At the end of 1800, Captain Max – a German Cavalry Officer decided to breed an ideal German Herder. Along with other breeder friends, Captain Max crossed different strains from the central and northern districts in Germany. Ultimately, the ancestor of today’s GSD or German Shepherd Dog was born. German Shepherd Dog was initially reared to herd sheep. GSD became popular as canine movie stars Strongheart and Rin-Tin-Tin. The GSD is a versatile breed revealing popular qualities like agility, intelligence, stealth, speed, and firm authority.
Vital Stats
| Male | Female | |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 24 - 26 inches | 22 – 24 inches |
| Weight | 65 to 90 pounds | 50 to 70 pounds |
| Life expectancy | 7 to 10 years | |
| Group | Herding | |
| Family | German Herding Dogs | |
| Area of origin | Germany | |
| Coat and Color | Coat is dense, thick & short or medium-thick & fluffy. Colors are Solid Black, Dark Sable, Black & Tan, Black & Silver, Black & Cream, Black & Red |
|
Behavior & Personality
- Friendly with kids and other pets but keeps on guarding instincts when it is around them
- Easy to train
- Intelligent
- Obedient
- Alert
- Loyal
- Confident
- Curious
- Need regular exercise
Health
Breeders screen their breeding strains for health conditions like hip & elbow dysplasia and degenerative myelopathy. So, the majority of GSD breeds are healthy.
Owners need to learn about the symptoms of abdominal swelling and steps to take because GSD experience life-threatening bloating issues.
Nutrition
GSD weighs between 60 to 90 pounds. Their weight is mostly due to solid bones and muscles. Protein is crucial for developing muscle strength and fat for extra energy supply. An average caloric intake ranges from 1750 to 2100. Older and less active dogs will need fewer calories. In terms of protein, an active adult dog needs 18% and 5% fat.
The two crucial ingredients to look for when you buy dog food include proteins and fat. Excellent protein sources are fish, beef, poultry, and any other meat. Omega 3-fatty acid sources include vegetables and fish oil. It allows keeping the dog’s skin and coat glossy and healthy. Choose a branded pet food product and avoid labels that say ‘by-products’.
Exercise & Training
GSD is an athletic and active breed, so will need plenty of exercises to maintain its mental and physical well-being. If your GSD is still a puppy, start with baby steps. It is growing fast, so avoid activities that can damage its growth plates.
Go for plenty of walks without any lease on. Never make the puppy jump or run on the stairs or plenty of fetch games. Play games like sniffing and some running to enhance their mental concentration.
Trainers recommend 5 minutes of exercise based on the age [months] of the puppy. For example, a three-month-old will need 15 minutes of exercise at a time for several times a day. Train them to swim at a young age.
When the puppy enters adult-hood around the 18 months mark, the physical needs will significantly change. You can structure your workout with his exercise timing. You can test the adult GSDs limits with jogging, hiking, dog-paddling, Frisbee catching, tug-of-war, and even childish games like ball toss or hide & seek.
Never exercise your German Shepherd Dog after eating or they will be unable to digest and struggle with bloating. Ensure that the dog relaxes for some time after a meal.
Grooming
- Daily brush the plush double coat of your GSD with a de-shedder comb, to lower the shedding factor.
- The coat of GSD has plenty of natural oils, so bath them after every 4 to 5 months. Over bathing can strip away the natural oils leaving the skin dry.
- GSD change or blow their coats twice a year – Fall & Spring. Brush and bath are crucial in these seasons.
- Nails are short, so trim with caution.
- Ears are floppy, so need regular cleaning to avoid ear infection.
- Check the dog’s paws for bruises or injuries regularly.