Where Do German Shepherds Come From

Modern Utilization Of The German Shepherd

German Shepherds are seen as working dogs everywhere. The breed is well known for its police work, mostly used for narcotics detection, tracking criminals, and other types of detection. The ability to handle these tasks also make the breed a good candidate for the military. German Shepherds in the military detect items such as mines and explosives.

How To Make A Pomeranian And A Husky Get Along

If you really want to have one dog of each breed in the same house, its best to take two puppies and provide them with plenty of socialization.

While theyre both small, theyll teach each other bite inhibition. This is especially important so neither of them bullies the other one.

Besides giving them a lot of time with each other, you should take them with you to a variety of places.

That way they will also learn to get used to other dogs and not overreact to certain situations once they become adults.

Last but not least, obedience training could always come in handy. With dogs that are that smart am energetic, you wanna do the right thing. Professional dog trainers could introduce you to a whole new world.

Once you unlock your dogs intelligence by signing them up for training with certified professionals, you can bet good things are on the way.

Then you will be able to fully enjoy time with your dogs, understand them better, and be sure to prevent dangerous situations before they have even happened.

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Temperament Of Long Coated German Shepherds

The temperament of long-coated German Shepherds is almost identical to the standard variety. They are intelligent, protective, affectionate, brave, confident, slightly aloof, and territorial. They are, however, more calm and friendly due to the lack of working drive.

Alongside being a good companion, the dogs fuller look, thanks to his long fur, creates an intimidating presence, which keeps intruders away. These dogs arent any better or worse than their counterparts in guarding a home, but they have more gravitas.

A similar intimidating factor also exists in short-haired black German Shepherds, but their look is too intimidating for some households. The long-haired German Shepherd, on the other hand, walks the line between friendly and intimidating, where his fuller look keeps intruders at bay, but his interest in people makes him charming for most friends.

Because of social intelligence, he makes for a good family dog. A long-haired German Shepherd will love his owner and family as his own. Nonetheless, it is the owners responsibility to socialize the puppy early so he doesnt become too suspicious of everyone outside the family.

Given that the long-haired German Shepherd is a big dog with significant bite strength, it is better to be wrong and make your dog too friendly than making him too aggressive. Your dogs social competence takes care of many things, which is why helping him become more social is a part of taking care of him.

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Degenerative Disc Disease And Lumbosacral Instability

This is another condition for which you have several treatment options, making the cost vary greatly.

On the lower end of the price range, you have a somewhat conservative method that includes pain medication, physical therapy, and, on some occasions, a dog wheelchair.

However, you may also opt to take your pup in for surgery, which is very expensive, but it might help your dog live a normal and long life without pain.

How To Care For A German Shepherd In Heat

When a German Shepherd goes in the heat, most owners do not know what to do. Read this to learn how to care for a dog in heat.

German Shepherd in heat bleed, so you should take your dog clean. Your German Shepherd will lick herself to stay clean. You can use dog pants or dipper to prevent the blood spots around the house. Always walk your dog on a leash when in heat. Keep them away from male dogs to avoid pregnancy. Dogs in heat can get tired, so allow them to rest.

Here are 11 steps to take care of a German Shepherd in heat

When a German Shepherd is in heat, her behavior can get little changed.

Dogs in heat can be very active or very tired.

In this period, they want to meet a male dog to breed. The female can try to run away to get a male dog.

Here are some simple ways to avoid any problems and take proper care of your German Shepherd when in heat.

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Original German Shepherd Color

The original German Shepherd color included color genes for both dark and white coat colors.

In German Shepherd colors sable, also called agouti, is the dominant color today.

Some purists regard sable as a German Shepherd color pattern rather than a color. On a sable GSD, each hair has multiple colors.

This means no two sable German Shepherd dogs will ever look exactly alike!

What Is A Blue German Shepherd Dog

A blue German Shepherd is simply one color variation of the German Shepherd Dog breed. They are distinctive as their coats are a blue/gray color and they also have blue eyes. There are actually three variations of a blue German Shepherd Dog as they come in blue and tan, blue and sable, or blue and black.

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The Personality Of A Husky

To determine why Huskies and German Shepherds get along, its important to examine a few key features of their personality. In regards to a Husky, they are notorious for having high energy levels.

According to the American Kennel Club, Huskies enjoy getting along with other dogs. This is likely due to their history of working with other dogs to complete a goal.

Huskies are famous for winning sled dog races. Without learning to get along and working together, the dogs would have never been successful in making it to the finish line. That sense of teamwork and pack mentality can be transferred to other dogs.

