| First bred in Germany in the late nineteenth century, | | | | natural disasters. To the notorious criminal, it can act |
| the German shepherd is considered the best liked and | | | | as a ruthless guard but to the visually impaired, it can |
| useful breed of working dogs in the world. Also | | | | serve as a loyal and affectionate companion. German |
| known as Alsatian by British and Americans who | | | | shepherds have proved to be great pets and |
| continued to share anti-German sentiments after the | | | | strongly devoted to their owners including their |
| First World War or Deutscher Schaferhund in the | | | | families and children. |
| German language, it is an average sized dog that can | | | | With their high energy and immense adaptive ability, |
| be used for a wide range of purposes. Besides its | | | | German shepherds can live in the city as they could |
| original use as a farming and herding dog, it is now | | | | in the farm. However, raising a German shepherd can |
| used in police work, security, search and rescue and | | | | be especially challenging since one has to exercise the |
| as a guide and companion. It has the instinctive trait | | | | dog regularly and frequently take it out for walks, |
| to bond strongly with its owner, and it is standoffish | | | | otherwise it can be frustrated by being left alone for |
| and suspicious of strangers. | | | | long periods of time without anything to do. Enrolling |
| Since they can easily be trained to obey commands | | | | the dog in obedience training classes can also be |
| and signals, they are very good working dogs. With | | | | helpful since it would be risky leaving untrained a |
| its distinctive and attractive physical features, a | | | | strong and big German shepherd. Obedience training |
| German shepherd or an Alsatian can grow up to | | | | will also give the dog the opportunity to socialize with |
| around 30 inches in height and up to 40 kilograms in | | | | people and other dogs. Socialization will teach it how |
| weight. It has a thick hard coat which varies from | | | | to deal with the outside environment, increasing its |
| quite short to a much longer one. The coat of a | | | | versatility and adaptability. |
| German shepherd is either reddish-brown, black, | | | | Unlike other breeds of dogs, a German shepherd |
| reddish-yellow or shades of gray or any of the said | | | | requires little but regular grooming. There is no need |
| colors with white, yellow or brown patches and a | | | | to bathe the dog frequently. All that is need is to |
| black saddle. There is however a pure white variety, | | | | brush the coat often in order to remove dead hair, |
| known as the White German shepherd or Alsatian, | | | | dirt and mud. Toenails also need to be trimmed once |
| but this is usually considered a distinct breed. | | | | every three months. Regular veterinary care will also |
| The German shepherd's unique guarding and tracking | | | | be helpful. However, a German shepherd needs to |
| abilities which makes it ideal for police and security | | | | have a diet that would meet the nutritional |
| work did not happen by accident but occurred | | | | requirements of a large breed dog. Feeding it with a |
| through careful breeding from dogs used for herding | | | | high protein dog food and dog vitamins can also help |
| sheep in Germany for many years. The breed | | | | its growth. |
| developed fast and attracted people who needed | | | | If you would love to have a dog that will be loyal and |
| dogs as a brave and intelligent working partner. This | | | | protective at all times, then a German shepherd is |
| dog's versatility has been tested in many situations, | | | | the right dog for you and your family! |
| from the last two World Wars to areas stricken by | | | | |