The German Shepherd is an excellent breed of dog with the following characteristics:
I. Appearance Characteristics
- Body size: The German Shepherd is a large dog with a compact and strong body structure. Male German Shepherd Dogs are usually around 60-65 cm tall at the shoulder and weigh about 30-40 kg; females are usually 55-60 cm tall at the shoulder and weigh 22-32 kg.
- Hair: The German Shepherd’s hair is divided into two layers, the outer layer of hair is hard and straight, with a moderate length; the inner layer of hair is soft and dense, and plays a role in keeping warm. Common coat colours are black, black-brown, grey, etc., sometimes with yellow or white markings.
- Head: The head is wedge-shaped with a clear outline. The eyes are of medium size, usually brown or black in colour, and are firm and keen. The ears are erect, triangular in shape and of moderate size.
- Tail: The tail is of medium length, usually naturally drooping, and slightly tilted up when excited.
II. Character traits
- courageous and loyal: German Shepherd Dogs are brave and fearless, extremely loyal to their owners. In the face of danger, they will not hesitate to protect the owner and family. This loyalty and bravery makes the German Shepherd become an excellent guard dog.
- Intelligent: German Shepherds are very intelligent, with high learning ability and memory. They are able to quickly understand their owner’s instructions and carry them out accurately. This makes them excellent in training and can be used in a variety of work areas, such as police dogs, military dogs, search and rescue dogs, etc.
- High alertness: German Shepherds are highly alert to their surroundings and are keenly aware of potential dangers. Their vigilance makes them a reliable guardian, able to sound the alarm in time.
- Adaptable: German Shepherds are highly adaptable, able to survive and work in different environments. They can adapt to urban life as well as function in rural or wilderness environments.
III. Key Points of Breeding
- Diet: Provide high quality dog food and determine the amount to be fed according to the age, weight and activity level of the German Shepherd. Pay attention to diet control to avoid excessive obesity, as obesity may cause a series of health problems. Meanwhile, some fruits, vegetables and meat can be given as snacks as appropriate, but be careful not to overdo it.
- Exercise: German Shepherds need a lot of exercise to maintain physical health and mental balance. Take a long walk at least once a day. You can also take them to the park to run, play ball or do some training activities. As German Shepherds are physically active, they need enough exercise to burn off their energy or they may develop destructive behaviours.
- Training: German Shepherds are smart and easy to train. Start basic obedience training from puppyhood, such as sit, down, wait and recall. Use positive reinforcement such as rewarding food, praise and petting to encourage good behaviour. German Shepherds can also be trained in more advanced ways, such as guard training and tracking.
- Care: Regularly comb your German Shepherd to remove dead hair and debris. Bathe once a week, using canine-friendly bathing products. Pay attention to cleaning ears, eyes and teeth to prevent infections and diseases. Trim nails regularly to avoid excessive length that will interfere with walking.
In conclusion, German Shepherds are an excellent breed of dog, they are brave, loyal, intelligent and alert, making them ideal guard dogs and working companions. As long as they are given enough love, care and training, German Shepherds will surely become your loyal friends and reliable companions.