German Shepherds

The German Shepherd Dog is also known as the Alsatian. During the First World War there was so much anti German feeling that the breed were remained Alsatians. The name German Shepherd came back into use after the second world war.

It is a very good looking dog, well proportioned and very strong. The coat most often comes in black with tan, sable or all black, but also can come in cream/white.

Bred as working dogs, German Shepherds are intelligent and alert. They are bold, good natured, obedient and eager to learn and extremely loyal. They also have a tendency to be over protective and this can cause problems if the owner does not recognise this and take the pack leader stance thus controlling this tendency.

They have an extremely high learning ability and love to work. They are excellent at agility.

German Shepherds love to be close to their families, but can be wary of strangers. This breed needs his people and should not be left isolated for long periods of time. They only bark when they feel it is necessary. Because of their strong protective instinct it is essential that they are fully socialised from puppyhood. Aggression and attacks on people are due to poor handling and training. Problems arise when an owner allows the dog to believe he is pack leader or does not give the dog the exercise it needs. Dogs require to be walked not only for physical exercise but also for mental stimulation . They need long walks because they have a great deal of energy and should never be just turned out into a garden to exercise. This breed needs owners who able to be firm and confident with the dog. A stable, well-adjusted, and trained dog is for the most part generally good with other pets

They are generally a healthy breed but there is a tendency for hip dysplasia in the breed so try to ensure that any puppy you buy is from parents who have good sound hips. The average life for a German Shepherd is around 12 years.

This breed sheds hair constantly and is a seasonally heavy shedder. Tp keep the coat in good condition a daily brush is essential to avoid your carpets being covered in hair. An occasional bath is necessary to keep the dog’s coat clean but this should not be done too often.