The coat is accepted in two variants; medium and long. They are not inclined to become immediate friends with strangers. This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the German Shepherd across 21 in-depth pages. 1. German Shepherds are highly intelligent and obedient, as w… If you've ever watched a well-trained German shepherd with kids, you know that these dogs can make great companions for children of all ages. The breed was officially renamed by the UK Kennel Club to "Alsatian Wolf Dog", after the French region of Alsace bordering Germany. Puppies and Vets. At one time the German Shepherd was the breed chosen almost exclusively to be used as a guide dog for the visually impaired. So, if you want to learn some fun facts about this beautiful breed, keep on reading, and maybe this will actually convince you to get a German shepherd of your own. Today, they are one of the most popular dogs in America. An experiment in temperament testing of a group of Labrador Retrievers and German Shepherds showed that the Retrievers scored higher on average in emotional stability and ability to recover promptly from frightening situations, cooperative behavior and friendliness; while the German Shepherds were superior in aggression and defensive behavior. The German Shepherd is a multi-talented dog that requires a pet parent who understands its unique needs. #2 – Eight GSDs Performed Heroic Deeds in America Alone. Between 1964 and 2007, his appearances were sporadic. German Shepherds are big dogs. German Shepherds are a popular selection for use as working dogs. As of 2016, the German Shepherd is the second most popular breed in the US. German Shepherd Facts For Kids. The outer coat is harsh, thick and straight and the undercoat is soft and dense. When formal guide dog training began in Switzerland in the 1920s, all of the dogs trained were German Shepherds. They generally grow to around two feet tall at the withers (shoulder blades) and weigh between 50 and 90 pounds. Dogs were being bred to preserve traits that assisted in their job of herding sheep and protecting their flocks from predators. German Shepherds are longer than tall, with an ideal proportion of 10 to 8 1/2. The average life expectancy of a German Shepherd is 10.95 years. I found your shedding comment particularly funny. The reality, however, is that while a German Shepherd should be supervised when in the presence of children outside the family, within the family there is truly no better friend to your kids. It began in Germany in 1899 and came to the US in 1907. A German Shepherd is a big dog that is very protective and intelligent. History Of German Shepherd The breed gained international recognition after the decline of World War I. Both have stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. German Shepherds are still used for herding and tending sheep grazing in meadows next to gardens and crop fields. Horand was declared to be the first German Shepherd Dog and was the first dog added to the society's breed register. This dog is a playful dog and keeps your kids playing and enjoying. The lesson helps you: Know what you call a group of newborn puppies In German Shepherd Dogs, the gene for boat coat color is recessive. 8 Interesting Facts About the German Shepherd The German Shepherd is one of the most iconic dog breeds. German Shepherd Facts. He bred dogs for shepherding and saw a wolf-like dog in yellow and gray that grabbed his attention. Horand became the centre-point of the breeding programs and was bred with dogs belonging to other society members that displayed desirable traits and with dogs from Thuringia, Franconia and Wurttemberg. When well trained they obey the first given command ninety five percent of the time. They are often used as police dogs, but they have many other uses. A German Shepherd used as an assistance dog for blind people, German Shepherd, used assearch and rescue dogs in a collapsed building, Champ (top) and Major (bottom), President-elect Joe Biden's Dogs. The German Shepherd Dog's physique is very well suited to competing in shows and competitions, such as agility trials. Popularity increased gradually until 1993, when they became the third most popular breed in the United States. Returning soldiers spoke highly of the breed and animal actors Rin Tin Tin and Strongheart popularised the breed further. The breed was standardized in Germany in the mid-1800s, where they were working as sheep-herders and protecting them from predators. The breed is marked by a willingness to learn and an eagerness to have a purpose. The German Shepherd also has a rich history and even enthusiasts of the breed may not be aware of a few fun and interesting facts about this amazing animal. In fact, the first German Shepherd was not born until 1889 and was bred by a man called Max von Stephanitz, who is known as the father of German Shepherd Dogs. A German night-watchman from 1950 with his German Shepherd, Swedish German Shepherds during demonstrations in Stockholm on National Day 2007, Urban Search and Rescue Task Force dog works to uncover survivors at the site of the collapsed World Trade Center after the September 11, 2001 attacks, A German Shepherd