Breed Spotlight : German Shepherd Dogs

The German Shepherd, or GSD, consistently places in the top 5 of popular dogs in the United States and for good reason. German Shepherd Dogs are intelligent, loyal, brave, obedient and extremely loving. This breed is extremely easy to train and will appreciate any opportunity to learn. German Shepherds are kind and gentle family pets, but maintain their guarding instinct.

German Shepherds are considered on the large side of medium-sized dogs; females usually weighing between 50-70 pounds, while males can weigh 65 to nearly 90 pounds. For the most part, German Shepherds are a very health breed. That being said, they do tend to have a tendency of developing hip or elbow dysplasia. The dogs size combined with poor breeding make this a widespread problem. It’s always important to take your dog for routine veterinary visits so they can monitor your pet’s health.

The common colors of a German Sheppard are either tan-black mix or red-black mix. Most will have black body markings, or saddle. German Sheppard Dogs can be all one color, although this is more uncommon. German Sheppard’s can also have white, cream, liver, gray, and even blue coats. This breed can have either short, medium or long hair; the most common being medium (or plush) haired. All three varieties have an undercoat. For proper care, brush your dog a few times a week to help lessen the amount of shedding your German Shepherd will do. About twice a year your German Shepherd Dog will shed his undercoat; during this time, it’s important to brush them daily.

German Shepherd Dogs are in the category of herding breeds. Because of this, they tend to be very high energy dogs who can get bored easily. It’s important to provide daily exercise for your German Shepherd to help him stave off boredom and avoid having a hyper-active dog. Playing games with your German Shepherd will also help him get the mental stimulation he needs.

German Shepherds are great help to humans. This breed is used frequently for therapy and service dogs; they’re used as guide dogs, assistance dogs, and even emotional support dogs. Because of their strength, they have the ability to provide physical support. Because of their confidence and willingness to please, German Shepherd Dogs are also used commonly in law enforcement and the military. This working dog’s loyalty and obedience makes them the perfect trainable police dog.

The German Shepherd Dog is an extraordinary breed, loved by millions worldwide. If you have a GSD at home, show him how much you love him by getting a My Pet Pail. With the convenient Pet Pail, you will always have all the food, water, and treats you’ll need for a day on the trails or a day at work.