About the German Shepherd Dog

The German Shepherd dog was created as a versatile herding and service breed in 1889 by Captain Max von Stephanitz in Germany. 

He purchased the very first German Shepherd dog whom he named Horand von Grafrath.

The following link to the German Shepherd Dog Club of America has a great article on the history of the breed:

https://www.gsdca.org/breed-history/

The GSD is a lively and noble dog. A true shepherd should be brave and courageous, never fearful or aggressive.

They are naturally suspicious of strangers and are often described as aloof. However, they should be willing to accept new people at the discretion of his owner without fear or aggression. 

German Shepherds are incredibly loyal to their family and make great family dogs.

German Shepherds are an active breed. Daily exercise is a must. For many dogs 2-3 daily walks are sufficient but some may require additional cardio such as running or playing fetch. Swimming is also an excellent activity in the summer time. 

Please remember that physical exercise alone is not enough, that smart mind of their must be tired daily as well! 

German Shepherds are a heavy shedding breed. Twice yearly they will blow their coats (usually spring and fall) but all year they shed significantly. Invest in a good quality vacuum cleaner and a good brush!

Brushing weekly is ideal, more frequently during the heavy shedding seasons. Bathing is not required frequently except when dirty. Bathing once every 1-2 months should be sufficient for most dogs. 

Long haired shepherds may require brushing more frequently to prevent the formation of mats. 

Before getting a German shepherd you should be prepared to work with a professional trainer and attend training classes.

A well bred, well socialized and trained shepherd is a confident, well mannered dog who you can be proud to take anywhere.

The key to getting to this point is plenty of socialization while your dog is still a puppy. Before 12 weeks of age the puppy should be exposed to as many things (places, surfaces, sounds, objects, etc) in a positive manner as possible. Always make these sessions fun for your puppy.

A well bred dog should be a healthy, long lived companion. That being said, despite all best efforts and intentions, not all health issues can be avoided even in the most well bred dogs. As a breed, German Shepherds are prone to some significant health concerns such as hip and elbow dysplasia, allergies, bloat, certain types of cancer, and more. The best way to mitigate any future health concerns in your dog is to sign them up for pet insurance starting as soon as you bring them home. This way you can be sure that all his future medical needs can be taken care of without having to worry about the financial aspects.