Dog Breed Profile: German Shepherd

The German Shepherd Dog is one of the most recognizable dog breeds in the world and one of the most popular.

History

The German Shepherd Dog (deutchschaferhund or GSD) is only a little over 100 years old, yet is arguably the most versatile dog breed. The GSD was bred to be the finest herding dog in Germany by selecting the best herding stock available, without regard for the way it looked. The final product, introduced at the first Verein show in 1899, was an immediate success.

The usefulness of the dog was demonstrated during WWI when German soldiers used the dog as messengers. So impressed were the soldiers from other countries, that when the war was over they took breeding stock home with them. When two German Shepherds became American film stars, "Braveheart" and "Rin Tin Tin," the breed became popular with the public.

Germany remains the acknowledged leader in breeding a GSD true to type. Their rules for breeding and raising the GSD are enforced by Breed Wardens who are hired by the local breed clubs to ensure conformity to standards.

Classification

German Shepherds were initially classified as "Working Dogs." They were bred to work at a specific job - herding. Later, their mandate expanded beyond herding to military and police work and their training reflected this expanded mandate. To compete in a Sieger dog show in Germany, the GSD must first pass rigorous physical and mental tests in addition to Schutzhund (obedience) qualifications. Looks are not enough; they must also demonstrate physical excellence.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) now classify the GSD as a "Herding Dog," a separate category created from the very large "Working Dog" category. The breed is judged by the same standard in both countries, and have the same breed characteristics.

Names for the GSD

The breed was called an "Alsatian" in England because of the anti-German attitudes left over from the two world wars but England is slowly reverting the GSD back to its original name. Others call them Police Dogs simply because this is where they have been seen so often on television news.

Versatility

The German Shepherd still serves in military and police work but can also be used as a guide dog for the blind, drug and cadaver scent work, therapy dogs, baby sitters, as well as for their original purpose - herding. They are intensely devoted to their owners and trainers, eager to please and learn. They are highly intelligent and need work to keep them stimulated, and occupied. They are happy to "hang out" with the family and do not do well when isolated from human companionship.

Temperament

The German Shepherd temperament should be self-confident, fearless and aloof from strangers, eager and willing to please its owner.

Size

The GSD was designed to be a medium sized dog to provide it with the versatility of movement and stamina needed to herd sheep. Males are not to exceed 25 inches at the shoulder and the females should not be larger than 23 inches. The weight of males is to be between 75-80 pounds and females 60-70 pounds. American breeders have tended toward producing larger and heavier German Shepherds.

Coat

The GSD has a double coat consisting of a dense inner wooly coat covered by longer hairs. They come in two coat types: 1) the shorter coat (the standard), to prevent it from snagging on underbrush, and 2) long coats, distinguished by the length of the outer coat and the length of hair on its ears.

Coat color is not important except when the color is faded or white. (Because of the popularity of the white GSD, however, the AKC does allow them to compete in dog shows as a separate breed.) Coat color can range from sables, the all-black to the more familiar black saddle and black nose with red, tan, gold or grey on the rest of its body.

Grooming

All dogs shed hair constantly and the GSD is no exception. A weekly comb-out or brushing reduces the amount of hair that will end up in the house. Twice a year the GSD sheds its thick woolly undercoat requiring frequent combing and brushing. A bath at these times helps to loosen the undercoat so that the combing will be more effective. A sturdy hand rake is the best grooming tool to help with the undercoat.

The side view

Advertising frequently uses The German Shepherd Dog because it is so distinctive. Its erect ears, long nose, and fearless look are familiar worldwide. The GSD silhouette, from the tip of its head with its erect ears pointing forward, slopes gently down over the shoulders to a rear end characterized by one hind leg forward and the other back. (This stance is not taught. It is appears in puppies as young as four weeks old.) The bushy tail reaches to the back hock. (Too long, or too short, a tail is a defect.) One can envision a drop of water starting at the crown of the head between the ears, rolling down the back to the tail in one single movement.

The GSD in North America has a slightly different profile from the GSD in either the UK or Europe where the "hard back" (a slight roach between wither and hip) is more evident. The show dog in North America tends to have a steeper slope from head to tail with the hindquarters looking as if they are almost crouching. This style, however, is slowly changing.

Health Issues

The GSD in North America is plagued with many diseases. Because of its popularity, some breeders were indiscriminate in their breeding practices, producing larger and larger dogs, dogs with hip problems, and dogs with poor temperaments, just to take advantage of the demand for puppies. Unlike Germany, there is no monitoring system of breeders in N. America. It is almost impossible to find a GSD with no genetic health problems. The ethical breeder tries to minimize these problems in their stock but can only control a few defects in any litter through either linebreeding or inbreeding. The national German Shepherd clubs in both the United States and Canada try to keep their members informed about genetics and breeding stock. Breeders use such organizations as the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) to find breeding stock that is clear of hip dysplasia.

When looking for a GSD as a family home companion, find a reputable breeder who is interested in the puppies they sell and provide you with sources for information about the breed as well as your specific puppy. Not only should you receive a pedigree from the breeder, testifying to its purebred status, but the breeder should either provide you with the application for registration papers from the AKC (which means that the litter has already been registered with the AKC) or send you the final registration papers from the CKC, without extra cost. Ask for copies of the OFA certificates on both parents certifying that they are free of hip and elbow problems. The breeder should also direct you to puppy obedience classes.

Since the usual life span of the GSD is 12 years, having a well-trained dog with a good chance of never developing hip dysplasia, means you will be able to do just about anything you want to do with your German Shepherd Dog.

References

The Canadian Kennel Club Book of Dogs

Willis, The German Shepherd Dog: A Genetic History

http://www.akc.org/breeds/german_shepherd_dog/