When we think of a dog, the German shepherd is one of the first that comes to mind and is one of the most popular and recognizable breeds in the world. In a line similar to other dogs of German origin such as the Doberman, it could be said that he is the complete opposite of the Pekingese. With the muscular looks and noble attitude of him, they develop very close bonds with their masters and want to spend as much time with them as possible. How can we not love them?
The 10 best photos of the German Shepherd breed
Officially, there are two types of German shepherd for their type of hair: the short hair (fur is easy to maintain) and that of long hair (thick and silky coat of fur that requires specific brushing).
In turn, within the two groups mentioned above, you can find different types of German Shepherds depending on the color of their coat. The best known is the sable german shepherd The mantle of its fur can be black or grayish with yellow or light brown stripes.
is a dog with highly developed musclesespecially, that of the legs, It has a slightly elongated body and its robustness and agility are two qualities that derive from its bone solidity and privileged anatomy.
is a dog of big sizewith a height of approximately 60-65 cm and a weight of around 30-45 kg.
Also know as “german shepherd”, their life expectancy is between 9-13 years.
You can teach him any type of basic order, if you are consistent and with only 15 minutes a day. Although, to turn it into a a working dog, a dog training professional is needed.
Its origins as a working dog in mountainous areas of Germany made their fur adapt for this type of life and, currently, retain their double coat of first and second hair (ie outer and undercoat).
Loses hair profusely once or twice a year. To control this fall, you have to brush it more frequently during these seasons.
Being an active dog requires daily walks and physical exercise, Ideally, it should have a large patio or garden. So, if you live in an apartment, don’t neglect your departure times.
One of the most common diseases in German Shepherds is hip and elbow dysplasia. Although another genetic disease that German shepherds can suffer from is the glaucoma.
Origin of the German Shepherd
The German shepherd was originally created, at the end of the 19th century, as a working dog and crossing different breeds of shepherds (such as Württemberg, Thuringia and Hannover) that were subjected to rigorous selection. Although it is the cavalry captain Max Emil Frederick von Stephanitz, of the German army, who is considered the “father of the race”
In 1899 it became part of the Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde, the German club specialized in this breed, which was in charge of training the German shepherd to work with the police and military.
This saved them from extinction during the tumultuous early years of the 20th century. In fact, during the First World War, the Germans used them as messengers and search and rescue dogs. Allied soldiers, awed by the intelligence and courage of these dogs, took them back to their respective countries at the end of the war, thus spreading the breed.
By World War II, German Shepherds had already become in the preferred military breed. In addition, they were the first guide dogs and, to this day. they remain famous for their bravery, loyalty, and guardian instinct.
German Shepherd Characteristics
of nature kind and protective, it is a very docile and affectionate dog but, to avoid aggressive and overprotective behavior, they must be socialized and trained from an early age.
In this way, they get along well with children and other pets if they grow up together but tend to be wary of strangers due to their guarding instincts. However, it is a smart breed and considered easy to train.
And it is that it is a balanced and versatile dog that knows how to do everything and has an extremely developed sense of smell. German Shepherds are active and like to have something to do. So they need to get a lot of daily exercise or else they get nervous.
how much does a german shepherd cost
On the Internet you can find private advertisements that sell German Shepherd puppies in a price range that goes from €150 up to €350. Meanwhile in a hatchery can range from €400 to €800. It will depend on the pedigree of the dog and how professional the kennel is.
However, shelters and kennels (which we can help even without adopting) are full of animals that need a home, so we always recommend adoption as the first option, before you buy. And, above all, do either of the two things while being aware of the great responsibility and difficulties involved in having a dog in our care.
Photos | unsplash
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