The history of this breed begins in Germany. People value these animals because they are excellent trackers and extremely helpful.

Longhair or Shorthair?

Surely every lover and future owner of a German shepherd dog wonders, which option is better to choose? First of all, here you need to outline some differences - short-haired shepherd dogs are easier and quite a lot, about 10 kilograms.

Longhair and Shorthair dogs can appear at the same time. The gene responsible for long hair is responsible for this. It is recessive with respect to the gene responsible for short hair. Genetic information is transmitted in an uncontrolled manner and depends on whether the litter appears with short hair or long hair. It depends only on luck. The price for puppies of both types is the same and is about $ 500.

The long-haired dog will undoubtedly require more care from us. This is due to combing wool. Of course, we want this to look amazing in any situation. Therefore, you will regularly have to remove dirt and dirt from your hair. The short-haired shepherd has less weight. The content is more economical when buying food.

Appearance of a German Shepherd

Basically, these are dogs characterized by a strong body structure and harmonious appearance. The German shepherd reaches a height at the withers of up to 65 cm for the cable, up to 60 cm for the females. As the name suggests, this breed of dog comes from Germany. These are protective dogs. For this reason, their physique should provide effective deterrence of intruders.

Dogs of this breed are extremely strong and can attack effectively, so the problem of education is very important. Adult males weigh more than 30 kg, and females are slightly lighter. The German Shepherd has muscular legs and a wide loin. The top line of the back of this dog runs extremely smoothly. It begins with a compact and strong neck and ends with muscular croup. The German Shepherd should have 42 teeth, the lower incisors should overlap the rear incisors. These dogs have dark, smart eyes.

Depending on the gene pool, they can be black with brown, red or light gray hues. Dogs of this breed may have white spots on their chest or legs. This is not unusual; such a color is most acceptable. The specific mask of the dog should be black, light claws and bright eyes are undesirable.

Nutrition

Feeding this dog largely depends on its lifestyle and level of physical activity. Usually these are very lively dogs. They should consume foods rich in energy, that is, those that will maintain their activity throughout the day. However, if we ourselves feel that the dog is not physically active enough per day, it is worth slightly reducing the amount of food consumed.

Especially in urban environments, these dogs tend to be overweight. Moreover, the feed should be closely related to its age. In older dogs, the metabolism is much longer, so the food should be less energetic.

Breeding

Breeding a German shepherd is an extremely grateful and joyful activity. This breed of dog, although experiencing its ups and downs, is invariably at the top of popularity. Due to the fact that the breed is extremely useful. German police tend to use German Shepherds, they are also great guard dogs and great friends.

Breeding dogs of this breed is based on proper nutrition, which consists in providing the right amount of nutrients and quality food. The breeding process must take into account a very firm and restrictive upbringing. It should be remembered that the peculiarity of this breed includes not only the appearance, but also the character of the dog.

The German Shepherd, due to its strength and propensity for defense and aggression, must be carefully trained from an early age. If young puppies appear when breeding a German shepherd, it is important to remember that they should not have a lack of calcium and protein. These ingredients should be provided in regular meals. Young dogs grow very fast, like their bones.

Breeding is common for all dogs, so there are no special exceptions. However, it should be borne in mind that due to failure of the corpus luteum (this is an extremely rare case, but it does occur), there may be a risk of miscarriage. In a healthy litter, we can expect from 6 to 12 puppies. This is the most pleasant room. Moreover, childbirth does not require more intervention from the owner, because it does not cause any serious complications.

German Shepherd Character

The character of this dog is determined by a sense of duty. Representatives of this breed are very friendly, intelligent and obedient dogs. Of course, if we take care of their proper education. They are balanced and calm, but they have the gift of great self-confidence and courage. They never lose control of the situation and are very careful. Of course, like all dogs, they like to play. German shepherd loves to hunt, hunt and watch.

Throughout life they are extremely noble. However, it should be remembered that the character of the German shepherd is formed every next day. That is why it is so important to give him enough time every day. The bonds that we strengthen with the pet will lead to his obedience, which is the basis for success. Therefore, the daily formation of the character of a German shepherd should consist in joint training and games that these dogs simply adore. Forming positive habits is very important. Forming the character of a German shepherd, one should not forget about daily physical activity and training.

Raising a puppy is not the easiest, so it’s worth a little time to read the tips. All rules of conduct at home and outside the home should be implemented from an early age. The German Shepherd, due to its enormous strength and large size, can be troublesome in the future, but only if we do not establish clear restrictions on behavior in time.

Disease

Diseases affecting this breed are most often caused by genetic causes. The most common problem is joint problems. In addition, it is also worth checking regularly the condition of the teeth of these dogs and the purity of the eyes. However, a well-groomed German shepherd should not often get sick.

Should I Choose a German Shepherd?

German shepherds can bring a lot of joy and be faithful companions. However, is it worth it to choose a German shepherd? When considering this issue, it is worth considering the genetic burden and diseases that are quite common among this breed. Of course, having a dog will entail numerous visits to the vet. However, if this still does not deter you from acquiring a puppy, feel free to act. The dog is extremely obedient and helpful, and most importantly, faithful all his life.