German Sheperd
Breed History
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Shepherd
German Shepherd DogGerman
Shepherd DogOther namesAlsatian
Berger Allemand
Deutscher
Schäferhund
GSD
Schäferhund[hide]TraitsWeightMale35–43 kilograms (77–95 lb)[1]Female25–33 kilograms (55–73 lb)[1]HeightMale60–65 centimetres (24–26 in)[1]Female55–60 centimetres (22–24 in)[1]CoatSee Description section belowColorMost commonly tan
with black saddleLitter size5–10Life span9.7 years[2][show]Classification and standardsDog (Canis lupus familiaris)The
German Shepherd Dog (German: Deutscher Schäferhund), also
known as an Alsatian or just the German
Shepherd, is a breed of large-sized dog that originated in Germany.[3] The German Shepherd is a relatively new breed
of dog, with its origin dating to 1899. As part of theHerding Group, the German Shepherd is a working
dog developed originally for herding and guarding sheep. Because of its
strength, intelligence and abilities in obedience training it is often employed
in police and military roles around the world.[4] German Shepherds currently account for 4.6%
of all dogs registered with the American Kennel Club. Due to its loyal and
protective nature, the German Shepherd is one of the most registered of
breeds.[5]Origins
German Shepherd Dogs. Female
(left), Male (right).
In Europe during the 1800s, attempts were being made to
standardize breeds.[6] The dogs were bred to preserve traits that
assisted in their job of herding sheep and protecting flocks from predators. In
Germany this was practiced within local communities, where shepherds selected
and bred dogs that they believed had traits necessary for herding sheep, such as
intelligence, speed, strength, and keen senses of smell. The results were dogs
that were able to perform admirably in their task, but that differed
significantly, both in appearance and ability, from one locality to another.[6]
To combat
these differences, the Phylax Society was formed in 1891 with the
intention of creating standardised dog breeds in Germany. The society disbanded
after only three years due to ongoing internal conflicts regarding the traits in
dogs that the society should promote; some members believed dogs should be bred
solely for working purposes, while others believed dogs should be bred also for
appearance.[7] While unsuccessful in their goal, the Phylax
Society had inspired people to pursue standardising dog breeds
independently.
Eva Braun and Adolf Hitler, with Hitler holding Blondi, his female German Shepherd dog, on a
leash.
Max von Stephanitz, an ex-cavalry captain and
former student of the Berlin Veterinary College, was one such ex-member. He
believed strongly that dogs should be bred for
working.
A German night-watchman from 1950
with his dog
In 1899, Von Stephanitz was attending a dog show when he was
shown a dog named Hektor Linksrhein. Hektor was the product of few
generations of selective breeding and completely fulfilled what Von Stephanitz
believed a working dog should be. He was pleased with the strength of the dog
and was so taken by the animal's intelligence, loyalty, and beauty, that he
purchased it immediately.[6] After purchasing the dog he changed its name
to Horand von Grafrath and Von Stephanitz founded
the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (Society for the
German Shepherd Dog).[6]Horand was declared to be the first German
Shepherd Dog and was the first dog added to the society's breed
register.
Horand became the centre-point of the
breeding programs and was bred with dogs belonging to other society members that
displayed desirable traits. Although fathering many pups, Horand's most
successful was Hektor von Schwaben.[8] Hektor was inbred with another of Horand's
offspring and producedBeowulf, who later fathered a total of
eighty-four pups, mostly through being inbred with Hektor's other offspring. In
the original German Shepherd studbook, Zuchtbuch fur Deutsche Schaferhunde (SZ),
within the 2 pages of entries from SZ No. 41 to SZ No. 76, there are 4 Wolf
Crosses.[9] Beowulf's progeny also were inbred and it is
from these pups that all German Shepherds draw a genetic link. It is believed
the society accomplished its goal mostly due to Von Stephanitz's strong,
uncompromising leadership and he is therefore credited with being the creator of
the German Shepherd Dog.[10]
[edit]PopularityWhen the UK Kennel Club first accepted registrations for
the breed in 1919, fifty-four dogs were registered, and by 1926 this number had
grown to over 8,000.[6] The breed first gained international
recognition at the decline of World War I after returning soldiers spoke highly
of the breed, and animal actorsRin Tin Tin and Strongheart popularised the breed further.[11] The first German Shepherd Dog registered in
the United States was Queen of Switzerland; however, her offspring
suffered from defects as the result of poor breeding, which caused the breed to
suffer a decline in popularity during the late 1920s.[11]
Popularity
increased again after the German Shepherd Sieger Pfeffer von Bern
became the 1937 and 1938 Grand Victor in American Kennel club dog shows, only to
suffer another decline at the conclusion of World War II, due to anti-German
sentiment of the time.[11] As time progressed, their popularity
increased gradually until 1993, when they became the third most popular breed in
the United States. As of 2009, the breed was the second most popular in the
US.[11][12] Additionally, the breed is typically among
the most popular in other registries.[11] The German Shepherd Dog's physique is very
well suited to athletic competition. They commonly compete in shows and
competitions such as agility
trials.
