplements.
The best way to help your Black German Shepherd live a long and healthy life is to keep up with his annual vet visits. Preventative medications and vaccinations are an integral part of raising a happy, healthy pup!
Common Health Problems In German Shepherds
German Shepherds are great dogs for the right owners, but they are at risk of certain conditions and illnesses common with the breed. Making sure the parents of your puppy have had the relevant health screening can reduce the chances of your puppy being affected by some of these upsetting conditions.
German Shepherds are in a group of breeds classed as Category Three by The Kennel Club, which is the highest category of the health concerns due to their conformation. This means that these types of dog have been bred over many years to look a certain way, but that these changes to the way they look have started to cause them health problems. For German Shepherds, this is mostly due to the shape of their back legs and hips.
Some of the conditions German Shepherds may develop include:
This list is not exhaustive, and there are many other conditions that German Shepherds have been shown to be prone to.
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Northern Inuit Dog / Utonagan
Many believe that these two dogs are different breeds, but there are the same their names simply represent different places. You might recognize these dogs if you are a fan of the hit series, The Game of Thrones. Northern Inuits were used because they are the closest looking wolf-like dogs that were friendly enough to work on set safely with children around.
They are another new breed created in the 1980s, and it is thought that they are a mix of the Husky, Alaskan Malamute, and the German Shepherd. Owners compare their personality to that of the Husky, being energetic, friendly, and funny. If you are lucky enough to have one of these guys, they are a great companion for kids.
Are German Shepherds Easy To Train
Some are easy to train, while others are more moderate.
As we’ve seen, different lines have different temperaments. German Shepherds from working lines are typically more assertive and stronger-willed. A “tougher” German Shepherd will be more challenging to train unless you pay closer attention to building the right Leader-Follower relationship with the dog.
That doesn’t mean “softer” German Shepherds are automatically easy to train. Some dogs with soft temperaments are skittish or shy, making them just as challenging as a strong-tempered dog.
In general, though, a sound-tempered German Shepherd who is a good fit for family life should be easy to train. Just establish the right Leader-Follower relationship and the dog will be happy to work with you.
This is taught in my puppy training book, Respect Training For Puppies .
Or see my advice on dog training
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The History Of The Sheptika
If youve never heard of this breed, then youre probably not alone. These dogs are rare since there are very few legitimate breeders out there. And theyre not your typical hybrid either. In fact, Sheptikas are not even recognized by the American Kennel Club .
This mix-breed originated in the 1800s in Germany, and once it became clear how intelligent they were, they were specifically bred specifically for sheep herding. During WWI and WWII, the Germans even employed the Sheptika as a courier dog in the military.
In later years during the 20th century, the breeds German Shepherd parent gained quick popularity in North America as not only a beloved pet but also as a working guard dog. In 1908 The American Kennel Club recognized the German Shepherd, and to this day, its a popular pooch in the USA and in Europe, particularly in its native country, Germany.
This mix-breeds other parent, the Akita Inu, is an ancient breed from Japan, . Considered spiritual symbols for happiness, health, and protection, Sheptikas were declared a Japanese national treasure in the mid-1900s. Akita Inu dogs were initially bred to hunt medium to large animals like boars, game, and small bears.
The famous American Hellen Keller brought the first Akita to North America in the mid 20th century after falling in love with the breed. From here on, the population grew steadily in the States and was later recognized by the AKC in 1972.
Which German Shepherd Is Best Male Or Female
Research shows that males German Shepherds are more aggressive than female German Shepherds. This means that a family should consider choosing a female for a companion over a male. Males tend to perform better for roles in protection and guarding and could do well in a home without children and the proper training.
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Dogs That Look Like German Shepherds Conclusion
While the dogs like German Shepherds on this list are beautiful and impressive in their own right, we can see why theyd want to resemble German Shepherds. Those animals are big, powerful, and incredibly smart, making them equally suitable as working dogs or family pets.
German Shepherds are also fairly common, however. If you want a puppy that has many of their wonderful characteristics but in a less ubiquitous package, the breeds above represent a great place to start.
Or, if you dont want to go with one of the dog breeds shown here, you could always just paint a Golden Retriever black-and-tan .
Featured Image Credit: Tsworld, Pixabay
Contents
The Carpathian Shepherd: A Brother From Another Mother
At first, the Carpathian shepherd might not look like the GSD at all! But, if you point their floppy ears upwards and smooth their wooly coat, youll almost get a German shepherd!
On the other hand, the Carpathian shepherd is a big dog breed, much bigger than the German shepherd. Theyre one of the larger dogs on our list and can weigh up to an astonishing 100 pounds!
They are mild, calm, loyal, and protective working dogs who, to this very day, serve as guard dogs for sheep flocks. Not many shepherds can brag about their primary job these days.
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Types Of Shepherd Dogs
Shepherd or sheepdogs come in all shapes in sizes, with around 30 different types of shepherd dogs altogether. Some, like the Corgi, look unsuited for the role but perform surprisingly well. Others, like the Bouvier des Flandres, are more versatile farm dogs, undertaking a variety of roles, from guarding and herding livestock to pulling carts.
The following 16 types of shepherd dogs make great pets for energetic owners who are willing to put in the time necessary to keep them mentally stimulated and physically challenged.
Each type has its own physical traits and characteristics which can present problems in the wrong environment.
Find out what makes each of these shepherd dogs special and which would be the best dog for you and your family.
Can These Dogs Live In An Apartment
While Sheptikas can technically live in an apartment, having a big backyard is ideal for these active canines to run around and survey. Otherwise, if they spend most of their day indoors then they will need at least one hour of rigorous exercise to tire them out .
