German Shepherd Dog

About the Breed

The German Shepherd Dog is one of the most intelligent and versatile breeds of dog, making it popular with a wide variety of owners. With its distinct wolf-like appearance, intelligence and willingness to learn, its no surprise that this breed is so well-loved. History The German Shepherd Dog was originally developed in Germany in the late 19th century by Max von Stephanitz. He wanted to create a dog that could be used for herding and guarding sheep but also possess great intelligence and loyalty. The breed was accepted into the American Kennel Club in 1908, where it quickly gained popularity as a working animal due to its intelligence and trainability. Since then, the breed has been used for many purposes including police work, search and rescue operations, guide dogs for those with disabilities, drug detection and more. Temperament German Shepherds are often described as loyal, courageous, obedient and confident dogs. They are highly energetic animals that need plenty of exercise to stay healthy both mentally and physically. This breed is also known for being very protective of their family which can make them wary around strangers or other animals they are unfamiliar with until they get used to them or have been trained not to be aggressive towards them. German Shepherds are intelligent dogs who need plenty of mental stimulation to keep their minds occupied so they do not become bored or destructive when left alone for long periods of time. Ideal Owners German Shepherds make excellent companions for active families who have an appreciation for this noble breeds intelligence as well as its protective nature. They require regular exercise so having a large yard or access to parks/trails nearby would be ideal for this type of dog owner. They also need plenty of mental stimulation so owners who enjoy activities such as agility training or obedience classes would benefit from having a German Shepherd Dog in their home since these activities provide much needed physical activity along with mental stimulation which keeps the dog happy and engaged in life! Additionally, those looking for an excellent watchdog should consider getting a German Shepherd since they will be vigilant about any unfamiliar faces on your property! Healthy Weight & Important Health Checks Weight: The average weight range for male German Shepherds is 65-90 pounds while females weigh between 50-70 pounds when fully grown (around 2 years old). It's important that you feed your pet appropriate amounts based on size/weight/activity level - too little can lead to malnourishment while too much can result in obesity resulting in health issues down the road such as joint problems due to excessive weight bearing on weakened joints over time! Important Health Checks: When buying or adopting a new puppy it's important that you take them immediately to your veterinarian where they can perform routine tests such as heartworm checks, fecal exams (for intestinal parasites), blood tests (to check overall health) - all these tests should be done annually at minimum but more often if recommended by your vet depending on age/health history etc.. Additionally hip/elbow dysplasia screening should also be done at least once throughout your pet's lifetime (preferably before breeding) since this condition is common among larger breeds such as German Shepherds - early detection allows owners ample time to address any potential issues through diet & exercise modifications before symptoms worsen! The German Shepherd Dog is an intelligent breed whose loyalty makes them great companions no matter what purpose you have planned from guard dog duties all the way up through search & rescue operations theres almost nothing this amazing canine cannot achieve when properly trained! With its wolf-like appearance combined with strong herding instincts this breed offers something unique compared other popular canine companions making it perfect choice those looking highly capable working animal who loves spending time their family just same!