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German Shepherd

A German Shepherd showing American line confirmation
Other names Deutscher Schäferhund
Schäferhund
Alsatian
Berger Allemand
GSD
Country of origin Flag of Germany Germany
Traits

The German Shepherd Dog (GSD), is a breed of dog originally bred for herding sheep. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Dog breeds are groups of closely related and visibly similar domestic Dogs with characteristic traits that are selected and maintained by humans bred from a known foundation The dog ( Canis lupus familiaris) is a domesticated Subspecies of the gray wolf, a Mammal of the Canidae family of the order Herding is the act of bringing individual animals together into a group ( Herd) maintaining the group and moving the group from place to place&mdashor any combination of There are various other names for this dog such as Alsatian (which originated out of Anti-German sentiment during WWI) and simply German Shepherd. Anti-German sentiment (or Germanophobia) is defined as a fear or hatred of Germany, its people, and the German language. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All Today, based on 2006 Kennel Club figures, German Shepherd Dogs are one of the most popular breeds in the UK, with 12,857 registrations[1] and also one of the most popular breeds in the United States with 43,575 registrations[2]. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. A kennel club (known as a kennel council or canine council in some countries is an organization for canine affairs that concerns itself with the The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The United States of America —commonly referred to as the They can be found working as guide dogs for the blind or disabled, police work, guarding, search and rescue, therapy and in the military. "Guide Dogs" redirects here For the British charity see The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association Guide dogs are Assistance A police dog is a Dog that is trained specifically to assist Police and similar law-enforcement personnel with their work A guard dog, watch dog, or sentry dog is a Dog employed to guard against or watch for unwanted or unexpected animals or people For the TV series of this title see Search and Rescue (TV series. A therapy dog is a Dog trained to provide affection and comfort to people in Hospitals Retirement homes Nursing homes Mental institutions Despite their suitability for such work, German Shepherds can also make loyal and loving pets inside the home. They enjoy being around people and other animals, although socialization is critical for young puppies in order to prevent aggressive and dangerous behavior as an adult. The term socialization is used by sociologists, social psychologists and Educationalists to refer to the process of learning one’s Culture German Shepherds are well-suited to obedience, with advanced and prestigious titles available to test both the handler and dog in various Schutzhund trials. Obedience training usually refers to the training of a dog and the term is most commonly used in that context Schutzhund ( german for protection dog is a dog sport that was developed in Germany in the early 1900s to test whether German Shepherd Dogs act and

Contents

Characteristics

Appearance

Buck - A fine example of a German Shepherd. Descended from strong, pedigree blood lines where his grandfather, Bashir, was both a German and European champion.
Buck - A fine example of a German Shepherd. Descended from strong, pedigree blood lines where his grandfather, Bashir, was both a German and European champion.

Exact standards for the breed vary by country and organization, but the following criteria are generally part of the definition.

The German Shepherd Dog is a large and strong dog, typically between 75 and 110 lbs, but have been known to reach 150+lbs. The height for males is typically 24 - 26in (60 - 65cm); for females it is 22 - 24in (55 - 60cm). The fur is a double-coat (under coat and outer coat). Fur is a body hair of any non-human Mammal, also known as the Pelage. While some organizations accept long-haired German Shepherds, short-haired dogs are typically, and historically, preferred.

German Shepherds are easily identifiable by their large head, ears which stand straight up, wedge-shaped muzzle and compact legs. They also have a distinctive gait, as well as other breed-specific features.

Their jaw strength ranges from 751-1200 pounds, the strongest in any domestic dog.

Disqualifications for conformation-line dogs include white nails, a nose which isn't all-black, a muzzle which isn't predominantly black, non-erect ears, and very light-toned eyes.

Controversy over the modern appearance

German Shepherds are sparingly bred, by the efforts of a great few, for work function (working line) as was originally intended by the breed inventor Max von Stephanitz. Most often they are bred to conform to breed appearance standards (conformation line), although Max von Stephanitz distinctly stated, "Our shepherd dog is a service dog, and he must only be bred as a service dog. He must only be judged as a service dog. With service dogs, suitability ranks higher than beauty.