[edit]NameThe breed was named Deutscher
Schäferhund by von Stephanitz, literally translating to "German Shepherd
Dog". The breed was so named due to its original purpose of assisting shepherds
in herding and protecting sheep. At the time, all other herding dogs in Germany
were referred to by this name; they thus became known as Altdeutsche
Schäferhunde or Old German Shepherd
Dogs.
The direct translation of
the name was adopted for use in the official breed registry; however, at the
conclusion of World War I, it was believed that the inclusion of the word
"German" would harm the breed's popularity,[13] due to the anti-German sentiment of the era.[14] The breed was officially renamed by the UK
Kennel Club to "Alsatian Wolf Dog"[13] which was also adopted by many other
international kennel clubs. Eventually, the appendage "wolf dog" was dropped.[13] The name Alsatian remained for five
decades,[13] until 1977, when successful campaigns by dog
enthusiasts pressured the British kennel clubs to allow the breed to be
registered again as German Shepherd Dogs.[3] The word "Alsatian" still appeared in
parentheses as part of the formal breed name and was only removed in 2010.[15]
[edit]Modern breedThe modern German Shepherd is
criticized for straying away from von Stephanitz's original ideology for the
breed:[16] that German Shepherds should be bred
primarily as working dogs, and that breeding should be strictly controlled to
eliminate defects quickly.[17] Critics believe that careless breeding has
promoted disease and other defects.[16] Under the breeding programs overseen by von
Stephanitz, defects were quickly bred out; however, in modern times without
regulation on breeding, genetic problems such as color-paling, hip dysplasia, monorchidism, weakness oftemperament, and missing teeth are common, as
well as bent or folded ears which never fully turn up when reaching adulthood.[18]
[edit]Description
Close-up of a German
Shepherd's face showing the long muzzle, black nose and brown, medium-sized
eyes
German Shepherds are a large sized dog, generally between 55 and 65
centimetres (22 and 26 in) at the withers, with an ideal height of 63 centimetres
(25 in) according to Kennel Club standards.[19] Weight is 30–40 kilograms (66–88 lb) for
males and 22–32 kilograms (49–71 lb) for females.[1] They have a domed forehead, a long square-cut
muzzle and a black nose. The jaws are strong, with a scissor-like bite. The eyes
are medium-sized and brown with a lively, intelligent, and self-assured look.
The ears are large and stand erect, open at the front and parallel, but they
often are pulled back during movement. They have a long neck, which is raised
when excited and lowered when moving at a fast pace. The tail is bushy and
reaches to the hock.[19]
A
35-day-old female puppy; grey color variant
A solid black German
Shepherd
German Shepherds can be a variety of colors, the most common of
which are tan/black and red/black. Most color varieties haveblack masks and black body markings which can
range from a classic "saddle" to an over-all "blanket." Rarer colour variations
include the sable, all-black, all-white, liver, and blue varieties. The
all-black and sable varieties are acceptable according to most standards;
however, the blue and liver are considered to be serious faults and the
all-white is grounds for instant disqualification in some standards.[20]
One-day-old
German Shepherd Puppies
German Shepherds sport a double coat. The outer coat, which is shed all
year round, is close and dense with a thick undercoat. The coat is accepted in
two variants; medium and long. The long-hair gene is recessive, making the long-hair variety rarer.
