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German Shepherds – The facts every owner should know

Rick — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:33:25 +0000

Also known as the Alsatian, the German Shepherd is a ‘young’ breed, having only been recognized as a distinct breed in the last 90 years. The German Shepard can trace its roots back to a range of shepherding dogs in Germany, and some groups tried to informally breed this dog. This effort failed but in 1899, a new group formed. Der Verein fur Deutsche Schaeferhunde was founded by Max von Stephanitz, who wanted to breed an all purpose working dog.

The German Shepherd came to the United Sates in 1908 with soldiers impressed by the courage and abilities of this dog. German Shepherds will reach an average height of 22 to 26 inches, weight of 77 to 85 pounds and live an average of 13 years. There are a wide variety of coats in this breed. Some German Shepherds are longhaired and some are shorthaired. The color is most often black and tan, but can also be sable, all black, blue and liver and white.

The one thing all German Shepard coats have in common is that they shed profusely, and shed worse during their shedding season. Daily brushing usually helps combat the shedding, and German Shepherds should only be bathed occasionally. Almost all German Shepherds are described as self-confident and loyal.

German Shepherds are highly intelligent and often times used as police dogs, rescue dogs and guide dogs. German Shepherds make excellent guard dogs and are very loyal to their family. They make excellent protectors, barking when someone unfamiliar is approaching. German Shepherds do make good family pets and will guard the children of ‘their’ family. They will tolerate the poking and prodding children are prone to do. However, they are sometimes unaware of their size and power relative to a small child and may indiscriminately knock them over.

A German Shepherd and child should always be watched to avoid this. German Shepherds can survive apartment living if given enough exercise regularly and given enough activities. If left alone too long or not stimulated enough, German Shepherds will become bored and destructive. They enjoy being in the company of their human family but not other pets.If you are not able to take your German Shepherd out for regular exercise, consider getting a dog treadmill.

As a working dog that likes to please, a German Shepherd will do very well with obedience training. German Shepherds are prone to some genetic disorders including hip and elbow Dysplasia, blood disorders, digestive problems, epilepsy, chronic eczema, keratitis (inflammation of the cornea), dwarfism and flea allergies.

German Shepherds In Law Enforcement

Rick — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:56:31 +0000

You have probably seen law enforcement dogs from time to time, and more often than not, that dog was most likely a German Shepherd. German Shepherds have been employed with the United States military and the police force for decades. In large cities, you will see these law enforcement shepherds patrolling streets, trains, and airports with their officer handlers. In smaller communities they are typically used for rescue missions or specific investigations, such as suspicion of narcotics possession.

German Shepherds are often seen at the side of their officer handler, obediently going where he or she goes and responding immediately to given commands. When docile and standing down, these German Shepherds seem like little more than household family pets who have been trained to obey their owners. When the time comes, however, the German Shepherd is an intelligent and effective police dog. They patrol with their officer handlers ready to fight the good fight alongside them. On command, one of these police dogs could chase a criminal on foot for miles farther than any human officer in the best of shape. These dogs are trained to subdue and hold any criminals caught in pursuit until their human partners arrive and they are release with a specific command.

German Shepherds also have an impeccable sense of smell. For this reason, they are frequently used as tracking dogs. Sometimes tracking dogs will be given a sent of a missing person to help search and recover clues or the person themselves. German Shepherds are also used to recover and rescue victims of natural disasters who may be caught deep inside architectural rubble and who would never have been found otherwise. They are also used as cadaver dogs, being easily trained to smell the decomposition of human flesh and recover decaying cadavers from wreckage.

The primary use of a German Shepherd’s sniffing abilities, however, is what they excel at. German Shepherds are frequently used as narcotics dogs, detecting drugs like marijuana or cocaine in an investigation or in airports. These dogs are so talented and well trained that they can smell things a human would not even dream of catching a whiff of. Upon catching a sent of drugs, the dogs will bark or otherwise alert their officer handlers, who will pursue the investigation further.

If you have ever encountered a law enforcement German Shepherd, you may have heard his or her officer handler giving commands in what seems like jibberish. This is not the case, in fact. Most dogs that work in law enforcement are trained in languages uncommon in the United States, such as German. This minimizes any risk of criminals understanding the commands used for a specific dog, and will prevent them from trying to issue commands of their own.

