It is important to acquire German shepherds from recognized breeders since as good shepherds they are great, powerful and have strong guardian instincts. Dogs bred with bad practices are more likely to be nervous.
To avoid aggressive and overprotective behavior, it is necessary to carefully socialize German shepherds from a young age and train them in obedience. They should be with the family and exposed to other people and pets in the neighborhood under supervision, they should not be confined to a shed or yard or alone or with other dogs.
German shepherds are active and enjoy having something to do. They need to do a lot of exercise every day, otherwise they become nervous or very excitable.
Its change is very intense and occurs about twice a year, and the rest of the time moves a smaller amount continuously. To control the shedding and maintain beautiful hair, brush it at least a couple of times a week.
German shepherds are, as the name implies, a breed native to Germany. They developed in the late nineteenth century crossing different breeds of dogs for grazing. This breed was subjected to a rigorous selection and evolved rapidly. In the United Kingdom, these dogs are known as Alsatians because fans of this breed in the area wanted to protect the dog from anti-German feelings after World War II.
German shepherds were introduced to the United States by the hand of soldiers returning to their homes after the First World War. The breed caught the attention of the public by movie stars like Strongheart and, later, Rin Tin Tin. When World War II arrived, the German shepherds were the preferred military breed, in addition they were the first guide dogs. Today, they are one of the most successful dogs in the United States. In 1999, German shepherds ranked third on the list of fifty best races of the American Kennel Club.
It is also a grazing breed famous for its bravery, loyalty and guardian instincts. It is an excellent guard dog, police dog, military dog, guide dog and search and rescue dog. For many families, due to his character he is a valuable member of the family.
The origin of the blood line of the Czech German Shepherd
All current German shepherd lines originate from the first officially registered German shepherd: Horand von Grafrath.
As we explain in the general description of the German shepherd, a German lord named Max von Stephanitz saw Horand in a dog show and thought that he had all the desirable characteristics to become the "ideal working dog", and in particular as a type of the right dog for grazing.
Horand was used as the cornerstone for the first German shepherd breeding program in Germany in the world.
From this original Alsatian DNA, the Alsatian lines were developed by different breeders in different parts of the world, beginning in Germany and with another important branching in the United States and Canada.
There are two types of German Shepherd lines, work lines and exhibition lines.. The exhibition lines were raised primarily for their appearance in competitions, while the lines of work were specifically bred to have a good ability to work in various fields and areas including tracking, military, police, protection, patrol, rescue, therapy, entertainment, etc.
The Czech German Shepherd belongs to the line of work, being very initially oriented to military, patrol and tracking work.
Czech German Shepherd
History of the Czech German Shepherd
Now we know where the blood lines of the Czech German shepherd come from. But, When, where, why and how did the lines of the Czech German Shepherd arise? Who originally raised them?
The Czech German sheepdog has its similar origins, and sometimes they even refer to them as the line of work of the German shepherd from East Germany (the former DDR). In fact, they are sometimes called East German shepherd or DDR pastor, however, The Czech German shepherd is not a DDR pastor.
After World War II, Czechoslovakia shared a border with East Germany.
Like the German Shepherd of East Germany, Czech German shepherds experienced an isolated offspring in 1955 restricted to the border stations of the Czech-German border. They were owned by the border patrol of the Czechoslovak Army, known as the Pohranicni Straze.
Czech German shepherds were raised to pass health standards and exhibit a great capacity for work patrolling the Czech border in Germany and Austria, and protecting their military owners.
The temperament of the line of the Czech German Shepherd
Czech German shepherds exhibit the same energy, endurance, athletic strength and training requirements of the work line of German Shepherds from East Germany.
When thinking about the long and hard days of patrol work and the intense and violent military protection work for which they were raised, these dogs had to have an extreme focus, dedication, conscience and a very hard and strong temperament to be able to fulfill their work tasks.
There is a stigma among some circles of dog-like people who believe that Czech German shepherds do not serve for family pets due to a low tolerance for passive environments where they do not encounter continuous high-level challenges, and also for their high dominant instinct.
To our knowledge, this stigma is not accurate. Czech German shepherds can be great pets, being part of the family, being very loyal and affectionate, and are as capable as any other line of the German shepherd to fit into a family environment.
