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?
How Long Do Great Pyrenees German Shepherd Mix Live
Typically you can expect a Great Pyrenees and German Shepherd mix to live for around 12 years! This is a really good life expectancy for a dog. Bigger dogs tend to have a longer life expectancy than smaller dogs.
Of course, this may not always be the case and certainly isnt a hard and fast rule.
It is far more important that you make sure your Great Pyrenees German Shepherd mix has a long and healthy life. You can ensure this by providing them with everything they need rather than just expecting them to live that long on their own.
What we mean by this is that life expectancy estimates mean nothing if your dog is not well looked after. The Great Pyrenees and German Shepherd mix breeds need lots of exercise and a good diet with all the nutrients they require. They will need to be groomed and kept entertained.
This will boost their life expectancy. You should also bear in mind that 12 years is not a guarantee, this is especially true of dogs that have genetic conditions or illnesses.
Begin Obedience Training Early
Dont neglect the German Shepherds ability to understand commands and want to please you. They thrive on German Shepherd obedience training at home and youll need to make sure to train them to the basics and beyond.
You can do this through positive training while also stimulating their minds using the Brain Training for Dogs program. This is what Ive used for my German Shepherd to help keep her barking under control.
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German Shepherds Sloped Backs: A Controversial History
As The Independent explains, a public outcry began after video footage of the 2016 winner of the Crufts competition, a German Shepherd, who appeared to be struggling to move.
The public got very upset and many questioned whether the exaggerated slope of the dogs back was behind the dogs obvious anxiety and hesitation to obey the trainers commands.
While the owner of that dog, Susan Cuthbert, pushed back, saying her German Shepherd had been passed through with a clean bill of health to compete, people around the world have accused the owner and the dog show of animal cruelty.
Since then, a BBC film called Pedigree Dogs Exposed fanned the flames when it took a look at then and now pictures of early German Shepherds and GSDs today. The change in appearance is obvious even to casual viewers.
In fact, as The Telegraph later reported, as a result of the international upset, the Crufts dog show actually changed their own entry rules following the 2016 show results.
The report by the Royal Veterinary College highlighted survey results from 430 clinics in its report of exaggerated breed standards and how they are causing cruel health problems for German Shepherd dogs today.
What Is A German Shepherd Breed Standard
If you are brand new to caring for dogs or to the German Shepherd dog breed, you may be understandably confused about what a breed standard even is or why it is important.
Breed standards are typically developed by breed clubs that actively participate in either working dog or show dog competitions.
Breed standards can differ quite a bit based on whether the dog breed in question is a working dog breed or a show dog breed.
The former tends to focus its breed standard on temperament and performance traits, while the latter tends to focus its breed standard on how the dog looks, or appearance traits.
The German Shepherd was originally developed as an exclusively working dog breed. Captain Max von Stephanitz, the breeds founder, was said to have cared little for what his dogs looked like as long as they performed their jobs to perfection.
As the German Shepherd Dog Club of America points out, however, Captain von Stephanitz was also known to heavily interbreed his original dogs to obtain a certain level of mental stability and work ethic.
This later caused some genetic flaws, and so Captain von Stephanitz decided to introduce some unrelated herding dog DNA through expanded breeding to get rid of these flaws.
What this points to is an essential flaw in the development of any dog breed standard. Any time animal breeding is manipulated to reliably produce certain desirable traits, there is always a risk of introducing health or temperament problems.
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German Shepherd Breed Types: Which Is Right For You
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All 5 of the German Shepherd breed types are sought after across the globe depending on the needs of future owners.
It’s essential to research each breed type thoroughly before making your final choice.
It wasnt by chance that the German Shepherd has become one of the most sought after breeds in the world.
But tracing its roots back to 1899 how is it possible that such a young breed dating back just over 100 years has become the second most popular breed worldwide?
The answer to this lies in the versatility of the breed. Highly intelligent, devoted, dependable, and a work ethic second to none.
These are just some of the traits that have catapulted this breed to virtual stardom.
