German Shepherds: breed description, character, content, reviews

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

This is one of the most beloved breeds not only in Russia, but all over the world. Famous films "Come to me, Mukhtar!" and "Commissioner Rex" became a real advertisement for these smartest animals. Indeed, there are no dogs more loyal than German Shepherds. The description of the breed presents us with beautiful and graceful animals that always remain in the center of attention of dog breeders, despite the changing fashion. Strong and courageous, they are remarkably trainable and are always ready to come to the rescue of their master. Ideally adapted for life with people, they will never show aggression towards children, becoming a real nanny for them. You can talk about dogs endlessly, especially if they are German Shepherds. We will try to give a description of the breed in sufficient detail so that you can get a complete picture of it.

The origins of the breed

Friendship between humans and dogs began a long time ago. In ancient times, nomadic tribes were already accompanied by dog-shaped animals, powerful and ferocious. They were supposed to protect the herds from predators. With the transition to a settled way of life, the tasks changed somewhat. Now peoplelighter, more mobile and contact animals were required that could work together with a person, graze herds and protect housing. The crossing of the Indian wolf with local dogs gave humanity the ancestor of the whole direction of shepherd breeds. They were called bronze, and, unlike the Great Danes, they were distinguished by obedience and a penchant for training. However, science did not stand still, and by crossing the bronze dog with its mastiff ancestors, about 30 herding breeds were obtained.

By the middle of the 19th century, breeders had a task: to breed a new dog - light, hardy, trainable. And able to live next to people in their homes. Max Emil Frederick decided to take on this challenge. Wolf-like dogs, namely all types of old German herding breeds, served as the basis for breeding. He set out to create a universal breed, and literally two decades later, German shepherds appeared to the world. Description of the breed will reveal in more detail the features of these amazing animals.

Standards

If you are looking for a pet, not a show winner, then the parameters and indicators are not so important. But still, he althy and well-developed dogs must meet the standard as much as possible, otherwise they are no longer purebred German Shepherds. The description of the breed will not be complete without mentioning the standards by which the purity of one or another representative of the species is judged. The German Shepherd is a medium sized dog with an elongated body and good musculature. The slightest deviations reduce the breeding andthe working value of the animal.

What is evaluated first? Exterior - a description of the physique and body proportions. The second parameter is the condition, i.e. physical condition, fatness and grooming.

Key indicators

What should be a German Shepherd? The description consists of a number of parameters. The first is height and weight. A male at the withers should reach 64 cm, and a female - 59 cm. At the same time, the weight of the dogs is relatively small: for a male, 30-40 kg, and for a female, 22-32 kg. With this growth, the dog seems quite fit and graceful. The length of the body should slightly exceed the height at the withers, the ratio is approximately 9:10. The depth of the chest is an important indicator, since a well-developed chest ensures the perfect functioning of the forelimbs and the correct position of the internal organs. Depth is measured vertically, from the top of the withers to the sternum. The width of the chest also affects the position of the forelimbs. The measurement is carried out along the most curved ribs. Be sure to evaluate the line of the back. It should be flat, sloping, which is emphasized by a special stand. Hunchback and sagging of the spine is unacceptable. It is a strong back that allows the dog to move gracefully and not feel tired. By appearance, posture, shiny coat, you can determine how he althy a German shepherd is. The description will not be complete if we do not remember such an important aspect as motion tests. A beautiful gait shows the correct work of all the muscles of the animal.

A he althy dog must have good teeth. In an adult shepherd in42 snow-white teeth should be present in the mouth. Scissor bite. Any deviation from these norms is considered a malformation, and the dog is automatically removed from breeding.

Dog behavior

Your children will always be supervised if there is a German Shepherd in the house. The description of the breed, in which the character occupies one of the leading places, regulates the behavior typical of all representatives of the species. These are service dogs, which are characterized by such traits as endurance, perseverance, fearlessness, fortitude, attentiveness, self-confidence, energy and obedience. "Germans" are incredibly smart, they can be trained in both search and security skills. Cynologists believe that the best service dog is the German Shepherd. Description of the breed, character - these are the questions that people who wish to have such a pet are interested in. And we, as we can, will help to understand this. So, the nature and characteristics of behavior.

Shepherd dogs are very energetic, mobile and active, but at the same time they retain the ability to analyze the situation and make adequate decisions on their own.

The German Shepherd is able to instantly respond to external stimuli. The threshold of excitability, after which there is a response, is very high, that is, the dog will not think for a long time, but will react to the danger instantly, which can save the life of the owner. It performs excellent watchdog functions. The German Shepherd demonstrates confidence in any situation, up to a stressful one. with strangers andobjects behaves without unnecessary aggression, but incredulously, keeps at a distance. These animals demonstrate colossal endurance, they know how to complete the task, no matter what. They are brave, attentive and tenacious.

