Almost everyone in the world is familiar with the German Shepherd (also called the Alsatian for a time). Loyal and obedient and thus easy to train, German Shepherds are also colloquially known as ‘police dogs’ because they are the most popular breed used in K9 police units.
German Shepherds are fearless and would be the first dog to take a bullet for you. To members of the military and police force, German Shepherds are more than just a dog – they are considered police officers; part of the force who put themselves in great danger for the benefit of their human team.
German army captain, Max von Stephanitz, first registered a German Shepherd in Germany in 1899. The dog was the result of careful breeding in developing an ideal service dog. The captain’s motto was utility and intelligence. The German Shepherd is arguably the most versatile of all working breeds. This obedient breed was almost immediately put to wide use, serving the German army in World Wars I and II. Returning American GI’s brought back tales of the breed’s prowess and were very impressed with the dog’s bravery. They also brought a few German Shepherds back home with them.
Hollywood fell in love with the handsome breed, and so the German Shepherd pawed their way to the big screen. Just think of Rin Tin Tin, who was extremely intelligent. When Rin Tin Tin first premiered in silent films in the 1920s, he received over 10,000 letters a week and so saved Warner Brothers from financial ruin.
German Shepherds are very athletic and extremely intelligent and can be trained to do almost anything. The versatility of the German Shepherd breed begins with a double layer coat, of which the very dense undercoat helps them to be an ideal all-weather type of dog. Colour varieties include the standard black and tan, all black, and in recent years, even white.
This breed has very alert pointed ears, but as puppies, their ears are floppy, which is very close to the wolf whose puppies are born with floppy ears. They also have a slightly curved, bushy tail. Police are thankful for the German Shepherd’s long muzzle… all the better to track you with.
With the capability to exert 108 kg of pressure, the German Shepherd has a bite second only to the Rottweiler in power. When their jaws snap shut, the six upper incisors meet the six lower incisors in a devastating scissor grip, but the real utility to the police work is not the fierce bite, but the discipline to stop when told. This gives the police officer a chance to use force without using his gun.
Like most amazing working dogs the German Shepherd is a BIG softy at heart. Every German Shepherd is unique, but in general this is a healthy dog, although the breed’s body does wear down over the years. German Shepherds are well-known for having hip dysplasia and other joint issues. They need to be groomed often since you will find clumps of fur everywhere.
The German Shepherd heads the canine list as the number one biter, so early training is important. But with proper guidance, love and attention, these dogs make loyal pets. German Shepherds want to please, and if you give them the least bit of encouragement, they’ll be all over you!
The German Shepherd is a wonderful, loyal family dog, but outsiders must be aware: they are very protective of what they consider their pack or their family. The German Shepherd is very adaptable and generally healthy, but this breed is notoriously exploited by unregistered breeders. If you are wanting to adopt a German Shepherd, it’s important to get a proper health check-up before you bring him home.
| Breed | German Shepherd |
| Country | Germany |
| Average Adult Height | Male: 60 – 65 cm, Female: 55 – 60 cm |
| Average Adult Weight | Male: 30 – 40 kg, Female: 22 – 32 kg |
| Life Expectancy | 9 – 13 Years |
| Exercise requirements | Daily exercise |
| Similar Breeds | Belgian Shepherd, King Shepherd |
| Rescues in South Africa | http://germanshepherd.rescueme.org/za |
