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.
