Animalso

  • Dog Food
    • 20 Best Puppy Foods in 2020
    • 23 Best Senior Dog Food
    • Dog Food For Specific Breeds
    • Dog Food Brands Reviews
    • Can I Give My Dog THIS
  • Dog Crates
    • Best Dog Crates of 2020
    • Best 15 Small Dog Crates
    • Best 30 Large Dog Crates
    • Best 10 Airline Approved Dog Carriers and Crates in 2020
    • 8 Best Heavy Duty Dog Crates in 2020
    • What To Put (And NOT To Put) In A Dog Crate And Where to Place it
    • What Size Dog Crate Do You Need? [The Ultimate Guide]
  • Dog Training
  • Pet Product Reviews
  • Breeds
    • By Size
      • Toy Dog Breeds
      • Small Dog Breeds
      • Medium Dog Breeds
      • Large Dog Breeds
      • Giant Dog Breeds
    • By Characteristics
      • Smartest
      • Best Family
      • Kids Friendly
      • Easy To Train
      • Best Guard
      • Cutest
      • Low Shedding
  • Save 30% On Dog’s Supplies
You are here: Home / Breeds / 7 Facts About The German Shepherd

7 Facts About The German Shepherd

Leave a Comment

Last Updated on July 21st, 2020

German ShepherdThe German Shepherd is a medium to large breed that originated from Germany, generally used as working dogs. They are known to be intelligent and easy to train, especially for police work. They are 24 to 26 inches tall, weighing between 66 to 88 pounds. German Shepherd’s lifespan is around 9 to 13 years.

Related:
Best Dog Food for German Shepherds

Contents & Quick Navigation

  • The German Shepherd Photos
  • 1. She’s a popular choice
  • 2. She was the first Guide Dog for the blind
  • 3. She’s incredibly intelligent
  • 4. She loves her family
  • 5. Her coat takes many forms…
    • Coat patterns
    • Coat colors
    • Coat lengths
  • 6. …and she sheds like you wouldn’t believe
  • 7. She’s prone to hip and elbow dysplasia
  • Conclusion
  • Read also:
    • German Shepherd mixes

The German Shepherd Photos

german shepherd puppiesGerman ShepherdGerman ShepherdGerman ShepherdGerman ShepherdGerman ShepherdGerman ShepherdGerman Shepherdgerman shepherd puppiesgerman shepherd puppiesgerman shepherd puppiesgerman shepherd puppieswhite german shepherdBlack German ShepherdBlack German ShepherdBlack German ShepherdBlack German Shepherdwhite german shepherdwhite german shepherd

Here are 7 facts about the German Shepherd:

1. She’s a popular choice

The German Shepherd breed gained worldwide fame with the arrival of the canine hero Rin Tin Tin on the screens in 1922. He appeared in 27 Hollywood films and was a massive success. In fact, it is said that Rin Tin Tin saved Warner Bros. from bankruptcy.

Today, according to the AKC registration stats, the German Shepherd is the second most popular dog breed in the U.S. and is a much-loved dog breed the world over. So, if you’re going to get a German Shepherd, you’re not alone!

The popularity of this breed just shows you what a great companion she makes. It also means there is a lot known about the health and typical characteristics of this breed, tried and tested by millions of owners.

2. She was the first Guide Dog for the blind

Thought she was only famous for Rin Tin Tin? Nope. A female German Shepherd called Buddy was the first Guide dog. In 1928, after training for a month in Switzerland, she came back to the U.S. with her blind owner, Morris Frank. She wowed an audience of reporters and onlookers as she helped him across one of the busiest roads in New York.

After this, dogs assisting people became commonplace, and, along with Golden Retrievers and Labradors, many of the guide dogs used today are German Shepherds.

3. She’s incredibly intelligent

German ShepherdThe German Shepherd is listed by the AKC as the third most intelligent dog breed. This may not come as a surprise, given that she is used in the police, the military, search and rescue and, as we have already seen, as a Guide dog.

The German Shepherd is easy to train, as she learns commands quickly and usually obeys.

As well as the physical exercise of at least an hour a day, she needs to be stimulated mentally, too.

When she is 7 or 8 weeks, you should begin obedience training with her. You could also take her to puppy classes when she reaches 10 weeks. I suggest you move onto more advanced commands (e.g. “wait,” “watch me,” “find it”) once she has mastered the basics, and it’s also worth getting her some interactive toys, like canine puzzles.

4. She loves her family

The German Shepherd bonds strongly to her family. She likes to be close to you and does not do well if left on her own for long periods of time.

German Shepherd with KidShe is excellent with children (though she should always be supervised) and usually good with other pets, too.

She makes a great guard dog, as she is suspicious of strangers. However, if you want her to be a sociable family dog, you must socialize her with people and begin training her consistently from puppyhood. Her loyalty to her family may take on the form of aggression towards strangers, otherwise.

Invite friends and neighbors to the house regularly and let her see that they are not a threat. Once she has sniffed them out, have them give her treats and lots of affection in order to create a positive association.

5. Her coat takes many forms…

The image of a typical German Shepherd is a dog who is tan with black covering her back. However, this dog can come in many colors, as well as coat patterns.