German Shepherds excel in law enforcement and are celebrated for the work that they do. The next time you see a K9 Unit officer, be proud to know that this pooch is defending your rights and your community along side the men and women of the law.

German Shepherds Working In Law Enforcement

Rick — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:27:48 +0000

German Shepherds are a breed popular for the high intellect and great strength. These qualities make the breed a fantastic working dog, capable of adapting to varied environments, tasks, and handlers. For these reasons, they are often chosen to work as service dogs. German Shepherds are used in therapy, rescue work, and, probably most often, law enforcement. You have probably seen law enforcement dogs from time to time, and more often than not, that dog was most likely a German Shepherd. German Shepherds have been employed with the United States military and the police force for decades. In large cities, you will see these law enforcement shepherds patrolling streets, trains, and airports with their officer handlers. In smaller communities they are typically used for rescue missions or specific investigations, such as suspicion of narcotics possession. German Shepherds are often seen at the side of their officer handler, obediently going where he or she goes and responding immediately to given commands. When docile and standing down, these German Shepherds seem like little more than household family pets who have been trained to obey their owners. When the time comes, however, the German Shepherd is an intelligent and effective police dog. They patrol with their officer handlers ready to fight the good fight alongside them. On command, one of these police dogs could chase a criminal on foot for miles farther than any human officer in the best of shape. These dogs are trained to subdue and hold any criminals caught in pursuit until their human partners arrive and they are release with a specific command. German Shepherds also have an impeccable sense of smell. For this reason, they are frequently used as tracking dogs. Sometimes tracking dogs will be given a sent of a missing person to help search and recover clues or the person themselves. German Shepherds are also used to recover and rescue victims of natural disasters who may be caught deep inside architectural rubble and who would never have been found otherwise. They are also used as cadaver dogs, being easily trained to smell the decomposition of human flesh and recover decaying cadavers from wreckage. The primary use of a German Shepherd’s sniffing abilities, however, is what they excel at. German Shepherds are frequently used as narcotics dogs, detecting drugs like marijuana or cocaine in an investigation or in airports. These dogs are so talented and well trained that they can smell things a human would not even dream of catching a whiff of. Upon catching a sent of drugs, the dogs will bark or otherwise alert their officer handlers, who will pursue the investigation further. If you have ever encountered a law enforcement German Shepherd, you may have heard his or her officer handler giving commands in what seems like jibberish. This is not the case, in fact. Most dogs that work in law enforcement are trained in languages uncommon in the United States, such as German. This minimizes any risk of criminals understanding the commands used for a specific dog, and will prevent them from trying to issue commands of their own. German Shepherds excel in law enforcement and are celebrated for the work that they do. The next time you see a K9 Unit officer, be proud to know that this pooch is defending your rights and your community along side the men and women of the law.

German Shepherds

Rick — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:52:12 +0000

The German Shepherd Dog is also known as the Alsatian. During the First World War there was so much anti German feeling that the breed were remained Alsatians. The name German Shepherd came back into use after the second world war.

It is a very good looking dog, well proportioned and very strong. The coat most often comes in black with tan, sable or all black, but also can come in cream/white.

Bred as working dogs, German Shepherds are intelligent and alert. They are bold, good natured, obedient and

German Shepherds – Some of the Most Loyal Canine Friends

Rick — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:43:46 +0000

We live in a world where making friends has become a truly difficult thing and keeping one’s friends is not exactly an easy task to accomplish. People surround us all the time and, still, most of us feel alone. Friendship is one of the most beautiful things that we have and, if we are too busy to make friends or to keep contact with our old ones, we can always have a man’s best friend. Dogs are always there when we need companionship and they will never stop being our best friends.

The German Shepherd dog has existed as a distinct breed for ninety years and its ancestors were sheepherding and farming dogs from Germany. The German Shepherd is a middle-sized dog, usually weighing 75-95 pounds. Nowadays, the German Shepherds represent an appreciated breed due to their courage, loyalty and numerous abilities. However, if you consider this breed of dog for your family, you should be aware of the fact that they need love, attention and guidance.

German Shepherds represent one of the most popular and cherished breeds of dogs, due to the fact that they are intelligent, agile and very active. German Shepherds are also large, strong and very faithful. Although most people know that German Shepherds are black and tan, few are aware of the fact that these dogs come in a variety of colors and patterns, such as black and red, black and brown, black and silver, black and cream and blue and ten. These dogs represent ideal companions, watchdogs and guardians.

