German Shepherd Dog
The
German Shepherd Dog or
Alsatian is a
breed of
dog. Because they are eager to please, they are easily trained in
obedience and protection. German Shepherd Dogs are often used as
working dogs in many capacities, including
search and rescue (SAR) dogs,
military dogs,
police dogs, or
guard dogs. They are also used as
assistance dogs (particularly
guide dogs), though not as much as
Labrador Retrievers and
Golden Retrievers.
The German Shepherd Dog is a large, strong, handsome-looking dog. The fur is a double-coat and can be either short or long haired. It varies in color, coming in many different shades, mostly cream (tan) and brown, but also solid black or white. Dogs with coats that have tricolored hair (black and white with either brown or red) are called sable or agouti. Different kennel clubs have different standards for the breed according to size, weight, coat color, and structure.
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German Shepherd puppy at 8 weeks old |
Common faults
There are several common features that are disqualifying faults in
show dogs:
*Ears that never stand up completely; instead, the top 10 to 15 percent of the ear remains floppy. These are called "friendly-tipped" dogs.
*A small percentage of GSDs have a tail that stands vertically, exposing their anus. This is also a disqualifying fault in all GSDs.
*A muzzle that is not predominantly black is considered a disqualification only in American show GSDs.
Breed lines
There are several types or
lines of GSD and the behavior, abilities, and appearance of each is quite different. The major lines are the international working line, the international
show line, and the North American show line.
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Black Sable (or gray) GSD, the original color and still common in working lines |
Dogs from
FCI-recognised
international working lines are bred primarily for traits involving their working ability rather than appearance, so their appearance can be somewhat varied.
The FCI-recognized
international show lines differ in that emphasis is given more to the appearance of the dog when breeding, so they are very consistent in type or appearance.
The
North American show lines have also been bred primarily for their looks, but have a markedly different appearance from the international dogs, featuring a noticeably sloped back and sharp angulation of the hock joint. There is a current debate over whether the American show lines still represent the original German Shepherd Dog, or whether the line has become distinct enough that it should be considered a separate breed. Critics of the American line argue that the working ability of these dogs has been lost, and that the angled back is detrimental to the health of the animal. Proponents of the line believe that the altered bone structure of their dogs represents an improvement to the herding ability of the animals.
In the erstwhile
GDR, the German Shepherds more closely adhered to the old prewar standard marked by straighter back, longer and denser coat and darker color. These dogs are now praised for breeding working dogs as they are less prone to
hip dysplasia. Attempts to preserve this distinct line and raise it to the status of an officially recognized breed ("
East German Shepherd Dog") are stalled.
Variant sizes and coats
Some groups or breeders have focused on variants or mutations of the breed that are not recognized by most kennel clubs as acceptable
show GSDs but that might eventually become breeds on their own.
;White coat
|
White German Shepherd Dog |
A white (or very light), but not
albino, version of the German Shepherd has also always occurred, but was designated a disqualifying fault in the AKC in the late 1960s. The white coat is considered a fault by International (FCI)
Fédération Cynologique Internationale breed standards in most parts of the world.
The white coat, however, does not prevent the white-coated German Shepherd Dog from being registered in the AKC as a German Shepherd Dog. White Shepherds hold champion titles in the UKC (United Kennel Club).Now, some breeders selectively breed White Shepherds for their beautiful snowy white coats and physical stature, striving for a Shepherd that closely resembles the original dog; less angular than today's German Shepherd breed. See the
WGSDCA or
American White Shepherd Association for more detail. However, the white German Shepherd has been recognised by some organisations under the name
Berger Blanc Suisse (or
White Shepherd Dog).
;Long-haired coat : The so-called "long-haired German Shepherd" is considered a "fault" in the German Shepherd Dog breed according to American Kennel Club standards as well as the International (FCI) breed standard. The long hair
gene is
recessive. Dogs with this coat look somewhat like the
Tervueren type of
Belgian Shepherd Dog. An example with pictures can be found
here. Popular myth holds that long-haired GSDs ("fuzzies") are more affectionate, but there is little evidence for this. Long coats usually have no or little undercoat, thus they can be rather sensitive to extreme weather.
