German Shepherd Dog: traits, training, care

German Shepherd Dog - traits, how to train and care for it to ensure harmonious development

The German Shepherd is one of the most appreciated dog breeds, both for its remarkable beauty and for its intelligence and ability to interact with people and other pets. Loyal, imposing, and energetic, these dogs are renowned for their ability to quickly learn new instructions and interpret commands. All these qualities are some of the reasons why the German Shepherd is one of the most popular breeds among police, search and rescue, or guard dogs.

At the same time, it is an excellent family dog, with a personality that fascinates adults and children alike. Below, we have prepared a brief guide on the main characteristics of the German Shepherd breed, the behavior of such a dog, and how to care for it correctly. You will also find out what aspects you should consider before deciding to raise a German Shepherd and what optimal conditions you should provide for its harmonious development.

• Main Characteristics of the German Shepherd Breed
• German Shepherd Behavior
• How to Properly Care for a German Shepherd
• How to Raise a German Shepherd in Optimal Conditions - Useful Tips
• Ensure a German Shepherd is the Right Dog for You

Main Characteristics of the German Shepherd Breed

There are many reasons why the German Shepherd is part of the so-called "canine royalty" club, but experts say their defining attribute is their personality: loyalty, courage, confidence, the ability to learn commands for complex tasks, and the willingness to even lay down their lives to protect loved ones. These dogs are gentle pets and firm "guardians" at the same time, but remember that there is a breed standard, according to which the German Shepherd maintains a certain distance, as they do not form immediate friendships with just anyone. Alongside Labradors or Golden Retrievers, the German Shepherd is one of the preferred dog breeds for families, especially when children are involved, as well as for institutions that train them for special missions.

Main Physical Traits of a German Shepherd

The first impression a German Shepherd gives you is that of a strong, agile, muscular, alert, and lively dog. It is very balanced, both physically and in terms of behavior.

Physical Description:

• height: male: 60-65 cm, female: 55-60 cm;
• weight: male: 30-40 kg, female: 22-32 kg;
• colors: black, black with beige/brown patches, black-brown, grey, reddish and black, silver and black;
• temperament: obedient, intelligent, courageous, alert, confident, vigilant, loyal;
• average lifespan: 12-14 years.

Brief History of the German Shepherd Breed

The German Shepherd (Deutsche Schäferhund) or wolfdog is a medium/large-sized dog of German origin. In the late 1800s, German cavalry officer Captain Max von Stephanitz set out to develop the best German Shepherd, a breed that was used for sheep flocks. In Germany, there were numerous varieties of shepherds that interbred, resulting in the (recent) ancestors of today's dog. Von Stephanitz co-founded the first club dedicated to the German Shepherd and spent 35 years promoting and refining this breed.

Today, the German Shepherd is valued for its versatility, demonstrated by its ability to perform complex tasks, and it's easy to forget that it was originally bred to guard and herd sheep. The famous qualities of the German Shepherd, such as intelligence, agility, speed, and a general air of firm authority, were cultivated in special missions, making German Shepherds preferred dogs in the army, police, security and protection services, search and rescue missions, and even in films, but these traits were acquired long before, alongside the sheep flocks.

Types of German Shepherds

Depending on their coat, there are several types of German Shepherds:

Short-Haired German Shepherd

These are the standard representatives of the breed and usually participate in beauty contests. They are dogs with short hair and an undercoat (warm and waterproof). For this reason, they can adapt more easily to unfavorable weather conditions than long-haired dogs, for example, but they will shed more often and need thorough brushing. Short-haired German Shepherds are renowned for their performance as working dogs – they are trained for rescue missions in the police and military units. They have a neutral, even distant demeanor towards strangers, but are devoted to their loved ones.

Long-Haired German Shepherd

The main difference from short-haired German Shepherds is that long-haired ones generally do not have a double coat, meaning they have less hair than those with short hair. The hairs are long on the body, tail, face, and ears and have a silky texture. Some specimens may also have a double coat. Long-haired German Shepherds are more sociable than short-haired ones because they are not working dogs, they shed less frequently, and their coats are easier to maintain.

"Fluffy" Coated German Shepherd

These are German Shepherds with medium-length fur, meaning between short and long. They have two layers of fur, the inner one having a rougher, wool-like texture, and the outer, longer one being silky.

German Shepherd Behavior

Intelligent, confident, active, curious, and agile, the German Shepherd is, by definition, a dog with a strong personality. It is constantly seeking a purpose and has an extraordinary ability to learn continuously. This is why they are excellent guard dogs or for search and rescue missions.

