Full Profile Of The Original German Shepherd Dog

Opinions are divided on the Original German Shepherd Dog. There is hardly a dog in the world that is so well known and loved as the german shepherd dog, but hardly any other breed has so many Features. It is perhaps even more important for Original German Shepherds than for other breeds that they are what their masters make of them to see this dog breeds one of the most loyal animals to humans.

Original German shepherd Dog appearance

race	Original German shepherd dog
other names	Alsatian, Berger Allemand, German Shepherd Dog, GSD, Shepherd Dog, German Shepherd Dog
origin	Germany
size	Large breeds of dogs
group	Herding dog breeds
Life expectancy	7-12 years
Temperament / activity	Gentle, intelligent, good-natured, kind, outgoing, agile
Height at withers	Male: 60–65 cm. Bitch: 55–60 cm
Weight	Males: 30–40 kg, bitches: 22–32 kg
Dog coat colors	Most often tan with a black saddle, black, black-brown in various tones, wolf gray
Puppy price approx. €	500

the original german shepherd is of medium size. The growth of a dog at the withers is 60-65 cm, weight is 30-40 kg, bitches are 5 cm lower and 8 kg lighter. The proportional relationship between height and weight is important. The dog is slightly elongated, strong and muscular, built firmly, but the skeleton is not coarse, this shape makes the german shepherd dog one of the fastest dogs in the world and a great hunter.

head

The length of the head is 40% of the height at the withers. The shape is wedge-shaped, but not too elongated, moderately wide between the ears. The forehead is slightly convex. The ratio of the cranial and facial parts is 1: 1. The transition between them is expressed smoothly.

Neck

In the Original German Shepherd dog, the length of the neck is approximately equal to the length of the head. Strong and muscular, very agile.

Eyes

Oval, slightly oblique, not prominent, of medium size. The color is dark.

Nose

Classically shaped, without a clear dividing line. The nose is black.

Teeth and jaws

The upper and lower jaws of the german shepherd original breed are well developed. The teeth are strong, the dental formula is complete. The lips fit snugly against the jaws. Scissor bite.

Ears

The ears of the original gsd are large, erect, triangular in shape, directed parallel. The auricles are open forward. The ear cartilage is elastic, without kinks or bends.

Torso

The ribcage is long, wide and deep. The line of the back runs down from the withers to the rump. The withers are strong, the back is wide and strong, the croup is sloping, with an imperceptible transition to the base of the tail.

Tail

The tail of German Shepherds is relatively long, slightly curved, in the usual position, it is lowered down. Fluffy, with longer hair on the lower part of the tail.

Limbs

The forelegs are straight and parallel when viewed from the front. Strong and muscular. The shoulder blades and humerus are the same length and are connected at right angles. The hind legs are slightly set back, straight and parallel when viewed from behind. The thigh and lower leg are of the same length, connected at an angle of 120 °. Strong and muscular. The front legs are rounded, the toes are arched. The hind feet are compact, the toes are lightly arched.

Wool

Double, with dense, straight, coarse topcoat and thick undercoat.

Color

Black with reddish-brown, brown, yellow to light grey markings. Solid black or solid grey. The Zone Gray Sheepdogs display a black saddlecloth and mask.

The Biggest German Shepherd Breed

Original German Shepherd Dog personality

The Original German Shepherd Dog, while reticent, is usually not aggressive. He’s a shy dog ​​who doesn’t make friends right away, but when he does, he’s an extremely loyal dog, Within his family, he is relaxed and open-minded, but if he feels threatened, he can then be very strong and protective, which makes him an excellent watchdog.

This highly intelligent and trainable breed loves to have a job – no matter what. The original German Shepherd Dog can be trained for almost any task, from alerting a blind person that the doorbell has rung to sniffing out an avalanche victim.

The dog does not like being left alone for a long time. Without the community he needs – as well as the exercise and the opportunity to use his intelligence – he quickly becomes bored and frustrated. A german shepherd original breed who doesn’t get enough exercise and is ignored by his family will mostly release his pent-up energy in ways you won’t like, such as barking and chewing.

Like any other dog, the Original German Shepherd Dog needs to be socialized early on – as long as it is young, it should get to know many different people, sights and sounds, and have many different experiences. Good socialization will ensure your German Shepherd puppy will grow into a versatile dog.

German Shepherd with Children and other animals

As long as they are well trained and have had a lot of interaction with children, especially when they are puppies, a German Shepherd is a great companion for children. Some even say that he is a cross between a babysitter and a cop and is gentle with his family’s children while protecting them at the same time.

This is a large dog that can accidentally knock over toddlers and young children as well. Remaining true to his reserved character, he does not greet foreign children with a wagging tail but is usually reliable.

Read More: German Shepherd Poodle Mix

The German Shepherd Dog can also live peacefully with other dogs and animals, provided that they have already learned this when they were puppies. It can be more difficult to get an adult German Shepherd used to a household with other animals if the dog is not used to dealing with other dogs or cats. You may need to hire a professional trainer to assist you or seek advice from the rescue organization if you picked up the German Shepherd from there.