Their loyalty, guardian instinct, sound nerves, and easy-going nature make German Shepherds great companions.
Over the years distinct types of German Shepherds have developed.
Each with their own unique traits, each suitable for its specific purpose and each one a German Shepherd in its own right.
Meet the 5 German Shepherd Breed Types
Grooming Is Not Too Painful
Your Pyrenees Shepherd mix will require you to brush him once or twice a week. You will have to increase your brushing when your dog replaces his undercoat, usually twice a year. Limit baths to every four to six weeks since they can make your dog more prone to skin dryness and sensitivity.
A slicker and pin brush are good for your dogs outer coat. You could consider a rake or deshedder for the thick undercoat.
Like with any dog, you should clip your hybrid Shepherds nails every four to eight weeks and check his ears for any sign of infection multiple times a week. Pay particular attention to dewclaws as your dog could have two on the rear legs.
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What Is A Liver German Shepherd
At first glance, a liver German Shepherd might seem different to most other German Shepherds. Despite their unusual coloring, though, liver German Shepherds are just like any other pup of their breed. The only difference is their coat.
A liver German Shepherd is an entirely brown dog. There could be some variations to this coat color, however. They may present as liver and tan or liver and white.
Apart from the coat color, you will also notice that a liver German Shepherds nose and paw pads are different from others in their breed. These areas tend to be light brown or pink unlike the usual black of German Shepherds.
It is normal for liver German Shepherds to have lighter-colored amber eyes as well.
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.
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Why Are Pit Bulls Not Used As Police Dogs
The American Pit Bull Terrier has been bred for hundreds of years to be non-aggressive toward humans and to bite-and-hold when they do attack something. That is not what we want in a police dog. In a police dog, we want a dog that is somewhat suspicious or aggressive toward humans under the right circumstances.
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Can You Make A German Shepherd Smarter
There are several ways to make your German Shepherd smarter and increase their intelligence. While most German Shepherd Dogs dont go into the realms of the military, medicine, or scent detection, most GSDs do prefer a physical and mental challenge.
Its your job to encourage them to use their minds wisely and give your German Shepherd a job at home rather than let them make up a job for themselves. If you leave your GSD to find their own work, they may be so inclined to get into trouble.
While canine intelligence usually centers around obedience commands, theres more to it! You also want to keep your dogs mind occupied with positive behaviors. Heres how to hone in on their great instincts and their working abilities.
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How To Care For A German Shepherd
A German Shepherd puppy can become one of the best companions a pet parent could ask for, but they dont come work-free. German Shepherds need regular grooming, plenty of exercise and a lot of training. However, these pups are quick studies, and all your efforts will be rewarded.
A German Shepherds grooming needs are rigorous compared to other dog breeds. Their dense double coat protects them from sun exposure and keeps them warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Brush your pup every day with a pin brush to keep the coat shiny, clean and healthy, especially in the spring and fall when they shed the most . Bathing too frequently can strip their coat of its natural oils, so plan on bathing your German Shepherd every three to four months, or when they get really dirty.
During their daily grooming sessions, brush your German Shepherds teeth with a canine toothbrush and toothpaste to prevent tartar buildup, and have your vet professionally clean their teeth once a year. German Shepherds ears do not need to be cleaned regularly, but while youre brushing out their coat, be on the lookout for signs of infection such as redness and ear odor.
About once a month, your pups nails will need a trim if they are not ground down naturally through all that exercise. Youll know its time when you hear them clacking on hard surfaces. Get the how-to here.
How Is Great Pyrenees Health
The Great Pyrenees has a lifespan of 10 to 12 years. Her most common health problems are hip dysplasia and kneecap instability or luxating patellas. Although generally healthy, the Pyrenees can also suffer from a few other issues.
- Gastric bloat and torsion GDV
- OCD Abnormal cartilage from growth abnormalities
- Cataracts
- Skin allergies
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How To Train A German Shepherd As A Police Dog
Training to groom a German Shepherd into a well-rounded police dog begins when the dogs are young. At 8 weeks old, puppies will begin training with their respective unit. This, of course, only comes after a dog has passed a temperament test to determine if a dog has the necessary characteristics suited for police work: sociable, good pack instincts, confidence, no aggression while on a leash, and a keen sense to retrieve and hunt for the unknown.
