German Shepherd, one of the most popular dog breeds in the world.

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21 May 2024

🚨 Canine Alert! 🚨

By @SixTeen - Dog Lover and Advocate of Furry Paws.

NOTE: "Canis lupus familiaris" is the scientific name used to refer to the species of domestic dog.

German Shepherd (Canis lupus familiaris) is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. With a noble appearance and loyal character, agile and intelligent, strong and fearless, it is a very versatile dog that can perform a wide variety of activities.

ORIGIN

As its name implies, the German Shepherd is a native of Germany. This is a race of great antiquity. It is estimated that a very similar dog existed as early as the 7th century.

On April 24, 1899, the German Shepherd Dog Club emerged in Germany. The founders were the cavalry master, Captain Max Emil Friedrich von Stephanitz, and a group of enthusiastic friends. Captain Friedrich von Stephanitz drew up all the schemes, created the first book of origins and inscribed the first copy of Horand v. Grafrath von Stephanitz also developed the standard for the German Shepherd dog, which is currently in force except for minor modifications.

In 1922, the selection book (Körbuch) was put into operation, with all those specimens submitted to an exhaustive examination by a confirming master where those chosen had unbeatable characteristics for the improvement of the breed. Currently, this mechanism continues to be practiced.

CHARACTERISTICS

The German Shepherd dog is a medium-sized dog, rectangular, slightly elongated in body, strong, well muscled, with dry bones and a firm general structure, it is longer than it is tall and the back falls towards the back of the dog, opposite to be horizontal. This breed has two varieties: the short-haired German shepherd and the long-haired German shepherd. Both recognized by the FCI.

Head - It is wedge-shaped, and is in proportion to the length of the body (its length is approximately 40% of the height of the withers), without appearing coarse or elongated. In its general appearance it should be dry and moderately wide in the middle of the ears. Seen from the front and from the sides, the forehead is slightly arched and without or with a slightly marked median furrow. The proportion between the cranial region and the facial region should be 50% to 50%. The width of the cranial region is almost equal to its length. Seen from above, the cranial region decreases uniformly from the ears towards the nose, leaving a not very noticeable fronto-nasal depression and inclining into the wedge-shaped muzzle. The upper and lower jaws are strongly developed. The nasal cannula is straight, any bulging or sinking is undesirable. The dark-colored lips are firm and well adhered.

Denture - It is strong, healthy and complete (42 teeth). The German Shepherd dog has a scissors bite, so that the upper incisors cover the lower ones in close contact. A pincer bite, an upper or lower prognathism as well as large spaces between the teeth (gaps) are faults. Equally defective is the straight alignment of all the incisors. The maxillary and mandibular bones are strongly developed so that the teeth are deeply embedded in the dental arch.

Eyes - Medium in size, almond-shaped, placed obliquely and never protruding.

Ears - Medium in size, erect, open forward and carried evenly. They are pointed with canopy facing the front. Ears that are bent at the tip or drooping are defective. Ears drawn back, in movement or at rest, are not taken as a fault.

Neck - The neck is strong and muscular. Its angle with the body (horizontally) is approximately 45°.

Body - The upper line runs without interruption from the implantation of the neck on the well-defined withers and on the very slightly inclined back to the croup, also slightly inclined. The back is firm, strong and well muscled. The loin is broad, strongly developed and well muscled. The rump is long, inclined slightly (approximately 23° from the horizontal line) and continues towards the tail line without interrupting the top line.

Tail - Reaches at least to the hock, but does not exceed the middle of the metatarsus. It has longer hair on its lower part. At rest is carried hanging in a slight curve. When the dog is moving or paying attention, it carries its tail higher, but without exceeding the horizontal line.

Chest - Moderately broad with the sternum as long as possible and well noticeable. The depth of the chest should be 45 48% of the height at the withers. The ribs should be moderately rounded. Barrel-shaped or flat chest is considered a fault.