German Shepherd Dog Care and Health

Original German Shepherd Dog Health

the original German Shepherds are generally healthy, but like all other breeds, they are prone to certain health problems. Not all German Shepherds get one, or all, of these diseases, but if you choose this breed you should be aware of the possible diseases.

when you will go to purchasing a German Shepherd Dog puppy, be sure to find a good breeder who can show you health certificates for both of the puppy’s parents. Health certificates prove that a dog has been tested for a specific disease and has been released from it.

For German Shepherds, you should assume that you can see health certificates from the Orthopaedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) for hip dysplasia (with a rating between fair and better), elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism and Willebrand–Jürgens syndrome; and from the “Canine Eye” Registry Foundation (CERF) “Certificates that the eyes are normal. You can confirm health certificates by checking the OFA website (offa.org).

Hip dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a hereditary disease in which the thighbone is not firmly attached to the hip joint. Some original german shepherd dogs have pain and lameness in one or both hind legs, but a dog with hip dysplasia may also have no symptoms at all. Arthritis can develop in the ageing dog. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, as well as the Hip Enhancement Program at Pennsylvania University, perform x-ray techniques for hip dysplasia. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be used for breeding. When purchasing a puppy, get the breeder to provide you with evidence of the hip dysplasia test and also that the puppy will have no other problems.

Elbow Dysplasia: This is an inherited condition that is common in large breed dogs. It is believed to be due to the varying degrees of growth of the three bones that make up the dog’s elbow, causing the joint to overstretch. This can result in painful paralysis. Your veterinarian may advise you to have surgery to correct the problem or offer medication to control the pain.

Gastric torsion: Often referred to as gas, this life-threatening condition affects large, deep chest dogs, such as Labradors, especially if they have only one large meal a day, eat quickly, drink large amounts of water, or exercise excessively after eating. Flatulence occurs when the stomach is bloated, filled with air, and rotated. The dog cannot burp or vomit to get rid of the excess air in his stomach, and blood flow to the heart is difficult. The blood pressure drops and the dog goes into shock. Without immediate medical attention, the dog can die. Expect a twisted stomach if your dog has a bloated stomach, drools and chokes a lot without vomiting. He could also be restless, depressed, Be lethargic, weak and have a fast heartbeat. If you notice these symptoms, take your dog to the vet immediately.

Degenerative myelopathy: Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive disease of the spinal cord, especially the part of the spinal cord, which communicates information to the brain about the hind legs. Dogs with DM behave as if they do not know where their hind legs are and also cannot move them properly. The disease progresses until the dog can no longer walk. Most of the time there is no treatment option and the dog is put to sleep. In a few cases, however, the disease is due to a lack of vitamin 12 or vitamin E, and if this is the case, vitamin supplements could stabilize the condition.

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency: EPI is a genetic disease of the pancreas that destroys the cells that are responsible for the production of the digestive systems. As a result, the dog can no longer digest and ingest food. The first signs are gas, loss of appetite, weight loss, and a change in stool. The dog becomes very thin and very hungry. EPI is diagnosed by a simple blood test, and treatment is simple too: pancreatic enzymes are added to dog food. With proper medication monitoring, most dogs will recover.

Allergies: Some original german shepherd suffers from a variety of allergies, from contact allergies to food allergies. Allergy symptoms in dogs are similar to those in humans. If your German Shepherd scratches and licks his paws, or rub his face often, assume he has an allergy and takes him for a veterinary check-up.

Original German Shepherd Dog Care

Originally bred to herd all day, the original GSD is built for movement. This means that he has a lot of energy that he has to break down through daily exercise.

If you leave him alone for a long time without moving, be prepared for trouble. Boredom and inactivity lead to behaviour problems – chewing, digging, and barking. The young German Shepherd Dog absolutely has to train its body (by jogging, romping around in the dog park) and also its brain (through tasks such as agility or obedience competitions).

Like many guardian breeds, the German Shepherds are Beller. The barking itself does not necessarily have to be a problem, but that changes when the dog is bored. Learning the command “Quiet! / Quiet!” should be part of obedience training for every German Shepherd.

The Original German Shepherd Dog love to chew, and their powerful jaws manage to destroy most materials. If you choose the wrong item to gnaw on, you can damage your teeth, swallow something harmful, or even suffocate. Provide your dog with safe chew toys and bones to keep himself occupied when you are not playing and also to keep him and your belongings safe.

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Features of feeding and diet

A well-designed diet is a guarantee of good health for your pet. The best choice will be balanced premium food, which contains all the necessary trace elements and vitamins for the harmonious development of the body. If preference is given to a diet of “live” products, then here you should adhere to some rules. 

Proteins make up the first third of the diet, the second third is carbohydrates in the form of cereals (best of all from rice, buckwheat), another third of the daily allowance, it is allocated to various vegetables, sour milk. Whole milk is not recommended by veterinarians as it can cause digestive upset in adult dogs. 

List of foods useful for shepherds: 

• lean poultry meat;
• meat of beef, boiled pork, rabbit;
• raw eggs, omelets (1-2 times a week);
• fish (once a week);
• cereals;
• potatoes, corn only raw;
• vegetables, stewed, boiled cabbage;
• porridge on water or with the addition of milk (half with water).