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Long Haired German Shepherd |
;Giant shepherd : Some organizations recognize a deliberately bred, larger variation of the breed as the
Shiloh Shepherd Dog or
King Shepherd.
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While attempting to play with a cat, a shepherd's teeth are displayed. |
Well-bred GSDs have powerful jaws and strong teeth, can develop a strong sense of loyalty and obedience, and can be trained to attack and release on command. Poorly bred GSDs such as those from
puppy mills can be fearful, overly aggressive, or both. GSDs (like
Pit Bulls,
Rottweilers and
Dobermanns), are often perceived as inherently dangerous, and are the target of
Breed Specific Legislation in several countries. If a GSD is violent or aggressive, it is often due to the combination of poor breeding (bad nerves) and the owner's lack of control or training. GSDs are often used as guard, attack and police dogs, which further contributes to the perception of being a dangerous breed. However, many GSDs function perfectly well as search dogs and family pets, roles where aggressive behavior is unsuitable.
GSDs' sense of loyalty and emotional bond with their owners is almost impossible to overstate. Separation trauma is one reason they are now used less often in guide dog roles, since guide dogs are typically trained from puppyhood by one owner prior to final placement with their employer.
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GSDs can make loyal and obedient pets. |
Temperament differences among lines
The different types or
lines of GSD display differences not only in appearance but also in ability and temperament.
Dogs from working lines have very high energy, and have been bred to have a natural drive for protection, tracking, and obedience. They are bred primarily for consistent temperament, working drive, and intelligence. These dogs can be used as pets, but will be unhappy if not exercised daily or trained to do a job of some sort. These dogs are more commonly seen in rescues in North America due to their high prey drive and owner's inability to control or train them.
German and Eastern European lines tend to be stockier, with shorter snouts and more muscular chests, and typify the working lines.
North American lines have a tendency towards a longer croup, longer back, higher wither and temperament ideal for companionship. They do not require constant stimulation to keep them from becoming bored and possibly demonstrating destructive behaviors.
These dogs can make excellent pets, provided that a responsible breeder has not sacrificed consistent temperament or health in the quest for popular standards for good looks.
As is common in many large breeds, German Shepherds are prone to
elbow and
hip dysplasia. Other health problems sometimes occurring in the breed are
von Willebrand's disease and skin
allergies. German Shepherds are also prone to
bloat. They have an
average lifespan of twelve years.
The breed was originated by
Captain Max von Stephanitz in the late
19th century and early
20th century. His goal was to breed an all-purpose
working dog. The first registered GSD was Horand v. Grafrath [
1]. Von Stephanitz admired the
landrace herding dogs of his native
German Empire, and believed they had the potential to be all-purpose working dogs. Additionally, he was aware of the declining need for herding dogs and believed that the working abilities of the breed would decline unless it was put to other uses. Von Stephanitz created the
Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde [
2], or SV as the official governing body for the breed.
The SV then created the
schutzhund trial as a breed test for the German Shepherd Dog, and prohibited the breeding of any dog which could not pass the trial. The schutzhund trial, along with the SV's conviction that "German Shepherd breeding is working dog breeding, or it is not German Shepherd breeding" led to a rapid development of the breed's abilities.
After
World War I, British and American soldiers, impressed by the abilities of the dog, brought home examples to breed. The breed instantly became popular, both as a family pet and as a working dog. To this day, the German Shepherd Dog is considered one of the most, if not the most, intelligent and versatile breeds in existence.
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GSDs commonly display high intelligence, which makes them ideal candidates for working dogs. |
German Shepherds often compete and excel in
obedience trials and
Schutzhund competitions. German Shepherds are also often trained as
police dogs, due to their trainability, size, work drive and look which commands respect, but is not too scary.