Coat patterns

German Shepherd Coat

As for patterns, she can be:

  • Solid (entirely black or entirely white*)
  • Bi-color (black with tan legs)
  • Saddleback (where the color black covers her back and sides like a saddle)
  • Sable (a light overall coat with black-tipped hairs and typically a black mask)

Coat colors

When it comes to colors, she can come in:

  • Black
  • Sable
  • Black and red
  • Black and tan
  • Black and cream
  • Blue
  • Red and black
  • Black and silver
  • Grey
  • Liver (brown)

*There is a White German Shepherd, who is completely white. However, this color is not accepted in the German Shepherd standard, and so she is recognized as a separate breed by the AKC.

German Shepherd

Did you know that all German Shepherd puppies are born either black, gray or white? A German Shepherd puppy’s coat color cannot be determined until she reaches about 8 weeks of age, so if you get her before, her color could continue to change.

Coat lengths

German Shepherds can have short, medium, or long coats. They usually have thick fur with an undercoat.

6. …and she sheds like you wouldn’t believe

This leads on nicely to the next point: the German Shepherd sheds A LOT. She loses hair all year round, as well as twice a year (in spring and fall) when she sheds her undercoat.

She will need brushing a few times a week for 15 minutes to keep her coat healthy, and those hairs out of your carpet. During shedding season, I advise daily brushing.

Oh, and, expect to use your vacuum cleaner regularly! If I were you, I’d invest in a high-quality one with good suction for sucking up pet hair!

7. She’s prone to hip and elbow dysplasia

german shepherd puppiesThe top two major health concerns for this breed are hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. Both conditions involve the malformation of bones and can cause great pain to dogs.

It is important when getting the German Shepherd that you buy him from a reputable breeder. If responsible, they should be able to show you the medical history of the German Shepherd puppy’s parents, as well as a certificate showing that both parents are free of this condition.

Another important thing is to provide her with dog food good for German Shepherds, which contains chondroitin and glucosamine.

Conclusion

So now you know the German Shepherd a little better. She’s popular, intelligent, loyal, children-friendly, a high shedder, and prone to a genetic disorder called hip dysplasia. Not only that, but she has famous ancestors, including Buddy the first Seeing Eye dog and Rin Tin Tin. What a dog!

Got anything to add on the German Shepherd? Let me know below!

Read also:

  • Difference between German Shepherd and Dutch Shepherd
  • Difference between German Shepherd and Shiloh Shepherd
  • Difference between German Shepherd and King Shepherd
  • Difference between German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois
  • German Shepherd Weight and Growth charts
  • German Shepherd Hip Dysplasia: What You Need to Know
  • 500+ of the Best German Shepherd Names
  • How to Get a German Shepherd Service Dog
  • The Ultimate Guide to German Shepherd Training
  • Your Inside Scoop to the Remarkable Long-Haired German Shepherd
  • Introducing the Miniature German Shepherd

German Shepherd mixes

  • German Shepherd and Doberman Mix (Doberman Shepherd)
  • German Shepherd and Lab Mix (Sheprador)
  • German Shepherd and Rottweiler Mix
  • Corgi and German Shepherd Mix (Corman Shepherd)
  • German Shepherd and Siberian Husky Mix (Gerberian Shepsky)
  • Golden Retriever and German Shepherd Mix (Golden Shepherd)
  • German Shepherd and Pitbull mix (Sheppit)
  • German Shepherd and Wolf mix

About Alexandra Animalso

I was raised to be a dog person. My first Shepherd grew up as I did and wanted to be where I was at all times. I got my second dog as a 16th birthday present, and her loyalty for me was just as strong as my first. I hope that my contribution to Animalso will help others find dogs who give them that same unconditional love.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Breeds

  • A Guide to the 11 Best Japanese Dog Breeds
    A Guide to the 11 Best Japanese Dog Breeds
  • 23 Stunning Dogs That Look Like Wolves
    23 Stunning Dogs That Look Like Wolves
  • Get to Know the White Boxer and What Makes It Special
    Get to Know the White Boxer and What Makes It Special
  • The Poodle: A One-Stop Guide to this Friendly, Versatile Dog
    The Poodle: A One-Stop Guide to this Friendly, Versatile Dog

Popular Purebreds

  • What Is The Shikoku Dog? We’re About To Find Out
    What Is The Shikoku Dog? We’re About To Find Out
  • 7 Things You Need To Know About The Siberian Husky
    7 Things You Need To Know About The Siberian Husky
  • Everything You Need to Know About the Russian Bear Dog
    Everything You Need to Know About the Russian Bear Dog
  • 6 Facts to Know About the Beautiful White Swiss Shepherd
    6 Facts to Know About the Beautiful White Swiss Shepherd

Popular Cross Breeds

  • A Lovable Surprise: The Doxiepoo
    A Lovable Surprise: The Doxiepoo
  • The Corgi & Golden Retriever Mix Is About To Melt Your Heart
    The Corgi & Golden Retriever Mix Is About To Melt Your Heart
  • The Cockapoo: The Cuddly Companion Dog
    The Cockapoo: The Cuddly Companion Dog
  • Shichon 101: Everything You Need to Know About This Breed
    Shichon 101: Everything You Need to Know About This Breed

Affiliate Disclosure

Animalso.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Navigation

  • About Us
  • Contacts
  • Privacy Policy & Disclaimer

© 2021 · Animalso