The German Shepherd dog is one of the most well known breed of dogs, since it is commonly kept not only as a pet, but as a working dog as well. Traditionally used as a herding dog, the German Shepherd is today utilized in our modern society where it functions as a police dog, bomb dog, guard dog, search and rescue dog, military dog, and anti-narcotics dog. It can also be trained as a therapy dog or become a guide dog for the blind. In this article, you will find a lot of interesting German Shepherd dog information. Did you for instance know that this breed is commonly known as the Alsatian dog or Alsatian Shepherd in the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Commonwealth?
German Shepherd dog care
The German Shepherd sheds hair year round, but a quick daily brushing is enough to keep the coat looking nice and prevent too much hair from ending up in the rest of the home. Seasonally, this breed turns into a very heavy shedder so you have to be prepared to spend a little more time on German Shepherd dog care during such periods. Earlier on, long-haired and wire-haired German Shepherds could be exhibited too, but today most Kennel Clubs allow the short-haired variety only in dog shows. Bathing once or twice per year is enough; more than this can cause dry skin.
German Shepherd dog puppy
The German Shepherd dog puppy is a charming fellow, but before you decide to bring one home you should determine if you are willing and able to care for a dog for the next 11-13 years or even longer. You should also ask yourself if the German Shepherd is the ideal breed for you or if you get this dog simply because “everyone else” owns a GSD. The German Shepherd is a very popular breed that is easy to come by, but perhaps a much rarer breed would be the perfect breed for you? Getting a German Shepherd dog puppy is a good idea if you want a dog that loves challenging activities and requires a lot of exercise. It is also a great dog for those who love to spend a lot of time training their dogs to perform various tasks, since it is intelligent and versatile. Getting a German Shepherd dog puppy is not a good idea if you do like to exercise a lot. You must also be ready to handle a big and powerful dog that can be aggressive towards people and animals. Without proper training, the German Shepherd can develop a habit of chasing and nipping everything that moves, children and bikes included.
German Shepherd dog training
As mentioned above, the German Shepherd is an intelligent and versatile dog that loves to work and can be trained to carry out a rich array of tasks. Basic obedience training should start out at an early age, and early socialization is also an imperative part of proper German Shepherd dog training. Without proper training, this dog can become bored and destructive, and some dogs will even become dangerous. Overly aggressive German Shepherds are often the result of irresponsible breeding, poor socialization, and improper German Shepherd dog training (or no training at all). Once you have finished basic obedience training, German Shepherd dog training can for instance involve agility or advanced obedience.
German Shepherd dog breeding
German Shepherd dog breeding has today resulted in several different GSD lines. Before you get a dog, it is therefore important to investigate which specific line the breeder promotes. The three major lines are the working line, the international show line and the North American show line. Behaviour, appearance and ability normally vary a lot of between dogs from these different lines. When the aim is to create a great working dog, German Shepherd dog breeding will naturally focus less on outer appearance and more on abilities, and vice versa. In North America, German Shepherd dog breeding of show dogs has traditionally promoted a more noticeably sloped back and sharper hock joint angles than what can be observed in international GSD show dogs.
German Shepherd dog breeders
Since the German Shepherd is such a popular dog, it is unfortunately a very popular breed among puppy mill owners that strives to produce as many puppies as possible without caring about the risk for hereditary disease, the importance of early socialization and so on. There are also a lot of perhaps well-meaning but still irresponsible German Shepherd owners that allow their dogs to breed without first checking up their ancestry and paying to have a qualified vet screen them for hereditary disease. As mentioned above, overly aggressive or otherwise mentally unstable German Shepherd dogs are often the result of poor breeding, improper socialization and inadequate training. When getting a German Shepherd, it is therefore extremely important to stick to responsible German Shepherd dog breeders that strive to develop healthy and well-socialized dogs.
German Shepherd dog price
The German Shepherd dog price varies a lot, and it is very important to check what you actually get for your money. Simply going for the lowest possible German Shepherd dog price without investigating why it is low can be an expensive choice in the long run, since you risk getting a dog prone to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, skin allergies, von Willebrand’s disease, and eye and ear problems.