Origin:

The German Shepherd Dog is one of America's most popular dog breeds — for good reason. He's an intelligent and capable working dog. His devotion and courage are unmatched. And he's amazingly versatile, excelling at most anything he's trained to do: guide and assistance work for the handicapped, police and military service, herding, search and rescue, drug detection, competitive obedience and, last but not least, faithful companion.

The Shepherd is recognized as being part of the Herding or Working Group.

Expected Adult Weight:
75 - 95 lbs.

Expected Adult Height:
22 - 26 inches.

Expected Life Span:
10 - 14 years.

The German Shepherd personality is aloof but he's a reserved dog; he doesn't make friends immediately, but once he does, he's extremely loyal. With his family he's easy-going and approachable, but when threatened he can be strong and protective, making him an excellent watchdog.

This highly intelligent and trainable breed thrives on having a job to do — any job. The German Shepherd can be trained to do almost anything, from alerting a deaf person to a doorbell ring to sniffing out an avalanche victim!

The German Shepherd was originally bred to herd flocks in harsh climates, and his medium-length double coat fits the job perfectly, protecting the dog from rain and snow, and resistant to picking up burrs and dirt.

The coat types of the German Shepherd are as varied as his color; some German Shepherds are long-haired. However, the ideal German Shepherd has a double coat of medium length. The outer coat is dense with straight hair that lies close to the body, and is sometimes wavy and wiry.

Regular Grooming Frequency:
Weekly brushing and seasonal grooming needed.

Trim nails on a regular basis to prevent painful splintering. If you can hear the nails clicking on the floor, they're too long.

Home Grooming Tools Required:
Metal comb and soft slicker.

Training is a must for German Shepherds as they become board if not given a responsibility and given the opportunity to shine!

The German Shepherd has held many jobs including leading the blind, chasing down criminals, sniffing out illegal substances, serving in the military, visiting the sick, and herding stock are just some of the jobs held by this versatile breed.

The dog has even taken on the role of national hero. German Shepherds were the search and rescue dogs crawling through the ruins of the World Trade Center after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, looking for survivors and comforting rescue workers and families!

The German Shepherd is a high-energy dog who needs a lot of activity and exercise! He will make a great walking or running companion and will do great in all commands during your time out with proper training. A good way to exercise your Shepherd is to keep him busy with different tasks!