Description: The German Shepherd Dog is a strong, agile, well muscled dog, alert and full of life. They are extremely intelligent and make a wonderful companion, show or obedience dog. The German Shepherd is exceptionally trainable and works well as a police, guide, or search and rescue dog. German Shepherds are one breed that becomes truly bonded to their family and may suffer from separation anxiety when apart from their people.
Other Names: Alsatian, Deutscher Schaferhund
Type: Herding Dog
Height: Males are 24 - 26 inches; Females are 22 - 24 inches
Weight: 75 - 95 lbs.
Colors: Solid black, gray, tan, gold. White is recognized by the CKC.
Coat: Length is medium, straight and hard and close lying with a dense undercoat
Temperament: German Shepherd Dogs are intelligent, responsive, solid temperament, consistent behavior.
With Children: Yes, loves their own children, but may be suspicious of other children.
With Pets: Yes, if trained as a puppy to accept other pets.
Special Skills: Family pet.
Watch-dog: Very High
Guard-dog: Very High
Care and Training: German Shepherds require daily brushing and bathing occasionally. Long, daily walks. The German Shepherd needs a large open yard. Obedience training will help improve their social skills.
Learning Rate: Very High, Obedience - High, Problem Solving - High. Training is not easy as they are intelligent and will try to think of ways to avoid doing what you are asking.
Activity: Indoor - High, Outdoor - High
Living Environment: Country or city living as long as adequate attention and exercise is given. Fenced yard is essential. The owner of a German Shepherd should strong and confident.
Health Issues: Usually hardy. Has potential to have hip dysplasia (abnormal development of hip joints), skin disease, bloat, congenital heart disease, Von Willebrand's disease, nervous condition and panosteitis (an inflammation of long bones in the legs.)
Life Span: 12 - 13 years
Litter Size: 5 - 10
Country of Origin: Germany
History: German Shepherds dates back to as early as the 7th Century A.D. The German Shepherds roots are in the mountain sheepdog of Germany. About 1880 the German army modified this breed for work as a military dog. The first German Shepherd exhibit was in 1882 in Hanover. Credit for the formation of the modern breed is given to German fancier Rittmeister von Stephanitz.
First Registered by the AKC: 1908
AKC Group: Herding
Registries: AKC, ANKC, CKC, FCI (Group 1), KC (GB), UKC