Books By Michele Welton
“Respect Training for Puppies” is a step by step guide to help you bring out the best in your pup so you can enjoy a calm and well-behaved dog, no matter what his age. Get your book today.
“11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy” is a comprehensive guide to keeping your dog mentally, physically, and emotionally happy and healthy so you can enjoy a longer lifetime of companionship. A healthy dog is a happy dog, so buy your copy today.
Get To Know Our Ambassadors
We, here at Sprenger, are fortunate to work with many different ambassadors on social media and consider them part of our Sprenger family. Our ambassadors live in different parts of the USA, Canada and Europe, so we are represented worldwide!
Our team not only provides us with great pictures of our products, but also offers you first-hand experiences and another point of contact to find out more about our brand and products.
And a lot is represented on our team: Purebred and mixed-breed dogs, big and small, pets and working dogs – we are sure we have someone you can identify with!
Grooming: Do German Shepherds Shed A Lot Are They Easy To Groom
About shedding….
I have good news and bad news.
The good news is that German Shepherds have only one shedding period a year.
The bad news is…. their shedding period lasts for 365 days. In other words, German Shepherds shed constantly.
How is this different from most breeds?
Most breeds shed a few hairs here and there throughout the year. But the vast bulk of their shedding occurs only twice a year for three weeks in the spring as their thicker winter coat switches over to a cooler summer coat, and for three weeks in the fall as the summer coat switches over to a winter coat.
Not German Shepherds. They shed a TON during those spring and fall coat-switching seasons. Plus they shed moderately the rest of the year.
So year-round, you’ll find hair on your clothing, on your carpets, and under your refrigerator. Frequent vaccuming will become a way of life.
You might be wondering, “How can a shorthaired dog shed so much?” The answer is that German Shepherds have a double coat. They have a short outer coat , plus a woolly undercoat . Breeds with a double coat always shed more than breeds who simply have an outer coat but no undercoat.
German Shepherds come in a long coat, as well as a short coat. Both coats shed heavily.
Now, about grooming….
How much grooming is required depends on whether a German Shepherd is shorthaired or longhaired.
Longhaired dogs need trimming
Along with brushing and combing, longhaired German Shepherds need trimming every few months.
Recommended Reading: German Shepherd Ears Stand Up Age
My Experience With German Shepherd Temperament
Temperament and behavior stem from what the breed was designed for
To understand a breed’s temperament and behavior, ask, “What was he developed to do?” Whichever traits help him accomplish his intended work have likely been “hard-wired” into his genes not perfectly, but generally.
The German Shepherd was developed from various sheepherding dogs. So you would expect sheepherding traits such as athleticism, a compulsion to chase things that move, and swift responsiveness to their human shepherd/master.
German Shepherds were also developed as military messenger and sentry dogs, and as personal protection and police dogs. So expect traits such as aloofness toward strangers and protective/territorial instincts.
The breed also excels at search and rescue, bomb and drug detection, and guiding the blind. Certainly you would expect high intelligence, high self-confidence, trainability, and an ability to focus.
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. There’s a good reason my first dogs were German Shepherds!
Unfortunately, it can be difficult today to find a German Shepherd with an ideal temperament. Or at least an ideal temperament to be a good family companion.
Different lines have different temperaments
My recommendation for a good family dog
I hope you can see….
Panda German Shepherd Dog
Another of our types of German Shepherd which is not very common is the Panda German Shepherd. They have a curious and striking appearance which is often confused with other dog breeds. Due to a genetic mutation, but they are a full German Shepherd and are not a mixed breed. The mutation occurred in a litter from the USA. This type of German Shepherd exhibits a white coat on the abdomen and legs, but has black or tan on other parts, giving them a sort of panda like appearance.
Like other German Shepherd Dogs, they are agile, strong and ideal family pets. However, they arouse controversy over some breeders as white markings are considered a fault. The main controversy appears to be the belief that the dog is from inferior stock, but so far their health seems to be average when compared to other types of GSD.
Also Check: Growth Chart For German Shepherd
All About Balanced Training Sports And Nutrition
My name is Jenny and my two dogs are called Hikiro and Kuma. We live in Luxembourg, Europe!
Hikiro is a Shikoku Ken and Kuma is a Shiba Inu, they are both Japanese primitive breeds. And as most people know, these northern/primitive breeds are known to be independent thinkers with extremely strong headed characters. So Im really big on training and sports and trying to break the myth about them being untrainable.
