GERMAN SHEPHERD

Brief description of the German Shepherd breed

Pros of the German Shepherd breed

basic information

The most significant person who gave almost 40 years of his life for the benefit of the emergence and prosperity of the breed is considered to be a retired German cavalry captain named Max Emil Frederick von Stefanitz. Von Stefanitz chose a military career at the behest of his mother, while he himself dreamed of farming. More than once the young captain observed large flocks of sheep and shepherd dogs grazing, which were inferior in both size and number to artiodactyls. But the dogs coped brilliantly with the herds entrusted to them. - without unnecessary fuss, quickly, without allowing the sheep to wander around the area. At that time (approximately 1880-1890) all herding dogs were called shepherd dogs (from the word shepherd - sheep shepherd), which did not mean that all grazing animals were one breeds. Von Stephanitz's idea was to present to the world a breed that would combine the best qualities of the shepherd dogs of that time. Moreover, in addition to helping in shepherding, the dog, according to von Stephanitz, should have traits that could become valuable in official work. And these qualities were as follows: endurance, obedience, loyalty, intelligence, the ability to stand up for the flock and the shepherd.

Von Stefanitz, who left military service, began to work closely on developing a new breed, founding the famous German Shepherd Society in the 1890s. By crossing the best individuals, the founder of the breed improved the process, noting the slightest nuances that influenced the quality of the offspring. In 1899, von Stephanitz acquired a male shepherd dog at an exhibition, which he named Horand von Grafrath. It was this dog that was the first to be included in the Society’s stud book, becoming the “father” of German shepherds. This animal combined all the qualities that von Stephanitz liked so much and were so necessary for herding. Horand subsequently crossed with females that matched his type and temperament, and Stefanitz identified defects in puppies and observed the characteristics of the young animals. The Society's dogs constantly participated in exhibitions, where the best representatives of the breed became winners. The number of Society members grew over time, and interest in German Shepherds also grew. Gradually, these dogs gained popularity among the police, helping to track down criminals. Over time, they began to enter military service, making a huge contribution during the First World War - they searched for wounded soldiers, helped with patrols and guard duty.

The founder of the breed personally dealt with the problems of breeding and preserving the service qualities of German shepherds, when unscrupulous businessmen tried to crossbreed dogs without the necessary knowledge for this. The result of uncontrolled work was puppies with unstable psyches and deviations in physical development. Von Stefanitz made every effort to ensure that the breed was developed according to the rules. For example, to improve the qualities and uniformity of the type of dogs, it was customary to cross closely related individuals. The breed became truly popular in the 1920s, and its decline occurred during the Second World War, when society in Germany and the whole world was far from problems of breeding and improvement. all dog breeds. In 1937, effectively removed by the Nazis from his life's work, von Stephanitz died. And only in peacetime, after the cessation of hostilities, the followers of his work revived and preserved the breed bit by bit, thanks to which German shepherds are rightfully popular in all countries.

Such dogs require an active lifestyle, so the owner should take the German for daily walks (preferably 2-3 times a day for at least 1 hour), outdoor games are required. It’s great if the dog owner has the opportunity to go out into nature (into the forest, park, grove, etc.), these animals feel great in the wild. It is best for such a dog to live with a person who can give it enough time for walks and communication.

They can be kept in an apartment, and in outdoor enclosures, provided that the owner takes care of the presence of an insulated booth and the absence of drafts. The coat of shepherd dogs is quite thick and long, which, especially during shedding, can contribute to the appearance of hairballs on the floor and furniture. Regular brushing (at least 3-4 times a week), which should be taught to your dog from an early age, will help avoid this problem. By the way, the Germans really love the combing procedure, so for them it will be a combination of business and pleasure. Dogs should not be bathed more than 2-3 times a year, especially in cases where the animal is not kept in an apartment. A dog's nails should be trimmed 1-2 times a month; this procedure can be carried out by the owner himself or entrusted to a groomer, who, along with trimming the nails, will take care of the comprehensive care of the animal. The owner should pay attention to the health of the German’s eyes and ears, monitor the pet’s gait, temperature, general condition and mood. And if necessary, be sure to contact a veterinarian without trying to self-medicate.

Dry food (preferably super-premium or holistic) is suitable as food for German Shepherd dogs. If the owner wishes to independently think through a menu for his four-legged friend, it is worth remembering that the dog’s diet must include natural lean meat (more than 30 %), offal, cottage cheese, fermented milk products, porridge (oatmeal, rice), raw and boiled vegetables. Sharp tubular bones, potatoes, and food flavored with spices should be avoided.

Dogs purchased from good breeders are rarely in poor health. Sometimes German Shepherds suffer from hip dysplasia, but this problem can affect not only large dogs, but also small. In Germans, dysplasia in rare cases can take on severe forms. A timely examination by a doctor, x-rays and proper treatment in the early stages of the disease will allow the dog to live a full life without limping or falling on its paws.

Some German Shepherds have an insatiable appetite, which is not surprising given their love of exercise. The owner should not overfed the dog, as shepherd dogs are prone to rapid weight gain and obesity, which leads to many problems. Germans sometimes suffer from ear infections, so the owner should closely monitor the dog when it shakes its head or tilts it unnaturally to one side, or if there is unusual discharge from the ears. But in most cases, shepherd dogs - healthy creatures that tolerate temperature changes well, they are physically developed and active. Timely visits to the veterinarian, vaccination, and parasite prevention allow the owner to have a healthy dog.