History of the breed
The ancestors of the German Shepherd, large wolf-like individuals, lived in Scandinavia and northwestern Russia approximately 4 thousand years ago.
Archaeologists discovered the remains of an ancient animal in Austria during excavations from the Bronze Age. But it was in Germany that the purebred breed was developed.
It has been historically proven that the ancestors of the breed were a male named Pollux and a female Prima; they became the parents of purebred individuals in 1891.
The German breeder Max von Stephanitz in 1899 spread the breed, which became famous throughout the world.
In just a year, the breeder managed not only to achieve her goals, but also to create a club of her supporters. This work continued for several decades.Stefanitz's goal was to improve individuals, improve their physical, mental and psychological characteristics.
Here is a photo of a German Shepherd; the last time changes to the breed standard were made in 1991 by the World Union of Dog Fanciers.
Education and maintenance
Caring for German Shepherds is not difficult , because they are not a finicky breed. It is better to keep such a dog in a private home, where it will have enough freedom. If your pet lives in an apartment, it requires frequent and long walks outside.
Hygiene and care
Your pet's coat should be brushed at least once a week . To do this, choose a special brush that will not cause discomfort. Frequent bathing will not be beneficial for these dogs; water treatments disrupt the protective layers of the skin and provoke dandruff. Two baths throughout the year are enough After every walk you need to wash your paws. The fur on the paws of shepherd dogs gets very tangled, so it needs to be trimmed regularly.
Nutrition
Dry food can be used to feed dogs, but only high-quality, proven brands. Experts recommend giving preference to natural nutrition . The basis of the daily diet should be raw or boiled meat, as well as porridge. Be sure to add raw sea fish or boiled river fish. Periodically add a boiled egg, cottage cheese, kefir. The diet should include enough seasonal vegetables and fruits.
It is strictly forbidden to feed your dog the following foods:
- Flour products.
- Potatoes.
- Beans.
- Sweets.
- Sausages.
- Salted, pickled and smoked products.
- Tubular bones.
Food should not be very high in calories. Give fresh thick food, the best temperature is room temperature. Feeding is carried out at the same time. Make sure your animal has clean water.
Education and training
Training shepherds is not difficult , because they are quite smart. These dogs are capable of not only following commands, but also making independent decisions. In case of danger for the owner or members of his family, they can attack an ill-wisher without waiting for a command.
Representatives of this breed have innate abilities, but they need to be developed with regular training. The first lessons should be carried out as early as puppyhood.
Any training program offered by professional dog handlers for dogs Even a person without special skills can teach a pet basic commands and rules of good behavior. To do this, you just need to devote quite a long time to training. But if you want to train your dog in special programs, it is recommended to contact professional dog trainers.
Description of the breed
The typical German Shepherd has a large wedge-shaped head, wide erect ears and a black, flat nose. The forehead is convex, the neck and chest are moderately wide and well developed.
The limbs are strong and smooth. Strong hind legs give the dog ease of movement and endurance.
She has a recognizable stance with her pelvis down. The tail is straight, saber-shaped.
The description of the German Shepherd breed includes the following parameters: standard height - 55-65 cm at the withers (males are larger), weight - from 25 to 40 kg, life expectancy - 10-14 years.
The Sheepdog most often has a peculiar saddle-brown, thick black coat with tan.
Due to the variety of subtypes, you can find individuals of red, black, white, brown, and gray colors. The dog's coat is short, smooth, and longer on the wide chest and withers.
Features of long-haired “Germans”
The external features of a long-haired dog differ little from short-haired “Germans”. They also have a fairly large, muscular body, are harmoniously built and have great strength and agility.
Important! The German Shepherd is considered a versatile breed. Pets perform a variety of functions from herding livestock to service and investigative activities.
The long ones were admitted to the show less than ten years ago. Until this point, they were considered a tribal marriage. Such puppies were rejected at an early age and such dogs were not allowed to participate in selection.