Appearance in working versus show lines

The German Shepherd dog was advanced in the United States by the renowned dog breeder and judge, Geraldine R. Dodge, who invited Rin Tin Tin to her prestigious Morris and Essex Dog Show in 1929 and wrote a book about the breed
The German Shepherd dog was advanced in the United States by the renowned dog breeder and judge, Geraldine R. Dodge, who invited Rin Tin Tin to her prestigious Morris and Essex Dog Show in 1929 and wrote a book about the breed

In Germany, Conformation line dogs are bred to not only proper physical appearance, but must also have working instincts (herding, prey drive) They are bred to conform to the published breed standards for appearance, health and workability, hence the strict rules of the German SV Schaeferhunde Verein[3] for dogs in their Pink Paper breeding program to be titled and Küred (critiqued by a Judge). Ethel Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge ( April 3, 1882 &ndash August 13, 1973) was the youngest child and only daughter of Almira Geraldine However, because they are bred for conformation to the breed standard of appearance, these dogs are most often found as quality pets, in breeder environments, and in sport (Schutzhund, IPO, AKC agility) and as volunteer Search and Rescue dogs.

Working line German Shepherds are typically excluded from the show ring, as most don't conform to the current interpretation of the breed standard for physical appearance. These dogs are bred to have an enduring work drive, and unwavering obedience. Of critical importance is the dog's ability to distinguish what constitutes a threat and what does not constitute a threat. Dogs that cannot make that distinction are eliminated from police and military programs. Extremely well-suited for police and military work, these dogs are less suitable as pets for home environments, unless the owners are familiar with their dog's abilities and needs. Working line dogs are now employed in many police departments and government organizations across the globe such as the UK Police Service and the Metropolitan Counter Terrorism Command in the United Kingdom, and the ATF, the U.S. Marshals, and Customs in the USA. Law enforcement in the United Kingdom is organised separately in Scotland, Northern Ireland, England and Wales (administration of Police matters Counter Terrorism Command ( CTC) is a Specialist Operations branch within the British Metropolitan Police Service, established as a result of a merge of the Metropolitan The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (abbreviated ATF) is a specialized federal law enforcement and regulatory organization within the United US Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE) is the largest and primary investigative arm of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS responsible Working line dogs are frequently found in sport and as volunteer search and rescue dogs.

Appearance in national breed lines

A German Shepherd puppy. The ears do not stand erect until several weeks or months of age, and go through phases of both-ears-down, one-ear-up, etc., until then.
A German Shepherd puppy. The ears do not stand erect until several weeks or months of age, and go through phases of both-ears-down, one-ear-up, etc. , until then.

There are typically four recognized breed lines.

The West German Lines contain conformation lines and are the most well known of the various lines. The split between the working line and conformation line bred dogs has affected this line also. The confirmation line specializing in beauty while the working line dogs are targeted towards performance and working related activities.

The DDR lines. In the former East Germany, German Shepherds adhered more closely to the old pre-war standard, marked by a straighter back, a longer and denser coat, and a darker color. The German Democratic Republic ( GDR; Deutsche Demokratische Republik DDR; commonly known in English as East Germany) was a Socialist state The government sponsored breeding program fell when the wall fell thus there are no longer any true DDR dogs being bred although there are current attempts to preserve this distinct line amongst certain breeders.

Most Czech dogs had their origins in the government kennels of Z Pohranicni straze (z PS), Z Jirkova dvora CS and Z Blatenskeho zamku. One of the most prolific kennels Z Pohranicni straze (Z PS) was founded in the year 1955 for the strict purpose of production and training of the dogs that would be solely used for the protection of Czechoslovakian People's Republic's, since 1968 Czechoslovakian Socialist Republic's borders. The majority of these dogs were acquired from former East Germany.

The American lines are recognized by AKC and the UKC, and they have a noticeably different appearance from the international conformation-line (German line) German Shepherds. The American Kennel Club (or AKC) is a registry of Purebred Dog pedigrees in the United States. The United Kennel Club (or UKC) is the second oldest all-breed registry of Purebred Dog Pedigrees in the United States and The most obvious difference is the sloping back and "collapsed" hips, which is a disqualification for dogs in international competitions. This has led to the creation of the Shiloh Shepherd in the United States, which was originally a line of German shepherd whose breeder did not favor that feature in the American lines and wanted to preserve the way the breed originally looked.

