The German Shepherd is one of the most popular breeds in the world, and for good reason. They are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know about the German Shepherd breed, including their history, physical and psychological traits, health issues, and grooming and care tips.

The German Shepherd is a relatively new breed, having been developed in Germany in the late 19th century. The first German Shepherd was created when a herding dog named Hektor was crossed with a German sheepdog. The breed was first named the Alsatian wolf dog after the First World War, but the name was changed back to German Shepherd in 1977. During World War I, German Shepherds were trained as attack and messenger dogs for the army, and their reputation as a fearless working dog grew.

German Shepherds are recognized by various kennel clubs worldwide, including the American Kennel Club, the United Kennel Club, and The Kennel Club, the latter of which labels them as one of the "gundog" breeds. They typically weigh between 50 to 90 pounds and stand about 22 to 26 inches tall at the shoulders. Although they are known for their black and tan coloring, they can also be cream, liver, blue or all black.

The German Shepherd is an intelligent dog, ranking second in the canine IQ test. They are also incredibly loyal, often showing an overly protective behavior around strangers. Although affectionate with their owners, they can be aloof with others and are therefore not the best breed for families with young children.

German Shepherds are prone to certain health issues, including Canine hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy. They only require moderate exercise compared to some other breeds, but should receive training and socialization from an early age. Their coats shed seasonally and require grooming once to twice a week, with shampooing typically occurring every four to six months.

In summary, the German Shepherd breed is a fascinating one that has been developed as a working dog and family companion. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of the breed, covering their history, physical and psychological traits, health issues, and grooming and care tips.

2. History and Origin of the German Shepherd Breed

The German Shepherd is a distinct breed of working dog known for its intelligence, courage, and loyalty. Many myths and misconceptions about the history of the breed still exist. It is believed that the breed originated in Germany; however, the many breeds that helped produce the German Shepherd existed in other countries prior to their melding to form this unique breed. By the early 1900s, enthusiasts of the recently established breed began to flock to the new breed's birthplace in Germany.

Today, the German Shepherd is a vibrant breed with a rich history. In the United States, the German Shepherd is one of the most popular breeds as a companion animal and working dog. Shepherd-type dogs had coexisted in almost every culture throughout history. A long-haired, black-and-tan dog owned by Luis H. Browne reportedly was brought to Texas from Mexico in the 1800s. Some experts believe it to be the first German Sheepdog in the United States. Still, organized breeding did not exist in the country until 1907, when the Columbia German Shepherd Dog Club was formed in California. Controlled breeding in Germany began in 1899, when the first breed club was established. By 1907, five clubs existed in Germany and one in Switzerland.

In 1899, Captain Max von Stephanitz, after observing a short-coated yellow-and-black herding dog on a sheep ranch, bought it and named Horand von Grafrath. The dog was registered as Number 1 in the genealogical book of the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (Society for the German Shepherd Dog), established by Stephanitz. Though the foundation stock was small, the German Shepherd breed emerged from these early shepherds. Originally known as the "Deutsche Schäferhunde," the breed was later popularized by the American Kennel Club as the "German Shepherd Dog."

3. Physical Characteristics and Traits

The first impression is the breed’s most stunning feature: the balanced, powerful, and well-natured look of a strong dog. The German Shepherd breed is a muscular working dog that combines poise and elegance. With a conical head, the eyes are set in a straight line and are deep-set, almond-shaped, and dark in color. In profile, the muzzle is broad with a slight taper towards the nose, creating a balanced look against the head, which occurs in three shapes: square, cherry, and a coffin. Its ears are large, pointed, and erect at an angle of about 45 degrees. Almost equally long is the neck forming with the muzzle a symmetrical triangle. In males, the neck has more pronounced musculature. The top line is straight and firm, continuing into a slightly sloping croup. The chest is deep, well-fed, broad, and oval-shaped. Each foot has a strong, padded paw, with rounded toes. And lastly, the tail is long, bicurved, hair-covered, and has the shape of a saber.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) German Shepherd breed standard states that the breed should be substantially built, of strong, powerful, heavy bone and muscular. In males, height at the withers is 24 to 26 inches, with an ideal height of 25 inches. In females, height at the withers is 22 to 24 inches, with an ideal height of 23 inches. The body should be slightly longer than tall, with the length measured from the point of the forechest that touches the ground to the rearmost part of the hock joint. The dog is encouraged to be free, confident, and ground-covering, with a good reach forward in front, a good drive from behind, a proper follow-through, and a level back, emerging on either side. The front assembly is parallel when in motion, with elbows resting close to the body and not moving in or out. The desired gait is a single-track rear gait. The tail moves with a rhythm matching the ground speed of the dog.