However, we must not forget that like any other dog, The quality of training, obedience and socialization they receive from their owner and trainer plays a vital role in dog behavior and adaptability to their environment.
Features and physical appearance of the Czech German Shepherd
The physical profile of the Czech German Shepherd is very similar to the German Shepherds of East Germany with the angled back (as opposed to a rounded slope) and the dropped hips.
They are the largest, thickest and heaviest of all Alsatian lines (only slightly heavier than the German shepherds of East Germany), they highlight their large heads, chest and legs.
Despite their powerful physiognomy they are extremely athletic, fast and agile
Both the East German line and the Czech German Shepherd line had original breeding programs known for their strict and extreme discipline in health standards. Both parents of the Czech line had to have their hips certified (to eliminate them from hip dysplasia) before they were allowed to reproduce.
The hair color of the Czech German Shepherd
Czech German sheepmen have clearly dark hair colors.
Czech German shepherds are also known for having a sometimes irregular appearance, as opposed to the solid colors of other lines.
They also oppose the line of shows of the Alsatian shepherd that are mainly black and tan, Czech Alsatians are mainly black with small tan spots, all black or sometimes sable.
Main differences between the Czech German Shepherd and the German Shepherds of the East German line
As we mentioned earlier, the Czech German Shepherd and the East German line are different lines of the same German Shepherd dog breed.
Although they are very similar in some aspects and factors, however they have some marked differences, among which we highlight:
- The German shepherds of the East German line of work originate in East Germany, while the first Czech German shepherds were originally raised on the Czech-German border
- East German Germans are generally slightly darker than Czech Alsatians in the color of the cape, and their black colors are generally stronger compared to the Czech German Shepherd
- Czech Alsatians have a slightly larger and thicker body, and are slightly heavier than DDR Alsatians.
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What is the story of the white German shepherd or Swiss shepherd?
The German shepherd race was gaining popularity from its creation by Max von Stephanitz in 1899 and was increasingly used as a working dog, for grazing and guard dog. In 1933 the white color was removed from the German shepherd breed standard, since he was not seen looking dangerous enough. As of this moment, most white puppies died immediately after birth. This is how the white shepherd dog practically died out in Europe. Fortunately in the USA and Canada, this beautiful breed of white dog was preserved.
White german shepherd
In the 70s of the 20th century, the White Shepherd returned to Europe, Switzerland being the country where this breed began to recover. Agatha Burch 1966 brought a white German shepherd named "Wolf" to Switzerland from the US. This dog can be considered the progenitor of the breed in Switzerland. registered from the pairing of this with other dogs imported from the United States and Canada, and from there the white shepherd dogs have been spreading throughout Europe, where today, there is a large number of purebred specimens. Being recognized as a true breed under the name of Swiss White Shepherd since June 1991 and this is how Switzerland appears as a new breed in the appendix to the book of Swiss origins (LOS).
Swiss White Shepherd Recognition
Although the population of white shepherds in the years following the 1970s had a pronounced recovery, especially in Germany, Switzerland, Holland, France, Austria and Sweden, the leaders of the FCI and the organs of the Association were not willing to approach international recognition.
An opponent of racial recognition was the SV, who always looked at the "whites" as a mutation of the skin of the German shepherd and thus prevented recognition for years. The pressure on the national organizations of the FCI Association became more intense due to the increase in population and especially the growing recognition and popularity of the white German shepherd or white Swiss shepherd dog.
White German Shepherd Dog
In 2001, the SKG (Schweizerische Kynologische Gesellschaft) agreed to provide what is necessary for the application of international recognition for the FCI. The fact that Switzerland was the first country to document eight independent lines, also meant that Switzerland has become the home of the white shepherd, and the name of the "new breed" was set to "Swiss White Shepherd." As of January 1, 2003, the White Shepherd breed is now officially recognized as an official breed by FCI standard number 347.
What characteristics does the White Swiss Shepherd have?
The White Swiss Shepherd is an elegant dog, faithful family companion, a strong constitution and a great working dog.
It is medium in size, slightly elongated, with good musculature, dry bones and general fixed structure. The height on the cross in males is about 60-65 cm, and in females 55-60 cm.
