German Shepherd

The German Shepherd Dog (known also as the Alsatian or Schäfer(hund)) is an intelligent breed of dog. Because they are eager to please, they are easily trained in obedience and protection. German Shepherd Dogs are often used as working dogs in many capacities, including search and rescue (SAR), military, police or guard dogs. They are also used as assistance dogs / service dogs (such as guide dogs), though not as much as Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers.

Appearance

The German Shepherd is a large, strong, substantial-looking dog. It varies in color, coming in many different shades, mostly cream (tan) and brown, but also a solid black. The fur can be either short or long haired.

Common faults

Some GSDs have ears that never stand up completely; instead, the top 10 to 15 percent of the ear remains floppy. These are called "friendly-tipped" dogs. It is a disqualifying fault in show dogs.

A small percentage of GSDs has a tail that stands vertically, exposing their anus. This is also a disqualifying fault in show dogs.

Breed lines

There are several types or lines of GSD and the behavior, abilities, and appearance of each is quite different. The major lines are the international working line, the international show line, and the North American show line.

Dogs from FCI-recognised international working lines are bred primarily for traits involving their working ability rather than appearance, so their appearance can be somewhat varied.

The FCI-recognised international show lines differ in that emphasis is given more to the appearance of the dog when breeding, so they are very consistent in type or appearance.

The North American show lines have also been bred primarily for their looks, but have a markedly different appearance from the international dogs, featuring a noticeably sloped back and sharp angulations of the hock joint. There is a current debate over whether the American show lines still represent the original German Shepherd Dog, or whether the line has become distinct enough that it should be considered a separate breed. Critics of the American line argue that the working ability of these dogs has been lost, and that the angled back is detrimental to the health of the animal. Proponents of the line believe that the altered bone structure of their dogs represents an improvement to the herding ability of the animals.

In the erstwhile GDR, the German Shepherds more closely adhered to the old prewar standard marked by straighter back, longer and more dense coat and darker color. These dogs are now praised for breeding working dogs as they are less prone to hip dysplasia. Attempts to preserve this distinct line and raise it to the status of an officially recognized breed ("East German Shepherd Dog") are stalled.

Temperament

Well-bred GSDs have powerful jaws and strong teeth, can develop a strong sense of loyalty and obedience, and can be trained to attack and release on command. Poorly bred GSDs such as those from puppy mills can be fearful, overly aggressive, or both. The common misconception that GSDs (like Pit Bulls) are inherently violent is due most often to a combination of poor breeding (bad nerves) and the owner's lack of control/training.

GSDs' sense of loyalty to, and emotional bond with, their owners is almost impossible to overstate. Separation trauma is one reason they have been used less in guide dog roles in recent years, since that program typically trains dogs from puppy hood under one owner prior to final placement.

Temperament Differences Among Lines

The different types or lines of GSD display differences not only in appearance but also in ability and temperament.

Dogs from working lines have very high energy, and have been bred to have a natural drive for protection, tracking, and obedience. They are bred primarily for consistent temperament, working drive, and intelligence. These dogs can be used as pets, but will be unhappy if not exercised daily or trained to do a job of some sort. These dogs are more commonly seen in rescues in North America due to their high prey drive and owner's inability to control or train them.

German and Eastern European lines tend to be stockier, with shorter snouts and more muscular chests, and typify the working lines.

North American lines have a tendency towards a longer croup, longer back, higher wither and more stable temperament ideal for companionship. They do not require something to do constantly to keep them from becoming bored and without an outlet, destructive.

These dogs can make excellent pets, provided that a poor breeder has not sacrificed consistent temperament or health in the quest for good looks.

Health

As is common in many large breeds, German Shepherds are prone to elbow and hip dysplasia. Other health problems sometimes occurring in the breed are von Willebrand's disease and skin allergies. German Shepherds are also prone to bloat. They have an average lifespan of twelve years.