3.1. Coat Colors and Types

It is important to mention that the earliest breeding of the German Shepherd Dog resulted in a coat being either light or dark. In 1899, the following breed standard took place: the height should range from 60 to 70 centimeters and the body, color, and proportions to these were described in detail. However, there are several systems of colors used at the moment.

In accordance with the Show Standard for the German Shepherd Dogs Federation (FCI/VDH, 1980), an adult German Shepherd should be "highly pigmented. The undercoat should generally be dense and woolly. The coat on the body, neck, and front head is a close-fitting, harsh outer coat." The coat colors should be well defined and the following colors accepted: 1) Black and tan (with clearly defined saddle markings); 2) Black and silver (with clearly defined saddle markings); 3) Black and red (with clearly defined saddle markings); 4) Sable (it can be gray sable, blue sable, tan sable, red sable, black sable); 5) Black; 6) Black with white markings (with white markings on the muzzle region, belly, paws, tail, or on the forehead); 7) Blue; 8) Brown; 9) White. Additional rules concern the puppies. That is, up to 9 months of age, dogs of all color varieties are accepted whether solid, spotted, or having patches, however, not being totally white; at maturity, however, no female or male dog of the following colors is accepted: 1) Solid black with incorrect coat type; 2) Black with reddish markings and vice versa; 3) Gray with a dirty appearance.

In accordance with Show Standard for the German Shepherd Dog of UK Kennel Club (KC, 1991), the accepted coat colors and types are: medium to long, thick fur, dense coat under fur, and straight hair coat with thicker outside hair, German Shepherds seldom have the feathers. Fur color: black with brown or tan, black and tan, blue and tan, black and white, sable - brass sable, dark sable, gray sable, light sable, pigmented sable, sable bodied, brown. Just a few years later, another system was published, in accordance with which "Black/Sable" was differentiated from "Black," since it was impossible to breed sable German Shepherd with an all-black one.

3.2. Size and Proportions

Size of the German Shepherd is an important factor that distinguishes this breed. The ideal measurement is taken from the withers down to the ground. The height of males is between 60-65 cm, and females are 55-60 cm. Both males and females can have a margin of + or – 5 cm and still be within the breed standard.

A too large or too small size will be called a fault. Height has great significance since it affects other proportions too. A necessary proportion is that height at withers and length of the body must be equal. If this proportion is not matched, it becomes a fault.

Length of the body will be measured at the following points: Point A (the first point is at the withers), Point B (the second point is at the point of the elbow) and Point C (the third point is at the hip joint). Length is defined as the distance between the first two points minus the distance between the first and the last point. The deviation of the proportion is +/- 4 cm and will be graded as a fault. A bigger deviation will be graded as a disqualification.

Depth of chest: The depth of the chest shall reach the elbows. A too small depth of chest will be considered as a fault, while a too deep chest will be graded as a disqualification. The ratio between the depth and height at withers must be equal or higher than 0.5. The deviation is a fault with up to 2 cm, while grating a disqualification will have a greater deviation.

Angle of the shoulder joint: This angle will be measured between two parallel lines via the following points. The first point is at the shoulder blade (Point A), and the other point is at the upper arm (Point B). The position of point N is at the top end of the shoulder blade, and point M is at the top end of the upper arm. If the point of shoulder joint is calculated first, the shoulder point shall not be taken into account. As a general proportion, the angle must equal 110 degrees. A deviation greater than +/- 6 degrees will be graded as a fault, whereas a bigger deviation is a disqualification.

4. Temperament and Behavior

A German Shepherd's temperament plays a huge role in its behavior. Understanding a German Shepherd's temperament requires an understanding of the behavior that is derived from it. It is behavior which is overt or public, whereas temperament is a more inner or mental quality.

Most German Shepherds have a social and easy-going temperament, particularly those who have been bred since puppyhood in a family environment. These German Shepherd dogs tend to be calm, sweet-natured, friendly, playful, and affectionate towards people and other animals. However, German Shepherds raised solely for work purposes may have a more serious temperament, which will reflect in somewhat stern behavior. Such German Shepherds may appear withdrawn, aloof, fierce, and act threateningly if provoked. German Shepherds considered to be of an intermediate temperament may behave in an unruly manner, appearing nervous, hyper, and unintelligent at times, and fierce and threatening at others. A dog with such temperament is prone to developing behavioral problems.

