How To Train German Shepherds
Coming from a working breed, they love to learn and to be kept busy. Training provides them with not only one-on-one time with you, but also appeases their need for mental stimulation.
Positive reinforcement methods and reward-based training are the perfect matches. Patience and persistence are key!
German Shepherds quickly learn to sit, stay and down in no time at all so they should progress to more complicated tricks.
Training your puppy should begin from an early age and should not only incorporate commands and puppy etiquette but it should also include socialization with new people, environments and even other animals.
As an intelligent dog, you can teach them some fun party-tricks. These include teaching your dog to wait as you balance food on either paw, and of course the favorite spin.
Black & Cream German Shepherd
Another beautiful standard color of the GSD, the black and cream German Shepherd is another popular choice among owners around the world.
Theyre very similar in appearance to the black and silver, but with a different shade of white. But if you look close enough, theyre quite different.
Instead of the metallic-like silver coloring, the black and cream has an off-white cream color. This cream color can vary from dog to dog, but usually has a hint of yellow to it.
Like the black and silver, this colored German Shepherd will have a bottom thats primarily cream and a top thats primarily black.
Again, the black can come in different hues and its not uncommon to see different shades of black on this dog.
Shaving Messes Up With The Texture
This is one problem with shaving:
When the hair re-grows, its of a different texture.
Shaving does not guarantee that the coats will grow back the same way. What usually happens is that the guard hairs will grow in with the undercoat.
As a result, guard hairs blend in with the undercoat instead of going over it.
In addition, the texture becomes coarse. This makes it easier for burrs and twigs to stick to the coats.
Because of that, German Shepherds are unable to repel dirt, water, and snow.
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Their Size And Body Was Not Designed By Accident
German Shepherds, on average, weigh between 75 to 95 Ibs. Males generally stand at 25 inches tall and females at a slightly smaller average height of 23 inches. German Shepherds are longer than they are tall, enabling them to take long strides. Consequently, German Shepherds will trott to their destination, rather than take their time getting there. The hindquarters are well developed and muscled, enabling German Shepherds to travel distances quickly and the ability to jump incredible heights. German Shepherds used by law enforcement swat teams are often trained to leap into attics and other high areas where suspects might be hiding, sometimes by using a swat officers shield as a launch point. They are also capable of scaling walls and leaping over fences.
Different Types Of German Shepherd Temperament
There are many cases where a German shepherds traits differ. For example, your dog may have different traits than your friends.
To give you a better idea, take a look at the following comparisons of German shepherd temperament.
- Breed Line: In the past, German shepherds were only used as a working dog. However, as they became more and more popular, people saw them as potential high-quality materials for show events.In response, breeders created German shepherds in two ways. The first type is the usual, working dogs, while the latest type is what we call show dogs.
- Working Line: Those in the working line are fierce and intense. They possess the basic personality, but they are more hard-headed. They are loyal to a fault. This is the reason why they often become destructive when you leave them alone for some time.
- Show Line: German shepherds belonging in the show line are much more soft-tempered than those in the working line.They are more family-oriented and elegant than working dogs. However, they may be too sophisticated to owners that want simple dogs.Since they are solely for dog shows, the German shepherds physical traits in this breed line is more refined.
These factors affect a German shepherds temperament. While some may assume that they cant do anything about it, you actually can.
For example, as show dogs, German shepherds may be trained by a professional to act like one. This training occurs before their adoption.
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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.
The Resurgence Of The Shepherd
Sieger Pfeffer von Bern, a GSD with a namesake that holds true to its ancestry, was a huge part of the reason that the dog breed gained its popularity back. This dog became the grand victor in some of the American Kennel Club shows and was the first German Shepherd to do so. People were once again reminded of the fantastic appearance and loyalty of these dogs, and popularity surged.
As it will, the popularity of the breed decreased again soon after. Its namesake did not hold well in America given the current circumstances of World War IIthe rise of the Nazi regime led to a lot of anti-German propaganda in the Western world. Nobody wanted a dog with the namesake of the enemies of the State. Many people with German Shepherds would often tell people that they were a different breed entirely.