With a wedge-shaped head, the well-shaped jaw with 42 teeth, erect and medium-sized ears. With a slightly inclined rump the back of the body is moderately long, firm, strong and muscular. Both the front and rear quarters must be muscular and have a sufficiently inclined silhouette to allow for an expansive movement.
The top layer of the coat is usually abundant and also usually has an important layer.
Swiss White Shepherd
The Swiss white shepherd is balanced by nature, constant, has confidence, and a friendly character with his own. Aggression is rejected as well as anxiety in the standard of race. The White Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn and so they are suitable for almost all types of dog sports as well as family dogs. They are in terms of daily care an easy breed to maintain.
Depending on the ambitions of the trainer and, of course, depending on the predisposition of the dog, training in obedience, monitoring, protection, agility, etc. can be carried out. In Austria there are many white shepherds who have already demonstrated their skills as dogs trained in the search for people buried in snow avalanches.
This dog breed also presents a special talent for monitoring and protection work.
The Swiss White Shepherd is an excellent dog with an acute mind and an excellent body that with proper training and education will make a special dog for those tasks that have been trained.
Swiss Shepherd Character
The white Swiss shepherd is known for his good behavior with children. It is a kind of shepherd dog very friendly and protective towards children, although we must not neglect that it is a dog of a considerable size and we must control the risk that this may pose.
Given the energy and weight of a Swiss shepherd, it is easy for young children to be hit by the pet when it is simply trying to play with them. Especially younger children should be monitored while interacting with the dog, and all people should be taught to properly handle a Swiss shepherd before interacting with them.
These great pastors have a calm and observant behavior towards strangers, provided they have been properly socialized. Unlike the aggressive stereotype that has surrounded these dogs unfairly, they behave quite well with new people, something harder to control along the lines of the Czech German Shepherd.
They always prefer their family to unknown guests, however, so new guests will have to be slowly integrated into their surroundings. It is crucial that they socialize well so that they can distinguish the difference between friend and enemy.
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Where does the German shepherd come from? Know his story.
Already in the seventh century there were several ancestors of the German shepherd dog in Germany and throughout Europe.
As the name "Pastor" already suggests, these strong and powerful animals were used for grazing and driving herds and also for guarding their owners' possessions.
German Shepherd head detail
The German Shepherd breed appeared in the late 19th century in Germany and they were exhibited for the first time in a show in Hannover in 1882. Max von Stephanitz and other breeders produced a sensitive, obedient and slender dog breed using local long-haired, short-haired and farm-dog breeds from the areas of Bavaria, Württemberg, and Thurginia. The goal was to create a working dog to care for herds of grazing and that was able to jog for long periods of time following cattle.
The dogs were first presented in Hanover in 1882, although the short hair variety was not presented until 1889 at an exhibition in Berlin, and in April of this year Von Stephanitz registered "Horan" as the first dog "Deutsche Schäferhunde", which means "German Shepherd" in Spanish. Until 1915, varieties of both long and short hair were shown. However, at present, in most countries, only the short-haired variety is recognized as a true German Shepherd breed.
However those dogs were not exactly like the current specimens and the German shepherd dog as we now know it really did not appear until after World War II.
Since then, the breed has grown tremendously in popularity and now it is one of the most popular pedigree breeds in the world as a pet, as well as the favorite working dog breed for many areas, such as grazing and especially the police. They are widely used for security purposes due to their strong protective instincts.
What character does the German shepherd have?
The German shepherd dog character is balanced, very resistant to nerves and self-confident.
The German shepherd lives for his family is loyal, protective and attentive. With strangers who behaves mostly neutral, but always vigilant.
To this end, the breed of this sheepdog is distinguished by its Good character, the pronounced protective instinctas well as your loyalty and attachment.
German sheep are very intelligent and attentive animals that are easy to guide.
If dogs are well socialized, educated with much empathy, patience and loving consistency, then they are able to fully develop their kind nature.
For example, the German shepherd continues to maintain a playful character throughout his life and enjoy keeping the house and the yard.
It is a working dog, to be used accordingly. A well educated and busy shepherd is also a very good family dog and is also compatible with other pets.