Limbs - Forelimbs: Seen from all sides, the forelimbs are straight; Seen from the front, they are absolutely parallel. The shoulder blade and arm are of the same length, firmly attached to the body through good musculature. The ideal angulation between the shoulder blade and the arm is 90°, but generally 110°. The elbows should not be turned outwards or inwards, whether the dog is at rest or in movement. The forearms, seen from either side, are straight and parallel to each other, dry and well muscled. The metacarpus has a length of approximately 1/3 of the forearm and forms an angle with it of approximately 20 22°. A pastern that is too inclined (more than 22°) or too straight (less than 20°) impairs the dog's working capacity, especially its resistance. Front feet: Rounded, compact, with arched toes. The pads should be firm, but not brittle. The nails are strong and dark in color.

Extremities - Hind limbs: The position of the hind limbs, seen from behind parallel to each other, should be slightly raised. The thigh and leg are almost the same length and form an angle of approximately 120°. The thighs are strong and well muscled. The hocks are strong and firm; the metatarsus is perpendicular under the hock. Hind feet: Compact, slightly arched, hard pads dark in color; nails strong, arched and equally dark in color.

Movement - The German Shepherd is a breed of dog characterized by its nobility, self-sacrifice and fidelity. The German Shepherd is a trotting dog. The angulation and length of the limbs must be so well related that, without noticeable alteration of the upper line, the dog can push the hind limb under the entire length of the body and reach the same distance with the front limb. Any tendency to over-angulation of the hind limbs decreases firmness and resistance, and, consequently, the dog's ability to be useful. Correct structural proportions and good angulations result in a long-range, flat gait on the ground that gives the impression of effortless locomotion. Head thrown forward and tail slightly raised result in a calm and fluid trot, showing a soft and uninterrupted curved line that goes from the tips of the ears on the neck and back, to the tip of the tail.

Hair - Two cloaks. The upper coat not very short. The dense inner coat. The correct coat of the German Shepherd dog is a double coat, with undercoat. The outer hair should be as dense as possible, straight, hard and close to the body. The head and even the inside of the ears, front parts of the limbs, feet and fingers are provided with shorter hairs; On the neck, the hair is slightly longer and denser.

On the back of the limbs the hair is longer until it reaches the carpal and tarsal joints. The fur forms a moderate "pants" behind the thighs.

Height - At the withers or shoulders: Males measure about 63 cm (approximately 25 inches). The height of the females is about 58 cm (approximately 23 inches).

Weight - The weight of males is 34 to 38 kg (approximately 75 to 85 pounds). Females weigh 27 to 32 kg (approximately 60 to 70 pounds).

Litter - Usually the litter is five to six puppies. Litters of up to 16 puppies are recorded.

Longevity - Usually 11 to 12 years.

Pet - Properly trained, this is the pet par excellence. The German Shepherd is the ideal pet for those who can maintain a dog of its size. Only the Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever surpass them as pets. They are also excellent as companion dogs. They are obedient and easy to train and have a natural predisposition to human company and family life, with a special sensitivity towards children and play. From a domestic point of view, German Shepherds are beloved companions and pets, especially for those owners and families who are prepared to provide them with the necessary physical and mental stimulation that the intelligence of this breed requires. As a reward, the German Shepherd will provide them with a life full of fidelity, obedience and satisfaction. His unwavering devotion and sense of protectiveness are as reassuring as his intelligence and cheerful nature are affectionate.

Temperament and behavior - The German Shepherd dog is of balanced temperament, with firm nerves, self-confident, totally confident and (except when provoked) totally benign, at the same time attentive and easy to train, guard, protection dog, of service and pastor.

CARE

It is a very resistant dog and does not require much care. One of them is brushing once or twice a week. This will allow you to have your hair clean, healthy and shiny. Frequent baths are not recommended, as doing so runs the risk of weakening the waterproofness of their coat. Flea and tick treatment should be administered during hot seasons, without forgetting the annual visit to the veterinarian for vaccinations. Like all deep-chested dogs, he is subject to "Stomach Twisting Syndrome." You must therefore take care to respect a rest period before and after each meal.