After the Second World War, there was a low in the popularity of the breed. As tension with Germany died down, the popularity of the breed slowly began to rise. By the 60s, many people didnt mind owning a dog with a German name.
Populations and popularity continue to increase. By 1993, GSDs were the third most popular breed in the US. Their popularity continued to improve, and as of 2009, German Shepherds were the second most popular. Its not uncommon to see the breed within the top five spots of dog registries worldwide.
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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.
Why Are German Shepherds The Only Police Dogs
German Shepherds are famous for working with police. German Shepherds are calm-under-pressure, theyre highly intelligent and trainable, and they love to work. This makes the breed well-suited for working in high-stress situations, and its no surprise theyve been used in police work for more than 100 years.
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The Original German Shepherd
Max Emil Friedrich von Stephanitz was a captain in the German cavalry who was responsible for buying a dog at a show and registering it officially as the first ever German Shepherd Dog.
His registration number?
SZ1.
On April 22, 1899 von Stephanitz and some friends founded the organization that carried out the registration. The organization was called the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde with its first headquarters in Stuttgart.
This organization still exists today with headquarters in Augsburg, Germany.
Von Stephanitz was the first President.
The show dog that he bought for 200 Deutsche Mark was called Hektor Linksrhein but he renamed and registered it as Horand von Grafrath.
This dog in effect is the ancestor of all German Shepherds today. It is as famous in German Shepherd circles as Adam.
The Basic German Shepherd Temperament
Your dog can be characterized by different sets of temperament. However, there are some that cannot be changed.
The following are the most basic German shepherd temperament that we can say are always present to the breed.
- Courageous and Fearless: German shepherdsare courageous, which can be seen from the heroic deeds of dogs during the World War I.They are also fearless, except of course when it comes to their trauma. Thats why they are suited to extreme tasks. This is also the reason why they were the perfect dogs for soldiers.
- Strong and Energetic: German shepherds, are and will always be energetic dogs. However, its already given that their stamina might deteriorate as they age.Regardless, they are still stronger and more energetic than most breeds. This makes these dogs perfect for fitness-oriented people. After all, both the owner and dog will be energetic and eager to exercise.
- Protective and Loyal: German shepherds are protective and loyal. In fact, there were eight German shepherds that reportedly performed heroic deeds in America along with their owners.However, they can be dominant sometimes. So a strict trainer is suitable for them so they wont develop a poor behavior due to their alpha tendencies.
These German shepherd traits are pretty basic, even a kid knows about them.
However, as previously said, the advanced breeding method for dogs brought change in the German shepherds personalities. This led to several types of temperament.
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Hip Dysplasia Nd Lbow Dysplasia
When it comes to hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, there is a big variety of treatment options depending on your desires, finances, and the dogs condition itself.
The cheapest alternative is simply giving your dog pain medicine and physical therapy. This can cost you anywhere between $500 and $2,500 per year.
However, if you want a more durable solution that could truly help the condition of your pup, then you should attempt to get a total hip replacement for your pup but this procedure can cost you thousands.
Your Black Shepherds Grooming Schedule
The amount of times you need to brush their coat depends on the length. If your Black Shepherd is sporting a long-haired look, you need to comb them once a day. If they have the medium-length, you can do it two to three times a week.
For their bath time, once every month or two is enough. Its best to bathe them only when necessary since too much will dry their skin.
This canine is also prone to ear infection, so make sure to check and clean their ears once or twice a month.
While youre at it, trim their nails once a month to make sure none of your furniture or loved ones gets hurt.
To maintain their German Shepherd look, take them to the groomer twice or thrice a year for a haircut and general cleaning.
Do Black German Shepherds shed?
Yes, black or regular German Shepherds do shed. They are heavy shedders whatever the season. You still have to watch out for spring and fall since they blow their undercoat. Its best to have a vacuum ready to save your family from swimming in hair.
Some say long-haired German Shepherds shed less. But whichever coat they get, they are not hypoallergenic.
Aside from the shedding, these dogs can easily adapt to different environments and climates.
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Is It Time To Bring Home A Black German Shepherd
Before getting a dog, you have to make sure its the right breed for you and if youre ready to take on the responsibility.