The guardian instinct of a German Sheepdog
The German Shepherd is widely used as a guard dog in all kinds of situations, such as the police and security companies, as well as within homes and rural farms. This breed of dogs is very territorial and he soon becomes familiar with the boundaries of his area, and often patrol his territory independently, observing any sign of intrusion by strangers, other dogs or other potential problems! If they see something they don't like, they will bark and they will make a scandal, both to inform that they come and see what is happening, and to act as a deterrent.
This means that in the domestic home, the German shepherd must be well socialized with people and other animals from an early age, and be well trained on the limits of what is acceptable behavior when they come into contact with someone or something new!
Is the German shepherd a dog for the family?
A well-educated and socialized German shepherd It can also be used as a working dog for a wide range of activities, such as a Family pet in a home with children.
In this sense, aspects such as his control of the nerves, his obedience, his pronounced protective instinct, as well as his loyalty and affection, are particularly beneficial to integrate into the family environment
As family dogHowever, it must also be treated properly, for example, you should exercise regularly and be able to access ample outdoor spaces. If we want our German shepherd to be happy, we must ensure that he exercises on a regular basis, nothing better than taking him out for a walk through large spaces, running with him or keeping him on a farm with enough space to run.
Once a German sheepdog joins his family, he will become his protector when strangers or friends approach. This protection may be appropriate or inappropriate, depending on the situation, and the dog may not always be able to discriminate between those situations. This is why it is very important to train you to recognize welcome guests and unwanted strangers. A German shepherd may bark when strangers or friends approach his home, but proper socialization and training from an early age will help this intelligent and proud race to integrate properly into a normal social routine.
A very intelligent dog
The German shepherd is among the five most intelligent dog breeds, this factor is essential to make an effective working dog! Only the smartest breeds of dogs are efficient to develop jobs, so the German shepherd became a natural choice for a working dog.
The high levels of intelligence presented by the German Shepherd makes it possible to be trained to retain and repeat a wide range of tasks, But high intelligence does not make the German Shepherd easy to train! Smart dogs can be complex and challenging, and they can go one step ahead of the coach in terms of catching bad habits or learning things by mistake! They are also likely to easily get bored of repetitive training, and will not thrive unless they remain active. That's why it's important Follow proper guidelines in training.
Dog education
The configuration of a dog's character must be worked on since he is a puppy, although you should not expect too much from your puppy too quickly.
Impatience and rapid successes will not lead you to achieve your goals by educating and training your dog. It is not very difficult to educate a German Shepherd, since the breed is really very capable of learning. But you must be careful: Dog confidence should never be betrayed!
The dog is not a machine that has to work when a button is pressed.
A working dog
Education means patience, following a plan, but also acting consistently on the dog. The force must remain absolutely at the bottom and must (if really necessary) be used only in small doses, and very considered. With love, consistency and, above all, positive reinforcement - for example with food rewards - the German Shepherd will quickly become a partner and develop all his talents.
The control and training of "obedience" It is vital when it comes to getting a balanced dog. This refers less to maximum physical performance and more about the concentration, self-control and absolute social compatibility of the animal. The harmony and trust between the dog and the trainer or owner of the dog are reinforced by obedience exercises.
Precision is paramount in obedience. The obedience exercises are multiple, diversified and intensify the link between the human and the animal through permanent communication. Such training can be given without hesitation to any dog that enjoys new tasks and mental exercises.
Sport and work creates balance in the German shepherd
Active and active German shepherds are not only more robust and healthy than physically inactive dogs, but are also generally more balanced and have a calmer character. Working dog sport with its three tracking sub-disciplines, obedience and protection service also provides a sporty and at the same time controlled exit for an active and energetic German sheepdog, since these traits are part of the nature of his race, wanting to face challenges and be stimulated with new goals. In this aspect, neither training as a working dog nor for sports activities presents any danger to its surroundings.
German shepherds dogs with a strong character and great physical hardness
The requirement for the training of a German shepherd as a working dog - especially for the protection dog - is that it be a completely healthy, capable and resistant dog. Character traits such as self-confidence, driving predisposition (not to be confused with aggression) and pleasure in work must be distinctive in a future working dog.