Military Working Dog locates hidden explosives inside a car during a training exercise. The eyes are medium-sized and brown with a lively, intelligent and self-assured look. The breed was so named due to its original purpose of assisting shepherds in herding and protecting sheep. Strong, tough, loyal, smart, and immediately identifiable because of their unique coats, patterns, and features, there are breeders and pet owners alike who swear by the German Shepherd. German Shepherds have been “employed” in almost every position that a dog can hold. After purchasing the dog he changed his name to Horand von Grafrath and Von Stephanitz founded the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (Society for the German Shepherd Dog). German Shepherds are medium to large-sized dogs. At the time, all other herding dogs in Germany were referred to by this name; they thus became known as Altdeutsche Schäferhunde, or Old German Shepherd Dogs. The weight for a German Shepherd of either gender is 75-95 pounds. Eventually, the appendage "wolf dog" was dropped, after numerous campaigns by breeders who were worried that becoming known as a wolf-dog hybrid would affect the breed's popularity and legality. If raised alongside together German Shepherds protect them like an older sibling, provides unconditional love, and becomes their lifetime companion. In the book The Intelligence of Dogs, author Stanley Coren ranked the breed third for intelligence, behind Border Collies and Poodles. With the rise of large, industrialized cities in Germany, the predator population began to decline, rendering sheepdogs unnecessary. German shepherd Dogs Interesting Facts and Information: 1. They are suited for these lines of work because of their keen sense of smell and their ability to work regardless of distractions. Hektor was the product of few generations of selective breeding and completely fulfilled what Von Stephanitz believed a working dog should be. Hektor and Horand: One Dog, First Registered German Shepherd. German Shepherds have also been trained by military groups to parachute from aircraft or as anti-tank weapons. They are curious, which makes them excellent guard dogs and suitable for search missions. In former times the American Rescue Dog Association only used air-scenting Alsatians to locate people who are missing or lost. They are trained to do everything from guarding a house to being a search and rescue dog. During the 1850s, attempts were being made to standardize dog breeds. If you want that your German shepherd will be the dog with lot of social behaviors, you are thinking wrong. long-haired German Shepherd is a very high energy dog and needs regular exercises on a regular basis and you should start the basic training that this dog needs at the early stage of its age. He believed that, above all else, German Shepherds should be bred for intelligence and working ability. This breed makes a great pet for kids, provided they understand his temperament and instincts. President John F. Kennedy had a pet German Shepherd … The German Shepherd (German: Deutscher Schäferhund), also known as the Alsatian, is a breed of medium-large dog. There are 250.000 purebred German Shepherd Dogs in Germany alone, with about 15.000 puppies born each year. In 1921 Strongheart became one of the earliest canine film stars, and was followed in 1922 by Rin Tin Tin, who is considered the most famous German Shepherd. They are not inclined to become immediate friends with strangers. While German Shepherds come in a range of 11 different colors, dogs with a pure black coat can often look the most striking. The show was aired in many languages. The all-black and sable varieties are acceptable according to most standards; however, the blue and liver are considered to be serious faults and the all-white is grounds for instant disqualification from showing in conformation at All Breed and Specialty Shows. But before that, let us first discuss the history of the German shepherd. While unsuccessful in their goal, the Phylax Society had inspired people to pursue standardising dog breeds independently. How big do German Shepherds get? German shepherds are very big dogs. German Shepherd requires plenty of movements and exercises to stay fit and healthy. The GSD has strong legs, and gait is smooth and rhythmic. Additionally, the breed is typically among the most popular in other registries. An important modern use is the dog's ability to perform search and rescue. They have been used as herding dogs, guard dogs and as pets. Behavior and Temperament Facts The Shepherd is a wonderful family pet…loyal, loving and wonderful with children. In 1999, German shepherd dogs were third on the American Kennel Club's list of the Top 50 Breeds. Some interesting facts about German Shepherds that you might not have known relate to size and build. The first German Shepherd Dog registered in the United States was Queen of Switzerland. They eat but don’t gain weight. But according to the ATTS, the GSD has one of the best pass rates (85.3%) for temperaments. In 1899, Von Stephanitz was attending a dog show when he was shown a dog named Hektor Linksrhein. Additionally thousands of German Shepherds