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.
Fast Facts On German Shepherd
Origin
Germany
Weight
Male: Male: 30 - 40 Kg Female: 22 - 32 Kg
Height
Male: 60 - 65 cm Female: 55 - 60 cm
Coat
Double Coat
Skin Colour
Most commonly Black and Tan
Life Span
9 - 13 years
German Shepherd Characteristics
Energy Level
Medium energy
Exercise Needs
High
Playfulness
Not very playful
Affection Level
Moderately affectionate
Friendliness With Other Dogs
Reserved
Friendliness Toward Strangers
Reserved
Tendency to Bark
Moderate
Tendency to Drool
Low
Watchdog Ability
High
Guarding Potential
Very Protective
Grooming Needs
Moderate Maintenance
Cold Tolerance
Medium
Heat Tolerance
Medium
Veterinarian Visit
Moderate
What Are The Best Foods For German Shepherds?
Food For Newborn German Shepherds (Birth to 8 Weeks)
If 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:
Food For German Shepherd Puppies (2 Months to 2 Years)
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:
Food For Adult German Shepherds (2 Years to 9 Years)
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.
Food For Senior German Shepherds (9 Years and Above)
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.
Are German Shepherds Easy To Train?
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.
Do German Shepherds Shed?
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.
How Much Physical Activity Does A German Shepherd Need?
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.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Having A German Shepherd?
Pros
German Shepherds are one of the most loyal breeds and their affection with children makes them excellent family pets.
They are also quick learners making them easy to train.
Frequent baths are not needed for GSD’s as they are naturally clean and odourless.
They are an all-weather dog and can adapt itself to any climates.
Cons
They shed heavily during spring and winters making the grooming little cumbersome.
Being an active breed, they are quite vulnerable to arthritis and may require a frequent visit to the vet.
If they are not trained and socialized properly, there are higher chances of them showing destructive and aggressive behaviour.
They are not the happiest dogs when isolated. They need a good amount of attention.
Some Interesting Facts About German Shepherds
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.
History Of German Shepherds
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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