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Popular German Shepherd
from: The Complete DogThe German Shepherd went from being an already popular dog breed to one of the most well known breeds on earth thanks to Rin Tin Tin becoming a famous television personality. This versatile dog breed is everywhere a dog can be of help, including war torn countries to areas where natural disasters have occurred. The German Shepherd is powerful and capable of striking terror in the hearts of criminals one minute and enduring the affection of children the next.
German Shepherds were bred to be guardians and the breed still has a very strong protective instinct. A dog that is high strung or nervous should never be bred, as the resulting puppies can be untrustworthy. However, most German Shepherds are wonderful dogs and devoted to their families, including children and other pets.
The German Shepherd is a relatively large dog, weighing about 60 to 75 pounds and standing 22 to 26 inches tall. They have erect ears, dark, intelligent eyes and a graceful tail. The German Shepherd is usually black and tan, although some are gray and tan or black and gray dogs are also available. A striking all white dog, commonly called an Alsatian, is popular. If you like the look of the Alsatian, it's a good idea to meet the puppy's parents sine these white German Shepherds can sometimes be somewhat high strung.
Although German Shepherds are high energy animals, they can live in the city. Just be aware that you'll have to exercise your dog frequently and that he'll be miserable if you leave him alone for long hours without giving him a job to do. Of course, a house with a big yard in a rural area is ideal.
Since your German Shepherd will rapidly grow into a large and powerful dog, you may want to consider enrolling him in obedience classes while he's a puppy. It's a lot easier to control a small puppy than a full grown untrained dog. In addition, puppy obedience classes will also help socialize him to other dogs and people. Too many people who own these intelligent dogs make the unfortunate mistake of believeing their dog should be trained as a guard dog. However, be aware that this training could lead to aggressive behavior if your dog isn't trained properly. Since German Shepherds are naturally protective, they don't need attack dog training to guard your home.
The German Shepherd's coat does require some grooming. The dense coat is coarse and doesn't mat easily. You should brush your dog about once a week to remove dirt and debris. If you live in the city, concrete will probably wear down your Shepherd's nails. On the other hand, if your dog lives in a rural area, he may need to have his nails trimmed several times a year.
German Shepherds need to eat nutritional foods formulated for large breed dogs. If your Shepherd is a working dog, you may need to feed him a high protein food along with a good dog vitamin.
This loyal, smart breed commonly suffers from hip dysplasia or epilepsy so please be sure your puppy's breeder has had the parents tested to be sure they don't carry these diseases.
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