German Shepherd working breeding: characteristics and description of the breed

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Many people don't understand how a dog called a German Shepherd can't have a red and black coat, a rounded back and a signature "walking" walk. The fact that there are also German Shepherds of working breeding, many simply do not know. And those, in turn, show excellent results both in sports and in the police and military service.

How the German Shepherds of working breeding appeared

For the first time, the German Shepherd breed standard was proposed by A. Meyer and Max von Stephanitz on September 20, 1899 at the first meeting of the German Dog Breeding Association (VDH). According to the decision of the creators, representatives of this breed should be medium-sized dogs with well-developed muscles and strong limbs. Their main advantage was to be their character: a strong nervous system, confidence, courage, courage - all these traits were mandatory for representatives of the German Shepherd used for the further development of the breed. At the same time, the dog had to, with brighta pronounced fighting instinct, to have a good disposition so that it can be safely used not only as a watchdog, but also as a companion dog.

In the future, the breed standard was revised several times, and by the 90s of the twentieth century, German Shepherd breeders were divided into two camps. Those who held the view that the development of the breed should follow the path of development of reference exterior qualities (breeding, or otherwise called show breeding). And those who believed that the physical and mental development of a dog is a priority, and shepherd dogs should first of all be physically active and hardy, as well as easy to train and enjoy working according to protective standards.

This line was called German Shepherd Working Breeding, and the dogs were mainly used for specialized services in the police and the army or for participation in competitions in the Schutzhund sport.

Differences in the exterior of dogs of different lines

German shepherds of working breeding and in our time look exactly like their distant ancestor Horand von Grafart (Max von Stephanitz's dog, first used by him for breeding work): dry physique, with a straight back and high-set straight limbs, low, mostly zoned gray color.

It is this exterior that allows the dog to move at lightning speed, stay he althy, be active and motivated even under very strong loads. Next to incrediblebeautiful brothers from kennels, show class dogs, they seem to be nondescript mongrels.

Pedigree individuals are always larger, with a bright (often black-and-red) color, their back is sloping due to shorter hind limbs, which provides the dog with a soft creeping step when moving in the show ring. The heads of show dogs are also slightly larger and more expressive than the skulls of working German Shepherds.

Differences in the nature of German Shepherds working and show breeding

But the main difference between the two lines is not even the exterior, but the temperament. Show class dogs are more melancholy, in working breeding such individuals are rejected in favor of energetic dogs with a bold and even tough character. This is necessary for more effective performance of training exercises, and the ability to withstand pressure during protection training. Therefore, it is unlikely that a working German Shepherd can become a simple pet, rescue dog or guide dog. Her temperament and rigidity will not allow her to be moderately calm and reasonable. But at international training championships or when detaining criminals and violators, she will have no equal.

Working German Shepherd Standard

A good German Shepherd is a dog of medium height (according to the standard, the height at the withers of a German Shepherd rarely exceeds 60-63 cm in males, 55-63 cm in females) with sufficiently developed muscles. The length of the body is only 10-15% more than the height of the shepherd dog inwithers.

German Shepherd head standard

The head of a German Shepherd working breed, according to the standard, is wedge-shaped, slightly wide between the erect ears and gradually tapering towards the nose, which must be black. The forehead, when viewed from the side, should stand out a little against the general background.

The jaws of working German Shepherds should be more powerful and strongly developed than those of show class dogs. Bite - scissors, that is, the teeth overlap, other options are not allowed.

German Shepherd eyes are most often black, light-eyed dogs are not so expressive.

The lines and angles of the German Shepherd's limbs are the breed standard

The neck is necessarily strong and muscular, located at an angle of 45 ° relative to the body.

The back, like the neck, should be strong, and the croup should be long and slightly falling (literally 15-20 °), gradually turning into the tail. The latter, in turn, should not be short, but not longer than the metatarsus, and slightly curved.

The dog's limbs should be able to move smoothly, so the front legs should be at a 90° angle to the body and the hind legs a little further apart. The correct set of paws allows the German Shepherd to move at incredible speed, moving the hind legs to the length of the body, and throwing the front legs forward the same distance.

German Shepherd and home guard

Remembering the "Germans" of yesteryear, many people assume that the working shepherdbreeding will become a great friend, and most importantly - a fearless protector for the family. And it's true, working dogs are incredibly loyal animals. But here are numerous reviews about a German shepherd for guarding a private house saying that a temperamental animal is unlikely to be able to stay idle for a long time in the yard, or in an aviary, of a private house, it will be even more difficult for him in an apartment. Its purpose is active training, working with the owner not for a reward, like other dogs, but because of immense love and devotion to him.

Great excitement and the need to throw out energy moves the shepherd dog when attacking the decoy and fighting him. Without all this, the dog will unwittingly turn into a "domestic destroyer" and will at best be simply isolated from others. Therefore, a representative of "working blood" should be acquired only for the purpose of participating in competitions in Schutzhund sports or for an active specialized service. Moreover, the appropriate age for training a German Shepherd is only 6 months.

How to get a puppy?

A very small part of these dogs goes into the hands of ordinary inhabitants, therefore it will be very difficult to find puppies of a German shepherd of working breeding in the open sale. In no case should you pay attention to ads on the street or in newspapers - the risk is too great that, under the guise of a German Shepherd puppy of working blood, the buyer will be offered ordinary mongrels. It is better to search on the forums of fans of this breed. A similar option would be dialersthe popularity of a group of like-minded people in social networks. Most often, beginners are advised to contact a specialized nursery.

You need to get as much information as possible about the proposed puppies, as well as their parents: a photo of a puppy, past merits of parents, the presence of hereditary diseases, vaccinations, etc. It should be understood that the price of a German shepherd for working breeding can be several times exceed the cost of a show class puppy and can reach several thousand euros.

It is better to choose a certain puppy together with a specialist who will tell you which kid will actively train and show excellent results in the future. The main thing you should pay attention to is the activity and curiosity of the puppy. He should not be timid, passive and not playful. After all negotiations on the price of a German Shepherd are settled and all the necessary recommendations for keeping are received, the puppy can be taken home and turned into a worthy representative of working German Shepherds.