The German Shepherd dog is one of the most beloved and honored dogs in the world. Though this breed is classified by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in the herding group and began as a herding dog, German Shepherds perform many other jobs today. Because of their inherent courage, work ethic, intelligence, loyalty and overall trainability, German Shepherd dogs are commonly used in police work, as escorts for the blind, and as security for many families and businesses. There is no better protector than a German Shepherd.
German Shepherds are native to Germany. The first of the breed was a sheep-herding dog. This dog, given the name Horand von Grafath, became the first German Shepherd registered in the German Shepherd Dog Club of Germany in 1899. The breed was registered with the AKC in 1911. German Shepherd breeders are common in North America due to the high demand not only for purebred German Shepherds, but for Shepherds with specific training. A German Shepherd breeder may specialize in training this breed for the visually impaired, for the police, and for use in tracking and protection. The Germans have a special training program for Shepherds to become “Schutzhunds,” or protection dogs.
When purchasing a German Shepherd it is important to know what to look for. Adult male German Shepherds weigh 85-100 lbs. and stand over two feet tall at the shoulder. Adult females are 55-75 lbs. and almost as tall as a male. Shepherds are prone to certain physical ailments such as hip and elbow dysplasia, other skeletal disorders that can cause lameness, and a blood disorder specific to the breed called von Willebrand’s Disease.
A good German Shepherd breeder will be able to provide you with documentation of the dog’s pedigree and medical history. Because German Shepherds are prone to many skeletal disorders, especially of the hip, the breeder should also include a warranty or statement that the dog has been evaluated for these issues. Getting documentation is also a good way to make sure your Shepherd is purebred as well determining what accomplishments the dog has in his ancestry. Most German Shepherds are trained and certified in many areas and a pedigree will list these achievements.
Make sure you know how to properly care for your German Shepherd and ask advice from the breeder on diet, exercise, and general training. A reputable breeder should have his or her own kennel and your German Shepherd should have received daily socialization, exercise and grooming as well as good nutrition and exposure to other animals. Lastly, make sure you have a purpose for buying a German Shepherd. This intelligent, hard-working breed is happiest when its owner gives it daily tasks to complete.
Now that you know basic German Shepherd traits and medical conditions, how to care for your Shepherd, what to look for in a German Shepherd breeder, and what purpose you will utilize your Shepherd for, it is time to find the perfect German Shepherd. Though many buyers want a purebred puppy, buying a purebred adult dog can be a good alternative. Adults are already trained, housebroken and socialized. Also, there are many adult German Shepherds who are far less likely to find homes than the adorable puppies sold by breeders.
German Shepherd rescue centers save Shepherds from abusive, neglectful or uncaring environments. There are bad breeders who try to sell fake dogs and there are even worse breeders who sell purebred, but often unhealthy, dogs out of puppy mills. Puppy mills are kennels where dogs are housed in small cages, constantly bred and provided with little to no socialization.
To recap, a reputable German Shepherd breeder will have his or her own kennel, will provide documentation of lineage and health information, and will be affiliated with a rescue center, ASPCA, or other agencies that support animals.
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