German Shepherd Dog
Adult Size: Females 22-24 inches and 60-80 pounds, Males 24-26 inches and 70-90 pounds.
Breed: German Shepherd Dog
Breed Group: Herding

German shepherds are natural protectors of their home and family. The German shepherd is known for showing confidence and quietly standing their ground when protecting, not initiating overtures but willing to meet them if needed. Germans are more than capable of filling demanding and difficult roles, whether as a watchdog, herd guardian, companion or blind leader service dog.

German Shepherds have a very distinct personality and their expressions, though never hostile, are both fearless and direct. The desire to protect is such a strong trait that around the age of five or six months puppies will start to show awareness of “their people” and “their space” by beginning to learn how to bark at approaching strangers, thus warning their family of the strangers’ arrival.

In terms of personality, German Shepherds exude self-confidence and seem to have a certain aloofness that makes the prospect of forming a friendship not always a certainty. German Shepherds are always poised and contained; but if needed they can be instantly alert and eager.

The shepherd is a “double-coated” breed, meaning it has a down type undercoat next to the skin with longer, coarse hair on the outside. The thinner appearance of their coats can be misleading, as it is actually very dense. Regular brushing and combing at least twice a week is essential in managing the double coat.

Health issues common to the breed are hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy as well as von Willebrand’s disease, a bleeding disorder, and an inflammation of the corneal surface known as Pannus.

The German Shepherd dog was developed from European herding and farm dogs in the late 1800’s and is considered a manufactured breed. Having been originally developed as dogs for police and military work, the German Shepherd is still a standout breed for this type of work.

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German Shepherd - Dogs for Sale