German Shepherd Everything You Need to Know
The German Shepherd Dog, sometimes abbreviated GSD is originally from Germany and originally called “Deutscher Schäferhund” also DSH.
German Shepherds are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and biddability. They are curious, loyal, confident, and great companions for the right person.
Even though there are several different types of German Shepherds, all stem back to Max Von Stephanitz who is credited with founding the German Shepherd Dog in the late 1800s. Max’s belief was that the dog should be bred for working. He started the SV Schäeferhund Verein / The Society for the German Shepherd which today still stands for the proper breeding and continuation of the GSD. The SV has been in operation since 1899.
German Shepherds are and have been one of the most popular breeds for many years. As a breed standard, they are
70-95lbs and 60-65cm 24-26″ for males
55-74lbs and 55-60cm 22-24″ for females
German Shepherds have an average lifespan of 9-14 years
Common health problems German Shepherds face are:
hip and elbow dysplasia
bloat
epilepsy
cataracts
degenerative disc disease
German Shepherds are classified in the herding group by kennel clubs but are commonly used in obedience and protection sports, SAR as well as military and police work. They are best known for the sport of Schutzhund, IPO / IGP. It is a sport that was made for German Shepherds to harness their 3 primary skills OBEDIENCE, TRACKING and PROTECTION.
We classify German Shepherds into 3 lines:
1.Working Lines
2.Show Lines
3.Pet Lines
Show lines differ slightly from AKC/ UKC to the Sieger Show lines. Mainly the conformation structure of the dogs, the workability, and the size. There has been much controversy over this in recent years.
Sieger line German Shepherds are bred for temperament and look as they need to show courage and working ability to be titled and compete. These ratings are critical to potential breeders, especially to GSD aficionados, particularly in Germany where there are strict regulations.
The pure working line dogs are not considered as beautiful by some but are those that most closely resemble the look and temperament of Max Von Stephanitz. Working line German Shepherds are usually not a good fit for everyday pet homes. They require training, structure, and activity or they can become very destructive.
All German Shepherds will require training and a fair, but firm handler. They must be properly socialized at an early age to prevent aggressive behaviors.
Pet line dogs are usually the spill-off from show line and working line dogs that wouldn’t or didn’t make the cut. They can still be fantastic pets for the right owner. It’s never a good idea to buy a dog from a puppy mill or pet store. Choose where your dog comes from carefully. Check local dog clubs, national clubs, rescues, and IPO / Schutzhund clubs.
German Shepherds come in various colors. Their coats generally range from short to long.
The most popular German Shepherd is the Black and Tan / Red Saddle. These dogs resemble Rin Tin Tin and most German Shepherds in ads and TV/movies.
Bi-Color is a mostly black dog with brown legs and underside.
Solid Black is exactly that, a solid black dog.
and lastly the Sable, my favorite. Sable is a mix of silver, gray and tan hairs tipped with black. The sable is considered the original dog sharing its DNA with its wolf ancestors. It is the ONLY color that didn’t stray from Max Von Stephanitz’s ideology.
White German Shepherds are banned from registration in Germany. The AKC will register White German Shepherds but they are disqualified from the show ring.
German Shepherds make great companions, but it is important to get the right one. Unless you’re intending in participating in serious competitive sports, don’t get a high drive working line dog. Get a nice quality pet that you can live with. A good breeder can steer you in the right direction.
Remember a German Shepherd will need good training, socialization (early on), and structure and leadership its entire life.
Be extremely careful when choosing your German Shepherd and remember that the puppy you take home today means a 10PLUS year commitment to that dog.
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Interested in training your German Shepherd? Check out my site :
A Shepherd’s intelligence drive willingness to learn and please make them a pretty easy dog to train…ya just gotta whanna do it consistently
Great video👍😎🤘
Nice video. The only thing I would disagree with is the part about pet quality GSD being either a washout from breeders of working/show or from a BYB. There are serious breeders out there for ‘pet’ GSDs. They are dedicated to providing healthy (hips/elbow/DM testing), solid dogs that integrate well into modern families. I do wholeheartedly agree that no matter what ‘kind’ of GSD you get – be ready to meet its needs.
Great and informative video!
Great video. I’ve owned GSDs (as pets only) for over 30 years. I volunteer in GSD rescue, and each of my personal dogs came to me through a rescue or shelter situation, all of varying origins and lines. Everything you’ve said here — EVERYTHING — is 100% spot on. Thanks for speaking truth about the breed that has my heart.
Thank you Robert for a fantastic informative video on my favourite breed of dog. Super great family dogs in the right home, my family have been blessed to have shared our lives with four GSD’s over the past 33 years x
Im so happy with my bi color gsd puppy, simon just turned 4 month old. His from a czech bloodline. Do you believe there is a big distinction between pure german gsd. Its my first dog that i am taking his training seriously.
