ORIGIN OF GERMAN SHEPHERD
Captain Max von Stephanitz in Germany produced in1899. a new dog breed. They decided to create a new breed which would be unmatched as a herding dog. They saw good herding dog who were inteligent, or capable, or athletic, so he wanted to make a dog who would have all these qualities. He succeed and made a new breed German shepherd.
GERMAN SHEPHERED history
This breed is made to be a good working dog, so after a World War II they began to diverge dramatically. They become an important working dogs for police and military. Their popularity grow high when they were used in movies, like Rin-Tin-Tin and Strongheart. After a terrorist attack on World Trade Centar they work like rescue dog looking for survivors.
DESCRIPTION
German Shepherds are strong and well proportioned dogs. They have a muscular, strong body with a solid bone structure. Their head is in proportion with body. The nose is black, but sometimes can be blue or liver.They have strong teeth. Dark eyes are almond shaped. Their ears are wide at base, upright and turned forward. The brushy tail hangs dow when dog is an rest. They have round feet with very hard soles.Their coat can be: longhaired coat, double coat and plush coat. They come usually in black with tan, sable or all black color, but also can come in liver or white color.
TEMPERAMENT
These dogs are clever, highly intelligent, brave, faithfull. German Shepherd dogs are trainable , which can be train to do almost everything. That’s why they are usually use as millitary, rescue and police dog, work as guard for blind people, with their fine nose they can snif out drugs, They have very strong protective instinct, and they are loyal to their handler, but they don’t make fiends immediately . They love to be close to family, but can be wary of strangers.You should never leave him alone for a long time, then he become bored and begin to bark or chew. They need early socialization started when they are still puppys. you must to expose them to many different people, sounds, animals.After theirs puppyhood they need training. They will not listen if they sense that they are stronger minded than their owner, so they need authorative owner. Good training dog is stable, and very good with other animals and children. Because they are so smart they will not be satisfied to lying around in your livinroom, they must somewhere chanel their mental and physical energy.
HEALTH
The German Shepherds are quite healthy dogs , but because they are not so old breed , they can have some hereditary diseases like: hip and elbow dysplasia, blood disorders, epilepsy, bloat, digestive problems, chronic eczema, keratitis, dwarfism and flea allergies. They can have also some splenic tumors, perianal fistulas and Willebrand’s disease. Be carefull when you by your puppy, by from a good breeder who will show you health clearances.
LIVING CONDITIONS
These dogs can be quite satisfied in an apartment and be relativly inactive, just if you exercised him enought. But, he is the happies if he can reach large yard where he can burn his large natural energy. They should be never chained or tethered just to stand guard. He can live peacefully with other pets, if he was taught to do so from puppyhood.
CARE
The German Shepherds are originally breed to herd flocked in harsh climates, that why they have double coat to protect them. But this kind of coat shed constantly and seasonally heavy shedder, so you will brushed him daily, or you will have hair all over your house, and you will clean a lot- by a sturdy vacum cleaner. You don’t need to bath him a lot, just if it is necesary, too much bathing can cause skin irritation from oil depletion. Their nails need to be trimmed once a month.Check his ears once a week for dirt. Theirs habit to chew keeps their teeth clean, just give them sturdy, safe dental chew toys or bones. They are built for action and have a lot of energy, so they need a lot of exercise .
FEEDING
How much will your dog eat depends on how old is he, his size, metabolism, build and activity level. It is recomended to give him two meals. Quality of food is very important for your dog. When you notice that your dog put on weight , give him less food and take him to more exercise, and if you see him a little bit thin give him more food. Overfeeding can cause healthy problems This breed grow very rapidly between the age four and seven months, that make them suitable to bone disorders, so in that age give him high-quality low-calorie diet which will keep them from growing too fast.