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German Shepherd:

The German Shepherd is one of the most highly regarded and most commonly recognized breeds of dogs.  Whether it was known on the big screen as Rin Tin Tin or simply the dog your neighbor has down the street, this highly intelligent breed makes an excellent watch dog.

Although it may bark frequently, the German Shepherd enjoys being part of the family.  When enough time is spent training it thoroughly, it is responsive. It’s courageous, loyal, and valiant.  With a life expectancy of up to fourteen years, not only does a German Shepherd make a terrific house pet, it also has many facets such as doing police work, work as a guard dog, search and rescue, therapy, and the military.  They’re also guide dogs for the blind.  When this breed is a house pet, it completely enjoys being around other people as well as animals. Keep in mind, training and proper socialization is key. This will help prevent a dangerous and overly aggressive dog.  When trained properly, German Shepherds are also obedient.

As for one of the many traits of this dog?  It’s beautiful fur. It’s actually double-coat and can be either short or long.  Many German Shepherds are known for being black and tan however they come in a variety of colors.  For instance, they may be solid white or black and silver, blue and tan, or even black and red.  Dogs with coats encompassing three colors such as black and white with red or brown are considered to be sable.  Sables also encompass a variety of mixtures such as black and red or black and silver, black and cream or black and tan.  

Since there are variations among the hair, it’s interesting to note the white coat stems back to its origin from the very beginning. In fact, the German Shepherd Dog is traced to its breeding in 1899.  The very first entry in the archives was a white-coated German Shepherd dog.  Known as a working herd dog, intelligence, stamina, and its hard work ethic were paramount to its nature as it is today. 

Part of the hard work ethic is attributed to proper training. German Shepherds are extremely powerful and strong; their nature can be used towards or against them for instance it could be their detriment since they can become dangerous if they’re not raised appropriately.  If not trained properly, they can become fearful, outwardly aggressive, or a combination of both.  They’re considered dangerous in several countries which is the result of poor breeding and the inability of the owner to control the dog. 

Since they are so active and strong, maintaining their health is the utmost importance. In fact, they’re susceptible to elbow and hip problems and even skin allergies.  They also tend to have problems with their eyes and ears.  As with all dogs, it’s important to frequently see the veterinarian and get appropriate vaccinations. And as it relates to being a puppy, German Shepherds in particular need proper attention.  From early on it’s important to establish boundaries; as a house pet they need to be socialized around people to not act aggressively.  When trained properly, German Shepherds make a lovely addition to any family.