Great video! Please do a in-depth video on huskies. 😊 Thanks!
I personally think the sable working lines look better as well as preform better. If you have the time, dedication, and patience to train a working line GSD, they can be the absolute best dogs.
Such a great video! Can we get Rottweiler next please?
Make a Malinois version!!!
Thank you for this information on GSD. It was very informative . I have been looking for a GS for awhile. I have determined that I am going to have to get a puppy. The local rescue has turned me down serveral times, cause I am 62, and live in an apartment. I have had a few shepherfs over the past years, so I know the breed. The ones I have applied to adopt have been older dogs with low to medium energy. I know they are looking out for the dog, but it hurts that a good dog doesn’t get a fantastic home. Sorry for venting. Love your videos and podcast. Keep up your work.
Can you please make one of this videos about Malinois? Thank you, SIR 🙂
Have you ever worked with Staffordshire bull terriers?
Namaste Sir,
Sir i am getting problem with my German shepherd when i teach “Hell” command they come and sit behind my left leg and they not move with us and not follow me they just sit , so sir please suggest your opinion.
Wonderful video!
Excellent information shared
Could you please add a comment to the EFI this breed is prone for.
If I were to give my Shepherd a Kong like the Kong’s you assembled in another video she would have loose stools for a week straight. Using your techniques to help my dog and myself. Aloha
Question-healthy Working athletic gsd , how many hours of exercise per day and top 3 types of exercise (best mix) when owned primarily for companionship.
Thanks for utubing for us.
😊
It seems like what we all want is the health and body form of the working lines with the energy level and temperament of the show lines. They almost need to start over with the show lines. Start with the working lines and try to start breeding for calmness to get a new show line breed.
Vids like these are very important. Cause a lot of people know nothing about their dog other than “they look cool” or got a dog because of the “bigger is better” mentality. Great vid Robert hope yo see more especially on guardian breeds cause people are getting dogs with high defense drive and don’t know how to handle them
U should do a Belgian malinois video like this
My favorite breed. My dog Sherman is the best dog in the world and we work and play at least 3 times a day, even if I am not feeling well. I always feel better when we train together
✳️👍✳️👍✳️👍
Very interesting video, watching this was Time Well Spent. Thank you for sharing. 👍
Hi
Robert
I liked the information you gave about the Germanshepherd. Can you do the same on the Belgian Malena. I love everything you do. Thanks Tony
The German Shepherd (certain lines, anyway) are some of the most gorgeous dogs ever bred. This is a great upload.
Well-done video about my favorite breed.
The best dog I’ve ever known, the one that “got me,” was a male named Solomon. He was a sickly rescue puppy who grew into an unexpectedly beautiful dog. I am an amateur dog owner. Sol made me look like I knew what I was doing. Sol was all the things GSDs are known for and more (he remains the stuff of family legends). I lost him in 2010 to complications from DM back before it was widely understood. I’ve never stopped missing him.
I currently have another breeder cull–an adult GSD with mild hip dysplasia. Selah is a lovely girl with a kind heart (great with my grandchildren) and easy to have around. Not Solomon. No other dog could be. But she too is a credit to her breed.
is it late to train my 2.5 year old gsd to socialize more with other dogs?
Great insight! When you have the time it would be great a similar clip for Pit Bulls. I love your shows!
Thank you!!! That was very informative and interesting! Now I have a much better idea 💡 what to look for. I don’t need a high drive dog 🐕, but one that one that I can train to it’s abilities and take anywhere I go. Tschüss 👋 bis zum nächsten Mal und vielen Dank 😊
Great video!
Great info, very important.
Thank you so much for doing this video. I rescued my German Shepherd from the humane society when he was 3 years old. They told me that he was bought by a young man who quickly realized that he didn’t have the time to care for him properly. He gave him to his elderly parents who kept him in the back yard because he was such a high energy dog that they couldn’t even take him for a walk. Luckily they realized that the best thing for them and the dog was to surrender him. I got my best friend out of it. I’ve never had a dog that learned so quickly.That last sentence in this video is so important and I wish more people would take that into consideration when going out and getting puppies
Interesting, I have two black shepherds, Thanks for the info
This is why German Shepherds don’t always made good service dogs.
Thank you so much for making this video! Love your videos and your membership channel! Always enjoy new information!
How to know that you can control the confidence of the working GSD?
Great educational video. Did not expect this type of video from you, Robert, but LOVE IT! Hope to see more like it. Nice surprise.
Personally think the working line straight back type are far better to look at and have more intelligence. Just my opinion.
Robert I just did a similar video on the Border Collie, but I don’t have your amazing production skills. Putting me to shame. Love the Sables . Excellent Video, great points made. Thank you : )
Very helpful! Thank you!
They look like my king shepherd and German shepherd.
2ND comment! Love your channel!
First comment!!! Gsd!!!!! Love em one of the best