Choosing a German Shepherd

If the character traits are the same for all representatives of this breed, then the exterior can be very different. In particular, there are two large branches - these are short-haired and long-haired shepherd dogs. The latter look more spectacular, but require more careful maintenance. Dirt and snow stick to long hair, it gets tangled and needs regular combing. In addition, during the molt, the whole house will be covered with an abundant layer of hair. Other than that, it's just a normal German Shepherd. Lokhmach breed description and reviews are similar, although it looks somewhat larger and more massive than its short-haired counterparts. Most often, a dog with long hair is taken by owners of private houses and mansions, and a shepherd dog with short hair lives well in an apartment.

German Shepherd in your home

With all the love for her master, she remains a serious dog, which must be treated with all respect. In order for a shepherd dog to become a true friend and protector, you need to accept it as a new family member from the first days. Be sure to discuss the upcoming purchase of a pet with all the household members, distribute the responsibilities for caring for it. Do not forget: the shepherd requires long walks in the fresh air and serious physical exertion. A dog with underdeveloped muscles not only loses inexterior, but also receives a number of he alth problems. Optimal nutrition and regular exercise are the key to a great future for your pet.

Be sure to form the correct idea for all family members what a German shepherd is. Description of the breed, character (for children it is better to choose material that clearly demonstrates the features of such a pet), behavior - all the nuances require detailed consideration. The appearance of a dog in the house always seems like a holiday, but you need to immediately distribute the responsibility associated with this. The ideal option for a shepherd dog would be a private house. If you live in an apartment and are at work all day, consider whether you even need to get a dog. And it is doubly worth thinking about if the apartment is very small, because a noble dog needs personal space. Buying a shepherd dog is like giving birth to a child: your life changes drastically. If you are active, then such an energetic pet is right for you. He can run after a bike or a car for hours!

Evaluate the composition of your family. If you have a very small child, then you should wait until he grows up. Otherwise, you will have two babies in your arms. And although one of themx will grow up much faster, the load from this will not become less.

How to choose a puppy

So your final choice is a German Shepherd. Description of the breed, character, reviews - all this has been studied, and there is a list of breeders on the table. Take your time, weigh again what you are forget a dog. Do you need a friend and companion or a watchman and protector? Or maybe you want to raise a ring star or become a breeder? The choice of parent pair depends on your goals. Do not forget that it is quite expensive to provide a career for your puppy. This is an investment in its acquisition, nutrition, training and training. Be sure to visit exhibitions - regional, city, regional, international. The higher the class, the more expensive the pleasure. But no one guarantees that your baby will grow up to be a bright star, even if he is taken from the best nursery. Therefore, the most important thing is to love your dog for who he is.

Optimal time to get a puppy

It's autumn. Puppies born during this period are stronger and more resilient. In addition, it is still impossible to walk and study with the kids for a long time, and they do not tolerate the heat well. By spring, your puppy will grow up, get stronger and be ready for a long stay in the fresh air. It is recommended to take the baby from the mother only when he is 2 months old. But if the breeder insists on picking up a month old puppy, it is quite possible to feed him, unless he requires a little more attention. The description of the German Shepherd dog breed tells us that these animals are distinguished by high mental and adaptive abilities, so your baby will quickly understand who has replaced his mother.

Puppy maintenance

You have a little German Shepherd in your house. Breed description, character and content are information thatin addition, the breeder and dog handler of the club in which your puppy will be registered must give you. We will give the main recommendations, but do not neglect the advice of a professional.

First of all, consider where your pet will live. He needs a personal territory, a place to sleep and feeders. Be sure to take from the breeder a piece of fabric that was in the nest, or a toy - these things will keep the smell of the hearth for a long time. So the baby will be less worried at night. Remember: you have a small child at home, and he should not be left unattended for at least 2-3 months. Move electrical wires, as well as valuable things that the puppy can chew, higher.

It is recommended to feed babies 5 times a day, after 4 months you can switch to three meals a day, and from 8 months to standard feeding (breakfast and dinner). From the first day, start accustoming the puppy to the collar, a little later this will help him quickly get used to the leash. Despite the fact that the German Shepherd is very smart, at first she will do her natural needs in the house. You can’t punish for this, you just need to increase the number of walks and praise when everything turned out right.

Don't forget that you are raising a serious guard dog. You can not shout at the puppy and beat him, you need to establish friendly relations from the first day. At the same time, the set of rules must be strictly observed. What is forbidden must remain forbidden, no matter the situation. But in games, the puppy should always come out the winner. Do not pull a toy or cloth from his mouth - this mayinjure teeth. Also, you can not keep a puppy with adult dogs, because they will dominate him. This will be bad for the character, and as a result, a cowardly German shepherd can grow out of him.