Shepherding
The original purpose for the German Shepherd Dog was (not surprisingly) to herd sheep, cattle, or any other animal that might require the assistance of a shepherd. Even given the name "Shepherd", some people are surprised to hear that these dogs were bred for herding, as the GSD is more often found working as a
guard dog,
police dog, or
companion pet than in the field working sheep.
The German Shepherd Dog does not have the "eye" that
Border Collies or some other similar breeds have. They are trained to follow their instinct, which for the GSD is to "work the furrow", meaning that they will patrol a boundary all day and restrict the animals being herded from entering or leaving the designated area. It is this instinct that has made the breed superb guarding dogs, protecting their flock (or family).
A German Shepherd Dog's instincts to herd might manifest themselves by the dog closely watching or even nipping at members of its family as they go for walks. The dog might attempt to lead people to what it perceives is the correct location, even going so far as to gently take a hand in his teeth to lead the person. With some training, this can become a trick, sometimes known as "walk the human."
Breed names
The proper English name for the breed is
German Shepherd Dog (a literal translation from the German "Deutscher Schäferhund") but they are usually informally referred to as
GSDs or simply
German Shepherds. In addition, the sobriquet
police dog is used in many countries where the GSD is the predominant or exclusive breed used in the canine police force.
Alsatian is also commonly used in the
United Kingdom and countries of the
Commonwealth of Nations. After World War I, a few dogs were taken to England and the United States. At that time, the English owners renamed the dog as the "Alsatian Shepherd", as it was feared that the breed's original name could be an impediment due the anti-German feelings still present after the War. Only in 1930 did the British Kennel Club authorise the breed to be known again as German Shepherd.
Popularity in the U.S.
Based on 2005
American Kennel Club statistics, German Shepherd Dogs are the fourth most popular breed of dog in the United States with approximately 45,000 new registrations during the year [
3].
Famous Shepherd Dogs
*
Ace the Bat-Hound*Beauty and Beast in the
2006 remake of
Wes Craven's film
The Hills Have Eyes*
Blondi, pet of
Adolf Hitler*Bullet, the Wonder Dog -
Roy Rogers' dog
*Charlie, from
All Dogs Go to Heaven*Clipper, pet of
John F. Kennedy*Jerome from the
anime Ginga Legend Weed *Jerry Lee,
James Belushi's
police dog sidekick in the films
K-9,
K-911, and
"K-9: P.I."*John from the
anime Ginga: Nagareboshi Gin*Luks, pet of
Josip Broz Tito*Major, pet of
Franklin D. Roosevelt*
Mukhtar, the
police dog in the Russian TV serial
Mukhtar Returns and
Return of Mukhtar - 2*
Rebel, from
Champion the Wonder Horse*
Rex (also known as Reginald von Ravenhorst) from
Kommissar Rex*
Rex the Wonder Dog;
DC Comics*
Rin Tin Tin*
Sadie, current star of Hollywood films
*
Strongheart, the first canine movie star
*
The Littlest Hobo*Tulip, of the book
My dog Tulip by
J.R. Ackerley*
List of historical dogs*
List of fictional dogs* Clubs, Associations, and Societies
** Belgium
***
Vereniging voor Duitse Herdershonden (VVDH)***
Royal Club du Berger Allemand de Belgique (RCBA)** Canada
***
German Shepherd Dog Club of Canada***
German Shepherd Schutzhund Club of Canada** Germany
***
Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV)** Ireland, Republic of
***
German Shepherd Dog Authority of Ireland** Netherlands
***
Vereniging voor Fokkers en Liefhebbers van Duitse Herdershonden (VDH)** Singapore
***
German Shepherd Dog Club of Singapore** United Kingdom
***
The German Shepherd Dog League of Great Britain***
The British Association for German Shepherd Dogs***
UK National German Shepherd Dog Helpline***
German Shepherd Rescue UK** United States
***
German Shepherd Dog Club of America***
The German Shepherd Society***
United Schutzhund Clubs of America* Directories and Informational Pages
**
Guide to buying a German Shepherd Dog