Exterior
In terms of exterior, such dogs are distinguished only by their elongated coat with a rather sparse undercoat. You can distinguish the long-tailed one by the presence of growths of hair at the base of the ears. They usually look quite sloppy and protruding. In short-haired dogs, the bases of the ears are covered with dense and short hair.
The animal's tail is also covered with long hair. The length of the hair is approximately 2 to 4 times the length of the hair on the tail of a short-haired German Shepherd. At the same time, the hair is quite coarse, the undercoat is sparse, but it is there.
Character
Future owners of long-haired German Shepherds should be aware that they are very different in character from their short-haired cousins. They are less balanced, more energetic. These dogs require active walks and constant physical and mental exercise.
If you do not devote enough time to your pet, do not train and train, your pet can become aggressive and unsocialized. This is fraught with damage to property and danger for family members where the dog lives.
How to choose a puppy
It is better to choose a purebred puppy from a nursery or from a trusted breeder. You need to find out their reputation and get acquainted with reviews in advance.
The history of the parents and the number of babies resulting from mating are of great importance. The fewer there are, the larger and stronger they are.Before you start choosing, you should decide who to take: a boy or a girl. “Ladies” are more flexible and easier to educate. Males are capricious and require more attention from their owner.
German Shepherd puppies 2.5-4 months are the optimal age for purchase. It is preferable to take large, active, healthy, well-fed babies, with clean fur, no diarrhea, and bright eyes. And definitely vaccinated.
Notice what the puppy's mother looks like. She should not be exhausted or sick.
How much does a dog cost?
The cost of a puppy is influenced by several factors: the presence of a pedigree and veterinary passports; the higher the titles of the parents, the more expensive the animal will be.
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The region where the animal is purchased is important (in the capital, dogs cost more than in the provinces). The price is affected by color and age.
The most expensive are white dogs; this is an extremely rare color; for a black dog you will have to pay much less. And the older the cub, the cheaper it will cost.
The cost of a German Shepherd is significantly influenced by the class of the animal. If they are purchased for breeding, then the new owner is given a veterinary passport and card. The price of breeding class puppies ranges from 25,000 to 65,000 rubles.
Show class pets are bought for participation in exhibitions; they are the most expensive (from 1000 to 10000 dollars). The winners of junior shows are sold at six months of age, when external characteristics are already expressed. They are the most valuable.The pet class includes dogs that are purchased to guard the home or as a family friend. Such individuals may not have documents or titled parents; their cost is 3000-5000 rubles.
Origin story
A separate branch of the breed with dogs with long, coarse hair appeared at the beginning of the last century. Back then, breeders, when a puppy with long hair appeared, considered it a defect and did not allow it into exhibitions and breeding.
Moreover, the process of the appearance of such puppies was not subject to control. Thoroughbred “Germans” with short hair and excellent pedigree could produce such puppies. Dog owners were convinced that dogs with distinctive coats were only capable of herding or tracking work.
According to legend, due to its long coat and sparse undercoat, the dog quickly got wet in water and became very heavy. This prevented her from swimming. Of course, these are just legends; in fact, long-haired shepherd dogs swim perfectly and do not experience any inconvenience.
In 2010, the breed was recognized by international cynology experts. They began to be exhibited in the ring, however, separately from their short-haired relatives. Many dog breeders were happy to receive this news, since the long dogs were very much loved by the owners of this breed.
Famous and Famous
The best German shepherds took part in battles, performed feats, searched for weapons, ammunition and explosives, and played roles in domestic and foreign films.
“Four Tankmen and a Dog”, “Commissar Rex”, “Four-Legged Star”, “Faithful Ruslan” and many other films were remembered by the audience for the acting of dogs.
Famous people who own four-legged friends are all over the world. The “Germans” live with the Spanish king Juan Carlos and in the palace of Prince Charles.
Jennifer Aniston has two dogs of this breed, one of them is a white shepherd, Dolly.
Claudia Schiffer, Chris Klein, Irina Khakamada, Sofia Rotaru, Oleg Gazmanov and other famous people consider the German Shepherd their best friend and family member.
Photo of a German Shepherd
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