German Shepherd
The German Shepherd hails from Germany. The German Shepherd comes from Germany, typically weighs Males, and has a double coat coat. Individual German Shepherds vary, so treat this as a general guide rather than a guarantee.
Breed at a glance
- Origin
- Germany
- Weight
- Males
- Height
- Males
- Coat
- Double coat
- Colour
- Tan with black saddle, sable, solid black or bi-colour
- Litter size
- 6 to 8 : 40
About the German Shepherd
The German Shepherd hails from Germany. German Shepherd is a medium to large breed. Males typically weigh 75-95 pounds and stand 24-26 inches tall.
Use
The German Shepherd is commonly kept as a companion dog , and according to the Fédération Cynologique Internationale is among the most frequently registered breeds world-wide. It is much used as a working dog . They are known for being easy to train and good for performing tasks and following instructions. They are especially well known for their police work, being used for tracking criminals, patrolling troubled areas and detecting and holding suspects. Additionally, thousands of German Shepherds have been used by the military. These military working dogs (MWD) are usually trained for scout duty, and they are used to warn soldiers of the presence of enemies or of booby traps or other hazards. German Shepherds have also been trained by military groups to parachute from aircraft or as anti-tank weapons . They were used in World War II as messenger dogs, rescue dogs and personal guard dogs. It is used in a wide variety of scent-work roles. These include search and rescue, cadaver searching , narcotics detection, explosives detection , accelerant detection and mine detection, among others. They are suited for these lines of work because of their keen sense of smell and their ability to work regardless of distractions. At one time the German Shepherd was the breed chosen almost exclusively to be used as a guide dog for the visually impaired . 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. 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, ability to recover promptly from frightening situations, cooperative behaviour and friendliness; while the German Shepherds were superior in aggression and defensive behaviour. These results suggested that Labrador Retrievers were more suited to guide dog work while German Shepherds were more suited to police work. Currently, Labradors and Golden Retrievers are more widely used for this work, although there are still German Shepherds being trained. In 2013, about 15% of the dogs trained by Guide Dogs of America were German Shepherds, while the remainder were Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers. The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association in the United Kingdom trains some German Shepherds, while the comparable organisation in the US only trains Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and crosses between these breeds. German Shepherds are still used for herding and tending sheep grazing in meadows next to gardens and crop fields. They are expected to patrol the boundaries to keep sheep from trespassing and damaging the crops. In Germany and other places, these skills are tested in utility dog trials also known as Herdengebrauchshund (HGH) herding utility dog trials. One Mexican German Shepherd, Zuyaqui , was
1890s
During the 1890s, attempts were being made to standardise dog breeds. Dogs were being bred to preserve traits that assisted in their job of herding sheep and protecting their flocks from predators. In Germany this was practised within local communities, where shepherds selected and bred dogs. It was recognised that the breed had the necessary skills for herding sheep, such as intelligence, speed, strength and keen sense of smell. 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. 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. 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. While unsuccessful in their goal, the Phylax Society had inspired people to pursue standardising dog breeds independently. With the rise of large, industrialised cities in Germany, the predator population began to decline, rendering sheepdogs unnecessary. At the same time, the awareness of sheepdogs as a versatile, intelligent class of canine began to rise. 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. 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.
1900s
In 1899, von Stephanitz was attending a dog show when he was shown a dog named Hektor Linksrhein. Hektor was the product of a few generations of selective breeding and completely fulfilled what von Stephanitz believed a working dog should be. 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. After purchasing the dog he changed his name to Horand von Grafrath and von Stephanitz founded the Verein fĂŒr Deutsche SchĂ€ferhunde (Society for German Shepherd Dogs). Horand was declared to be the first German Shepherd Dog, and was the first dog added to the society''s breed register. In just a few decades of the Verein fĂŒr Deutsche SchĂ€ferhunde ''s establishment, the breed became one of the world''s most popular and numerous, a position it has maintained to this day. By 1923, the Verein fĂŒr Deutsche SchĂ€ferhunde claimed 50,000 dues-paying members in more than 500 branches in Germany alone. Horand became the center-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 WĂŒrttemberg . Fathering many pups, Horand''s most prolific was Hektor von Schwaben. Hektor was inbred with another of Horand''s offspring and produced Heinz von Starkenburg, Beowulf, and Pilot, who later sired a total of 84 pups, mostly through being inbred with Hektor''s other offspring. This inbreeding was deemed necessary in order to fix the traits being sought in the breed. Beowulf''s progeny also were inbred and it is from these pups that all German Shepherds draw a genetic link. The society is thought to have achieved its goal since von Stephanitzâs leadership is commonly credited as the creator of the German Shepherd Dog.
Overview
The German Shepherd , [ a ] also known in Britain as an Alsatian , is a German breed of working dog of medium to large size. It is characterized by its intelligent and obedient nature. It was developed in Germany from 1899 by Max von Stephanitz , using various traditional German herding dogs , and gained international recognition after the end of the First World War . It was bred as a herding dog , for herding sheep , but has since been used in many other types of work, including disability assistance , search-and-rescue , police work , and warfare . It is commonly kept as a companion dog , and is among the most frequently registered breeds world-wide.
