German Shepherd Puppies

German Shepherds are known for being among the most intelligent dog breeds. They are very even-tempered, affectionate, and protective of their home and family. The German Shepherd is a great family dog and companion, as well as a diligent guard dog. These dogs tend to be rather aloof around strangers, but seldom aggressive. It takes a while for German Shepherds to warm up to someone new, but once they do, they remain very loyal. Most German Shepherds get along with other dogs and pets, especially if raised with them. Since they're so smart and alert, these dogs need a lot of mental and physical stimulation. They love having a job to do and can be trained to perform a wide variety of tasks, which is why they are often used as search & rescue and police dogs. Without enough exercise, German Shepherds can become bored and frustrated, so it's important that they receive plenty of time to put their brains to work.

German Shepherds tend to be healthy dogs. Some health conditions this breed is known to be susceptible to include bloat, degenerative myelopathy, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, allergies, and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI).

German Shepherds like to stay active and require at least an hour of physical exercise per day. They thrive when they have a task to complete, and this should be incorporated into their exercise routine whenever possible. They should always be kept on a leash, even the best trained German Shepherd can get focused on something and ignore commands.

German Shepherds should be brushed every few days to collect and remove loose fur. Brushing your German Shepherd frequently will prevent your home from being covered in fur. This breed only needs to be bathed when they've gotten dirty as overbathing your German Shepherd can dry out its skin and coat. Chew toys are great at promoting healthy teeth since this breed loves to chew. Regular teeth brushing, ear cleaning, and nail trims are all needed to keep your German Shepherd healthy and feeling good.

German Shepherds shed consistently throughout the year. Like other shedding breeds, the German Shepherd will shed a lot of hair when the seasons change.

German Shepherds are strong and muscular with a medium-length outer coat and thick undercoat. Their coat is most commonly tan and black or red and black. Their large ears stand erect, giving them an attentive look. Their bushy tails have a slight curvature, curving more distinctively when they become excited.

The German Shepherd was developed in Germany during the 19th century, primarily by one man: Captain Max von Stephanitz, whose goal was to create an exceptional German herding dog. The result was a dog that embodied all of the traits of a good herding dog: intelligence, athleticism, and courage. These dogs quickly drew the attention of people in other countries, and it is believed that the first German Shepherd came to the United States in 1906. World War I caused the breed's popularity to decline, however, because the dogs were associated with the enemy. After the war, the German Shepherd's popularity was brought back up with the help of Rin Tin Tin: a famous German Shepherd who starred in a number of movies.