There may be no breed of dog more versatile than the German Shepherd Dog (GSD). This muscular, agile, intelligent dog shines in many areas beyond herding - flashy show dog, watchful guardian, relentless police adjunct, effective search and rescue tracker, trusted guide and loyal family companion. To some, the Shepherd is the ideal dog, but is it the right breed for you?

In 1891, German sheepdog enthusiasts formed the Phylax Society in an attempt to standardize one recognizable breed from the country's many regional herding and flock guarding dogs. Differences of opinion split the group up by 1894, but one man continued its mission - Captain Max von Stephanitz. He valued utility and intelligence over beauty and found the dog he felt personified that in one Hector Linksrhein, whom he later re-named Horand von Grafrath. Stephanitz went on to co-found the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV), the German Shepherd national breed club in 1899 and his dog, Horand, was the first to be registered by the SV. (Horand was also credited for being the founding sire of the breed.) The SV was not merely a national breed club charged with creating the GSD conformation breed standard; it was also a registry and controlled all breeding of German Shepherds in the country.

Herding jobs disappeared with the advent of the railroad as sheepdogs were no longer needed to move flocks to market and sheep raising went into a decline, so Stephanitz promoted German Shepherds as effective police and military dogs. They were employed as couriers, sentinels and rescuers of wounded soldiers in World War I. Their performance so impressed American and English soldiers that some smuggled puppies home with them and fanned interest in the breed. The 1920s saw one of those smuggled pups become a star in silent films - Rin Tin Tin - and interest in the breed really took off. Shortly thereafter, the German Shepherd Dog became the #1 breed in America.

Such intense popularity was the breed's downfall as ethical breeding to preserve and improve the breed took a back seat to profit. As health and temperament problems surfaced, popularity fell off and reputable breeders were able to slowly begin rehabilitating the breed's reputation. World War II came and America employed dogs like never before - Shepherds included. By the end of the war, the breed was nearly decimated in its homeland because of large-scale extermination and starvation. Rebuilding by using the small available gene pool resulted in dogs that had a different appearance from American GSDs. Now there are at least three types of German Shepherds - the longer, leaner American show dog; the more substantial high drive German working dog and the commercially bred shepherd infamous for its temperament extremes. This breed has now been one of the top ten most popular breeds for the last 50 years.

Today's German Shepherd is larger than its forefathers, weighing in at 65-95 lbs. Like other sheepdogs, it is longer than it is tall; but its smooth curves and unique rear angulation, responsible for its flying trot gait, set it apart. The double coat is usually short and coarse with a hint of a wave in it, although the gene for long hair can crop up in some litters. Recognized colors are sable, black and tan, black and red, black and silver/gray, gray and brown or solid black. (White Shepherds have a separate listing on Petfinder.) The head is described as "noble, not fine" and topped with erect well-proportioned ears. The eyes are medium-sized and should be as dark as coat color allows. A black nose, tight lips, and a strong jaw set in a wedge-shaped muzzle define the head.

A sound temperament is critical. The mentally stable adult GSD should be confident, self-assured, and naturally protective when the situation warrants it. Shyness, timidity, fearfulness and over-protectiveness are signs of poor, and possibly dangerous, temperament. It is critical to intensely socialize GSD puppies beginning at 7 weeks of age in order to create a stable, discerning adult. Socially isolating these dogs does not improve their protectiveness, only their volatility. Plus, Shepherds cannot thrive in social isolation. They will become destructive, digging their way through the backyard if left outdoors or chewing household property indoors. They want to be with their families as they bond quickly and tightly. Early obedience training is also recommended because soon they will be larger, headstrong and more difficult to control. Most take to training well - that's why they are so versatile. German Shepherds demand strong leaders or they may choose to seize control of the household themselves - and they're just smart enough to do it! And their innate protectiveness can lead to territorial aggression issues if not carefully controlled.

The German Shepherd's lifespan averages 10-13 years. Health issues common to the breed are hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, von Willebrand's disease, pannus, and gastrointestinal problems such as malabsorption syndrome, pancreatic atrophy and bloat.

So, he's big, bold and can learn nearly anything you attempt to teach him; is a German Shepherd the right dog for you?

By Jacque Lynn Schultz, CPDT
Director, Special Projects, Animal Sciences
ASPCA

© 2003 ASPCA

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