have been used by the military. A German shepherd is a breed, or type, of dog . We try to brush her at least every other day and it does help a lot. The society disbanded after only three years due to ongoing internal conflicts regarding the traits in dogs that the society should promote; some members believed dogs should be bred solely for working purposes, while others believed dogs should be bred also for appearance. Aloof Sometimes, these dogs are referred to as a separate breed to the GSD. As you already know, German shepherds have major contributions to the police force. A German Shepherd’s Ears Change with Age This is the 2nd most registered breed in the U.S. The German Shepherd Dog is a medium to large-sized breed commonly used for scouting and security. Captain Max von Stephanitz discovered Hektor Linksrhein at … Excercise. Enzel, a male GSD, was my boyhood dog and we have a female GSD, Elsa, now. 7. The German shepherd dog is a herding breed known for … These results suggested that Labrador Retrievers were more suited to guide dog work while German Shepherds were more suited to police work. German Shepherds have a two-layer coat which is close and dense with a thick undercoat. They are known to be athletic, intelligent, loyal, protective, and friendly. These dogs are very intelligent but are not easily rambunctious as some people believe. Rin-Tin-Tin, Bullet the Wonderdog and Strongheart are just three prime examples of the child-loving, loyal German shepherd. This name was also adopted by many other international kennel clubs. Guide Dogs for the Blind in the United States trains only Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and crosses between these breeds. A German Shepherd called Inspector Rex is the star of Austrian Police procedural drama program, which won many awards, where German Shepherd Rex assists the Vienna Kriminalpolizei homicide unit. It is sometimes called an Alsatian. 9. The breed was named Deutscher Schäferhund by von Stephanitz, literally translating to "German Shepherd Dog". They have a domed forehead, a long square-cut muzzle with strong jaws and a black nose. However, there’s more to the lovable animals than that. They are a bit protective in nature. They can weigh between 55 and 95 pounds, and males weigh more than females. At the same time, the awareness of sheepdogs as a versatile, intelligent class of canine began to rise. Usually trained for scout duty, they are used to warn soldiers to the presence of enemies or of booby traps or other hazards. The results were dogs that were able to do such things, but that differed significantly, both in appearance and ability, from one locality to another. Max von Stephanitz is a dog breeder who is considered to be the father of the German Shepherd breed. German Shepherds are highly intelligent and obedient, as well as being protective of their owners. Fun Facts about German Shepherds. They are longer than tall and are generally well proportioned and muscular looking. Most colour varieties have black masks and black body markings which can range from a classic "saddle" to an over-all "blanket." Currently, Labradors and Golden Retrievers are more widely used for this work, although there are still German Shepherds being trained. Even though it’s heavily populated, 31% of the country is covered with forests and woodlands and gorgeous mountain tops.Germany’s famous nature reserve, the Black Forest is near the Swiss border, which is a mountainous region of pines and fir trees, with wolves, wildcats, boar, ibex, wild pig, fox, deer and other large mammals.The source of the famous Danube River is in the Black Forest and it’s one of Europe’s longest rivers.T… For your kids to truly know their Germans shepherd, they need to know his history. German Shepherds have been featured in a wide range of media. German Shepherds (GSD) are the second most popular family dog breed in America, behind the Labrador Retriever. That means that your German shepherd might weigh more than you for awhile! 8. It is friendly, strong, protective, and loyal. Rarer colour variations include the sable, pure-black, pure-white, liver and blue varieties. A German shepherd is a heroic dog Even without proper training, a German shepherd’s heroic instinct will always take over. This is especially true in America. Their versatility, adaptability, and trainability are what makes them such a popular family dog and working dog. Its coat comes i… Quick Facts: – The German Shepherd is the 2nd most popular registered dog in the United States. The double coat of GSD comes in three varieties: rough-coated, long rough-coated and long-haired. He admired the intelligence, strength and ability of Germany's native sheepdogs, but could not find any one single breed that satisfied him as the perfect working dog. The modern German Shepherd breed is criticized by some for straying away from Max von Stephanitz's original ideology that German Shepherds should be bred primarily as working dogs and that breeding should be strictly controlled to eliminate defects quickly. The breed is a fairly new dog breed. The name Alsatian remained for five decades, until 1977, when successful campaigns by dog enthusiasts