A German Shepherd's behavior towards humans, above all, can be influenced by its personal traits, temperament, age, and experience. Dogs usually learn relating blindly to people who feed them (positive training) or having a fear of people who frighten, hit, or scold them (negative training). German Shepherds who have been trained using only positive methods of training tend to manifest friendly, harmless behavior towards people. Trained only with negative methods tend to behave in a fierce manner, while a combination of both elements produces erratic, unpredictable behavior. A German Shepherd's behavior towards other animals is significantly influenced by its temperament.

Most German Shepherds have a non-intrusive attitude towards farm and domestic animals. However, if a German Shepherd is of a tough temperament, it may attack pets, exotic and farm animals, any animal it considers weaker. Such German Shepherds cannot be permitted access to cages, stables, and pens of weaker animals. Middle-tempered German Shepherds can usually live with pets, birds, rabbits, and mice without a problem, but a wary attitude should be adopted towards stronger animals like cats and non-native dogs. And the sheep and goats question is unclear: depends on their breed; some German Shepherds can treat these as prey, while some treat these as part of their family.

German Shepherd breeds raised for work usually have developed protective instincts or guarding qualities. In one's own garden or property, a German Shepherd exhibits behavior that is overtly unfriendly towards strangers: barks, growls threateningly, moves towards them approaching closely but stopping suddenly, raises its head and bristles, its ears straighten, and its tail rises and curls. Such body language indicates either a threat or a warning. This signaling is equivalent to a human saying "stop or I will attack!" Among animals, this is equal to the act when one animal exposes its teeth.

A German Shepherd barking and approaching hesitantly is a non-aggressive attitude and a form of questioning its intentions. Such body language reflects saying "who are you, what do you want here?" While ignoring or pretending that someone is not there is a sign of indifference or neutrality. German Shepherds exhibit a passive approach (friendliness) by lying down, sitting back, licking lips, wagging the tail, and slightly lowering the head. Such body language is equal to "I am harmless".

4.1. Intelligence and Trainability

When it comes to intelligence and the ability to train, few breeds can compete with the German Shepherds. This breed ranks 3rd overall in dog intelligence behind only Border Collies and Poodles according to a study done by canine psychologist Dr. Stanley Coren.

One reason for this high rank is due to the German Shepherds' strong desire to work. The breed was created to be a herding and working dog, meant for long periods of strenuous work in rural areas. This breeding background results in a strong need to be given "jobs" to do on a daily basis, such as chasing a ball, digging holes, and other tasks. If adequate amounts of necessary jobs are given on a daily basis in addition to obedience training, German Shepherds will often learn faster than humans can train them.

German Shepherds are easily taught, with the average dog responding to an order within 5 repetitions. With reasonable amounts of work, training acquired at a young age tends to be remembered for life. This breed also excels in police and military jobs, standing out as the most commonly used breed in these areas. As of 2014, approximately 90% of U.S. police K9s were German Shepherds, as well as 80% of military K9s.

With all their positive qualities, German Shepherds may not fit all lifestyles. It is crucial to know what responsibilities to expect of the breed before buying one. Without proper amounts of physical and mental exercise, German Shepherds can become frustrated and find their own ways to fulfill their needs. This can result in problematic destructive patterns of shedding, barking, biting, aggression, chewing, and digging. These problems are typically minor, but can become serious if neglected.

5. Protective Instincts

The Protective Instincts of German Shepherds

German Shepherds are renowned for their protective instincts. These instincts are closely linked to their physical characteristics, such as strength, agility, speed, and endurance, making them take on tougher roles. German Shepherds are most known for being versatile working dogs. Domestically, they can serve as guard dogs, search dogs, police dogs, rescue dogs, and assistant dogs. Moreover, they are commonly found in warehouses, prisons, and airports, ensuring a proper inspection of items entering and leaving the premises. Despite being muscular, German Shepherds can climb up tall fences, run faster than many humans, and can detect drugs, explosives, or even a person with a particular scent from a distance of several kilometers. This breed’s protective instincts act on animals, as well as humans, which makes them particularly adept at protective work.

