German Shepherd Dog
If you have a big house and want to have a non-human presence inside it, both for living as well as guarding purposes, then German shepherd dogs are the best. The breed is a large sized one and as its name suggests, it originated in Germany. Originally brought up as a herding breed, German shepherd dogs soon went on to accomplish policing and military needs in twentieth century Germany.

German shepherd dogs are usually large in size. Their average height generally reaches between 55 and 65 centimetres (22 and 26 in). They are somewhat heavy as well with their weight hovering within the range of 22 and 40 kilograms (49 and 88 lb). In terms of appearance, they are characterized by a black nose, a long square-cut muzzle and a domed forehead.

Because they were selectively bred as a herding breed, attention was paid to their jaws and other skills required for the purpose. Hence, their jaws are strong and can hold on to anything which they grab. Their teeth are razor sharp and can easily cut through flesh. However, their lively and intelligent eyes help tone down their aggressive appearances. They are medium in size and mostly brown in color.

German shepherd dogs are full of energy as their original purpose was to herd the flock. However, what characterizes these dogs is a look of self-assurance that they reflect. They know how to do things that they are told, something which is augmented by their quick learning capabilities. They are never hostile and adapt easily to human company. As pets they can be both protective as well as over-protective. Hence, it is a must that their over-protectiveness is toned down through proper social training.

If you want a dog of this breed as your pet then it is an excellent choice that you are making. The breed is well known for its loyalty to humans and the protective nature that it shows towards them. However, before you bring one home, there are a few health related issues that you should know about the breed.

When it comes to their health, there are some issues that the owner will have to deal with. The reason for many of the ailments that they suffer is a result of the genetic makeup which was altered during early inbreeding. Some physical ailments that they can suffer from during their life span are hip and elbow dysplasia, lameness, skin allergies, and ear infection. Von Willebrand's disease and canine degenerative myelopathy are two other ailments which can likely bother them during their lifetime.

When it comes to grooming, care has to be taken of the breed’s coat. German shepherds heavily shed their coat on a seasonal basis. Their skin oil depletes rapidly so bathe them only once or twice a year. Instead, you can daily brush its coat and keep it clean.
 
RSS 2.0