German Shepherd Dog
Standardised from a single dog in 1899 by a man who wanted a working breed and got one. Herder, soldier, guide dog and police dog, all within a century.
Photo by Magnus Bråth, CC BY 2.0
Overview
The German Shepherd was created by Max von Stephanitz in 1899, deliberately assembled from German herding dogs into a standardised working breed, and it became the most widely used working dog in the world. UK data gives a life expectancy at birth of 10.16 years.
The breed has diverged sharply. Working lines are straighter backed, harder and higher drive, while some show lines have been bred with a sloped topline that has drawn substantial criticism on welfare grounds.
Temperament
Intelligent, versatile and deeply bonded. German Shepherds are protective of their families without training, confident, and among the most trainable breeds there is.
They are also prone to nervousness and reactivity in poorly bred lines, and the breed's popularity has produced a great deal of poor breeding. Early socialisation is essential. They are vocal, they are demanding of attention, and they do badly left alone.
Care and grooming
A medium double coat that sheds constantly and enormously twice a year. Brushing two or three times a week, daily during the moults.
Hip and elbow dysplasia are the classic concerns and hip scoring is essential. Degenerative myelopathy occurs in this breed more than any other and has a DNA test. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and bloat are also real risks.
Living and exercise
Two hours a day plus serious mental work. They excel at nearly every dog sport and they need a job.
Buying is where this breed is decided. A well bred German Shepherd with straight angulation, tested hips and stable temperament is an outstanding dog, and a badly bred one is a nervous, painful, expensive animal. The difference is the breeder.
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