History

The breed was originated by Captain Max von Stephanitz in the late 1800s and early 1900s. His goal was to breed an all-purpose working dog. Von Stephanitz admired the landrace herding dogs of his native Germany, and believed they had the potential to be all-purpose working dogs. Additionally, he was aware of the declining need for herding dogs and believed that the working abilities of the breed would decline unless it was put to other uses. Von Stephanitz created the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde [1], or SV as the official governing body for the breed. The SV then created the schutzhund trial as a breed test for the German Shepherd Dog, and prohibited the breeding of any dog which could not pass the trial. The schutzhund trial, along with the SV's conviction that "German Shepherd breeding is working dog breeding, or it is not German Shepherd breeding" led to a rapid development of the breed's abilities. After WWI, British and American soldiers, impressed by the abilities of the dog, brought home examples to breed. The breed instantly become popular, both as a family pet and as a working dog. To this day, the German Shepherd Dog is considered one of, if not the most intelligent and versatile breeds in existence.

Working German Shepherd Dogs

German Shepherds often compete and excel in obedience trials and Schutzhund competitions. German Shepherds are also often trained as police dogs, due to their trainability, size and work drive.

Shepherding

The original purpose for the German Shepherd Dog, is (not surprisingly) to aid the farmer in the field, be it sheep, cattle or any other animal that may require the assistance of a shepherd. Even given the name "shepherd" some people are surprised to hear that these dogs were bred for herding, as the GSD is more often found working as a guard dog, police dog or companion pet than in the field working sheep, which is seldom seen in recent times.

The German Shepherd Dog does not have the "eye" as border collies or other similar breeds. They are trained to follow their instinct, which for the GSD is to "work the furrow", meaning that they will patrol a boundary all day and restrict sheep (or any other animal they may be working with) from entering or leaving the designated area. It is this instinct that has made the breed superb guarding dogs, protecting their flock (or family) from harm.

A German Shepherd Dog's instincts to herd might manifest themselves by the dog closely watching or even nipping at members of its family as they go for walks. The dog might attempt to lead people to what it perceives is the correct location, even going so far as to gently take a hand in his teeth to lead the person.

Miscellaneous

Breed names

The proper English name for the breed is German Shepherd Dog (a literal translation from the German "Deutscher Schäferhund") but they are usually informally referred to as GSDs or simply German Shepherds. Alsatian is also commonly used in the United Kingdom and countries of the Commonwealth of Nations (the reason for the alternative name is historical: during World Wars I and II, Germany was out of favor in the UK and many German names were translated or anglicised). In addition, the sobriquet police dog is used in many countries where the GSD is the predominant or exclusive breed used in the canine police force.

Variants

Some groups or breeders have focused on variants or mutations of the breed that are not recognized by most kennel clubs as acceptable show GSDs but that might eventually become breeds on their own.

White coat 

A white (or very light), but not albino, version of the German Shepherd has also always occurred, but was designated a disqualifying fault in the AKC in the late 1960s; it is also considered a fault by German breed standards. This fault, however, does not prevent the white coated German Shepherd Dog from being registered in the AKC as a German Shepherd Dog. There are still fanciers of the German Shepherd breed who work to preserve the white coated German Shepherd Dog. See WGSDCA for more detail. However, the white German Shepherd has been recognized by some organizations under the name Berger Blanc Suisse (or White Shepherd Dog).

Long-haired coat 

The so-called "long-haired German Shepherd" is considered a "fault" in the German Shepherd Dog standard, according to the AKC. The long hair gene is recessive. Dogs with this coat look somewhat like the Tervueren type of Belgian Shepherd Dog. An example with pictures can be found here. Popular myth holds that long-haired GSDs ("fuzzies") are more affectionate, but there is little evidence for this.

Giant shepherd 

Some organizations recognize a deliberately bred, larger variation of the breed as the Shiloh Shepherd Dog or other names.

Famous Shepherds

* Blondi, pet of Adolf Hitler
* Charlie, from All Dogs Go to Heaven
* Clipper, pet of John F. Kennedy
* Major, pet of FDR
* Rex (a.k.a Reginald von Ravenhorst) from Kommissar Rex
* Rin Tin Tin
* Strongheart
* The Littlest Hobo

Books about German Shepherd Dogs