What is gsd dog

If you're a jogger, a German shepherd can be a good running companion. Your dog needs to run, play, and explore to prevent frustrations, boredom, and pent-up energy. A dog that is bored may develop problems such as barking, digging, and chewing.

German shepherds can be very gentle companions and family protectors with proper training and socialization. It's an ideal breed for active households.

The intelligence and protective demeanor of this breed can make it a good choice for families with children as long as the dog is properly trained. Individual dogs of this breed may have a tendency to chase cats and other small pets. They may not be a good fit for a multi-pet household unless raised together and with attention to socializing your dog to other pets. They also may not get along with strange dogs, especially of the same sex, which may be a problem when you visit a dog park.

A German shepherd is better off in a home where there is a fenced yard for play rather than an apartment. But it's even more important that your dog is given plenty of attention and not left alone most of the day.

Responsible breeders strive to maintain the highest breed standards as established by kennel clubs like the AKC. Dogs bred by these standards are less likely to inherit health conditions. However, some hereditary health problems can occur in the breed. The following are some conditions to be aware of:. Your German shepherd will need two meals a day of up to two cups of dry dog food, but this will depend on the dog's size, activity level, age, and other factors.

As they are prone to bloating and possible stomach torsion, you want to avoid giving one large meal a day and having the dog gulp it down. Be sure your dog has access to clean, fresh water.

Monitor your dog's weight and address any overweight issues early. Obesity will shorten your dog's life. Discuss nutritional needs with your veterinarian to get recommendations for feeding schedules and dog food types throughout your dog's life. If you think you'd like to adopt a German shepherd, start by contacting one of the following organizations:. These groups will be able to provide guidance and next steps for adoption. If you aren't certain the breed is right for you, you may be able to try foster care to test if a GSD is a good fit for your home.

As with any breed, if you think the German shepherd dog is right for you, be sure to do plenty of research before you get one. Talk to other GSD owners, reputable breeders, and rescue groups to learn more. Explore more of the dog breeds out there.

With a little research, you can find the right one to bring home. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. The ability to handle these tasks also make the breed a good candidate for the military.

German Shepherds in the military detect items such as mines and explosives. Though mostly seen in these fields of work, German Shepherds are also trained for being guide dogs. German Shepherds are the third most commonly used dogs as guide dogs , right behind Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers. Being a loyal companion and their trainability makes them a great protection dog as well. Having an intimidating and loud bark will make intruders think twice before attempting anything. German Shepherds are also a very confident breed of dog.

Curious by nature, German Shepherds will pursue anything if they see a threat to the family which makes them the perfect guard dog. This brings us to German Shepherds as family pets. The loyalty and obedience of the breed make them an excellent choice! A properly socialized and trained German Shepherd can be very playful with members of the family while keeping its protective demeanor. German Shepherds suffer from common health problems due to inbreeding early on.

The most common health problems among German Shepherds are elbow and hip dysplasia, epilepsy, hemophilia, diabetes, degenerative disc disease, and bloat. German Shepherds reach maturity at around two and a half years old. A male German Shepherd will usually take longer to reach physical and mental maturity than a female.

After three years, a German Shepherd should be fully grown. The usual litter size of a German Shepherd is around six to eight, but you can expect them to have anywhere from four to ten puppies in a litter.

German Shepherds need at least one to two hours of exercise on a daily basis. After all, they were initially bred to be a herding dog. German Shepherds need to stay active to maintain their high energy levels. German Shepherds are quick runners and can reach as fast as 30 mph. Skin problems may occur if not brushed and de-shed. German Shepherds live 9 to 13 years. With their calm, confident demeanor, these protective pups are eager to please and quick to learn. By Abby Gilman.

Breed Group Group Breed Group herding hound hybrid non-sporting none sporting terrier toy working. Dog Size Size Dog Size extra large lbs. Other Traits Traits Other Traits apartment-friendly cold weather tolerant easy to groom easy to train good for first-time pet owners good hiking companion high potential for weight gain high prey drive highly territorial hot weather tolerant hypoallergenic loves water low prey drive prone to health issues requires lots of grooming strong loyalty tendencies tendency to chew tolerates being alone.

Temperament Temperament Temperament aggressive aloof anxious friendly gentle outgoing playful protective timid willful. German Shepherd. The German shepherd's guarding tendencies make them natural watch dogs who will protect their territory and alert their owners to intruders. Left: The black German shepherd stands out in a crowd. Though her coat color is distinctive, she has all the same characteristics as her black-and-tan kin. Right: Though often confused with the white Swiss shepherd, the white German shepherd is merely a color variant of GSD and not a different breed.

That doesn't mean everyone accepts them though. Numerous breed groups, including the American Kennel Club, still refuse to recognize the rare white coat color as part of the breed. German shepherd with German soldier.

Right: German shepherds or Alsations have long been in the trenches during battles. Shown here in the s, German soldier helps train Kicks the German shepherd to remain calm in the face of loud noises. Living Needs. German Shepherd lying in the leaves holding a stick. Dog park runs, hikes in the woods or a big backyard to roam in can help him get out his energy and keep him from being bored.

Right: German shepherds love being outdoors and are best suited for owners who lead active, healthy lifestyles. Credit: Getty. German shepherd puppies weigh an average of 1. German shepherd Rumor winner of Westminster Dog Show Left: Though she never had an official guide dog, teacher and author Helen Keller had a love of animals and had several canine companions over the years, including her German shepherd Et Tu, shown here with her in her home's garden in the s.

A newspaper article about Keller in reports that Et Tu flunked out of guide dog training due to a tendency to get car sick! It's only the second time a German shepherd has won top honors at Westminster. Fun Facts.

He is credited with a surge in the breed's popularity and proliferation in entertainment, including the s television hit of the same name The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin.

A German shepherd named Buddy and his owner Morris Frank were the first recorded seeing eye dog duo in the United States. The two dazzled reporters as Buddy safely guided Frank through the busy city streets.

The word spread about the merits of guide dogs for the visually impaired, and Buddy helped launch a movement to enhance the independence of people who are blind through the use of guide dogs.