What are German Shepherds?

A German Shepherd is a type of dog that is big sized and that is 22 to 26 inches in length. They weigh in at 49 to 88 pounds. They are at their height around 25 inches which is ideal for this breed. Their face is a muzzle that is square-cut and long with a forehead that is domed and a nose that is black.

They have a bite that is sharp as scissors or razsors and a strong jaw. The lively eyes are brown and medium in size that looks at someone with a self-assured and intelligent look. They have big ears that stand up, of course the ears are back when in movement. Their necks are long and are raised as it is excited or it is lowered with a pace that is fast. They also have tails that will reach it's hockey and it is very bushy.

Types

The German Shepherds come in many different colors. They can be tan, black, red, brown, red/black, and the all too familiar tan/black. The duel colors have the masks of black and the body markings are black with ether the classic saddle look or the blanket that is all over. They also have some variations of color that are very rare that is the all-white, sable, liver, all-black and the varieties of blue.

This type of dog has two coats of fur. The first of the coats is the outer coat and the dog will shed it year round. This coat is very dense and close to the undercoat that is thick. Their coats have different ones: long and medium. The gene for the long haired is recessive, so this makes this variety very rare.

Temperament

This is the type of dog that is very active, and has been described as self-assured in standards for breeds. The German Shepherd is a dog that learns willingly and has an eagerness to be given a purpose. They have a bonding nature and are loyal to well-known people. Of course, they are very protective of their territory and family that own the dog. If they are not correctly socialized, they can become mean. They are also very obedient and intelligent. They also have some health issues to look at to understand these dogs.

Common Health Issues

The first ailment is that they get Dysplasia with their elbows and hips that can lead to pain later in the dog’s life and can cause some arthritis. Another thing is that they get infections of the ear because of their open and large ears. Another ailment is because they are dogs that have large bodies they get bloated a lot.

 

The normal size a German Shepherd has will have a lifespan that averages about 9 years. However, even with all the health problems and temperaments, this is a great dog to have for a family. This is also the type of dog that they use for police work because they listen so well and they have a great sense of smell that they are well know for.

 

Read more about German Shepherd Puppy Training on how to train your little pup!