Lynn Houghton

Though there is always some dispute over the origin of dog breeds, it is pretty much held as fact the German Sheppard was bred in the late 1800s to work as a sheep herding dogs. Like all dogs bred to heard, the desired traits were obedience, stamina, intelligence and loyalty. Since then, they have been even more specifically bred for a number of other tasks such as police work and protection.
According to figures gathered by the AKC, the German Shepherd is one of the most popular breeds in the world. Their ability to adapt to and excel in a number of situations adds to their popularity. The military and police use the dogs as attack dogs, tracking dogs and guard dogs. Disabled people use them as eye dogs and in other aid capacities. Rescue teams almost always have at least one German Sheppard on the team.

Shepherds are a medium size dog rarely reaching taller than about 24 inches at the shoulders. They have a thick coat of hair that varies in color from light grey to black. Tan varieties are also quite common. Their weight can vary from around 60 pounds to over 120 in the larger varieties.

The dogs are strong and have much stamina, but they also have one of the easiest dispositions of any working dogs. That makes them especially suited to work with a variety of different types of people. It also makes them the choice of families since the dogs work well with children.

Even though the dogs are gentle creatures, they need socialization from an early age. All dogs can be aggressive and unpredictable. Proper early training can eliminate the problem in all but the most stubborn of dogs.

German Shepherds are very territorial and loyal to their owners and their homes. They are usually quite calm but can quickly become aggressive when it senses a threat to its environment. This temperament makes them one of the favorite choices of homeowners and families for guard dogs.

Shepherds should be fed a high quality dog food to meet their energy needs. A mixture of moist and dry food works best for most dogs. If the dog’s coat doesn’t seem as shiny as it could be, the problem probably lies in the quality of the food. The dogs should be kept on the skinny side for optimum health.

Regardless of what purpose you have in mind for your dog, the German Shepherd should fit the need nicely. Keep in mind that these are high energy dogs and require extensive exercise. If you are looking for a lap dog perhaps it’s better to choose a less energetic breed.