Breed Profile - German Shepherd Dog

Shouts and screams echo through the night as moonlight filters through the trees. It has been twenty four hours now sense Jasmine had gone missing. Her mother was beyond tears and had started to shut down, giving up all hope of finding her little one. The teams of people had been out all day and now through half of the night. There was little more they could do.

Squad cars came roaring into the forest preserve, high beams on and engines hot. One door opened and a man hopped out and rushed to his back door. He ripped it open and out lept a great black and tan dog. He clipped a leash on the canine and gave a swift command. At once the dog shoved his nose to the ground and started working. The minutes seemed to tick by as hours but before the sun rose there was barking echoing off the trees. A little girl’s laughter followed the barks and within a few moments Jasmine was safe again with her mother.

Now, without further ado, let me introduce you to the ever loyal German Shepherd Dog.

Quick Facts:

Area of Origin: Germany

Date of Origin: 1800’s

Original Function: Sheep Herder, Guardian, Police Dog

Lifespan: 10-12 Years

Weight: 75-95lbs

Standard Height: 22-28 inches.

History:

The German Shepherd came into being due to the need of a well rounded guardian. This breed perhaps has the most effort in history of man’s attempt at creating the perfect dog for the job. Breeders sought to develop not only an excellent heading dog, but also one that could excel at jobs requiring courage, athleticism, and intelligence.

Temperament:

This dog is a working dog. It had drive and focus to get the job done, whatever it may be. Extremely loyal and devoted to it’s family. Generally very friendly but could be aloof towards strangers. Very protective of it’s home and family, and is normally good with other pets.

Health/Upkeep:

This is a breed that needs a job, even if that job is just babysitting the cat all day. Daily exercise is a must for these dogs or they could become destructive. Generally a hardy dog and resistant to cold temperatures but make sure to keep them in the house. During the summer in extreme heat be sure to keep them in as well. Major health concerns for this breed are chronic hip dysplasia, and elbow dysplasia. Minor concerns are panosteitis, pyotraumatic dermatitis (normally known as hot spots), skin allergies, gastric torsion (or a flipped stomach), cataracts. Sometimes pancreatic insufficiency is also seen in the breed.

Here are my final thoughts on the breed overall. They are great dogs, perfect for families and wonderful for new pet owners. They are generally easy to train and overall great dogs. However, on that note, be sure you get one with health tests done or from a reputable breeder. Do your research on the breed, this small guide was just an intro to the breed and a quick guide. There is a lot more information out there and be sure to talk to people first. Even shelter dogs.