German Shepherd dogs are among the most loved and popular dogs in the world. They are noted for their extreme intelligence and obedience which make them suitable as working dogs and companion dogs at the same time. They German Shepherd originated from German flock dogs which were selectively bred to bring out the best shepherds. They have instinctive herding instincts and they are also very protective.

Care is needed when bringing up German Shepherd dogs because they tend to be aggressive and territorial when not properly socialized and trained. They love to be around people and are often used as working dogs for police work, investigative work and Seeing Eye dogs for the blind. The breed is also commonly known as Alsatians in the United Kingdom and Deutsch Schaferhund in Germany. They are commonly categorized under working breeds or herding breeds in most kennel clubs but are also suitable companion dogs.

Standards and Appearance

The German Shepherd dogs’ colors are usually dark with light markings. Usual colors are black and tan, black and red, black and silver, black and cream, black and brown, liver and tan and blue and tan. They also have solid colors which are black and white. They may also have tri-colors or sable colors with different markings on them. Solid white German Shepherd dogs are often not included in shows because they go against the guard dog standard of being very distinctive at night. Other pet owners, on the other hand, prefer white German Shepherd dogs because of their unique color.

German Shepherd dogs have long muzzles and long pointed ears that stand erect. The different international kennel clubs have different standards for the German Shepherd. The differences may be in the body structure, size, colors and weight. There are Giant German Shepherds bred specifically to bring out their large size and heights but these are often disqualified from shows because they do not fit the breed standard and they tend to have bone problems as they grow older.

Temperament and Health of the German Shepherd

German Shepherd dogs are highly intelligent and can be trained easily to do many jobs. They are very loyal and devoted to their owners and the family. Many German Shepherds have been documented to have saved the lives of their human families.

Large dogs are prone to hip dysplasia and other joint and bone problems. German Shepherd dogs are not exceptions to this. They also might to be checked for skin allergies and eye and ear problems.