Treatment of the long-hair variation differs across standards; they are accepted
under the German and UK Kennel Clubs but are considered a
fault in the American Kennel Club.[19][20][21]
[edit]IntelligenceGerman Shepherds were bred
specifically for their intelligence,[22] a trait for which they are now renowned.[4] In the book The Intelligence of
Dogs, author Stanley Coren ranked the breed third for
intelligence, behind Border Collies and Poodles.[23][24] He found that they had the ability to learn
simple tasks after only five repetitions and obeyed the first command given 95%
of the time.[4] Coupled with their strength, this trait makes
the breed desirable as police, guard, and search and rescue dogs, as they are able to
quickly learn various tasks and interpret instructions better than other large
breeds.[25]
[edit]Aggression and biting
The bite of a
German Shepherd Dog has a force of ~1060 newtons (238 pounds).
Well-trained
and socialized German Shepherd Dogs have a reputation as being very safe (see temperament section below). However, in the
United States, one 1996 source suggests that German Shepherd Dogs are
responsible for more reported bitings than any other breed, and suggests a
tendency to attack smaller breeds of dogs.[26] An Australian report from 1999 provides
statistics showing that German Shepherd Dogs are the third breed most likely to
attack a person in some Australian locales.[27]
According
to the National Geographic Channel television show Dangerous
Encounters, the bite of a German Shepherd Dog has a force of over 238
pounds-force (1,060 N) (compared with that of a Rottweiler, over 265–328 pounds-force
(1,180–1,460 N) of force, a Pit bull, 235 pounds-force (1,050 N) of force, a
Labrador Retriever, of approximately 230
pounds-force (1,000 N) of force, or a human, of approximately 86 pounds-force
(380 N) of force).[28]
[edit]Temperament
German Shepherds bond well
with children with whom they are familiar.
German Shepherds are highly active
dogs, and described in breed standards as self-assured.[20] The breed is marked by a willingness to
learn and an eagerness to have a purpose. They are curious which makes them
excellent guard dogs and suitable for search missions. Shepherds have a loyal
nature and bond well with people they know, most markedly with the one person to
whom they consider the alpha of the household. This is very important, as they
are bred to protect those in their pack and feel stressed if they do not have a
'master'. However, they can become over-protective of their family and
territory, especially if not socialized correctly. They are not inclined to
become immediate friends with strangers.[29] German Shepherds are highly intelligent and
obedient.[30]
[edit]Health
German Shepherd Dog at an agility
competition
Many common ailments of the German Shepherds are a result of the
inbreeding practiced early in the breed's life.[31] One such common ailment is hip and elbow dysplasia which may lead to the dog
experiencing pain in later life, and may cause arthritis.[32] A study by the University of Zurich in police working dogs found
that 45% were affected by degenerative spinal stenosis, although the sample
studied was small.[33] The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals found
that 19.1% of German Shepherd are affected by hip dysplasia.[34] Due to the large and open nature of their
ears, Shepherds are prone to ear infections.[35]German Shepherds, like all large bodied dogs,
are prone to bloat.
In
Europe, the average lifespan of a German Shepherd is 9.7 years,[2] which is normal for a dog of their size.[36]
Degenerative myelopathy, a neurological disease,
occurs with enough regularity specifically in the breed to suggest that the
breed is predisposed to it.[37] Additionally, German Shepherd Dogs have a
higher than normal incidence of Von Willebrand Disease, a common inherited
bleeding disorder.[38]
[edit]Controversy
Working-pedigree shepherd,
straight back
German show-strain shepherd, sloping back
The
Kennel Club is currently embroiled in a dispute with German
Shepherd breed clubs about the issue of soundness in the show-strain breed.[39] The show-strains have been bred with an
extremely sloping topline (back) that causes poor gait in the hind legs.
Working-pedigree lines, such as those in common use as service dogs, generally
retain the traditional straight back of the breed. The debate was catalyzed when
the issue was raised in the BBC documentary, Pedigree Dogs Exposed, which said that
critics of the breed describe it as "half dog, half frog". An orthopedic vet
remarked on footage of dogs in a show ring that they were "not
normal".
The Kennel Club's position is that
"this issue of soundness is not a simple difference of opinion, it is the
fundamental issue of the breed’s essential conformation and movement."[39] The Kennel Club has decided to retrain
judges to penalize dogs suffering these problems.[40] It is also insisting on more testing for
hemophilia and hip dysplasia, other common problems with the
breed.