Before buying your puppy, it is important to do some research concerning puppy breeders. The most important thing is to buy a healthy puppy, from a breeder who is interested in finding a proper home for the puppy and who can provide you certification about its parents. Take a very good look at the puppy before buying it. Make sure it has a proper weight, it is clean and it does not smell, and that it appears to be friendly and playful. Another important thing is to test the puppy, see if it suffers from hip, and elbow dysplasia, which is a very common disease.

If you are considering purchasing a German Shepherd puppy, you should not think twice about it. German Shepherd puppies are very sociable and they need your attention and patience. They are excellent family dogs because they are friendly to all members of the household.

Of course, it does happen most of the times for them to have a favorite person. German Shepherd puppies will begin to be aware of their family after five or six months of age. Raising a puppy with young children will be an effort for the parents, but one that is worth making. The German Shepherd puppies will grow side by side with your children and become their best friends.

The German Shepherd puppy will bond with your family and will become a loyal friend. German Shepherd puppies have a good nature, although they need firm training. The training of your puppy is of utmost importance and it will last a lifetime.

Choosing a puppy requires a lot of research, time and effort, but few dogs have the qualities of a German Shepherd. If you choose such a dog, you can be certain that you will not regret your choice. They make one of the best picks from among the friendly canine beings.

Why German Shepherds Get The Reputation For Viciousness

Rick — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:03:10 +0000

The amazing trainability and eagerness to please give German Shepherds both good and bad personalities, as they can be easily trained to do just about anything – including attacking people. German Shepherd dogs worship the people they live with. They need to be active and have a job to do in order to keep them from being destructive. German Shepherds will worship you and need your attention. Any German Shepherd dog trained to do bad things can be retrained with patience.
What qualities would you look for in a friend? You would hope they would stick by your side through good times and bad. You pray that they will never betray your secrets. You wish that they would help you out when you needed help. You can find all of these qualities in a German Shepherd dog. And, as added benefit, they won’t sue you, either.
You need to do your part in this friendship, as well, in order for it to work out. You have to be patient, have a sense of humor and learn all you can about the German Shepherd breed. You have to be committed to exercising your German Shepherd dog every day, with a walk and play. They need to be active, or else they get a bit hyperactive. They also need regular trips to the vet for inoculations and check ups. Purebred German Shepherds are more inclined to have genetically caused problems than many other breeds of dog. You must be willing to pay any and all medical costs for your friend.
German Shepherd dogs worship the human beings they either live with or are ordered to protect. They would rather hang out with their people than with other dogs. The approval and affection of their people is vital to their sense of well-being. These are not dogs that like to be alone, chained out in the yard. Any German Shepherd left to this fate will overcompensate with hyperactivity in order to get his people’s attention. Since they are such large and powerful dogs, even playful boisterousness can possibly hurt someone.
German Shepherds excel when given specific jobs to do. This is why they are often one of the first breeds of choice for police dogs, search and rescue dogs, assistance dogs and for working in entertainment. Throughout the centuries, they have also played the roles of sheepherders and draft animals as well as their more familiar roles as guard dogs and military dogs.
A German Shepherd dog needs regular exercise, attention and grooming. Getting them spayed or neutered will also not only lengthen their life span, but also make them more willing to pay attention to you. German Shepherds really are not suitable for apartment life, unless they get a lot of outdoor exercise. They learn to leash train very well (and can often be voice trained), whether their owners are walking, jogging, riding a bike or riding a horse.
Hopefully, armed with this German Shepherd information about their basic personality, you will know if a German Shepherd dog is right for your home and lifestyle. There are variations in each dog’s individual personality, as there are with each dog’s physical traits. Some are more timid than others. Some are more serious than others. Some seem more psychic than others. But they need a lot of activity and attention in order to really become a member of your family.

Where Can I Get Dvds On Training German Shepherds To Be Guard Dogs?

Rick — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:09:48 +0000

I’m getting ready to purchase a German Shepherd (I know I’m spelling that wrong). I want to train him or her to be a guard dog while also training him or her to be social and good with kids. Where can I get informational books or DVDs on how to do so?