German Shepherds’ protective instincts towards their owners are a result of both genes and proper training, starting from a puppy. Early socialization plays a crucial role in ensuring German Shepherd puppies do not get aggressive. It is necessary to teach them when to bark and when to stay quiet, as well as to behave with other people, animals, or cars. Otherwise, they will become constantly aggressive towards everything, which is not a good approach.

Protection work starts with familiarization with the bite sleeve, used for teaching dogs to bite in controlled conditions. The dog is first introduced to the sleeve in a playful manner, eventually associating it with fun. Then, the sleeve is used to teach the dog to bite and hold on command. After that, distractions such as leaving the dog alone or throwing the sleeve before catching it are added, challenging the dog to self-control. It is important to keep in mind that German Shepherds need boundaries that give them a sense of security. Without boundaries, they might become anxious and stressed.

6. Health and Common Issues

German Shepherds are overall healthy dogs, but like all breeds, they can be susceptible to certain health conditions. In order to choose the right dog for your family, it would be wise to learn about these conditions. Good breeders will be eager to discuss the health problems they've had in their lines and will test their breeding dogs to be sure they are not passing on problems to puppies.

Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a hereditary condition in which the hip joints don't fit snugly into the hip socket. The malformed joints cause gradual deterioration and eventual osteoarthritis of the joint. Hip dysplasia can be a serious problem, but it's not always painful. In fact, some dogs will develop osteoarthritis without showing lameness. Others with severe hip dysplasia will be extremely lame, despite having good-looking hips on X-rays.

In an effort to reduce the incidence of hip dysplasia, the breed club and the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine established the Canine Hip Improvement Program (CHIP) in 1974. The goal of this program is to encourage breeders to make breeding decisions based on the status of a dog's hips. Under this program, dogs must be two years of age, be examined by a veterinarian approved by the program, and have X-rays taken of their hips. The X-rays are then sent to the university, where they are evaluated by a panel of veterinarians specializing in hip dysplasia. Each dog is assigned a rating of excellent, good, fair, borderline, mild, moderate, or severe. Breeders are encouraged to breed only dogs with the best ratings.

Degenerative Myelopathy: Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a progressive disease of the spinal cord causing incoordination and weakness in the dog's hind limbs. DM is similar to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in humans and is believed to be a hereditary condition. It is caused by a mutation in the Superoxide Dismutase-1 gene (SOD1). The disease usually occurs in middle-aged to older dogs. The first symptoms include wobbliness in the back legs. As the disease progresses, the hind limbs become more severely affected and more pronounced weakness develops. Affected dogs may drag their back nails on the ground resulting in nail bed abrasion and eventually an open sore. The front legs are usually less affected, although they may become involved at later stages of the disease. Dogs usually remain bright and alert. There is currently no cure for DM. Treatment is supportive and focuses on maintaining an affected dog's quality of life. A genetic test is available to determine carrier status for the normal and mutant SOD1 gene. Breeders can use this test for breeding decisions. Dogs with two mutant copies of the gene should not be bred.

6.1. Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a hereditary condition caused by malformation of the hip joint or joint laxity. At birth, the German Shepherd puppy's hip joint is relatively normal. Subsequently, excessive growth of the ball or socket, or laxity develops, leading to a malformation of the joint. Epiphysiolysis sometimes occurs when the femoral neck's growth plate fractures and slips. Abnormally shaped joints cause wear on the surface of the cartilage lining the joint. This initial process may take months to years. The smooth, glistening cartilage lining the joint may become dull and rough. Chunks of debris may develop. The formation of bone spurs, or osteophytes, starts on the surface and edge of the joint. Erosion may develop in the areas devoid of the cartilage lining the joint. Dogs with unremitting hip pain continue to bear weight on the same limb, which causes further complications. Rupture of the hardened capsule is followed by tears in the lining of the joint, blood in the joint, and flaps of cartilage or bone detaching from the bony surfaces. Hip dysplasia has a multifactorial etiology, including genetic and environmental influences.

Genetic: Hip dysplasia is thought to be polygenic. Research has demonstrated a genetic tendency to hip dysplasia in German Shepherds. A strong genetic component exists; however, its expression can be moderated by non-genetic factors.