Breed clubs have typically[citation
needed] responded that they feel they are being vilified for
issues they were already aware of and attempting to address before the media
storm erupted.[41]
[edit]Use as working dogs
Urban Search and
Rescue Task Force dog works to uncover survivors at the site of the collapsed World Trade Center after the September
11, 2001 attacks
German Shepherds are a very popular selection
for use as working dogs. They are especially well known for
their police work, being used for tracking criminals, patrolling troubled areas,
and detection and holding of suspects. Additionally thousands of German
Shepherds have been used by the military. Usually trained for scout duty, they are used to warn soldiers to the
presence of enemies or of booby traps or other hazards.[42] German Shepherds have also been trained by
military groups to parachute from aircraft.[43]
The German
Shepherd Dog is one of the most widely used breeds in a wide variety of
scent-work roles. These include search and rescue, cadaver searching, narcotics detection, explosives detection, accelerant detection, and mine detection dog,
among others. They are suited for these lines of work because of their keen
sense of smell and their ability to work regardless of distractions.[42]
At one time
the German Shepherd Dog was the breed chosen almost exclusively to be used as a
guide
dog for the visually impaired. In recent years,Labradors and Golden Retrievers have been more widely used for
this work, although there are still German Shepherds being trained. A versatile
breed, they excel in this field due to their strong sense of duty, their mental
abilities, their fearlessness, and their attachment to their owner.[citation
needed]
German Shepherd
Dogs are used for herding and tending sheep grazing in meadows next to gardens
and crop fields. They are expected to patrol the boundaries to keep sheep from
trespassing and damaging the crops. In Germany and other places these skills are
tested in utility dog trials also known as HGH (Herdengebrauchshund) herding
utility dog trials.[44]
[edit]In popular culture
Strongheart, one of the earliest canine
stars
German Shepherds have been featured in a wide range of media. Strongheart the German Shepherd was one of the
earliest canine film stars and was followed byRin Tin Tin, who is now acclaimed as being the
most famous German Shepherd. Both are credited with stars on the Hollywood
Walk of Fame.[45]
Batman's dog Ace the Bat-Hound appeared in the Batman comic books, initially in 1955,[46]
through 1964.[47] Between 1964 and 2007, his appearances were
sporadic.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Shepherd
German Shepherd DogGerman
Shepherd DogOther namesAlsatian
Berger Allemand
Deutscher
Schäferhund
GSD
Schäferhund[hide]TraitsWeightMale35–43 kilograms (77–95 lb)[1]Female25–33 kilograms (55–73 lb)[1]HeightMale60–65 centimetres (24–26 in)[1]Female55–60 centimetres (22–24 in)[1]CoatSee Description section belowColorMost commonly tan
with black saddleLitter size5–10Life span9.7 years[2][show]Classification and standardsDog (Canis lupus familiaris)The
German Shepherd Dog (German: Deutscher Schäferhund), also
known as an Alsatian or just the German
Shepherd, is a breed of large-sized dog that originated in Germany.[3] The German Shepherd is a relatively new breed
of dog, with its origin dating to 1899. As part of theHerding Group, the German Shepherd is a working
dog developed originally for herding and guarding sheep. Because of its
strength, intelligence and abilities in obedience training it is often employed
in police and military roles around the world.[4] German Shepherds currently account for 4.6%
of all dogs registered with the American Kennel Club. Due to its loyal and
protective nature, the German Shepherd is one of the most registered of
breeds.[5]Origins
German Shepherd Dogs. Female
(left), Male (right).
In Europe during the 1800s, attempts were being made to
standardize breeds.[6] The dogs were bred to preserve traits that
assisted in their job of herding sheep and protecting flocks from predators. In
Germany this was practiced within local communities, where shepherds selected
and bred dogs that they believed had traits necessary for herding sheep, such as
intelligence, speed, strength, and keen senses of smell. The results were dogs
that were able to perform admirably in their task, but that differed
significantly, both in appearance and ability, from one locality to another.[6]
To combat
these differences, the Phylax Society was formed in 1891 with the
intention of creating standardised dog breeds in Germany. The society disbanded
after only three years due to ongoing internal conflicts regarding the traits in
dogs that the society should promote; some members believed dogs should be bred
solely for working purposes, while others believed dogs should be bred also for
appearance.[7] While unsuccessful in their goal, the Phylax
Society had inspired people to pursue standardising dog breeds
independently.