Tip to get a good working German shepherd
The dog owner and the trainer can determine if a young dog meets these requirements after trial training and / or character and behavior exercises, and if it is suitable for demanding protection service training. If the veterinarian also agrees, then the dog and the owner are free to start dog sports.
The training directors of the SV local groups are available to the owner of the dog with the advice, preparation of the animals and the handlers for the trial of the working dog that will be judged by the judges of the SV trial.
How should the German Shepherd's baby be?
Breeding German Shepherd puppies It is a responsible and beautiful task in which one can collaborate in the development of a dog breed in a goal-oriented way.
Apart from idealism and love for the animal, the raising of German shepherds mainly requires extensive experience and clear objectives. Ample space is required for kennels and a neighborhood of understanding as other basic conditions. Apart from the training of breeding dogs and their presentation in breeding programs, puppies need to be awareCarefully taken care of.
The financial side of breeding cannot be forgotten. Among the costs are, for example, the costs of facilities, food, the veterinarian and all costs related to the registration of dogs for the breeding and maintenance of German shepherd puppies until they are sold.
Planning leads to the goal: the right choice of the couple
The prerequisite for a successful reproduction is the quality of parents and their ancestors. The choice of a suitable puppy for the individual dog depends on the advantages (and also the mistakes) of the breeding partners.
Additional criteria: degree of kinship, type, line, type of layer, quality of the existing progeny and finally also the willingness to reproduce the dog considered. It is recommended that you consult with experienced breeders and race guards of the Association of German Shepherds.
The German sheep's female must be at least 20 months before it can be covered for the first time.
An important principle for each breeder: ensure that puppies that are sold later are of better quality than their parents.
What life expectancy does the German shepherd have?
The German Shepherd normally lives between 10 and 13 years, although there will be specimens that have a shorter life and others that are longer.
A life expectancy of more than 10 years
There are several factors that can mark life expectancy within the same race such as attitude, diet, health conditions, medical care or exercise.
Responsible breeding can also help prolong life expectancy, for example, breeding with sick animals or dogs with hereditary problems should be avoided.
The selection is thus an important factor and highlights the importance of controlled breeding in the constant improvement of the breed of the German Shepherd.
However, some breeders of large-scale hobbies or productions of dogs are often not subject to any control, and therefore, more likely, dogs are born more susceptible to disease or already sick, which may present problems later. .
Pedigree
The «Certificate of authenticity of inheritance»: This is the most important document that a buyer of a German shepherd must have. Only an association recognized by the World Canine Organization (FCI) and the German Kennel Club (VDH) can issue this certificate. No dog can be classified as a purebred German Shepherd without this verification. In contrast to the pedigree, which dates back four generations, the family tree leads back to the origin of the breed - back to the parent.
The pedigree is prepared and issued by the SV (more than 2 million dogs are currently registered), and records the 30 direct ancestors of the animal.
German Shepherd Diet
A German shepherd is an extremely mobile and agile animal, and tends, in principle, not to be overweight, however it does not imply that we should not take care of the food of our German shepherd dog.
As the owner, but they often tend to humanize the dog and even share food with him, which can lead to significant imbalances in his diet.
This in turn can cause important consequences for the health of the animals, since the accumulated fat can be difficult to eliminate even following an adequate diet.
A healthy diet and good food can greatly affect the life expectancy of your grassr. Therefore, the correct choice of diet is very important.
There are some who believe that wet food or natural BARF food is better while others prefer dry food. Those who wish, can combine both types of food and combine the advantages of both styles together. The dog is happy when he has a little variety in the dining room.
Summary of characteristics of the German Shepherd dog:
The characteristics of this impressive breed are summarized here, in a brief description:
- Size or height at the crossz: up to 60 cm
- Weight: according to sex: from 22 to 40 kilograms
- Age: up to 15 years
- Country of origin: Germany
- Use: family, use, guard, partner, service, protection, rescue and pastor
- Colors: different (black, gold, white)
- Coat: Abundant fur. It is weather resistant, easy to maintain and defies heat, as well as cold and rain
- Character: nerve-proof, balanced, biased, willing to learn, faithful and self-confident