Environmental: Rapid growth, body weight, activity, exercise, nutrition, and sex may affect the severity of hip dysplasia. These factors interact, and the importance of each factor can vary between different dogs. Epidemiological studies indicate that growth rates should be moderated by restricting feed intake or dietary calcium during the growth phase. The American Kennel Club recommends annual screening of breeding dogs by an expert veterinarian radiologist. Only dogs passing hip examinations should be bred. Genetic lines may be maintained to prevent future occurrences of hip dysplasia. Proper nutrition, exercise levels, living conditions, and other environmental factors in relation to hip dysplasia should be assessed. The breeding of dogs is prohibited for the first 12-18 months of development to reduce the influence of environmental factors.

6.2. Degenerative Myelopathy

Another genetically inherited disease found in German Shepherds is degenerative myelopathy (DM). DM is a progressive disease of the spinal cord that causes an axonal degeneration. Pathetic myelopathy, or degenerative myelopathy, is a slowly progressive disease of the spinal cord affecting older dogs, most often large breeds. The first clinical signs of degenerative myelopathy usually occur at 8-14 years of age. The onset may be as early as 5 years of age or as late as 15 years of age. The disease is very rare in dogs less than 5 or older than 15 years of age. The usual first symptom is an ataxia of the pelvic limbs, which over time becomes more severe and progresses to paresis of the pelvic limbs. Paresis of the thoracic limbs can occur as well, but it is less common. The disease is ultimately progressive and, if untreated, the animal may be euthanized within 6 months to 3 years after the onset of clinical signs. It is not known whether humans can contract the disease, but no cases have been reported so far.

Degenerative myelopathy has a genetic predisposition (is inherited). It is caused by a gene known as the SOD1 gene. A test exists to identify whether an animal is, or may become affected with degenerative myelopathy. The genetic test allows breeders to select for unaffected animals, thus preventing the disease from entering a given breeding population and limiting or reducing it in a population in which it is already present. Although the disease is inherited, not all offspring of affected animals will be similarly affected. Affected animals usually have gone through breeding prior to showing symptoms (it takes several years for the disease to manifest). Therefore, if symptoms are found in a dog, all progeny from that dog should be considered at risk.

If you suspect your dog to have degenerative myelopathy, there are steps you can take. Getting a thorough neurological examination from a veterinarian is recommended. If the disease cannot be precisely diagnosed or subsequently ruled out, and if you are concerned about health implications for progeny from the affected animal, you should contact a laboratory to perform a DNA test for the SOD1 gene. This test cannot prevent the disease, nor can it diagnose affected animals. However, it can identify unaffected animals that have no risk of developing clinical signs.

7. Nutrition and Exercise Requirements

Possessed of admirable temperament and quintessential traits for a loyal canine companion and guardian, the German Shepherd breed is widely sought after by dog lovers worldwide. The breed's popularity is matched only by its cheerful nature, unrivaled intelligence, unparalleled loyalty, and remarkable versatility. These traits have paved the way for the breed's widespread use in various fields, including police, military, search and rescue, service, assistance, support, and therapy dogs. However, prospective owners must be ready to devote themselves to fulfilling the breed's exercise, work, and stimulation needs for a prosperous and united relationship.

Nutrition and Exercise Requirements

The German Shepherd is a large breed dog that requires a balanced diet and exercise regime to maintain its health and well-being. Owners should ensure their dogs have access to fresh water. When choosing dog food, it is important to consider several factors such as age, weight, level of activity, and allergies. Food for puppies, adults, and seniors is formulated differently to accommodate their unique needs. In addition to nutrition, the time of feeding is essential. Puppies require more frequent meals because they metabolize food more quickly than adults. Puppies should eat four small meals a day, while adults should eat twice. Dogs should be fed the same amount of food at the same time every day. Routine meals allow owners to monitor their dog's appetite, which is important to detect illnesses at an early stage. Treats can be rewarded from time to time, but should not be offered between meals unless to train the dog. Treats are best measured and counted as part of the dog's daily ration.

German Shepherds are very energetic dogs, with a durable build and exceptional strength, need a minimum of one hour of exercise per day. Owners should be sure to provide this exercise, taking their dog on long walks or letting them run around in a fenced yard as often as possible. Otherwise, a German Shepherd gets bored, restless, and frustrated, which usually leads to unwanted behavior such as whining, constant barking, chewing, digging, and trying to escape. These dogs are perfect candidates for active owners who run, jog, bike, or hike regularly. They love the company of their owner, detest being left alone at home, and will be the happiest if taken along and let to participate in the same activities. A perfect match for an active family or individual, German Shepherds are particularly good with children and love to run, play, and swim. They excel in canine sports such as agility, flyball, obedience trials, and herding.