Their loyalty and affection towards those who raise them are remarkable and can sometimes become overly protective of their family or territory if not properly trained. They tend not to be immediately friendly with new people, as they are suspicious and need time to build trust. When a German Shepherd is with its family, it will always be attentive to what is happening around it, so that none of its members are in danger.

In relation to children, it is a wonderful playmate, but it is important to teach it to socialize from a young age. Otherwise, it may tend to be dominant towards children.

Regarding behavior towards other pets, the German Shepherd is generally a very calm dog, but when provoked, it can become aggressive.

How to Properly Care for a German Shepherd

The beauty and health of a German Shepherd evidently depend on how well you know how to care for it. It is a breed with particular needs that you must take into account, especially regarding food, physical exercise, and avoiding or managing common ailments in German Shepherds.

How to Care for German Shepherd Puppies

A female German Shepherd typically gives birth to 8 or 12 puppies. It is important to take them for training from a young age and teach them to socialize. Strenuous physical exertion is not recommended at an early age, as it can affect their proper development. Gentle, outdoor games are, however, welcome. Regarding nutrition, a German Shepherd puppy needs food rich in protein. Various vegetables, rice, bread, or pasta can also be added to a puppy's diet. In fact, even in its later diet, you can add small portions of yogurt, cooked vegetables, eggs, if it is not allergic or does not have any food intolerance.

What is the Right Diet for German Shepherds

When it comes to the right diet for a German Shepherd, you must consider that it is a medium to large-sized and very energetic dog. Therefore, it needs a diet that provides the necessary protein, minerals, and vitamins it requires. Nutrition for this breed is very important, and from the time they are puppies and juniors, it is advisable to offer them a varied and balanced diet to ensure their proper development. Consult with your veterinarian and find out what type of food is appropriate based on your dog's age, whether it has been spayed or neutered, and if it has various medical conditions. Here are some examples of suitable food for your German Shepherd:

Dry food for dogs Royal Canin Breed German Shepherd Puppy 3 kg - intended for German Shepherd juniors, between 2 and 14 months old; this type of food contains 31% protein, 16% fat, 1.8% fiber, 7.9% ash, 1% phosphorus, 1.26% phosphorus; it is also a food rich in minerals.

Dry food for dogs Royal Canin Breed German Shepherd Adult 11 kg - intended for adult German Shepherds, contains 24% protein, 19% fat, 4% fiber, 6.5% ash; it is also a balanced food that includes minerals, soybean oil, fish oil, or coconut oil.

Dry food for dogs Equilibrio Adult Dogs, with Chicken, 12 + 2 Kg - specially designed for adult medium and large-sized dogs, it is a complete type of food, containing 25% protein, 15% crude fat, 2.5% fiber, 7% ash, 1.3% calcium, 1% phosphorus; it is also a food rich in vitamins and minerals.

Dry food for dogs Royal Canin Breed German Shepherd Adult 5+, 12 kg - after the age of 5, a German Shepherd is considered a senior and needs special food for its needs; it contains an antioxidant complex for cell maintenance, high-quality proteins that contribute to the synthesis of proteins in skeletal muscles, phosphorus, which is important for kidney health, Omega-3 fatty acids and hydrolyzed collagen for joint protection and health, easily digestible proteins and soluble and insoluble fibers for easy digestion and optimal nutrient absorption.

How to Properly Train a German Shepherd

German Shepherds are renowned for their intelligence. Agile, obedient, and loyal, they are among the most popular breeds chosen for search, rescue, or guard missions. They have the ability to learn a lot of complex commands very quickly. Even if your pet will not participate in police and army missions, you must remember that it is a dog that needs a daily exercise program. Training should ideally start when it is a puppy, from 7-8 weeks of age. Be careful, however! Physical activity should not be too intense, and the difficulty of the training should increase progressively with age.
Read also How to train your dog - effective methods and useful tips

How to Care for Your German Shepherd's Health

To prevent the development of various conditions or monitor the manifestations of existing ones, it is essential to take your dog to the veterinarian for vaccinations and routine check-ups every six months or more often, if necessary. Among the diseases frequently encountered in this breed are:

• von Willebrand disease, hemophilia A and B - the immune system of a German Shepherd is generally under a lot of strain; it is a breed that has a low concentration of Immunoglobulin A, which increases the risk of infections;
• digestive problems - the digestive system of German Shepherds is sensitive, and chronic diarrhea caused by various food intolerances, colitis (inflammatory bowel disease), hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, and pancreatic insufficiency can occur; therefore, the type of food you offer is very important, meaning it should be rich in easily digestible and absorbable proteins;
• hip or elbow dysplasia - can cause pain as they age and can even lead to arthritis;
• degenerative myelopathy - also known as chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy, it is a hereditary disease; it usually appears in dogs over 7 years old and leads to paralysis of the hind limbs.