When a suitable dog has been identified, the puppy will then go through a medical examination to ensure that it is healthy and suitable for the rigors of police work. Then, the dog can begin training in vocalization, obedience, and tracking.
This training will include activities such as hide and seek and finding an object after being exposed to its scent and similar object, which helps to hone tracking skills and the dogs ability to find a specific target.
During this process, training will include exposure to verbal commands to cue the dog to begin tracking, which is essential for handling dogs in dangerous environments. Further training exercises include training to bark on command, usually done by using the dogs barking and then associating the desire to bark with a specific command.
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Handguns Shotguns And Rifles
The first practical police firearm, the multishot revolver, was patented in 1835 by Samuel Colt. In the 1850s the British gun manufacturer Beaumont-Adams introduced the self-cocking double-action revolver. In contrast with the Colt, which needed to be cocked before firing, the double-action revolver could be fired by just a direct pull on the trigger. This allowed for quicker fire, at the expense of precisely aimed shots. In the United States and throughout the British Empire, the double-action revolver became, with few exceptions, the police sidearm of choice for more than a century.
In Western-style democracies, the standard police sidearm is strictly a defensive weapon. For offensive operations such as gunfights, more powerful firearmse.g., shotguns and riflesare necessary. Shotguns are capable of firing a variety of ammunition, including buckshot, slugs, tear gas, baton projectiles, and grenades. The pump-action shotgun, which was widely used in police departments from the early 20th century, began to be replaced by the semiautomatic shotgun in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
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Do Liver German Shepherds Suffer From Special Health Issues
Many people believe that liver German Shepherds may suffer from certain health issues. This is because their coat color is due to a genetic variation.
Despite this, liver German Shepherds are just as healthy as any other German Shepherd. At the same time, they may be prone to the same health issues and conditions common to the breed.
The biggest precursor for a healthy liver German Shepherd is breeding. As long as they come from two healthy lines, there is an increased likelihood of this generation being in good health as well.
Is A German Shepherd A Good Family Dog
“German Shepherd dogs are a good choice for a variety of owners due to their intelligence and well-balanced character,” Bill explains.
“They can be a good addition to a family but can also be a great four-legged companion for a single owner or a couple. However, they are large and very active dogs that require more than a two hours exercise every day, which means they are better suited for owners with a larger house with a garden, and someone who enjoys exercise and spending time outdoors.”
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Characteristics Of German Shepherd
The German Shepherd dog breed is among the top three most intelligent dog breeds, according to the AKC.
German Shepherds are also excellent protection dogs, and they arent renowned for giving up easily.
In truth, they are protectors with a high degree of intellect that is only surpassed by their pace and, obviously, their physical attractiveness. They are also quite protective of their owners.
German Shepherds have been used as bomb-sniffing dogs, therapy animals, search-and-rescue dogs, and various other roles for many years.
German Shepherds are so preferred with law enforcement and the military because they are vigilant, swift, and powerful.
The German Shepherd, also a working dog, is swift, strong, and, in general, large. Those who see them will notice that they have pointy ears and a square head.
This German Shepherd dog breed is well-known for putting themselves in physical danger, particularly while protecting a loved one or performing their duties.
However, this devoted dog can also sprint at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour, so you wouldnt want to be pursued by this dog.
East German Ddr Working Lines
This type of German Shepherd has continued to be developed and maintained after the end of WWII.
The establishment of the Deutsche Demokratische Republik meant strict government-controlled pedigree registration.
And 40 years of closed breeding.
From this developed a distinctive looking dog. With dark pigment, a big head, deep chest, athletic body, supreme intellect, and stamina to boot.
This type of German Shepherd has a sound temperament and a high work drive .
They must have plenty of mental and physical stimulation and an experienced handler.
Check out this infographic and learn some fun facts about the German Shepherd Breed!
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