You love dogs, but which type is the best suited for you? It is important to do your research to find out exactly which breed is best suited for you, however, if you are looking for a majestic, yet, gentle type of dog, the German Shepherd is a wonderful dog and makes for a great companion.
German Shepherds have the ability to be both fearless and quite obedient; however, this breed of dog requires obedience training at a very young age because of their natural tendencies to believe that they are the “leader of the pack”. If they are not properly trained and directed, German Shepherds will have a difficult time recognizing their owner as the “master” and this is due, in part, to their heritage as dogs that perform and “do”. This is not a laid back, snooze in the sun type of breed.
German Shepherd
The history of the breed is actually quite interesting and is directly related to events that occurred in Germany in the late 1800′s, through some hit and miss projects, as several groups of men were attempting to create the “perfect” breed of dog. Ultimately, Captain Max Von Stephanitz, from Germany, would be the person instrumental in recognizing just how loyal, smart and hard working German Shepherds truly were.
Today, many of these characteristics are still very much present within the breed; physically, they are beautiful dogs, standing erect and muscular, with a proud demeanor. They have a nice coat of shiny hair – which, admittedly does tend to shed, but is quite easily combed and brushed. They usually have a determined gleam in their eye and are considered to be hard working and loyal dogs, which is why they make such perfect police and guard dogs.
Because of their usually gentle nature, German Shepherds make wonderful family dogs. They get along well with children and, like any youngster, enjoy frolicking and exercising in the park! So pack up the kids, a picnic basket and enjoy some family time with your pet. Because this is considered a large breed dog, lots of fresh air and exercise will help make sure that your pet stays healthy and happy and, of course, the extra walking, running and playing can do wonders for your waistline!
German Shepherds can live a fairly long life – with an average life expectancy between 10 and 12 years, however, these dogs, because of their size, can also have hip problems, so you need to be vigilant in keeping an eye out for any problems in that area. However, no other serious health issues are directly associated with this breed so you can expect a nice long life with your dog.
Owning a dog is a wonderfully rewarding experience and there is no question that being the proud owner of a German Shepherd is a privilege. However, as a pet owner, it is also your responsibility to make sure that your pet is well trained which will help ensure his security as well as the security of those around you.
The Joys of Owning a Majestic German Shepherd