Herm Sprenger plays a huge role in this because their products really help me to have amazing communication with my dogs. Especially Hikiro being a reactive dog that definitely depends on that clear communication and structure. I use Sprenger products on a daily basis, whether that being training collars, leashes or toys. So I feel extremely honored being on the Ambassadors Team!
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.
Recommended Reading: Training German Shepherd Pup
Which Type Of German Shepherd Is Right For You
Ask yourself this
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.
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.
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.
West German Working Line
The West German Working Line is primarily bred to be working dogs, especially in law enforcement and military functions. The breeding process is aimed to develop the dogs endurance for adverse situations.
This is the line of GSD you would normally see in movies. They are also closest to the original breed that was bred and developed by Max von Stephanitz, who is acknowledged as the father of German Shepherd Dogs.
With a stable temperament, they excel in working jobs, and also make awesome family pets.
Price range: A West German Working Line puppy can cost anywhere from $1500 to $3000.
Also Check: Would A German Shepherd Beat A Pitbull
Do German Shepherd Ears Stand Up On Their Own Or Do They Have To Be Cut Or Taped To Make Them Stand Up
Ah, you’re thinking about cropping, a surgical procedure to make the ears stand up. That’s done with Doberman Pinschers, but not with German Shepherds. A Shepherd puppy’s ears prick up naturally they’re never cropped.
German Shepherd puppy with perfectly normal ears at this age. If the pup inherited normal genes, the other ear should come up shortly.
But German Shepherd puppies aren’t born with pricked ears. In some pups, the ears start to prick up at 6 or 8 weeks old, while others don’t start until 12 or 14 weeks old.
Often the ears don’t go up smoothly. In other words, they don’t suddenly pop straight up. Typically one ear will go up halfway, and stay like that for a few days. Then the other ear may start to prick while the first ear straightens all the way up. A few days later, just as the second ear straightens up, the first one suddenly flops back down.
This can be a trying time for new owners who worry that their pup’s ears will never stand properly. Rest assured, it’s normal for German Shepherd puppy ears to go up and down for a month or two, especially during the teething period.
Unfortunately, some puppies do inherit poor genes for ear strength and often those ears will never come all the way up. They’re called “soft ears.” Sometimes taping a weak ear can help it stand erect, but often not.
I had a German Shepherd with one soft ear. It flopped sideways on top of his head, while the other ear stood up beautifully. Of course I loved him dearly anyway!
How Much Exercise Do German Shepherds Need
German Shepherd puppies and adolescents should have moderate exercise only multiple walks, fetch games, or playing with another dog.
But the growing bones and ligaments in a young dog can be irreparably damaged by too much exercise or the wrong kind of exercise. At this age, there should be no forced running . Restrict jumping as much as possible.
Once the dog is mature, the amount of exercise needed will vary according to the dog’s energy level. But all German Shepherds, to maintain fitness, need brisk walking every day and all-out running in a safe, enclosed area as often as possible.
Dogs from working lines typically want a lot more exercise.
Mental exercise is even more important for German Shepherds. Mental exercise means the dog gets to participate in interesting activities that keep his intelligent mind stimulated.
This might be a dog sport such as agility, rally obedience, musical freestyle, tracking, flyball, herding, or schutzhund. It might be interactive dog toys, or a homemade obstacle course, or learning tricks, or playing games such as Hide ‘n Seek.
Some of these activities are included in my training book, Teach Your Dog 100 English Words.
Handsome black German Shepherd, attentively awaiting your next words.
Also Check: How To Make Your German Shepherd Grow Bigger
Saddle Coat German Shepherd
The German Shepherd dogs of this type are also called Saddle Back Shepherds. They are the most recognized German Shepherds of all time. There are two colors present on their coat, as with all other German shepherd types apart from the solid black shepherd. It is their distinct pattern and markings that set them apart from the other types.
Types Of German Shepherd
Animal file: German Shepherd
The German Shepherd is one of the most widely recognized dogs in the world. Thanks to a rich history and a large cultural impact in various global societies, they are one of the most respected dog breeds. This is partly due to their intelligence, compatibility with humans and usefulness as a working dog. There are only two officially recognized German Shepherd dog breeds, but there are many ways you can differentiate the breed. Here we look into the different types of German Shepherd dog to see what breed variations exist, some of which may become officially recognized in the future. AnimalWised also takes a look at dogs similar to the German Shepherd which often get confused.
Don’t Miss: House Training German Shepherd Puppies
Follow Him On His Adventures
My German shepherd Niko and I love going on adventures, hiking and going camping! We spend as much time as possible enjoying the great outdoors.