One potential factor that may influence how well your Husky gets on with your German Shepherd is its prey drive. According to the Siberian Husky Club, owners should be wary of the prey drive that exists within Huskies.

A dogs prey drive typically refers to an instinctual response when it sees something that it considers prey. For a Husky, that typically means small animals. Cats and smaller dogs, for example, may fall prey to a Husky.

Whenever the smaller animal goes running off, the Husky will feel compelled to chase it down and perhaps attack it. Owners of German Shepherds shouldnt have to worry as much about prey drives with their Huskies.

German Shepherds are typically a little bigger than Huskies. They can hold their own against them. However, it is one negative trait that dog owners should be aware of when it comes to Husky.

A Short History Of The German Shepherd

As the name of the breed suggests, the German Shepherd originates from Germany. The history of the breed dates back to the late 1800s. In the 1850s, German dog breeders were trying to standardize dog breeds to preserve the best traits that assisted their job of herding sheep. This was practiced within small communities of people in Germany where shepherds bred dogs.

German breeders wanted to have a dog that had the necessary skills for herding sheep such as intelligence, strength, speed, endurance, and a strong sense of smell. The breeders got results but the ability and the appearance of dogs differed from one community to another. As a result, the Phylax Society was formed in 1891 with the purpose of creating native dog breeds but it was disbanded in just a few of years due to internal disagreements on the traits of the dogs the organization should promote. Nevertheless, Germanys efforts to create a dog breed of the nations own continued.

In 1899, Max von Stephanitz, an ex-member of the Phylax Society and a former student of the Berlin Veterinary College, was shown a dog during one of his visits to a dog show named Hektor Linksrhein. The dog was agile, loyal, fast, intelligent, and appeared pleasing to the eye. The dog satisfied his beliefs of what a working dog should be, and he purchased him.

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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.

Help The German Shepherd To Deal With Its Behavior

A lot of behavior changes can occur in a dog while it is in heat. A calm dog can become very aggressive and vice-versa.

You need to calm down your dog. YourGerman Shepherd can get anxious, and it will need some of your help.

You have to create a sense of calmness. Avoid high, loud noises of tv and music. Take the environment calm.

Stay with your dog most of the time, and do not leave her alone for long times. You can use some dog toys to calm her down.

If your dog is getting very aggressive, keep her inside because taking her out will not be safe for her and others.

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Captain Max Von Stephanitz Founds A New Breed

In 1889 Captain Max von Stephanitz began the standardization of the breed. It all started at a dog show in Karlsruhe in western Germany. A medium-sized yellow-and-gray wolflike dog caught his attention. The dog was of the primal canine type, supple and powerful, and possessed endurance, steadiness, and intelligence. He was a working sheepherder, requiring no training other than direction and finish to become proficient at the task. This dog, Hektor Linksrhein, was purchased by von Stephanitz, renamed Horand von Grafrath, and became the first registered German Shepherd Dog.

Health Conditions Of East German Shepherds

DDR German Shepherd was reproduced as an authority pet dog. As a result, they were designed to withstand the usual health and wellness concerns.

This helps them battle versus numerous health problems, including one of the most common concerns with German guards, hip dysplasia.

This, nevertheless, does not imply that East German shepherds are entirely unsusceptible to such a disorder. They simply have fewer possibilities of establishing this health issue than a lot of dogs.

However, there are instances where mixed breed DDR German Shepherd may acquire some traits from the other type, consisting of the genetics for hip dysplasia.

Thats why its vital to just get DDR pet dogs from a highly regarded breeder.

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Do German Shepherd Husky Mixes Make Good Family Pets

The high training and exercise requirement of Husky Shepherd mix dogs makes them an ambitious choice of dog.

If you dont have experience of keeping dogs before they could prove an overwhelming place to start.

Likewise, the amount of time they demand could be hard to fit around the demands of a young family.

But not right now doesnt have to mean not ever!

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Is It Okay To Get A Rare

Rare colors are often seen as a marketing ploy by people attempting to make more money off the GSD litters that do not conform with its standard.

However, if you find a reputable breeder who has a rare-colored German Shepherd and is not intentionally breeding them, then theres no harm in getting that puppy.

Specific color patterns, such as the Panda Shepherd, are spontaneous mutations, which means reputable breeders would stay away from breeding for a particular color.

On top of that, they are usually expensive, banking in at around $1,000 to $3,000.

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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.