Eva Braun and Adolf Hitler, with Hitler holding Blondi, his female German Shepherd dog, on a
leash.
Max von Stephanitz, an ex-cavalry captain and
former student of the Berlin Veterinary College, was one such ex-member. He
believed strongly that dogs should be bred for
working.
A German night-watchman from 1950
with his dog
In 1899, Von Stephanitz was attending a dog show when he was
shown a dog named Hektor Linksrhein. Hektor was the product of few
generations of selective breeding and completely fulfilled what Von Stephanitz
believed a working dog should be. He was pleased with the strength of the dog
and was so taken by the animal's intelligence, loyalty, and beauty, that he
purchased it immediately.[6] After purchasing the dog he changed its name
to Horand von Grafrath and Von Stephanitz founded
the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (Society for the
German Shepherd Dog).[6]Horand was declared to be the first German
Shepherd Dog and was the first dog added to the society's breed
register.
Horand became the centre-point of the
breeding programs and was bred with dogs belonging to other society members that
displayed desirable traits. Although fathering many pups, Horand's most
successful was Hektor von Schwaben.[8] Hektor was inbred with another of Horand's
offspring and producedBeowulf, who later fathered a total of
eighty-four pups, mostly through being inbred with Hektor's other offspring. In
the original German Shepherd studbook, Zuchtbuch fur Deutsche Schaferhunde (SZ),
within the 2 pages of entries from SZ No. 41 to SZ No. 76, there are 4 Wolf
Crosses.[9] Beowulf's progeny also were inbred and it is
from these pups that all German Shepherds draw a genetic link. It is believed
the society accomplished its goal mostly due to Von Stephanitz's strong,
uncompromising leadership and he is therefore credited with being the creator of
the German Shepherd Dog.[10]
[edit]PopularityWhen the UK Kennel Club first accepted registrations for
the breed in 1919, fifty-four dogs were registered, and by 1926 this number had
grown to over 8,000.[6] The breed first gained international
recognition at the decline of World War I after returning soldiers spoke highly
of the breed, and animal actorsRin Tin Tin and Strongheart popularised the breed further.[11] The first German Shepherd Dog registered in
the United States was Queen of Switzerland; however, her offspring
suffered from defects as the result of poor breeding, which caused the breed to
suffer a decline in popularity during the late 1920s.[11]
Popularity
increased again after the German Shepherd Sieger Pfeffer von Bern
became the 1937 and 1938 Grand Victor in American Kennel club dog shows, only to
suffer another decline at the conclusion of World War II, due to anti-German
sentiment of the time.[11] As time progressed, their popularity
increased gradually until 1993, when they became the third most popular breed in
the United States. As of 2009, the breed was the second most popular in the
US.[11][12] Additionally, the breed is typically among
the most popular in other registries.[11] The German Shepherd Dog's physique is very
well suited to athletic competition. They commonly compete in shows and
competitions such as agility
trials.
[edit]NameThe breed was named Deutscher
Schäferhund by von Stephanitz, literally translating to "German Shepherd
Dog". The breed was so named due to its original purpose of assisting shepherds
in herding and protecting sheep. At the time, all other herding dogs in Germany
were referred to by this name; they thus became known as Altdeutsche
Schäferhunde or Old German Shepherd
Dogs.
The direct translation of
the name was adopted for use in the official breed registry; however, at the
conclusion of World War I, it was believed that the inclusion of the word
"German" would harm the breed's popularity,[13] due to the anti-German sentiment of the era.[14] The breed was officially renamed by the UK
Kennel Club to "Alsatian Wolf Dog"[13] which was also adopted by many other
international kennel clubs. Eventually, the appendage "wolf dog" was dropped.[13] The name Alsatian remained for five
decades,[13] until 1977, when successful campaigns by dog
enthusiasts pressured the British kennel clubs to allow the breed to be
registered again as German Shepherd Dogs.[3] The word "Alsatian" still appeared in
parentheses as part of the formal breed name and was only removed in 2010.[15]
[edit]Modern breedThe modern German Shepherd is
criticized for straying away from von Stephanitz's original ideology for the
breed:[16] that German Shepherds should be bred
primarily as working dogs, and that breeding should be strictly controlled to
eliminate defects quickly.[17] Critics believe that careless breeding has
promoted disease and other defects.[16] Under the breeding programs overseen by von
Stephanitz, defects were quickly bred out; however, in modern times without
regulation on breeding, genetic problems such as color-paling, hip dysplasia, monorchidism, weakness oftemperament, and missing teeth are common, as
well as bent or folded ears which never fully turn up when reaching adulthood.[18]
[edit]Description
Close-up of a German
Shepherd's face showing the long muzzle, black nose and brown, medium-sized
eyes
German Shepherds are a large sized dog, generally between 55 and 65
centimetres (22 and 26 in) at the withers, with an ideal height of 63 centimetres
(25 in) according to Kennel Club standards.[19] Weight is 30–40 kilograms (66–88 lb) for
males and 22–32 kilograms (49–71 lb) for females.[1] They have a domed forehead, a long square-cut
muzzle and a black nose. The jaws are strong, with a scissor-like bite. The eyes
are medium-sized and brown with a lively, intelligent, and self-assured look.
