Questions About German Shepherd Dogs

German shepherd dogs fill many roles. They are companions and working dogs. According to the American Kennel Club, the German shepherd is the world's leading police, guard and military canine, and by AKC registration statistics, one of the most popular breeds in the United States. The German shepherd dog is also called the Alsatian. The name of the breed was officially changed in Britain during World War II.

  1. History

    • The first registered German Shepherd dog was named Horand von Grafrath and was registered by Captain Max von Stephanitz in 1889. Horand von Grafrath was yellow and gray, medium sized and was working at herding sheep. Von Stephanitz founded the German Shepherd Dog Club the next year and the German Shepherd Dog Club of America was founded in 1915. The German shepherd dog is listed in the herding group by the AKC and was first recognized by the AKC in 1908.

    Appearance

    • The male German shepherd dog averages 24 to 26 inches in height and 80 to 90 lbs. in weight. The female averages 22 to 24 inches in height and 70 to 80 lbs. in weight. The coat is medium in length. German shepherds' coloring can be sable, black and tan, bi-color or solid black. The black and tan coloring is the most common. Coloring can also be blue, liver or white, but those colors are considered a fault by breed standards.

    Personality

    • According to the AKC, the German shepherd dog is often a good choice for families. The AKC states that German shepherds are fun-loving and good with children. They are loyal and take guarding their homes and families as a serious responsibility. In general, German shepherds do not show affection until they have established a relationship with a new person. Once they do establish that relationship they have an unwavering loyalty.

    Health

    • German shepherd dogs are prone to some hereditary conditions. These include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, blood disorders, digestive problems, bloat, dwarfism, epilepsy and inflammation of the cornea. German shepherds require daily exercise and can become bored without some training activity to occupy their intelligence. German shepherds shed throughout the year and need to be brushed daily, but bathing requirements are infrequent. The life expectancy of a German shepherd is about 13 years.

    Occupations

    • The German shepherd is one of the most popular working breeds. Responsibilities given to German shepherds include herding, police work, assisting disabled people, search and rescue, tracking and guarding. Many drug and bomb detection dogs are German shepherds. Buddy, a German shepherd, was--in 1928--the first canine to be trained as a Seeing Eye dog.