Skeletal Health And Supplementation

Musculoskeletal disorders are debilitating conditions that are often associated with genetic makeup, malnutrition, and stress-related events. Some breeds like the German shepherd, are predisposed to a variety of different skeletal disorders, including but not limited to: canine hip dysplasia, Cauda equina syndrome, and osteoarthritis. These conditions can be a result of poor breeding or induced by intense exercise and poor diet.

Canine hip dysplasia is an orthopedic condition resulting from abnormal development of the hip joint and surrounding tissue causing the instability and partial dislocation of the hip joint, resulting in pain, inflammation, lameness, and potentially osteoarthritis of the joint. German shepherds are genetically predisposed to CHD and the University of Veterinary Medicine in Germany found its prevalence estimated to be approximately 35% of veterinary cases associated with the disorder.

Osteoarthritis is one of the main contributors of musculoskeletal pain and disabilities that commonly affect German shepherds. Mechanical stress, oxidative damage and inflammatory mediators combine to induce the gradual degeneration of the articular cartilage in the joint, resulting in reduced muscle mass, pain, and locomotion.

Vitamins such as A and D also have crucial roles in bone development and maintenance by regulating bone and calcium metabolism. Adequate levels should be incorporated into a German shepherd diet to promote a healthy musculoskeletal system.

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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.

Are Black German Shepherds A Healthy Breed

Black German Shepherds are generally healthy, but having a solid black color doesnt exempt them from their breeds common health problems. This canine is susceptible to the following illnesses:

• Spinal cord diseases such as Degenerative Spinal Stenosis and Chronic Degenerative Radiculomyelopathy
• Osteoarthritis
• Cancer
• Eye problems

With proper care and lots of love, the Black Shepherd can maximize his lifespan of 10 to 13 years.

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Use Dog Pants Or Dipper

A dog in heat will bleed a lot. It will bleed for nearly 3 weeks. If you do not want blood spots all over your house, then you should consider buying a dog diaper or dog pants.

Usually, the German Shepherd tries to lick her self to stay clean, but it is better if you put her on a dipper.

Do not keep her pants up all day. Give her some time off the pants because dogs usually want to lick their genitals.

Where Did The German Shepherd Originate

German Shepherd Dogs originated in Germany in the late 1800s. Originally, GSDs were not companions, rather they worked for farmers to herd sheep and protect them from predators.

After World War I, people realized how easy German Shepherds were to train, thus establishing them as a popular household pet.

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Todays German Shepherd Dog

Today the breed Von Stephanitz left behind has become one of the most popular in the world. He might be surprised at the drama of todays German Shepherd ring, as well as the varying styles of dogs across different countries and continents. But he would find common ground with modern fanciers in this aphorism, a version of which circulated among breeders of his day:

There are wolves, there are dogs and then there are German Shepherd Dogs.

How Much Does The Long Haired German Shepherd Cost

The long-haired German Shepherd can cost between $800 and $2000 depending on breeder qualifications, litter size, demand, color, health screening, and vet fees. Breeders specializing in show lines will sell a long-haired puppy cheaper, while those who intentionally produce this type will charge a premium.

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Are German Shepherds Part Wolf

When out walking my German Shepherd, I sometimes get asked whether they are part wolf due to the visual similarities.

German Shepherds are not part wolf but descended from the gray wolf. Despite sharing 99.9% of their DNA with wolves and being genetically very close, they are not wolves. All domesticated dogs are members of the Canidae family 34 species, including wolves, coyotes, jackals, dingoes, and foxes.

Ive always found it fascinating how wolves evolved into dogs and how they diversified into so many different visual breeds, from pugs to poodles.

Many people believe that German Shepherds are even more closely related to the wolf due to the understanding that his direct ancestor Horand von Grafrath was at least one-quarter wolf.

There is still some ongoing debate about how much wolf is actually in the German Shepherd breed despite it being thought that Horand was part wolf and that von Stephanitz used wolfdogs in the subsequent crossbreeding.

Never Leave The German Shepherd Outside Alone

Never make this mistake. If you leave your German Shepherd outside in the garden, you are making a mistake.

Even if you have fences and think your dog could not get out, you are wrong.

When in the heat, a lot of hormonal changes are going inside a dogs body.

If your German Shepherd is usually calm, you can expect now that she can do it.

A dog in heat will try to jump the fences or dig under them to get out and meet a male dog.

Male dogs can smell a female dog in heat from a distance of 5 miles.

Male dogs will try to escape to go and meet with the female in heat. It is a very natural behavior.

For dogs in this period, nothing is more important.

If you are leaving your German Shepherd in the garden or yard outside, make sure to supervise her.

Never leave her there alone if you want to avoid trouble.

Even the calmest and the excellent dog will behave differently in the heating period.

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