Grooming

German Shepherds are sometimes jokingly referred to as "German Shedders" among enthusiasts of the breed. This is due to the fact that they shed fur year round, and will blow their entire coats at least twice a year. German Shepherds require frequent brushing, particularly during the times they blow their coats. It is recommended that they should be brushed at least once every other day during times of heavy shedding, and at least once a week during the rest of the year.

The German Shepherd does not require frequent bathing. The breed has a thick, water-repellent outer coat that helps keep the inner coat and the dog's skin from getting too wet or too dirty. However, as most German Shepherds love playing in water, and even more so, in mud, you should expect to bathe your dog every so often. You should not bathe them more than once a month, and always use a mild dog shampoo, so that the natural balance and production of essential skin oils is not affected.


Exercise

German Shepherds were originally bred as working dogs, and have the ability to trot for long periods of time. As such, this is a breed that truly requires a lot of exercise. It is recommended that an adult German Shepherd should get at least two 45-minute walks in a day, along with mental stimulation and play time. If you cannot walk long distances, a game of fetch of a trip to a park where your dog can run off-leash to tire itself out is recommended.

Because of the breed's intelligence and need to do a job, mental stimulation is absolutely required for this breed - it's at least as important as physical exercise. Most German Shepherds are quick learners and are happy to please, so teaching your Shepherd obedience commands as well as tricks is something they take to well and eagerly.


Temperament

The German Shepherd Dog is a breed that should be fearless and confident. While they are and should be somewhat aloof of strangers, they should be friendly among their family, and are very loyal. German Shepherds should be started in Puppy Classes at 9-10 weeks. They should be taught at an early age that it is not ok to bark at people or other dogs in neutral areas (visits to pet supply stores, walks in the neighborhood, at training classes, etc.) . Because these dogs are strong-willed and very intelligent, they require strong leadership from their human owners in order to be happy and balanced dogs. They require training and attention to stimulate them mentally.

Shrinking behind their master, showing lack of confidence, nervousness, shyness, or tucking their tails at sights or sounds would be considered to be faulty temperament and would be considered to be very serious faults of character. Dogs who exhibit these genetic faults should not be bred. In examining litters of puppies for a prospect, if the mother or father of the litter exhibits poor temperament, it would be best to purchase a puppy elsewhere. The best breeding dogs are dogs with Schutzhund titles, AKC obedience titles, Therapy Dog certification, or other proof that the dog is sound of mind and body.
This breed needs constant tasks to keep it occupied. A keen and quick learner, the German Shepherd excels in many dog activities such as Schutzhund, flyball, obedience, and tracking. A family dog, as well as a show dog, if trained correctly, the German Shepherd can be a source of great pride and happiness for its owner.

Potential Health Problems

The following health problems, common in many types and breeds of dogs, are known to be found in German Shepherd Dogs. Please make sure that your breeder checks for the ones that can be tested for prior to breeding.

• Allergies
• Auto-Immune Disorders
• Bloat/Torsion (Gastric, Mesenteric, and Splenic)
• Cancers
• Cauda Equina Syndrome
• Degenerative Myelopathy
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Epilepsy
• Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI)
• Gastro-Intestinal Problems
• Heart Diseases
• Hip Dysplasia
• Mega-Esophagus
• Pancreatic Acinar Atrophy
• Pannus
• Perianal Fistulas
• Skin Conditions
• Spondylosis
• Inherited Sudden Cardiac Death Syndrome
• Thyroid Problems
• Von Willebrands Disease.

German Shepherds belong to the AKC Herding group of highly intelligent, easy-to-train dogs capable of controlling the movements of other animals. Other dogs in this category include the Border Collie, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, and the Collie.

Breed Name

The term Alsatian is also commonly used in the United Kingdom and countries of the Commonwealth of Nations. During World War I, German Shepherd dog owners in the UK and the United States renamed the breed as as the "Alsatian Shepherd" or "Alsatian Wolf Dog" as it was feared that the breed's original name could be an impediment due the anti-German feelings still present after the War. The term Alsatian was registered with the Kennel Club in 1917. Only in 1930 did the British Kennel Club authorize the breed to be known again as German Shepherd.

German Shepherds on WikiFido

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Useful German Shepherd Links

Please do not use the Links section to advertise breeders, blogs, etc. This is for general Shepherd information links only.
If your link is not at all similar to the ones below, please make a different section or category below this link list.

• German Shepherd Article
  
• The German Shepherd Dog Forum
• The German Shepherd Dog Breed Betterment Registry
• Heaven's Gate (A GSD Cause of Death Database)
• The Degenerative Myelopathy Support Group
• German Shepherd Breed History
• German Shepherd Breed Standard (American Kennel Club)
• Patterns & colors of the German Shepherd Dog
• German Shepherd Pedigree Database
• Famous German Shepherds
• Common health issues in the German Shepherd Dog
• The Largest German Shepherd Forum on the Internet
• German Shepherd, A history and care guide
• The DM Database