Description of the breed for children is always of some interest, they are ready to listen for hours about a small lump. Take a moment and tell them how they should behave with a new family member. Focus on the fact that the dog cannot be terrorized (pulled by the ears, tail, pulled, etc.), suppressed and infringed in anything. This is a member of the family, so you need to treat him with respect. By the way, if your child is too small (under three years old), weigh the pros and cons again. It might be better to postpone buying a puppy. The fact is that caring for him takes a lot of time, and it is unlikely that he will be torn between two "children" without harming any of them. It even comes to the point that families prefer to abandon the dog later. It is a completely different matter for older children. On the contrary, they are actively involved in fun games with the pet and begin to help a little with caring for them. As a rule, the shepherd gets along well with children and will never show aggression. This is a true friend, protector and companion.

Shepherd food

When getting another family member, you need to think about the diet. Especially if it's a large dog like a German Shepherd. Description of the breed, reviews of leading cynologists and breeders confirm that nutrition dependsdevelopment and he alth of your pet. You can’t save on this, so if your budget does not allow extra expenses, it is better to postpone the purchase of a dog until better times. This is not the case when you get to feed your four-legged friend from the common table.

Be sure to have clean water in the cup. Shepherd dogs should be fed at the same time every day. The amount varies depending on the age and he alth of the dog, this parameter must be constantly adjusted. Meat must be present in the diet, and fatty trimmings sold on the market are not the best option. You can use inexpensive minced chicken or meat and bone residue, offal. The amount of protein food should be approximately 70% of the diet. Additionally, an egg and dairy products, various cereals, and vegetables are introduced. If you want to transfer your shepherd dog to ready-made dry or wet food, then you need to do this gradually, over the course of a week, adding a fraction of the new product. During this time, the intestinal microflora adapts and rebuilds.

Caring for your pet's he alth

We bring to your attention a fairly brief description of the German Shepherd breed, since talking about these animals is truly endless. Smartest and fearless, they will be loyal to their master to the last breath and risk their lives for him without hesitation. But they are also very vulnerable. Bacteria and viruses pose a threat of deadly diseases every day, so your task is to protect your pet. First of all, you must provide a balanced diet andsufficient level of physical activity. This guarantees good immunity, which will help the body cope with various diseases. But that's not all. Your shepherd should receive all preventive vaccinations that will protect her from the most terrible infections. Treating them is much more difficult than preventing them. Compliance with all these measures will ensure that you grow up a he althy and strong German Shepherd (photo). The description of the breed emphasizes the good genetic heredity of these animals and the absence of congenital defects, but otherwise each owner is responsible for how his pet will grow and develop.

Education and training

The German Shepherd is very smart, so much so that in the absence of the correct leadership position of the owner, it turns into a dog "that walks by itself." Such an individual can endlessly bark at passers-by, run away for what interests it, and not pay attention to the potential threat to its owner. That is, without the appropriate upbringing of your pet, you cannot count on its adequate behavior. There are, of course, individual dogs that, even in the absence of training, demonstrate real miracles. But in this case, there must be complete harmony in the relationship between the animal and the owner, excellent contact, and it is difficult to establish it without communication and education.

It is necessary to work with a puppy and teach him the mind from the first day, as soon as he appeared at your home. Your joint games and walks, a gentle explanation of what you can and cannot do, become the basis on which training will lie. The owner whosolves all the uncomfortable moments in the behavior of the puppy with a blow or a kick, doomed to the complete collapse of this rather complicated process. Like a small child, a shepherd should be praised for what she did right, rewarding with a treat. For everything else, there are “Fu” and “No” commands, which are served in a calm and confident tone.

If the puppy has learned them, and also understands what the words “to me” and “next to” mean, we can say that the education stage was successful, and the relationship between the owner and the dog is well built. When the pet is one year old, you can contact a professional dog handler to conduct a course of protective guard service. This is necessary if you want to be sure that in any situation a German Shepherd can help you out. The description of the breed, whose representatives weigh up to 40 kg, emphasizes its maximum adaptability to perform the functions of a security guard. In addition to impressive dimensions, the dog is also very smart, can analyze the situation and start acting even without a command.

The German Shepherd is one of the best dog breeds. They get along well with all family members, live amicably with other pets and are always on a combat post, protecting the life and property of their owners. These animals have excellent he alth, they are very hardy and strong. And high learning ability and unique intelligence will greatly reduce the training time and achieve excellent performance.