German shepherd dog breed profile

For the uninitiated, German Shepherd Dogs are also called the Alsatian in England and other parts of Europe. According to the American Kennel Club, the German Shepherd is the 2^nd most popular breed of dog in the world.

We often see German Shepherds in cop movies and cop shows. German Shepherds are used in law enforcement and as cadaver dogs, which means they can find dead bodies. They are also used to sniff out drugs, explosive devices and other hazards.

These intelligent dogs are very easy to train, which is one of the main reasons that they are commonly used as working dogs. You’ll often see this breed assisting police officers, first responders and military personnel, but they also make wonderful service dogs for civilians.

German Shepherds are loyal and courageous. They make wonderful house dogs, as they enjoy spending time with their owners and will do their part to protect the home. In fact, these dogs excel at pretty much everything they are trained to do.

German Shepherd Breed Profile

Main Characteristics of German Shepherds

These large breed dogs can certainly be intimidating when they want to, but they are also very affectionate and are known to be great dogs to have around children. The German Shepherd is a very common dog for families, as they are active and enjoy spending time with their human pack.

Although they can do alright in apartment settings, this breed craves space to run and play. They enjoy being active and love getting outdoors for walks, hikes or swimming. If you’re considering adopting a German Shepherd, be sure that you have plenty of time to give him the exercise that he needs.

You’ll also have to make time for regular brushing. The German Shepherd has a thick double coat that requires regular brushing. They also shed a lot. Their iconic look is certainly stunning, but you’ll have to be willing to put in the time to upkeep their coat.

Size of German Shepherds

German Shepherds are large dogs. On average they can range from 22 to 26 inches high at the shoulder. These dogs usually weigh between 75 to 95 pounds. Like most breeds, females are usually smaller than their male counterparts.

Lifespan of the German Shepherd

Typically, German Shepherds live for 10 to 14 years. However, with the right conditions, your German Shepherd could live longer. Make sure to have your dog checked out by your local veterinarian to ensure that he is healthy.

Keeping him in optimal shape can add a couple of years to his life while letting him become obese can take years off of it. The less strain that your dog has on his body, the happier and healthier he will be.

Physical Characteristics of the German Shepherd

German Shepherds are strong and stoic dogs. They have a long lean body, which is achieved by lots of exercise. Their muzzle is long and their ears are always alert. Their ears stick straight up and are perpendicular to the ground.

German Shepherds come in different colors such as black, brown, and even white. There is also sable, red and black, black and cream, black and silver, black and tan, blue, liver, and gray. White is not recognized as a competition color. Most have the distinguishable markings of a black mask on their face, and many also have a black back.

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Reputable breeders do not breed German Shepherds with blue, liver and white-colored coats. This breed can be either short-haired, medium-haired or long-haired. Long-haired German Shepherds do not need as much grooming maintenance as the short-haired variety.

Living Arrangements for German Shepherd Dogs

This breed need a lot of space to roam around. It is not good to keep them locked up in a tiny apartment. They must have a large yard to play in. Because of how strong their legs are, they need to have a fenced in yard that is higher than three-feet tall.

German Shepherds enjoy doing anything outdoors, whether it is playing fetch or herding animals. If you do live in an apartment, make sure to take the time to walk your German Shepherd so that he does not get bored and chew on the furniture or be a nuisance by barking all the time.

German Shepherds are great for any active individual or family. Where they require so much exercise, they need to have an active family that will be home with them and include them in their day to day activities. These dogs enjoy being around children, as they make excellent playmates.