However, if you lead an active lifestyle and think that your Akita German Shepherd can slot into it nicely, then it shouldnt be a problem if they are indoor dogs for the rest of the time. Just be sure that you have the time and energy that these dogs require in order to be balanced and happy.
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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.
How Can You Tell If A Puppy Will Have Long Hair
Your puppys coat can usually tell you whether or not it will have long hair when its older. A long-haired puppy will have a more furry, fluffy puppy coat than its short-haired siblings. The ears and the legs are also a good place to check for longer hair or feathering which is an indication of a long coat.
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Food And Diet Requirements
| 1,500 |
| Cups of Kibble |
A breed the size of a Miniature German Shepherd, requires approximately 30 calories per pound of body weight per day.
This means that on average, this breed will require 1,500 calories per day. Although this may change in response to many factors such as their age, sexual maturity, size, activity level and season.
So this breed will require three cups of dry kibble per day. You should try split these feedings up into multiple daily servings, try feeding your dog once in the morning and again at night.
Like other Shepherds, this breed may be prone to hypothyroidism so be sure to make sure their kibble has been fortified with adequate vitamins and minerals.
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How Much Are Akita German Shepherds
Akita German Shepherd breeders are few and far between, so finding a reputable one might be tricky. You can expect to pay anything between $300 and $700 for a puppy. You will pay even more if the pup is bred specifically for security purposes.
Another good bet is to search animal shelters and pounds for one of these special doggos. You might just pay a little less too. However, if you go this route, you may need to be prepared for some behavioral issues or health problems. This is a possibility due to potentially less legitimate breeding histories.
What Is A Miniature German Shepherd Anyway
German Shepherds have a lot of appeals. Theyre loyal, easy to train, yet love to play. Their size can put off many potential owners, however. A full-size German Shepherd needs a lot of room to play and run something a lot of people just dont have.
Thats where the miniature German Shepherd comes in: all of the beauty, loyalty, and intelligence but in a smaller size.
Before you start searching for miniature German Shepherd puppies, however, make sure you know what youre getting.
There is no such thing as a purebred miniature German Shepherd.
A mini German Shepherd is usually the result of crossbreeding a German Shepherd with a smaller dog breed.
The German Shepherds dominant genes usually come out in the form of their coat colors and patterns as well as some physical characteristics like the ears. This is why mini German Shepherds often look just like small versions of their purebred mom or dad.
The type of small dog bred with the German Shepherd will impact what a miniature German Shepherd will look like.
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American Showline German Shepherd
Popular in North America since the 1970s, the American show lines rule the public pet hotel clubs and are planned to adjust stringently to the standards set by each overseeing pet hotel club. The American line dog is the thing that you see most regularly here in the US, or a variety of it. Likewise alluded to as the Canadian Shepherd, they have a typical predecessor in the first Shepherd. Nonetheless, they are their very own variety and are vastly different than shepherds found in the remainder of the world.
In general, both European and American show line German Shepherds have the accompanying qualities:
- A lower energy drive than working line Shepherds Bigger and bulkier bodies, more extensive heads, and the very calculated rump
- Greater consistency in coat color, ordinarily red and dark or dark and tan with the exemplary dark seat. Sables, dark, and cover coat designs are uncommon .
- Thicker, longer covers
- The character and personality to turn into a decent family pet yet just when lifted in fit hands.
In America, show line German Shepherds are practically indistinguishable from their European partners, with one particular extraordinary case: American show line GSD raisers dont need to present their dogs to any disposition or wellbeing testing necessities to acquire American Kennel Club confirmation.
The Eastern Neighbour: Eastern European Shepherd
Not many people have heard of the Eastern European shepherd. However, this breed is the one that resembles the GSD most of all.
The Soviet version of a GSD was bred with the intent to be bigger, stronger, and healthier.
The final result was a dog often called VEO or BEO, much heavier than a German shepherd and also a bit taller.
The BEO is a working dog bred for military and police work hence why these service dogs show aggression more often than others.
A great thing about their training is that the BEO is obedient and extremely easy to train.
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What Is The Best Breed Of German Shepherd
Dutch Shepherd Dutch Shepherd dogs are herding dogs bred by Dutch farmers and shepherds to adapt to tough conditions. Dutch Shepherds are among the best shepherd dogs and most competent at herding, agility, obedience, and guarding. They are great companions who are very loyal and protective of their owner and family.
How Sociable Are German Shepherds
Are they friendly with strangers?
Most German Shepherds are reserved with strangers. As the breed’s national club says, a good German Shepherd has:
“a certain aloofness that does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate friendships. The dog must be approachable, quietly standing its ground and showing confidence and willingness to meet overtures without itself making them.”
As you might imagine, this can be a fine line to walk. Without proper guidance from the owner, a German Shepherd’s natural aloofness can morph over the line to suspiciousness, distrust, and even aggression or fearfulness.
When you own an aloof breed, you need to socialize the dog thoroughly. This means a careful program of teaching him to pay attention to you and mind you in the presence of other people and other dogs. He doesn’t have to like them, but he must accept them.
One thing I should mention: many German Shepherds who bark and lunge at strangers or other dogs aren’t being either protective or aggressive. Rather, this kind of reactivity can be the dog’s attempt to hide his own insecurities behind a blustering facade.
There are also legal liabilities to consider when you acquire a German Shepherd. For example, your homeowner insurance policy might be cancelled or the rates hiked, because people are often quicker to sue if a “guard dog breed” does anything even remotely questionable.
Are German Shepherds good with children?
Are German Shepherds good with other pets?
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