German Shepherd Breed Types with photos

Variant sizes and coats

There are many colors that a German shepherd can be. For conformation-line dogs, the most common ones are black-and-tan or black-and-red. Combinations containing very light hues such as cream are typically considered faulty. All-black is usually, but not always, accepted. A white German Shepherd is automatically disqualified from the AKC, but is fully recognized as a pure bred dog by the UKC.

A solid black German Shepherd
A solid black German Shepherd

Working-line dogs are typically sable, solid black, bi-color, or black-and-red.

There are several different color-marking patterns. For conformation-line dogs, the "saddle" marking is probably the most well-known. This consists of a large black patch on the upper and mid back, extending partway down the dog's sides. The "sable" marking, which consists of one color with randomly-sized and -shaped patches or swaths of different-colored hair mixed in, is typical for working-line dogs. Some sable-pattern dogs have three colors in their coat; this is called agouti. Agouti signalling peptide, also referred to as Agouti is a Peptide which acts as an antagonist at Melanocortin receptors specifically MC1. The other popular marking is called "bi-color", and consists of a dog that is all one color (typically black) save for differently-colored paws and lower legs, and sometimes a swath on the belly.

Some groups or breeders have focused on variants of the breed that are not recognized by most kennel clubs as standard conformation German Shepherds. In a conformation show, judges familiar with specific Dog breeds evaluate individual Dogs for how well they conform to published Breed standards White Shepherds or Berger Blanc Suisse are recognized as a separate breed. The Berger Blanc Suisse ( German

Long-coated German Shepherds

Dogs with the long haired coat variation look somewhat like the Tervuren type of Belgian Shepherd Dog. Appearance Temperament Belgian Shepherds are highly intelligent and are bred to be alert and sensitive to everything going on around The long hair gene is recessive. History See also History of genetics The existence of genes was first suggested by Gregor Mendel (1822-1884 who in the 1860s studied inheritance Popular myth holds that long-haired GSDs (sometimes called "fuzzies") are more affectionate, but there is little evidence for this beyond owner impressions. Long coats can come in two variations, both with an undercoat and without. Without the undercoat they have very little weather protection, but those longhairs with it fair as well as their short-haired companions, just with longer hair on the outside.

Kennel club treatment of long-haired German Shepherds varies. It is considered a fault under American Kennel Club and FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale, i. e. International Canine Federation) standards. Under other standards, such as Germany[4] and the United Kingdom,[5] long-haired German Shepherds are actively bred, registered, and shown, and specialized long-haired breeders exist. There is also a variation known as 'long, stock-haired German Shephard'; stock hair isn't registered directly as a fault and such dogs are able to participate.

White coat
A White Swiss Shepherd, a descendant of the white German Shepherd.
A White Swiss Shepherd, a descendant of the white German Shepherd. The Berger Blanc Suisse ( German
Main article: Berger Blanc Suisse

The recessive gene for white coat hair was fixed in the German Shepherd Dog breed DNA by the late nineteenth and early twentieth century German breeding program that extensively used "color coated" dogs who carried a recessive gene for "white coats. The Berger Blanc Suisse ( German " The maternal grandfather of Horand von Grafrath, the first entry "SZ 1" in the SV Stud Book, was a white-coat German shepherding dog named Greif von Sparwasser. Horand von Grafrath ( January 1 1895 - after 1899 (formerly Hektor Linksrhein) was the first German Shepherd Dog and the genetic basis on which Whites can come in anything from pure white to a blondish golden colour. Normal pigment was expected to be present in the nose, pads, and eyes. White was designated a disqualifying conformation fault by the SV (German Shepherd Club of Germany) in 1933 and by the German Shepherd Dog Club of America (GSDCA) and the German Shepherd Dog Club of Canada (GSDCC)in the mid-1960s. White German Shepherds were disqualified from dog shows and other organizations mainly because of their fur color. Their color was known to be noticed too easily in the dark and difficult to spot in the lighter conditions such as snow.

