| |
German Shepherds
German Shepherds - The Arabian Horses of the Canine World
| Life Span: |
10-13 years |
| Special Skills: |
Known for ability as herding dog, watchdog, police dog and disability dog |
| Suitability with Children: |
Yes |
| Suitability with Other Pets: |
Yes |
| Living Conditions: |
Although German Shepherds can live in a variety of different home environments, they are happiest when they are doing the work they were bred to do. This means living in a home with a large yard or on a farm where they can use their natural intelligence for problem solving. They are also completely content living in a purely working environment. If living in a home environment, GSDs do best when they are provided with a great deal of exercise and mental stimulation. |
| Trainability: |
Easily trainable although training needs to start early in life or else they may become more difficult to train. |
| Intelligence: |
Highly intelligent, along with their trainability, makes them good police dogs and watch dogs |
| Exercise Required: |
High |
| Cost of Maintenance: |
Low |
| Common Ailments: |
Hip Dysplasia is the most common ailment with German Shepherd dogs, and can lead to arthritis and trouble getting around in the later years of life. Also known to be affected by Panosteitis, another bone disease that can cause lameness, usually early in life and more common in male GSDs. May also be prone to heart disease. |
| Breed Characteristics: |
There is no doubt about it that German Shepherds are an excellent watchdog that once brought into a home will make it his challenge to guard over the home, the yard where he spends time and the humans who live in that home. German Shepherds do extremely well with a lot of training, structure and exercise. They are dog who not only like to use their physical bodies, but their minds as well. Keep in mind that while the German Shepherd will make a good, protective family pet with an even temperament, he may not be the most affectionate of breeds, and needs time and patience to accept a new presence in his life.
The normal weight for an adult German Shepherd is between 75-85 pounds, although females tend to be slightly smaller. With a sleek, long body and beautiful pointed ears, they have a wonderful presence and poise. Although they have a longer coat of fur, they do not shed often, as their coat is meant for all-weather conditions and the German Shepherd can withstand even the coldest of climates. Most German Shepherds are a mixture of black and tan although there are a few who have white markings as well. Some breeders believe there is a difference between the American and German born Shepherds, but others will tell you it is simply the breeding stock. |
Don’t forget to bookmark this page so you can come back as often as you need to.
You can also subscribe to my Perfect Pets Blog so you have all the newest updates brought directly to you. You can do this simply by clicking on the little orange RSS button in the highlighted light green box along the left margin of this page - and following the directions from there.
Click here to subscribe to our FREE monthly magazine Paws Here!. This great little magazine is crammed full of the latest useful information and interesting products – you’ll love it!
Also do not miss the other useful articles available to you – check out the links at the bottom of this page for free information and help with all your pet queries and concerns.
Click here to return to Dog Breeds to check out more dog breed profiles
Click here to return from German Shepherds to our Home Page
|
Blink
Del.icio.us
Digg
Furl
Google
Simpy
Spurl
Technorati
Y! MyWeb