The ears are large and stand erect, open at the front and parallel, but they
often are pulled back during movement. They have a long neck, which is raised
when excited and lowered when moving at a fast pace. The tail is bushy and
reaches to the hock.[19]
A
35-day-old female puppy; grey color variant
A solid black German
Shepherd
German Shepherds can be a variety of colors, the most common of
which are tan/black and red/black. Most color varieties haveblack masks and black body markings which can
range from a classic "saddle" to an over-all "blanket." Rarer colour variations
include the sable, all-black, all-white, liver, and blue varieties. The
all-black and sable varieties are acceptable according to most standards;
however, the blue and liver are considered to be serious faults and the
all-white is grounds for instant disqualification in some standards.[20]
One-day-old
German Shepherd Puppies
German Shepherds sport a double coat. The outer coat, which is shed all
year round, is close and dense with a thick undercoat. The coat is accepted in
two variants; medium and long. The long-hair gene is recessive, making the long-hair variety rarer.
Treatment of the long-hair variation differs across standards; they are accepted
under the German and UK Kennel Clubs but are considered a
fault in the American Kennel Club.[19][20][21]
[edit]IntelligenceGerman Shepherds were bred
specifically for their intelligence,[22] a trait for which they are now renowned.[4] In the book The Intelligence of
Dogs, author Stanley Coren ranked the breed third for
intelligence, behind Border Collies and Poodles.[23][24] He found that they had the ability to learn
simple tasks after only five repetitions and obeyed the first command given 95%
of the time.[4] Coupled with their strength, this trait makes
the breed desirable as police, guard, and search and rescue dogs, as they are able to
quickly learn various tasks and interpret instructions better than other large
breeds.[25]
[edit]Aggression and biting
The bite of a
German Shepherd Dog has a force of ~1060 newtons (238 pounds).
Well-trained
and socialized German Shepherd Dogs have a reputation as being very safe (see temperament section below). However, in the
United States, one 1996 source suggests that German Shepherd Dogs are
responsible for more reported bitings than any other breed, and suggests a
tendency to attack smaller breeds of dogs.[26] An Australian report from 1999 provides
statistics showing that German Shepherd Dogs are the third breed most likely to
attack a person in some Australian locales.[27]
According
to the National Geographic Channel television show Dangerous
Encounters, the bite of a German Shepherd Dog has a force of over 238
pounds-force (1,060 N) (compared with that of a Rottweiler, over 265–328 pounds-force
(1,180–1,460 N) of force, a Pit bull, 235 pounds-force (1,050 N) of force, a
Labrador Retriever, of approximately 230
pounds-force (1,000 N) of force, or a human, of approximately 86 pounds-force
(380 N) of force).[28]
[edit]Temperament
German Shepherds bond well
with children with whom they are familiar.