pressured the British kennel clubs to allow the breed to be registered again as German Shepherds. Popularity increased again after the German Shepherd Sieger Pfeffer von Bern became the 1937 and 1938 Grand Victor in American Kennel club dog shows, only to suffer another decline at the conclusion of World War II, due to anti-German sentiment. The FCI accepted the long-haired type in 2010, listing it as the variety b—while short-haired type is listed as the variety a. The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association in the United Kingdom states that crosses between Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers make the best guide dogs, although they also train some German Shepherds, as well as some other breeds. When formal guide dog training began in Switzerland in the 1920s under the leadership of Dorothy Eustis, all of the dogs trained were German Shepherd females. He was pleased with the strength of the dog and was so taken by the animal's intelligence, loyalty and beauty, that he purchased him immediately. It was first developed in Germany in an area called Alsace. The German Shepherd (German: Deutscher Schäferhund, German pronunciation: [ˈdɔʏtʃɐ ˈʃɛːfɐˌhʊnt]) is a breed of medium to large-sized working dog that originated in Germany. Some dog breeds have a firm and lasting hold on the public’s heart and consistently place in the top 10 of the ranking of most popular dogs.The strong and noble German Shepherd … One Mexican German Shepherd, Zuyaqui, was dissected and his body put on display at the Sedena's "Narco Museum" in Mexico. The breed originated in Germany and was bred as a sheep dog, hence its name. 6. Guide Dogs Queensland in Australia also trains only Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers. The German Shepherd is one of the most popular breeds of dogs in the United States. German Shepherds were used in the popular Canadian series The Littlest Hobo. German Shepherds were bred specifically for their intelligence, a trait for which they are now famous. The German Shepherd isn’t just popular in the United States. 1. These are ready-to-use German Shepherd worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the German Shepherds which are large, athletic, and muscular dogs that originated in Germany. Their ears are large and generally stand up straight. They are expected to patrol the boundaries to keep sheep from trespassing and damaging the crops. These dogs all looked very similar at that time, and it was around 1890 that the three breeds (Belgian Shepherd, German Shepherd and Dutch Shepherd) went their separate ways. German Shepherds are moderately active dogs and are described in breed standards as self-assured. These include search and rescue, cadaver searching, narcotics detection, explosives detection, accelerant detection and mine detection dog, among others. German Shepherds is a very famous Dog around the globe. 5. I love the German Shepherd breed. Females usually weigh around 22–32 kilograms (49–71 lb). She’s currently 76 … It has a well proportioned head; ears are erect; nose is generally black; eyes are dark and almond-shaped; teeth meet in a scissors bite; tail is bushy and hangs down. They are thin, lanky, long legged, gangly and lop eared. Male German Shepherds usually weigh around 30–40 kilograms (66–88 lb). He is regarded to be the dog who has captured the most drugs in Mexican police and military history. So, are German Shepherds good with kids? Batman's dog Ace the Bat-Hound appeared in the Batman comic books, initially in 1955, through 1964. The ears are large and stand erect, open at the front and parallel, but they often are pulled back during movement. Sources: German Shepherd Dog Facts, Pictures, & Breed Info – … They are curious, which makes them excellent guard dogs and suitable for search missions. Max von Stephanitz, an ex-cavalry captain and former student of the Berlin Veterinary College, was an ex-member of the Phylax Society who firmly believed dogs should be bred for working. It was recognized that the breed had the necessary skills for herding sheep, such as intelligence, speed, strength and keen senses of smell. The word "Alsatian" still appeared in parentheses as part of the formal breed name and was only removed in 2010. So, they’re stable dogs that respond well to unpredictability, such as kids. The German Shepherd is one of the most widely used breeds in a wide variety of scent-work roles. It is believed the society accomplished its goal mostly due to Von Stephanitz's strong, uncompromising leadership and he is therefore credited with being the creator of the German Shepherd Dog. They can become over-protective of their family and territory, especially if not socialized correctly. In Germany this was practiced within local communities, where shepherds selected and bred dogs. To combat these differences, the Phylax Society was formed in 1891 with the intention of creating standardised development plans for native dog breeds in Germany. This page was last modified on 9 November 2020, at 02:26. Her offspring suffered from defects as the result of poor breeding, which caused the breed to suffer a decline in popularity during the late 