Temperament

German Shepherds are highly intelligent and agile dogs, with a strong work drive. They are often deployed in various roles such as police, guarding, search and rescue, therapy, service-dog, and in the military applications. A police dog is a Dog that is trained specifically to assist Police and similar law-enforcement personnel with their work A guard dog, watch dog, or sentry dog is a Dog employed to guard against or watch for unwanted or unexpected animals or people For the TV series of this title see Search and Rescue (TV series. A therapy dog is a Dog trained to provide affection and comfort to people in Hospitals Retirement homes Nursing homes Mental institutions A service dog is a type of Assistance dog, specifically trained to help people who have disabilities other than visual or Hearing impairment

The breed has a personality marked by direct, fearless willingness to protect what it considers its "den" (i. e. house, car, and property in a home situation) and "pack" (i. e. human family in a home situation). It is poised, but when the occasion demands, eager and alert; both fit and willing to serve in its capacity as a companion, watchdog, guide dog for people who are blind, herding dog, or guardian, whichever the circumstances may demand. [6]

Proper socialization as a puppy is one of the two key factors which determines what a dog's temperament will be as an adult. [7] Genetics is the other. [8] They go hand-in-hand; a dog with certain genetics cannot be trained to be stable and friendly, and by the same token the genetics most fit for training are meaningless if the dog is not well-socialized as a puppy. [9] The "ideal" German Shepherd should be alert and fearless in defense of its den and pack, but loving and non-aggressive within the home environment. [10]

Health

As is common of many large breeds, German Shepherds are susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia. This article pertains to elbow dysplasia in the Dog. Elbow dysplasia is a condition involving multiple developmental abnormalities of the Hip dysplasia is a disease that in its more severe form can eventually cause crippling Lameness and painful Arthritis of the joints Proper breeding is needed to breed these traits out of their dogs, so that the dog may enjoy a pain-free life and stay suited for work situations. These breeders typically require that their puppies' hips and elbows be x-rayed, and the x-rays approved and certified by the OFA when the puppy is fully-grown (age two), in order for the puppy to be allowed to be bred. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA is a Not-for-profit organization based in Columbia Missouri that aims to research and prevent orthopedic and hereditary Recent American breeders have failed to maintain the same standard regarding the hind quarters of the breed as in other countries and dogs presenting the weaker hind quarters are disqualified in international shows.

Other health problems sometimes occurring in the breed are von Willebrand's disease, skin allergies and canine degenerative myelopathy. Von Willebrand disease (vWD is the most common hereditary Coagulation abnormality described in humans although it can also be acquired as a result of other medical conditions Allergy is a disorder of the Immune system often also referred to as Atopy. Canine degenerative myelopathy (also known as chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy is a neurological disease common in German Shepherds Welsh Corgis and possibly German Shepherds, like all large bodied dogs, are also prone to bloat. Bloat is a medical condition in which the Stomach becomes overstretched by excessive Gas content They have an average lifespan of 10-12 years. Life expectancy is the average number of years of life remaining at a given age

German Shepherds also are prone to pancreas deficiency, which is where the pancreas stops creating enzymes and the animal is unable to pass any faeces. There is medication available, but it is not 100% effective. Unfortunately, it does not cure the problem, and the treatment is fairly expensive.

Other illness that may occur are:
Panosteitis-(definition from AKC encyclopedia) Excessive formation of bone growth or different maturity around some joints on young dogs resulting in intermittent lameness
Cauda equina syndrome-Group of neurological signs resulting from compression of the spinal nerves of the lumbosacral region. Panosteitis is a common bone disease in Dogs It manifests with sudden otherwise unexplained pain and lameness sometimes shifting from leg to leg usually between 5 and 14 months Cauda equina syndrome is a serious neurologic condition in which there is acute loss of function of the neurologic elements ( Nerve roots of the spinal
Pyotraumatic dermatitis-(no definition)
Malignant neoplasms-(no definition)
Pannus(chronic superficial keratitis)- Potentially blinding inflammation of the cornea,including abnormal growth of vascularized pigment over cornea.

Name

The proper English name for the breed is German Shepherd Dog (a literal translation from the German Deutscher Schäferhund) but they are usually informally referred to as GSDs or as "German Shepherds". In addition, the sobriquet police dog is used in many countries where the GSD is the predominant or exclusive breed used by the police force. A sobriquet is a Nickname or a fancy name usually a familiar name given by others as distinct from a Pseudonym assumed as a disguise but a nickname which is familiar In Germany the dog is referred to as just Schäferhund (shepherd dog) and often held as an ordinary companion dog.

