Dog Breeds

German shepherd: everything you need to know about the breed!

admin • 20 Jun 2023

Companions, faithful and overprotective. It is no wonder that the breed is among the most popular among families around the world, according to research by the American Kennel Club (AKC). According to the organization, the German shepherd ranks fourth on the breed popularity list. So let's find out a little more about the characteristics of this incomparable partner, in addition to curiosities and essential care for the breed!

Physical characteristics of the German Shepherd

The German shepherd dog has an athletic and vigorous physique, with muscular and powerful limbs, which makes the dog stand out physically. Its double coat can be long or short and the colors vary greatly, and may have black, brown, golden, yellowish, or gray hair. However, one feature is standard among dogs of the breed: the presence of a black coat on its back, making it also known as German Shepherd Capa Preta.

Its presence is unmistakable, and it always presents an alert and gentle expression, with its erect and pointed ears and intense almond-shaped eyes. They usually weigh about 40 kg and are, on average, 65 cm tall.

German Shepherd Personality

Like many large dogs, the German shepherd is famous for being a fierce and potentially aggressive dog. However, this is not true!

Besides being important to remember that the breed does not determine the personality of a dog, as the study carried out by the University of Massachusetts points out, the imposing size is not the best indication that you need to be careful with the breed.

German shepherds are very affectionate, curious dogs and tend to be very protective of their family, so when meeting a new human or animal, they can have a more suspicious attitude, but if socialized in the right way, the animal will adapt very well to other beings. Also, the breed is known to get along very well with children!

Being a dog with a high level of energy and intelligence, it is essential that daily physical and mental activities are carried out in order to make the dog not anxious or stressed which, in turn, can lead to biting behaviors (from objects, furniture, etc.).

As we will see later, the German shepherd occupies the 4th place in the world ranking of canine intelligence, thus, the breed has a strong tendency to obey commands. That is, training them should be an easy activity, as long as it is done from an early age and consistently.

German Shepherd Training and Socialization

Think of all the police dogs you've seen in your life. What is the first race that comes to your mind? Chances are you thought of a German shepherd!

This happens because, in fact, the breed is very often used for guarding and investigation work, such as apprehending drugs or detecting explosives, given its very high capacity for obedience and ease of training.

Thus, starting training your German shepherd early will guarantee years of peace of mind regarding your dog's behavior indoors and outdoors. It is worth remembering that the breed is highly helpful and partner, so always use positive reinforcement with the breed.

Something very important to consider during the German shepherd training process is its socialization. Popularly, it is understood that the breed does not have much ease of interaction with animals and humans that do not belong to its family and routine. Thus, it is essential to socialize the animal from a young age, seeking to vary between socialization inside and outside the home so that the dog gets used to different environmental and social stimuli.

Essential German Shepherd Care

In general, German shepherd dogs are very healthy without much genetic predisposition to health problems. It is essential, however, to carry out regular examinations to monitor its bone structure, as hip and shoulder dysplasia are frequently recorded during the breed's visits to the veterinarian.

Regarding the daily care of the furry, it is important to keep in mind that brushing will be an indispensable habit when it comes to the breed. This happens because the German Shepherd has a double layer in its coat, causing it to shed a lot of hair throughout the year.

The breed doesn't need very frequent baths, usually when they are dirty or give off a stronger odor. The last steps in taking care of your hygiene are oral hygiene and maintenance of your nails. Always keep your pet's nails well trimmed and brush their teeth daily with the products indicated for the animal.

The German shepherd’s diet also needs to be combined with care with the dog's veterinarian, as the breed has a high calorie consumption given its more active routine (as recommended). In general, it is always recommended to choose premium, super premium or higher feed.

Facts about the German Shepherd

The breed occupies 3rd place in the ranking of the most intelligent dogs in the world, according to the renowned researcher and professor Stanley Coren, as he explains in his book “The Intelligence of Dogs”. Thus, the German shepherd is part of the category of the brightest dogs that are able to understand a command with less than 5 repetitions and tend to repeat it correctly 95% of the time.

2 – German shepherds emerged thanks to Captain Max Von Stephanitz, of the German cavalry who observed the potential of herding dogs for farmers and decided to create his own breed.

3 – The breed is considered for grazing! Thus, your German shepherd will possibly exhibit behaviors typical of dogs in the category, such as high energy, intelligence and even the tendency to herd their owners, such as walking in the lead, and continually looking back to ensure that you are following.