1920s. 99% of vets out there are awesome, but they don’t know German Shepherd Puppies. In this article, we will explain all the facts about a German shepherd that you never knew, and in fact, you need to know before adopting a German shepherd. A long-haired German Shepherd is a good companion of your family and kids. The first guide dogs were German shepherd dogs. If you want to learn more about this type of dog, review the lesson called German Shepherd Facts: Lesson for Kids. The German Shepherd can make a great dog for older kids, though they can pose a danger without proper socializing. Most commonly, German Shepherds are either tan/black or red/black. Protective: This is one of the most vital features of German shepherd dog. The typical adult German Shepherd stands 24-26 inches at the shoulder if it’s a male, and 22-24 inches if it’s a female. The tail is bushy and reaches to the hock. The breed is marked by a willingness to learn and an eagerness to have a purpose. They are very athletic dogs and are often entered into agility and sports competitions. Take a closer look at your resident K-9 with these German Shepherd facts. 4. They are especially well known for their police work, being used for tracking criminals, patrolling troubled areas and detection and holding of suspects. The long-hair gene is recessive, making the long-hair variety rarer. The breed is smart, athletic and can live in a wide variety of climate conditions. Of those breeds, the Dutch shepherd looks closest to the continental shepherd of that time. I’m very familiar with that. You do, however, need to socialize your dog properly and take a few steps during training to make sure this big breed doesn't cause any accidental harm. However, it is a fact that the life span of a Shepherd is 12 on average, with a range of 11-13 being expected…Although some live well into the mid to high teens. The breed standard height at the withers is 60–65 cm (24–26 in) for males and 55–60 cm (22–24 in) for females. German Shepherds For Kids – Fun Animal Facts The German Shepherd Dog (sometimes abbreviated as GSD) is one of the most popular dog breeds , as both pets and working dogs, in the United States. This might be one of the most suitable German shepherd facts for kids. The bite of a German Shepherd has a force of 238 pounds. German Shepherd with black mask and black body markings, German Shepherds are medium to large-sized, Showing the long muzzle, black nose and brown, medium-sized eyes, Female sable German Shepherd nursing her litter, This 14-week-old puppy's ears are not yet erect, A female German Shepherd looks attentively at her owner, Displaying high levels of intelligence when completing an obstacle course for military working dogs. They search in wilderness, disaster, human body remains and water search and rescue and recovery missions. He found that they had the ability to learn simple tasks after only five repetitions and obeyed the first command given 95% of the time. In 2013, about 15% of the dogs trained by Guide Dogs of America are German Shepherds, while the remainder are Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers. They can become over-protective of their family and territory, especially if not socialized correctly. A number of these dogs were taken home by foreign servicemen, who were impressed by their intelligence. GSD is a rare breed to have even a World Union of German Shepherd Dog Clubs. You can have a German Shepherd obey you because it fears force, or you can have a GSD give 110% to please you – you can’t have both. Make sure you understand these fundamental requirements before you try to bring one home. Coupled with their strength, this trait makes the breed desirable as police, guard and search and rescue dogs, as they are able to quickly learn various tasks and interpret instructions better than other breeds. A German Shepherd has a long neck, which is raised when excited and lowered when moving at a fast pace. The German Shepherd Dog is a large sized healthy, strong, agile and well muscled. In Germany and other places these skills are tested in utility dog trials also known as HGH (Herdengebrauchshund) herding utility dog trials. The AKC official breed standard does not set a standard weight range. The most famous German Shepherd Dog was Rin Tin Tin. German Shepherds are moderately active dogs and are described in breed standards as self-assured. They were used in World War II as messenger dogs, rescue dogs and personal guard dogs. President-elect Joe Biden has two German Shepherds, Champ and Major. In the 1800s northwest Europe (Belgium, Germany, Netherlands) the most common dog used to herd sheep and protect the homes was the so-called "continental shepherd dog". But, they’re not! German Shepherd Worksheets. This is because the next German shepherd fun facts is about heroism. The direct translation of the name was adopted for use in the official breed registry; however, at the conclusion of World War I, it was believed that the inclusion of the word "German" would harm the breed's popularity, due to the anti-German sentiment of the era. By 1926 this number had grown to over 8,000. 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