German Shepherds are highly active
dogs, and described in breed standards as self-assured.[20] The breed is marked by a willingness to
learn and an eagerness to have a purpose. They are curious which makes them
excellent guard dogs and suitable for search missions. Shepherds have a loyal
nature and bond well with people they know, most markedly with the one person to
whom they consider the alpha of the household. This is very important, as they
are bred to protect those in their pack and feel stressed if they do not have a
'master'. However, they can become over-protective of their family and
territory, especially if not socialized correctly. They are not inclined to
become immediate friends with strangers.[29] German Shepherds are highly intelligent and
obedient.[30]
[edit]Health
German Shepherd Dog at an agility
competition
Many common ailments of the German Shepherds are a result of the
inbreeding practiced early in the breed's life.[31] One such common ailment is hip and elbow dysplasia which may lead to the dog
experiencing pain in later life, and may cause arthritis.[32] A study by the University of Zurich in police working dogs found
that 45% were affected by degenerative spinal stenosis, although the sample
studied was small.[33] The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals found
that 19.1% of German Shepherd are affected by hip dysplasia.[34] Due to the large and open nature of their
ears, Shepherds are prone to ear infections.[35]German Shepherds, like all large bodied dogs,
are prone to bloat.
In
Europe, the average lifespan of a German Shepherd is 9.7 years,[2] which is normal for a dog of their size.[36]
Degenerative myelopathy, a neurological disease,
occurs with enough regularity specifically in the breed to suggest that the
breed is predisposed to it.[37] Additionally, German Shepherd Dogs have a
higher than normal incidence of Von Willebrand Disease, a common inherited
bleeding disorder.[38]
[edit]Controversy
Working-pedigree shepherd,
straight back
German show-strain shepherd, sloping back
The
Kennel Club is currently embroiled in a dispute with German
Shepherd breed clubs about the issue of soundness in the show-strain breed.[39] The show-strains have been bred with an
extremely sloping topline (back) that causes poor gait in the hind legs.
Working-pedigree lines, such as those in common use as service dogs, generally
retain the traditional straight back of the breed. The debate was catalyzed when
the issue was raised in the BBC documentary, Pedigree Dogs Exposed, which said that
critics of the breed describe it as "half dog, half frog". An orthopedic vet
remarked on footage of dogs in a show ring that they were "not
normal".
The Kennel Club's position is that
"this issue of soundness is not a simple difference of opinion, it is the
fundamental issue of the breed’s essential conformation and movement."[39] The Kennel Club has decided to retrain
judges to penalize dogs suffering these problems.[40] It is also insisting on more testing for
hemophilia and hip dysplasia, other common problems with the
breed.
Breed clubs have typically[citation
needed] responded that they feel they are being vilified for
issues they were already aware of and attempting to address before the media
storm erupted.[41]
[edit]Use as working dogs
Urban Search and
Rescue Task Force dog works to uncover survivors at the site of the collapsed World Trade Center after the September
11, 2001 attacks
German Shepherds are a very popular selection
for use as working dogs. They are especially well known for
their police work, being used for tracking criminals, patrolling troubled areas,
and detection and holding of suspects. Additionally thousands of German
Shepherds have been used by the military. Usually trained for scout duty, they are used to warn soldiers to the
presence of enemies or of booby traps or other hazards.[42] German Shepherds have also been trained by
military groups to parachute from aircraft.[43]
The German
Shepherd Dog is one of the most widely used breeds in a wide variety of
scent-work roles. These include search and rescue, cadaver searching, narcotics detection, explosives detection, accelerant detection, and mine detection dog,
among others. They are suited for these lines of work because of their keen
sense of smell and their ability to work regardless of distractions.[42]
At one time
the German Shepherd Dog was the breed chosen almost exclusively to be used as a
guide
dog for the visually impaired. In recent years,Labradors and Golden Retrievers have been more widely used for
this work, although there are still German Shepherds being trained. A versatile
breed, they excel in this field due to their strong sense of duty, their mental
abilities, their fearlessness, and their attachment to their owner.[citation
needed]
German Shepherd
Dogs are used for herding and tending sheep grazing in meadows next to gardens
and crop fields. They are expected to patrol the boundaries to keep sheep from
trespassing and damaging the crops. In Germany and other places these skills are
tested in utility dog trials also known as HGH (Herdengebrauchshund) herding
utility dog trials.[44]
[edit]In popular culture
Strongheart, one of the earliest canine
stars
German Shepherds have been featured in a wide range of media. Strongheart the German Shepherd was one of the
earliest canine film stars and was followed byRin Tin Tin, who is now acclaimed as being the
most famous German Shepherd. Both are credited with stars on the Hollywood
Walk of Fame.[45]
Batman's dog Ace the Bat-Hound appeared in the Batman comic books, initially in 1955,[46]
through 1964.[47] Between 1964 and 2007, his appearances were
sporadic.