Anti-German sentiment was still high in the wake of World War I (1914 - 1918), and change of German-oriented names in the UK - including that of the Royal Family - were common at the time when a few dogs were taken to Britain and the United States. Anti-German sentiment (or Germanophobia) is defined as a fear or hatred of Germany, its people, and the German language. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All In 1919, the English Kennel Club gave the breed a separate register. The Kennel Club ("KC" is a Kennel club based in London and Aylesbury England. A breed registry, also known as a stud book or register, in Animal husbandry and the Hobby of Animal fancy, is an official list of Since it was feared that the name German Shepherd Dog could be an impediment, the name Alsatian wolf dog was introduced, from Alsace, a traditionally German-speaking French area on the west bank of the Rhine which had been annexed by the German Empire in 1870 but restored to France in 1918. Alsace (Alsace alzas Alsatian and Elsass pre-1996 German: Elsaß; Alsatia is one of the 26 Regions of France, located on the eastern The Rhine (Rhein Rijn Rhin Reno Rain Rhenus is one of the longest and most important Rivers in Europe at 1320 kilometres (820 mi with an average discharge The German Empire is the name commonly used in English to describe Germany from 1871 to 1918 when it was a semi- Constitutional monarchy: beginning with the Unification The 'wolf dog' part was dropped shortly thereafter for fear of causing undue criticism of the breed. This name is still occasionally used in the United Kingdom, Italy and the Republic of Ireland. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe.

History

The German Shepherd breed was invented by "Captain Max" von Stephanitz in 1899. Max Emil Friedrich von Stephanitz ( December 30, 1864 &ndash 22 April 1936) was a German dog breeder who is credited with having developed His first German Shepherd, named Horand von Grafrath, is the genetic basis for the German Shepherd as we know it today.

The German Shepherd was originally conceived as a sheep-herding dog, hence its name. Throughout the years, the specific working drives of tracking, obedience, and protection have been intentionally highlighted in the breed by selective breeding, making German Shepherds very well-suited for active working environments. This article focuses on selective breeding in domesticated animals Jobs performed by dogs Although most modern dogs are kept as Pets there are still a tremendous number of ways in which dogs can and do assist humans and more uses are German Shepherds first came to the attention of the British authorities at the beginning of the twentieth century where they were already being used extensively by German forces on the Western front during the first world war. German Shepherds were used commonly by the Germans during the time of World War I.

Titling and competitions

There are many prestigious titles available for German Shepherds, covering everything from conformation to herding abilities. Schutzhund trials were invented for evaluation German Shepherds, and measure the dogs' abilities in the areas of protection, tracking, and obedience. Schutzhund ( german for protection dog is a dog sport that was developed in Germany in the early 1900s to test whether German Shepherd Dogs act and Most world-class conformation dogs are titled to the second or third (which is the highest) level of Schutzhund before they're bred.

Scent-work

The German Shepherd dog is one of the most widely-used breeds in a wide variety of scent-work roles. These include search and rescue, cadaver searching, narcotics detection, explosives detection, accelerant detection, and mine detection dog, amongst others. The use of Dogs in Search and rescue (SAR is a valuable component in responding to law enforcement requests for Missing people. A police dog is a Dog that is trained specifically to assist Police and similar law-enforcement personnel with their work The term narcotic (ναρκωτικός is believed to have been coined by the Greek physician Galen to refer to agents that benumb or deaden causing loss Explosive detection is a non-destructive Inspection process to determine whether a container contains Explosive material In Fire protection, an accelerant is any substance or mixture that "accelerates" the development of Fire.

Appearances in films and on television

See also

References

  1. ^ 2006 Top 20 Breed Registrations - The Kennel Club
  2. ^ akc.org
  3. ^ Schaeferhunde Verein
  4. ^ Langhaar-Schaeferhunde-Verband
  5. ^ German Shepherd Dog (Alsatian) Breed Standard - The Kennel Club
  6. ^ reference needed
  7. ^ reference needed
  8. ^ reference needed
  9. ^ reference needed
  10. ^ reference needed
  11. ^ The True Story of Rin Tin Tin

External links

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The Tamaskan dog is a breed of Domestic dog ( canis lupus familiaris) originating from Finland known to excel in agility, obedience The Northern Inuit Dog
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