| Also known as the Alsatian, the German Shepherd is | | | | family. They will tolerate the poking and prodding |
| a 'young' breed, having only been recognized as a | | | | children are prone to do. However, they are |
| distinct breed in the last 90 years. The German | | | | sometimes unaware of their size and power relative |
| Shepard can trace its roots back to a range of | | | | to a small child and may indiscriminately knock them |
| shepherding dogs in Germany, and some groups tried | | | | over. |
| to informally breed this dog. This effort failed but in | | | | A German Shepherd and child should always be |
| 1899, a new group formed. Der Verein fur Deutsche | | | | watched to avoid this. German Shepherds can |
| Schaeferhunde was founded by Max von Stephanitz, | | | | survive apartment living if given enough exercise |
| who wanted to breed an all purpose working dog. | | | | regularly and given enough activities. If left alone too |
| The German Shepherd came to the United Sates in | | | | long or not stimulated enough, German Shepherds will |
| 1908 with soldiers impressed by the courage and | | | | become bored and destructive. They enjoy being in |
| abilities of this dog. German Shepherds will reach an | | | | the company of their human family but not other |
| average height of 22 to 26 inches, weight of 77 to | | | | pets. As a working dog that likes to please, a |
| 85 pounds and live an average of 13 years. There are | | | | German Shepherd will do very well with obedience |
| a wide variety of coats in this breed. Some German | | | | training. German Shepherds are prone to some |
| Shepherds are longhaired and some are shorthaired. | | | | genetic disorders including hip and elbow dysplasia, |
| The color is most often black and tan, but can also | | | | blood disorders, digestive problems, epilepsy, chronic |
| be sable, all black, blue and liver and white. | | | | eczema, keratitis (inflammation of the cornea), |
| The one thing all German Shepard coats have in | | | | dwarfism and flea allergies. |
| common is that they shed profusely, and shed worse | | | | There is a website that has great information on |
| during their shedding season. Daily brushing usually | | | | German Shepherds and most other breeds of dogs. |
| helps combat the shedding, and German Shepherds | | | | It has details that pertain to a dog breeds health, |
| should only be bathed occasionally. Almost all German | | | | grooming, living conditions, best food choices and |
| Shepherds are described as self-confident and loyal. | | | | more, the website is called: Dog And Cat Facts, and |
| German Shepherds are highly intelligent and often | | | | can be found at this url: |
| times used as police dogs, rescue dogs and guide | | | | By Robert W. Benjamin |
| dogs. German Shepherds make excellent guard dogs | | | | Copyright © 2007 |
| and are very loyal to their family. They make | | | | You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter, |
| excellent protectors, barking when someone | | | | or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its |
| unfamiliar is approaching. German Shepherds do make | | | | entirety and without modification except for |
| good family pets and will guard the children of 'their' | | | | formatting needs or grammar corrections. |