PROFILE OF THE
GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG
by Lee Weston

    The German Shepherd Dog is originally from Germany, where his first of many jobs was the herding of sheep.  Most people who are familiar with this breed refer to them as GSD's.   In the A.K.C., the GSD is part of the Herding Group.  A GSD will make an excellent watchdog, due to their skeptical attitude towards strangers.  They are very active types, and will play or work until the owner is asleep from exhaustion.  They are frighteningly intelligent.  They expect their owners to be their superiors and if they are not, the GSD will take the lead.
    The German Shepherd Dog is not a dog for everyone, nor for every family.  If all you want is a big dog to chain to the doghouse in the backyard and look mean, and the rest of the time ignore, be warned.  This dog can be dangerous if not trained with positive reinforcement and consistency.  That means no yelling, no hitting, and no forceful means.  If the dog is not properly socialized, he will be dangerous not only to neighbors, neighbor's children and other pets and animals.  He will be dangerous to you and your family.  You will have exactly what you wanted, and more.
    On the other hand, by training your dog to meet your expectations with love, kindness and consistency, he will enjoy being a part of your family, and will  love you, and yours, a thousand times more than you could possibly know.  A well bred, and trained GSD is loyal, intelligent and protective. Max von Stephanitz, the Father of the German Shepherd Dog, described his beloved breed in the following quotation:
"The most striking features of the correctly bred German Shepherd are firmness of nerves, attentiveness, unshockability, tractability, watchfulness, reliability, and incorruptibility together with courage, fighting tenacity and hardness."
    Some of the jobs the German Shepherd Dog has had, and in many instances still has, follow:
family pets  search and rescue  hunting companions
police dogs bomb and drug detection guard dogs
guide dogs sheep and cattle herders obedience champions
assistance for handicapped individuals show dogs

    The A.K.C. standards call for the GSD adult male to measure 24 - 26 inches to the withers and to weigh 65 - 90 pounds.  The female GSD should measure 22 - 24 inches to the withers and weigh  55 - 80 pounds.  There are bigger GSDs, but bigger is not necessarily better.  For soundness of bone structure and muscularity, these measurements are a good rule to go by.
    The GSD is a double coated dog.  In other words, he possesses a top coat that is made up of guard hairs that are shed year round.  The softer undercoat is shed, or "blown" two times a year.  This type of coat made the GSD comfortable in all kinds of weather.  It does require brushing and combing, everyday unless you like furry clothes and furniture.  Checking the ears and nails should be done routinely as well.  Bathing doesn't have to be often, unless showing in conformation, as long as the dog receives routine grooming,
    The GSD does have a variety of coat colors.  But special note should be made that an all white German Shepherd Dog may look very unique, but genetically speaking, caution must be exercised by the new owner.  A.K.C. guidelines state that an all white GSD is a fault, and may not be shown in conformation. The reason why the A.K.C. disapproves of this color is that it does not follow the standard.  The standard describes the perfect dog.  There is much debate about the effects of genetics, and what will effect the future of the breed.
    The normal life expectancy of a well bred GSD is 11 to 12 years.

    When looking for a GSD to bring into your family, get acquainted with other owners and ask lots of questions of these people about having a GSD in the family.  Get to know their GSDs.  If you can get their GSDs to tolerate you, you have a reasonably good chance of meeting your new dog's expectations of you.  Take time to check out different breeders as well.  Find out where others have purchased their GSD's.  Please stay away from retailers and puppy mills.  You will pay the price one way or the other.  So get the best you can for your money.  Don't be surprised if some of the breeders start interviewing you.  These dogs are their babies.  They want to place their babies in the best possible home.
    With this type of dog, he needs to be a part of your every day life.  You cannot turn this dog on and off like a video game, and he certainly is no "virtual reality" pet.  To waste this this dog's potential through neglect is practically criminal.

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