German Shepherds – Some Tips When Looking For A New Dog

Rick — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:04:33 +0000

German Shepherds have been an immensely popular breed for over a century. This large breed was first introduced outside of Germany during the first World War and has steadily gained a loyal following. German Shepherds are intelligent, loyal dogs and make great family pets. They are also well suited to work in such occupations as seeing eye dogs, watchdogs, police work and more. These canines are well rounded and make great additions to any family.
Choose a reputable breeder. German Shepherds, just like any other breed, have their share of health problems. You can avoid picking a puppy that’s prone to such problems by choosing a good breeder. A good breeder will be concerned about the health and quality of all their German Shepherds. If you aren’t sure where to look, contact your local breed council for recommendations.
Diet is important. Just like with humans what you feed, your German Shepherd ultimately is one of the deciding factors in its health, growth and development. Talk to your veterinarian about what types of things should be in the diet of a large breed like the German Shepherd.
German Shepherds, like many large breeds, commonly suffer from hip dysplasia. This is a disease that affects the shoulder and elbow joints much like arthritis. One way to reduce the chances of this German Shepherd health problem occurring is to keep exercise to a reasonable level for the first six months. This is a crucial time in your puppy’s development and overdoing it can cause problems down the line.
Other German Shepherd health concerns include Hemophilia A. This blood clotting disorder affects the males and can be hereditary. Although not subject themselves, the females can be carriers. Pancreatic Insufficiency causes food to not be digested properly. Treatment is a life long process. Bloat or Gastric Torsion is also common. Feeding two smaller meals a day instead of one large one can help prevent this painful condition.
Many of the health conditions that German Shepherds suffer from are hereditary. This is one of the reasons why a reputable breeder should be picked. They will know their German Shepherds and their histories and can inform you of anything you need to watch out for. To keep your German shepherd healthy and happy, be sure to exercise your dog regularly. It is also a good idea to get yearly check ups. German Shepherds are also very social creatures. So taking them to a dog park or allowing them to interact with other dogs and people is also a good idea. German Shepherds are also very trainable, so have some fun and teach your dog some interesting and fun tricks. These are all sure ways to keep your German Shepherd healthy.

Training German Shepherds – Training Tips and Resources

Rick — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 04:22:59 +0000

German Shepherds make great pets and are one of the most versatile and hardest working dogs in the world. They can be trained to do almost anything and are often trained to be police dogs or other service dogs. Because of their versatility, training German Shepherds needs to be approached a little different than most other dogs. Read on then check the links at the bottom for some great dog training resources. German Shepherds are athletic, strong, and relatively large for a dog. They love challenges and will do almost anything if you show them what you want. Before you start, there are some things you need to know about training German Shepherds and the dog breed in general. When they are young, they can be very excitable and rambunctious. Because of their large size even when young, there can be problems knocking over the elderly or small children that may be around. They aren?t being aggressive or mean, this is just because of their size and nature. Letting your dog know this is not acceptable is one area you really need to address right away with your German Shepherd training. If left alone, they can also be quite destructive because of their size and excitability. A bored puppy or young dog can destroy a house if left alone without any stimulation. It is important that you socialize any dog to make sure they are comfortable around other people and dogs. German Shepherds are no exception. You need to put them in non-threatening situations where they are around people and other dogs. This should prevent them from developing aggression issues towards strangers or other dogs. There are several ways to go around training German Shepherds. The first way is to sign up for professional dog training. This can be quite expensive, though, and tie you to a specific class time one or more times a week. If you miss a week, you may come in the next week and find out your dog doesn’t know what the other dogs do and you are now on your own catching up. A potentially better and certainly cheaper way to train your German Shepherd is to buy a dog training book. This will cost you a lot less than professional training class and for most dogs this will provide all the training information you need. If you have a problem dog, you may have to look into professional help, but I would try the DIY method first. You are going to have to be involved in training process either way so why not try to do it at home when you want to. In my opinion, there are 2 keys to German Shepherd training and pretty much all dog training. First, you must be consistent and use simple commands. Second, you must use positive reinforcement. Your dog wants to please you more than you can imagine so make sure you praise them when they do a good job. Do yourself a favor and download the Secrets to Dog Training to learn all the secrets you need to know to make your training experience a pleasant and rewarding one. Good luck with your new pet!