Health
Many common ailments of the German Shepherd are a result of the inbreeding practised early in the breed''s life. One such common ailment is hip and elbow dysplasia which may cause the dog to experience pain later on in life and may cause arthritis . A study conducted by the University of Zurich found that 45% of the police working dogs were affected by degenerative spinal stenosis, although a small sample size was used. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals found that 19.1% of German Shepherds are affected by hip dysplasia. The German Shepherd Dog is one of the breeds more commonly affected by degenerative myelopathy , which is caused by a mutation in the SOD1 gene. A small study in the UK showed 16% of young asymptomatic German Shepherds to be homozygous for the mutation, with a further 38% being carriers. German Shepherds are among the breeds regularly tested for Von Willebrand disease , an inherited bleeding disorder, and are at risk of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), a degenerative disease of the pancreas . It is estimated that 1% of the UK population of German Shepherds has this disease.
Naming
The breed was named Deutscher SchÀferhund , by von Stephanitz, translating to "German Shepherd Dog." At the time, all other herding dogs in Germany were referred to by this name; they thus became known as Altdeutsche SchÀferhunde , or old German herding dogs . The direct translation of the name was adopted for use in the stud-book ; however, at the end of the First World War , it was thought that use of the word "German" would harm the breed''s popularity in countries that had fought Germany . The breed was officially renamed by the UK Kennel Club to "Alsatian Wolf Dog," after the French region of Alsace bordering Germany. 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. 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. The word "Alsatian" continued to appear in parentheses as part of the formal breed name of the British Kennel Club, until removed in 2010.
Behavior
German Shepherds are moderately active dogs and are described in breed standards as self assured. The breed is marked by a willingness to learn and an eagerness to have a purpose. The breed standard describes them as curious, a trait desirable in roles like guard dogs and search missions. They can become overprotective of their family and territory, especially if not socialised correctly. They are not inclined to become immediate friends with strangers. German Shepherds are highly intelligent and obedient, as well as protective of their owners. German Shepherds were bred specifically for their intelligence . In a list of breeds most likely to bark as watchdogs, Stanley Coren ranked the breed in second place. 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 2020 literature review in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that from 1971 to 2018, of all pure breed dogs in the United States, the German Shepherd was responsible for the most bites severe enough to require hospital treatment. An Australian report from 1999 provides statistics showing that German Shepherds are the breed third most likely to attack a person in some Australian locales. After the reporters evaluated the breedâs popularity, they reduced the percentage of attacks by German Shepherds to 38th place. According to the National Geographic Channel television show Dangerous Encounters , the bite of a German Shepherd has a force of over 1,060 newtons (238 lbf) (compared with that of a Rottweiler , over 1,180â1,460 newtons (265â328 lbf) , a Pit bull , 1,050 newtons (235 lbf) , a Labrador Retriever , of approximately 1,000 newtons (230 lbf) , or a human, of approximately 380 newtons (86 lbf) ).
Lifespan
Overall lifespan is approximately 10 years. : 35 Several studies have found the average lifespan to be lower than the average for all dogs: a 2024 UK study found a mean lifespan of 11.3 years, compared to 12 years for crossbreeds and 12.7 years for purebreds; a 2022 UK study using veterinary records found a value of 10.16 years compared to 11.23 overall and 11.82 for crossbreeds; in Italy a 2024 study found an average of 10 years, the same as the overall average; a 2005 study in Sweden based on insurance data found 51% of German Shepherd dogs died by the age of 10, higher than the overall rate of 35%. A 2015 French study found a mean lifespan of 10.08 years.
Frequently asked questions
What are the key characteristics of the German Shepherd?
The German Shepherd is a medium to large-sized working dog breed. It is characterized by its intelligence, obedience, and loyalty. They have a muscular build, a double coat, and a distinctive black and tan coloration. German Shepherds are highly trainable and often excel in roles such as herding, police work, and guiding the blind.
Is the German Shepherd a good family dog?
German Shepherds can make excellent family dogs for active families. They are loyal and loving, but they do require regular exercise and mental stimulation. With proper training and socialization, German Shepherds can be great companions for children and adults alike. However, they may not be suitable for very young children due to their size and energy level.
What health problems do German Shepherds have?
German Shepherds are prone to various health issues, including hip and elbow dysplasia, digestive problems, and certain types of cancer. They may also be susceptible to allergies and skin conditions. Regular veterinary check-ups and a healthy diet can help mitigate these risks. Responsible breeding practices can also help reduce the incidence of inherited health problems.
How much does a German Shepherd puppy cost?
The cost of a German Shepherd puppy can vary depending on factors such as bloodlines, breeder reputation, and location. On average, a puppy from a reputable breeder can cost between $500 and $1,500. However, prices can range from as low as $200 to over $5,000. It's essential to research and find a reputable breeder to ensure you're getting a healthy puppy.
Where do German Shepherds come from?
The German Shepherd comes from Germany. The breed developed there before spreading to dog fanciers worldwide.
Related breeds
Breed information on this page is based on the Wikipedia article on the German Shepherd, supplemented with additional research. Reviewed for accuracy.