There is no dog popularity list that doesn’t have the German shepherd on a high ranking.
They are the are dogs of choice for many armies and police forces around the world, and they also make wonderful family pets and guard dogs as well.
That’s why the German shepherd is widely bred and adopted in large numbers around the world
People love German shepherds, They seem to have it all!!!
They are loyal, intelligent, athletic, hard-working, courageous, and alert. Plus, They also got the looks, they are handsome, majestic and easy on the eyes.
There’s no mistaking a German shepherd. You know him when you see him!!
But if you are thinking about adopting a German shepherd, There are certain things that you probably should know before you take that leap
In this article, we gonna talk everything German shepherd; German shepherd personality, trainability, physicality and more…To provide you with everything you need to make your informed decision and to know exactly what you are getting yourself into
Before that let’s talk a little about the German shepherd history
Table of Contents
Everything You Need to Know about German Shepherds
History of The German Shepherd
In Europe during the 1850s, Several attempts were being made to standardize breeds. Farmers and shepherds employed selective breeding to preserve traits in dogs that would help them in their job of herding sheep and protecting flocks from predators.
In Germany, Shepherds and local farmers managed to categorize different breeds of dogs based on what qualities they have such as intelligence, speed, strength, and keen senses of smell. then they selected mated and bred dogs that possess the skills necessary for herding sheep.
Following the first generation bred dogs, The results were outstanding and exceeded the breeders’ expectations. Making them more eager to develop breeds for different purposes either to be strong hardworking working dogs or just pretty hybrids. Either way, they managed to get what they wanted.
Max von Stephanitz, Former student of the Berlin Veterinary College and
an ex-cavalry captain, Was one of those breeders. He held strong believes that dogs should be bred for working purposes. Not only that but because of his military experiences, he had a vision that dogs can help officers fighting criminals or even soldiers fighting battles alongside humans.
Hektor The Father of German Shepherds
In 1899, during a dog show, Von Stephanitz was shown a dog named Hektor Linksrhein. Hektor was the offspring of a few generations of selective breeding and embodied what Von Stephanitz believed a working dog should be.
Like nothing else max von Stephanitz has seen before. Hektor showed signs of intelligence, loyalty, and beauty, that made von Stephanitz purchase him immediately. He knew that his vision is now achievable because of Hector.
After he purchased the dog he changed his name to Horand von Grafrath. Horand is known to be the first German Shepherd Dog and all German shepherds existing today can be linked back directly to him.
Now after we learned the history of the breed, let’s talk about the dashing looks and physicality of The German shepherd
The German Shepherd at a Glance
Name: German shepherd (Dah!!)
Other Names: Alsatian wolf dog (UK), Alsatian (UK), Berger Allemand, Deutscher Schäferhund, Schäferhund
Origin: Germany
Size: medium to large
Weight Range: Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg)
Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg)
Height range: Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm)
Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm)
Colors: Black
Black and Tan
Black & Silver
Black & Red
Life span: 10-13 years
Features: Upright ears (naturally)
Bred For: Herding, Guard dog
Coat: Length: Medium
Characteristics: Double coat
Colors: Most colors, other than white, are permissible
Overall Grooming Needs: Moderate
Expectations: Exercise Requirements: >40 minutes/day
Energy Level: Average
Longevity Range: 10-12 yrs.
The Tendency to Drool: Low Tendency to Snore: Low
The Tendency to Bark: Low
The Tendency to Dig: Low Social/Attention Needs: Moderate
To prevent over-guarding and aggressive behavior, German shepherd dogs should have socialization and obedience training at a young age.
He is a well-proportioned dog. The head is broad and tapers handsomely to a sharp muzzle.
The ears are rather large and stand erect.
The back is full of muscles and level, and the tail has a downward curve and bushy.
The coat is usually harsh and of medium length; However, long-coated individuals occur often.
German Shepherd Traits: Pros and Cons
The Good
- Handsome, natural-looking, athletic
- Thrives on challenging activities and exercise
- Loyal to his own family
- Looks imposing and has a reputation that bad guys don’t want to fool with, so makes an effective deterrent
- A German shepherd is Highly intelligent and versatile and possesses the ability to learn almost anything
The Bad
- Can be hard to find one with a family-oriented temperament and a decent chance of staying healthy
- Needs plenty of exercise and interesting things to do
- Needs careful socialization
- Destructiveness when bored or not exercised enough
- Potential aggression toward other animals
- Constant shedding – 365 days a year
- Legal liabilities (insurance issues, increased chance of lawsuits)
- High risk of serious health problems
German Shepherd Personality
German shepherds are Cautious when dealing with strangers. This is probably one of the German shepherd personality traits that you’re most likely be familiar with.
You may see a beautiful German Shepherd, you may want to run up and pet it,
But you know better,
as those watchful eyes are questioning and assessing you.
At the same time, you shouldn’t fear him, as the German Shepherd Temperament is not aggressive.
German shepherds are naturally aloof and commonly Reserved in the face of strangers.
The German shepherd is Loyal to absolutely no end, and once he decides you’re to be trusted, will show you a side of his personality that feels entirely like a reward.
The German shepherd breed is extremely Intelligent and has such an impressive range in what they can be trained to do, that they’re in a working class of their own.
They’re excellent Watchdogs, and you can count on them to protect the children.
The German shepherd is Energetic and in constant need of exercise, immense amounts of stimulation, and to be constantly around those they love
The German shepherd is a Friendly breed, he is comfortably getting along really well with children and other pets if raised with them, but in keeping with his guarding instincts, he tends to be leery of strangers.
In Some cases, when you have a Poorly bred German shepherd,
he tends to be High-Strung and Nervous.
Mix that with poor socialization and inadequate training, over guarding and aggressive behavior
The result is an Aggressive Beast you don’t want to be around
That’s why you have to take good care when trying to purchase a German shepherd and only seek reputable breeders.
They are Anxious. Separation anxiety Is a huge issue with German Shepherd canines, as they freak out without the presence of their owner.
The German shepherd truly resembles the Alpha Personality: calm, assertive, assured, confident, hyper-intelligent, powerful and athletic, and with the size to make you hesitate.
But on the other hand, at home, the German Shepherd behavior is loving, quiet, calm, and even spunky at times.
German Shepherd Trainability
Easy Training: German Shepherd Dogs are eager pupils and are quick to learn new tricks.
They are the most responsive breed to their owner’s voice.
The German Shepherd possesses versatility that makes him suitable for a wide variety of activities including dog sports.
What’s It Like to Live with a German Shepherd
To prevent over guarding and aggressive behavior, German shepherd dogs should be carefully socialized from a young age and be obedience trained.
They should be with the family and continually exposed under supervision to people and other pets around the neighborhood; they should not be confined to a kennel or backyard either alone or with other dogs.
German shepherd dogs are active and like to have something to do. They need ample exercise daily; Otherwise, they can get into mischief or become high-strung.
The dog sheds heavily about twice yearly, and the rest of the time sheds a lesser amount continually. To control shedding and keep the coat nice, brush at least a few times a week.
That’s it.
That was our German shepherd personality guide for you, I hope you have enjoyed it
If you liked this post, share it with a friend, he might be wondering about German shepherds also.
Good luck with your German Shepherd
What did you think about this article?
Whatever you think, comment below and let me know!
While on the subject, If you liked what you read here and want to read more check out my other articles on Top 10 Dog Breeds That Are Amazingly Like A German Shepherd or The Top 10 Easy to Train Dogs For You
If you have any questions regarding The German Shepherd breed, Feel free to tell me in the comment section, We are all here to learn
Have a nice day and Read you next time.
