German Shepherds are loyal, intelligent and courageous dog breed who can put their life on the line for ensuring the safety of their loved ones. The fierce loyalty and devotion to their family make them as one of the best guard dogs. They are also a favourite choice for military and police work as they are highly trainable and ferocious.
Origin
GermanyWeight
Male: Male: 30 - 40 KgHeight
Male: 60 - 65 cmCoat
Double CoatSkin Colour
Most commonly Black and TanLife Span
9 - 13 yearsEnergy Level
Medium energyExercise Needs
HighPlayfulness
Not very playfulAffection Level
Moderately affectionateFriendliness With Other Dogs
ReservedFriendliness Toward Strangers
ReservedTendency to Bark
ModerateTendency to Drool
LowWatchdog Ability
HighGuarding Potential
Very ProtectiveGrooming Needs
Moderate MaintenanceCold Tolerance
MediumHeat Tolerance
MediumVeterinarian Visit
ModerateIf the mother’s milk is unavailable, newborn German Shepherds can be fed powdered milk every 2-3 hours a day or nearly 8 feedings a day. Below are some of the best foods for newborn GSD puppies:
As German Shepherd puppies exhibit high curiosity levels, they have a high energy requirement. For this reason, their diet should have high protein and decent carbohydrate and fat content. Following are some of the best foods for German Shepherd puppies:
As adult German Shepherds requires an active lifestyle, they too need a diet rich in protein. A good amount of fatty acids are also necessary for maintaining good bone and joint function. Below are some of the best foods for adult German Shepherds.
Mature German Shepherds are a little exposed to obesity, hence it is advisable to feed them a diet having low protein and fat content. Overall they should have a moderate calorie intake. Some of the best foods for Senior German Shepherds are:
German Shepherds are self-assured and active dogs. They are a highly curious dog breed having a strong willingness to learn. This trait makes them excellent watchdogs and appropriate for search missions. If not socialized properly, they can be overprotective of their family and may exhibit aggressive behaviour. They may be a bit standoffish to strangers but a well trained German Shepherd understands the difference between a house guest and a robber. They get along well with children making them great family pets. They love to go for walk with their owners and like to explore things in the outside. German Shepherd’s double coat makes them adaptable to both cold and hot climates.
German Shepherds innate need to please and a highly attentive behaviour makes one of the easiest dog breeds to train. German Shepherd thrives in obedience and agility work. As they develop a dominant character when they grow older, it is, therefore, advisable to train them when they are young to teach maximum manners to the German Shepherd.
German Shepherds are heavy shedders and possess a thick double coat that needs regular brushing and grooming. The breeds shed the most during the onset of winters as they develop new coats to stay warm. This is the time they need thorough care of their skin and coat. German Shepherd also needs a little amount of skin attention during which you will find an increased shedding and is called ‘blowing out’. They must be groomed twice weekly and have their coats raked during shedding season to eliminate tick and flea infestation.
German Shepherds possess a considerable amount of energy that needs to be burnt off. Not giving them enough exercise can make them overprotective and aggressive. They require a good 2 hours of physical activity daily to keep them healthy and mentally stimulated (can be split into 2 sessions). Walkers and owners of German Shepherd need to be physically active to keep up with these dogs. Playing fetch with the breeds is an excellent way to release their pent up energy. It also helps to shed that extra weight in them.
German Shepherds are highly sharp and are known to learn a trick with only 5 repetitions.
A study showed they are the 3rd most intelligent out of 100 popular dog breeds.
Pet German Shepherds have been known to take bullets for their owners and put their life on the line with no formal training. This loyal nature makes them excellent service dogs in the military and police.
German Shepherd bite has a force of 238 pounds. Humans have only 86.
There are a lot of bravery stories around German Shepherd. One of them is of Filax of Lewanno who was honoured at Westminister in the United Kingdom for bringing 54 soldiers to safety in World War 1.
They are the second-most registered breed in the US after Labrador.
German Shepherds were bred with a clear objective, a highly intelligent working dog. Max Emil Frederick von Stephanitz, who was the cavalry captain of the Germany army was the pioneer behind the introduction of the German Shepherd breed. During World War 1, German Shepherds helped to locate wounded soildiers and alert the presence of enemies during patrols. Their presence was also soldiers in World War 2, where the Germans utilised them for helping the soldiers in the battlefield. Today, their faithful, reliable and affectionate behaviour have made them one of the preferred family dogs.
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