How to Raise a German Shepherd in Optimal Conditions - Useful Tips

Beyond caring for it correctly and giving it all the attention it needs, it's important to consider the aspects related to creating optimal conditions for your pet to be a beautiful and healthy representative of its breed. Therefore, remember that:

• it doesn't like to be alone - no matter what type of German Shepherd you raise, don't forget that it is a very sociable dog that needs your presence and that of your loved ones around it; long periods of your absence from home are not good for it, as it can become anxious and bored; training is necessary if you have a job that doesn't allow you to stay home for very long;
• keep it occupied constantly - it is a very energetic and intelligent dog that needs play, exercise, and training from which it can learn something every day;
• it is distant with strangers - to ensure it won't have exaggerated reactions towards strangers, it's good to accustom it to the presence of people; take it to the park, let it socialize; don't think it will no longer be loyal to you, because it is intelligent enough to know which family it belongs to; then, if you have children, especially babies, it's good to accustom the dog to their scent and teach it that they are part of the family, so it can develop protective behavior;
• do not tie it up - of course, you can walk it on a leash when you go out on the street, but if you have a large yard, never tie it up; it loves to run free and explore its surroundings;
• supervise it, especially when it's a puppy and adolescent - the German Shepherd is very curious, and especially when it's a puppy or in its adolescence, you need to supervise it like a child, so it doesn't get hurt or swallow various objects;
• brush it thoroughly - a shiny and healthy coat doesn't just depend on correct nutrition, but also on how you brush the dog; it is recommended to do this operation daily, but if you don't have this possibility, at least twice a week; it sheds twice a year, and during those periods, you will have to brush it more;
• be careful when bathing it and trimming its claws - a German Shepherd only needs to be bathed occasionally if it doesn't spend much time outdoors; it's important to trim its claws every month, but only if they don't exfoliate naturally; check their length, because overly long claws can cause pain and other problems;
• take good care of its teeth and ears - generally, it has strong teeth, but to keep them healthy, it's advisable to brush your dog's teeth at least twice a week; clean its ears weekly.

Ensure a German Shepherd is the Right Dog for You

Before you decide to raise a German Shepherd, it would be wise to ensure it is indeed the right dog for you and your loved ones. This is to have realistic expectations regarding their behavior, how they should be cared for, the budget required to raise such a dog, and the possibilities of creating an optimal environment for them to develop and be happy. Specifically, here are some aspects you should reflect on:

• ask yourself useful questions - why do you want a dog? Where will you raise it? How much time and financial resources can you allocate to having a dog? What is your lifestyle?;
• don't rely too much on what you see in movies or magazines - many people adopt German Shepherd puppies because they are cute and seem very easy to train; if this thought appeals to you, don't just focus on the period when your German Shepherd is a puppy; they will grow and become an imposing adult of 20-40 kilograms, and if you don't raise them properly, they will dominate you, and it will be very difficult to work with them;
• not all German Shepherds are the same - although it is a sociable dog, not all individuals are alike; some of them do not feel very comfortable in large families with many children, nor in typical apartment buildings;
• the dog's behavior - by definition, it is an energetic dog, therefore, it needs space to move or frequent walks to expend its energy; moreover, it is not a dog that plays alone, so you will have to give it time and attention; keep in mind that it is an action-oriented dog and will constantly need something to do;
• consider potential health problems - generally, it is a robust and resilient dog, but it can have quite a few health issues; the question you should ask yourself is whether you have a budget for such things and if you are prepared to face difficult situations.

The German Shepherd is one of the most appreciated dog breeds, suitable for both a warm, family environment and special police, military, rescue, or reconnaissance missions. If you choose such a dog, you will undoubtedly gain a reliable, loyal, intelligent, energetic friend, ready to give its life for your and your loved ones' protection. In return, however, you will have to take good care of it, because it is a dog with a lot of personality. Your mission is not an easy one, but by following some useful recommendations and tips, like those above, you will be able to build a beautiful and lasting relationship with a special dog.

See also other dog breeds

Photo source: Shutterstock

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