German Shepherd

The German Shepherd Dog is a loving, loyal and even-tempered family companion who is fond of children. They are eager to please and easy to train, which is why they are often utilized as police dogs, service dogs, agility dogs, conformation animals, obedience dogs and sentinels.

Though the German Shepherd Dog is a lovable breed, they do not give affection lightly. As a “one-man” breed, however, they display serious loyalty to their owner or primary caretaker. As a strong, powerful breed, it's important to socialize puppies with children (during the critical socialization window) to ensure they grow up to become a good family member.

As an active breed, German Shepherd Dogs require both mental and physical exercise. Many do well with activities like agility, herding, tracking and dock diving.

German Shepherds have a medium-length, double coat consisting of a dense, harsh and close-lying outer coat with a softer undercoat. Their coat is easy to maintain with a quick brushing every few days to remove loose hair.

They shed more profusely once or twice a year. To control the shedding, brush them more frequently during these seasons.

Some German Shepherd Dogs can suffer from myelopathy and elbow and hip dysplasia, but responsible breeders screen for those health conditions to develop the heathiest possible version of the breed.

They may also experience bloat, a sudden and life-threatening swelling of the abdomen. Speak to your veterinarian about the signs and symptoms of bloat.

Because German Shepherd Dogs can weigh more than 50 pounds at maturity, opt for a large-breed dog food to support joint health and mobility and maintain their ideal body condition. You may also want to consider foods formulated for active and energetic dogs, which offer an ideal protein-to-fat ratio to maintain lean muscles.

The German Shepherd Dog was first bred in 1899, when a German cavalry officer made it his mission to develop the ideal German herder. Breeders crossed various strains from across the country to create the breed we know today.

The breed became popular in the U.S. after the adventures of Rin-Tin-Tin and Strongheart swept theaters. The breed suffered from anti-German sentiment during and after the world wars, however.

The German Shepherd Dog developed their well-known qualities of intelligence, agility, speed, stealth and firm authority in the sheep pasture. After the rise of modern livestock management, these traits were recognized by police and military units and the breed became the ideal K-9 partner.

The German Shepherd Dog is one of the most popular and recognizable breeds of the American Kennel Club.

The breed is popular in the media, portraying “Rin Tin Tin” in 26 Warner Bros. films during the 1920s and 30s, gaining worldwide fame and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

President John F. Kennedy owned a German Shepherd Dog named “Clipper.”

In 1928, a German Shepherd Dog named “Buddy” was trained as the first guide dog in the U.S.

The German Shepherd Dog was originally bred to herd sheep.