Fermented milk products (cottage cheese, yogurt, kefir) will benefit. In small quantities, berries, nuts, peeled seeds are allowed. Food should be kept at room temperature. 

Original German Shepherd Dog coat colors

The Original German Shepherd Dog was originally bred to herd herds in harsh climates and its half-length double coat is perfect for this job, it protects the dog from rain and snow and is resistant to burdock and dirt.

The coat types of the original german shepherd are just as variable as its colour; some German Shepherds are long-haired. The ideal German Shepherd, however, has a half-length double coat. The outer coat is dense and has straight hair that lies close to the body and is sometimes wavy and wiry.

The fur comes in a variety of colours and patterns, including black; Black and cream; Black and red; Black and silver; Black and light brown; Blue; Gray; Chocolate; Sable and white. However, the American Kennel Club does not recognize the colour white for this breed and does not allow German Shepherds to participate in dog shows, even though they are admitted to other competitions.

Sometimes referred to for fun as the “hairy German“, this breed sheds all year round and changes its coat about twice a year – in the process, it loses a lot of hair at once, like in a blizzard. If you want an original german shepherd, be prepared for hair on your black pants, on your white couch and basically in the whole house.

There is no magic antidote to hair. Just accept it. Brushing two to three times a week, however, helps that more hair is loosened by the brush than through and on your furniture. A powerful vacuum cleaner doesn’t hurt either.

Bathing too often deprives the coat of the natural oils that keep it healthy, so only bathe it when the dog really needs it. It shouldn’t happen too often; In addition to its bad reputation as a hair man, the original german shepherd is very neat, clean and odourless.

The nails should be trimmed monthly and his ears should be checked weekly for dirt, redness, or a bad smell that may indicate infection then wiped weekly with a cotton ball dipped in gentle, pH-neutral ear cleaner so as to avoid problems.

German Shepherds love to chew and this habit also helps them keep their teeth clean. Give them sturdy, safe dental chew toys, or bones, and they’ll fight tartar build-up, especially on the back molars. If you also brush his teeth with a soft toothbrush and dog toothpaste, you will help him to keep his gums and teeth in good shape.

How to choose Original German Shepherd Dog puppy

The above-mentioned features of appearance and character refer to purebred original german shepherd puppy, that is, to those whose pedigree has been confirmed by official documents for several generations. Half-breeds can certainly be wonderful and loyal pets, but they are still completely different dogs.

Future owners who are interested in a particular breed should look for a puppy only from trusted breeders and in kennels with an excellent reputation. So you can be sure of the absence of genetic diseases and the “trademark” stability of the psyche, which is so important for a large pet.

Responsible breeders do not sell puppies that are less than 8-10 weeks old to buyers. By this time, the little German is already confidently on his feet, responds to his own name and is ready to start training.

If a dog is purchased not for breeding and participation in exhibitions, the main selection criteria are its health and friendliness. The indicators of the first are considered to be good appetite, playfulness, clean eyes, nose and ears, shiny coat, elastic stomach without signs of bloating. An original german shepherd puppy should not be afraid of calmly behaving people or reacting aggressively to attempts to approach.

It is also better to “get acquainted” with the parents in order to have an idea of ​​the heredity of the future pet and to look at the conditions of keeping the mother with the babies. Cleanliness, adequate space, quality food and toys, timely vaccinations are undoubted evidence in favour of the breeder.

How much is the price for an Original German Shepherd Dog

Potential show winners with impeccable breed standards and a “champion” pedigree will not cost less than a thousand dollars. They are usually sold at the age of 5-6 months, or even older – when the external data have already been formed and even have experience of participating in junior “shows”.

old german shepherd dog price

Purebred original german shepherd puppy, which does not claim to be internationally recognized due to certain formal shortcomings, but can become excellent service-guard or family dogs, are sold in kennels at prices ranging from $ 300 to $ 900.

Dogs without a pedigree are significantly cheaper, but in this case, no one guarantees you either external or psychological compliance with the idea of ​​a real German shepherd.

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Old German Shepherd Dog

Initially, The Old German Shepherd Dog had a dry sinewy body and a narrow chest. When creating the breed, people needed a powerful, but at the same time dexterous and fast animal. And there was no such attention to external criteria as it is now. Old-type, in the length of legs and square proportions, more similar to modern Malinois (Belgian Shepherd Dogs). This line is considered by breeders to be an important historical element in the creation of successful advanced modern dogs, but it makes no sense to go back to basics.

German Shepherd Wolf Mix

German Shepherd Wolf Mixes are popular wolf dogs. As the name indicates, a Wolfdog is a hybrid resulting from the cross-breeding of a domestic dog and a wolf. These breeds cannot be considered purebreds and are usually referred to as mutts. While wolf dogs can be trained to become beautiful, affectionate and loving companions, they are not the perfect choice of pet for average dog owners.

Sources:
https://www.dehunderassen.de/deutscher-schaferhund#beschreibung
https://kinpet.ru/nemetskaya-ovcharka/