German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is active, bold, determined and watchful. As watch dogs they suspicious of strangers and very protective of their family. This breed gets on well with children but can be territorial with other dogs. They are extremely intelligent and trainable dogs and make ideal household companions.

Physical Characteristics

General Appearance: Proud, powerful and dignified.

Color: Black, black/tan or grey with or without shadings. Small white markings on the chest or inside of the legs is permitted.

Coat: The outercoat is thick, harsh and straight. The undercoat is thick and short on the head.

Tail: Set low, bushy and never carried about the level of the back.

Ears: Medium size, broad at the base, set high, carried erect and pointed forward. A puppies may stay hanging until around 6 months or older.

Body: The chest is deep but not too broad. The shoulders are long, oblique and well laid back. The back is straight and the ribs are long and well sprung.

Exercise

It is important that owners do not overlook the fact that this breed is anxious to work for their handler and that simply being companions in the home is insufficient. If you like being involved in activities such as obedience, agility, police trials or whatever else that can keep them both mentally and physically healthy, this is a great choice.

Grooming

Grooming is minimal. During moulting use a comb to remove the dead and loose hairs.

Additional Comments

In the past some strains of Shepherds were nervous, overprotective or had an unreliable temperament, due to inbreeding. After careful breeding these difficulties have been greatly reduced. It is important to buy from a reputable breeder to ensure the dog will have a good temperament. This breed is one of the best known in the world. The German Shepherd has been used as a guide dog and worked with the police, armed services, drug officers and private protection agencies.

Return from German Shepherd to Choosing a Dog