The Black Shepherd is easy-to-train and a low-maintenance pet, great for first-time dog owners. If you decided on this beautiful and rare canine youd be getting a combination of courageous, intelligent, and loyal.
But this breed is not only all about the cunning looks they can take on different types of jobs. They can be a fearless police dog or a reliable service dog.
They will also be happy as a family pet. But youll need to make time for them since this breed doesnt like being alone and will require an hour of daily exercise.
Getting a German Shepherd with a rare black color may be pricey, but its worth it.
Do you already own a Black German Shepherd? We would love to hear about your experience with this amazing creature. Share them with everyone in the comment section below.
Your German Shepherd Is Susceptible To Hotspots
Without their coats, your German Shepherd will be exposed to bugs. Especially blackflies.
Just one bite and your German Shepherd will scratch until kingdom come. Without the coats, the dogs toenails scratch against their skin.
It leads to wounds or hotspots.
And the more they scratch, the more they become susceptible to alopecia areata. Alopecia areata is patchy hair loss.
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Shepherd Dogs In Germany In The Mid
Purebred dogs and dog shows exploded in popularity all across Europe in the mid-1800s. New dog breeds were being defined and introduced into the show ring in unprecedented numbers. In Germany, where historically the value of a dog was based upon its utility and not what it looked like or whether it fits a breed standard, there were numerous different types of dogs working as shepherds and guardians in different parts of the country. Many were exceptional in their roles, but there was little uniformity in their size, appearance, or performance capability.
The German Shepherd dog was first used as a working dog in the mountainous pastures of Germany, where herders needed an agile and competent dog to guard their sheep. This dog stood out as the most agile, intelligent, and faithful dog among other breeds, which were also used in this capacity.
Black & Silver German Shepherd
The black and silver German Shepherd is another common color combination. Even though they look more exotic than your average GSD, breeders still breed them, as theyve been growing in popularity.
Most of the time, color distribution may vary from dog to dog. However, they will typically have a silver base on the bottom of their body and black on the top half on their body.
The hue of black can range from a dark gray to a deep black. In some instances, the German Shepherd may have silver with multiple shades of black on the coat.
These dogs are truly spectacular in terms of appearance, and its not difficult to see why theyve been more prevalent among families in the United States .
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How Much Do White German Shepherds Cost
White German Shepherds are one of those large family dogs that stun everyone with their gorgeous appearance. But, does that influence their price?
While rare coat colors can make dogs more expensive, so can the dogs purpose. Show-quality dogs dont have the same price as dogs bred to be family pets.
Even though white GSDs can be registered with the AKC, the same cannot be said for the UKC, which only allows you to register your white GSD as a White Shepherd. These dogs are not a common sight at dog shows, so they are rarely of show quality.
Also, these pups are usually bred to have a softer and sweeter personality, so they are rarely used as working dogs. In fact, they are more likely to be skittish than aggressive!
Another important thing to consider is that despite the common belief, white German Shepherds arent rare. Sure, they arent a common sight, but they arent unusual.
Because of all of this, their price is rarely any higher than the price of a regular GSD, and these dogs can also be found at a price of around $1000.
However, keep in mind that many white dogs have a plethora of health issues because genes for the white coat color can also cause blindness and deafness. So, while the initial cost is the same, you may end up with many expensive vet bills afterward.
What Happens When A German Shepherds Coat Blows
A German Shepherds undercoat is soft and thick. Thats what makes them warm even on the coldest night of winter.
But something has to change so they remain comfortable when summer comes around. Thats when the blowing of the coat happens.
Theyre transitioning from winter coat to summer coat.
German Shepherds also shed their guard hairs. But the most challenging is when the undercoat comes out in big clumps.
Many German Shepherd owners would say that they could fill garbage bags with the shed hair.
Its not a pretty sight, I know. Youll have to vacuum more times than you can count in a day.
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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.
Golden German Shepherd Or German Retriever
A golden German Shepherd is not exactly a reference to the coat color. This is an entirely different breed, but worth a mention here. It comes from a mix, or cross-breed, between a Golden Retriever and a German Shepherd. So its sometimes also referred to as a German Retriever.
The colors can vary but the most common ones include cream, blue, red, tan, and black usually solid or mixed.
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