We love using Sprenger dog sports gear because they are second to none in quality and their equipment fits seamlessly into our lives whether its on the trails, at the campsite or during training their gear just works!
Other Factors That Affect The Cost Of A German Shepherd Dog
A puppy whose parents are hunting champions has the potential to excel in these areas as well. And it will cost you more than any puppy who is the offspring of just average parents.
And the most expensive German Shepherds are those adults with proven records as show dogs, K9, or breeding dogs. Its considered that there is very little risk involved in purchasing a proven German Shepherd and these dogs will be priced accordingly.
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Recommended Reading: Do German Shepherds Change Color
Ducklings And German Shepherd Make For Unlikely ‘pool Party’ Pals
A one-year-old German shepherd interacted with ducklings for his first time during a springtime pool party in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
This video, posted by Jakoba German Shepherds on April 28, shows Kai the German shepherd relaxing in a kiddie pool as four ducklings swim around him.
Jakoba German Shepherds, an Oklahoma-based breeder, told Storyful Kai has done a really good job around the ducklings.
We bring him around them daily to help get him used to them and teach him to be gentle, Jakoba German Shepherds told Storyful. Credit: Jakoba German Shepherds via Storyful
All About The Daily Life And Personal Protection Training Of Two Great Dogs
Hi there. Im Lynn & my furkids are Jagger , a rescue dog & Thanos, a Dutch Shepherd.
Since both are high energy dogs, I work hard to keep them mentally & physically stimulated through obedience training & sports. Both participate in weekly personal protection sessions & J-Bird does nosework, agility & dock diving.
Our trainer introduced us to Sprenger products when J-Bird was just a puppy & weve been relying on them ever since. Theyve been a game changer in both our dogs training programs & we highly recommend them to dog owners looking to take their dogs training to the next level.
Also Check: Weight Chart For German Shepherd Puppy
Q Can I Be Added To A Waiting List
A. At this time, I dont have a waiting list for our puppies. We have received hundreds of applications, and were only looking for the best homes for our puppies each litter. Whenever we have a litter on the way, we will announce on social media and open up applications for that specific litter. If youve already filled out an application, I will offer an easier application process for you.
How Big Are German Shepherds
Males stand about 24-26 inches at the shoulder and weigh 75-110 pounds.
Females stand about 22-24 inches and weigh 65-90 pounds.
Some German Shepherds are considerably larger than that, but shouldn’t be. This breed is supposed to be athletic and agile, not giant-sized and ponderous. Larger dogs can have more joint problems and a shorter lifespan.
Also Check: German Shepherd Versus Belgian Malinois
Does Anyone Recognize This Pup
K9WolfAlpha said:Or know someone who breeds a similar look?I’m considering a pup in the spring. I saw this photo of this young shepherd and assume he/she was produced out of USA, because other pix on the page were from Germany. I wrote to the photographer with no answer. Probably she is German-speaking and didn’t understand the email. I even tried the facial recognition app but all it came up with was German shepherd etc. No lines or owner. I would love to know what his lines are.
As of August 2021, we are no longer breeding.
Sunflowers said:I said that Kobas dam comes from Sucherquelle kennels.Maybe see if they are breeding? Latest litter was April this year. I believe Lux, their male, is the look you seek.Pedigree information about the German Shepherd Dog Ellie Mae Vom Sucherquellewww.pedigreedatabase.comBlack and tan, DDR lines, Ellie Mae is sweet girl, good with other dogs, playful and energetic she is an excellent mom.fraserglenkennels.com
What Factors Determine The Price Of A German Shepherd Dog
The cost of a German Shepherd puppy does vary, depending upon her age, color, bloodline, litter size, location, as well as the amount the breeder has invested into health tests.
German Shepherds obtained from animal shelters and rescue organizations are relatively inexpensive because they charge only enough to cover their costs.
Here are the 5 most prominent factors that will affect the price of a German Shepherd:
You May Like: German Shepherd Growth Chart Female
How To Make Sure I Am Buying From A Reputable Breeder
A good breeder will always let you meet the parents, as well as provide you with adequate health certificates. Read our guide to learn more:
A resourceful guide for any first-time GSD owner.
Do you want to know how to find a purebred German Shepherd puppy? What are the pros and cons of purebred dogs? How to identify a responsible/reputable breeder? What questions should you ask a breeder before you buy a puppy? How to make sure your puppy is purebred? Whats include in the puppy sales contract?
You will find answers to all these questions in this guide.