A Shepherd dog is often misunderstood for being a mix. Let me tell you from the start that a Shepherd dog is a pure breed. Shepherd dogs are not very common but are still considered purebred. Except for the color, this breed has the same temperament and personality as any other Shepherd dog.
Overview of Shepherd Dog
In the 19th century, Shepherd dogs were bred from different European herding dog crosses in Germany. They come from the Herding group of dogs. They come in various colors such as Grey, Red, Black, Tan, or silver. These dogs don’t bark much.
The lifespan of a Shepherd dog is from 10 to 13 years. You can surely help in increasing their lifespan by taking good care of their needs and by frequently visiting the vet for regular checkups. They are comfortable in an average climate. They don’t like very cold or very hot weather.
Shepherd dogs are very active and have a high adrenaline rush. They are always looking for your attention and want to play with you all the time so you need to spare this energy for exercise and training.
Distinctive Appearance
Shepherd dog has a highborn head with a strong and well-muscled body that represents his distinctive appearance. The erect ears and the alert expression on his face increase the beauty in his appearance.
Coat
Generally, the coat of the Shepherd dog is double-coated. However, the coat can be short, medium, or long. Black saddle with tan or red markings are often included in the coat of this dog breed. The word “Sable” itself represents that it will have a multi-colored jacket with a black tip and light color base such as red or grey.
Size and Weight
A Shepherd dog is a large-sized dog that has a big and muscular body and male Shepherd dog tends to be larger in size and weight than female Shepherd dogs.
The weight of a male Shepherd dog varies from 65 to 90 pounds and female weight varies from 50 to 70 pounds.
The height of a male Shepherd dog varies from 25 to 28 inches and female height varies from 20 to 24 inches.
Personality
Shepherd dogs are known for their aggressive personality but this side turns into a subtle goofiness when they are with people whom they love and cherish. They don’t instantly form a bond but take their time once this bond is built, they will show you the best of them and you will not be disappointed.
In their family circle, they show benevolent and approachable manners but when they sense a threat or danger, they transfer into committed protectors and show their watchdog propensity.
They are blessed with exceptional intelligence and trainable instincts and when they are given a dedicated task, they thrive. For this breed, no challenge could beat them.
Their abilities start from doorbell rings to alerting an impaired hearing person to locating a victim lost in the woods. The abilities of the Shepherd dog seem boundless.
Temperament
You can say that there is nothing a Shepherd dog can’t do. He is an all-purpose dog. Shepherd dog is very loyal, playful, and protective towards their owner.
Originally, they were bred for livestock herding but this breed showcased their multiple abilities by helping police in their searches and rescues, being a guide to disabled persons, and even debuted as an actor in movies. This showed that this breed is highly intelligent and work-oriented.
As this breed is very active and social, they need to spend their energy in exercises and activities as house dogs to satisfy their minds and bodies. If they don’t get to spare this energy, they will get bored and will exhibit bad behavior.
Maintenance and Grooming
Shedding
This breed has a double coat that sheds frequently, mostly twice a year due to the change of the season. The owners must prepare themselves for dog hair on most of the furniture. This excessive shedding can be prevented by regularly brushing their hair.
Hygiene Care
Their hygiene care includes cleaning their ears every week and checking them for any allergies or mites, trimming their nails monthly, and frequently cleaning their teeth. Also, you don’t need to bathe them much because it will rip off the natural oils of their skin. You can bathe them if they are really dirty or can clean them with a damp cloth.
Training
Shepherd dogs are ideal dogs for training. This breed is intelligent, obedient, and highly curious, with this, they respond the best. Although they easily get distracted you can easily gain their attention by giving them treats. Positive training is the best way, you will gain nothing by punishing your dog.
Intelligent and smart
Shepherd dogs are known for their intelligence and smartness. They are quick learners and this makes it easy for you to train them.
Because of their intriguing nature, you can give them many mental challenges and they will thrive in it. You can even hide their favorite treats in different parts of the house and they will happily spend their time searching for them.
Working Dogs
Shepherd dogs are known for their working nature. Many important roles are played by them such as helping the police find the victims who are lost, search and rescue, detection, and service dogs.
They have a sharp sense of smell and have strong and masculine body that makes them great watchdogs. They can sense danger from a distance and they are only friendly towards their family while are very hazardous towards strangers.
Exercise
As a Shepherd dog is a huge dog, his energy levels are also enormous. This breed needs at least an hour of exercise daily to maintain their physical and mental stability. This is a dog that enjoys a lot of activities that can be used as a way for them to exercise.
These activities include hiking, long walks, fetching, catches, and agility challenges. These activities keep them busy and prevent them from getting bored, leading a good and happy life.
Keeping them inside a fenced yard is a good thought, in this way, he can play in the yard all day. Also, make sure to keep your dog on a leash while walking around the neighborhood. Although you have properly trained your dog, he can start getting distracted and exploring his surroundings.
Health Problems
Shepherd dogs are generally a healthy breed but like all other dog breeds, they also have some health conditions that we need to take into consideration. Not all Shepherd dogs need to suffer from them but you should be familiar with these health problems before adopting them.
Hip Dysplasia
This genetic issue involves the femur’s incorrect fit into the pelvic socket of the hip joint. Hip dysplasia can appear with or without symptoms. As they get older, some dogs may exhibit lameness and discomfort in one or both of their rear legs, with arthritis perhaps developing.
Elbow Dysplasia
This heritable trait, which is primarily present in large breeds, is caused by the three constituent bones of the elbow growing at different rates, which leads to joint instability. Painful lameness is the result. Surgical procedures or painkillers may be included in veterinary recommendations.
Bloating
Bloat is a potentially fatal condition that primarily affects large dogs with deep chests. It happens when the stomach expands owing to gas or air and then twists. To avoid shock and potential death, prompt medical intervention is essential.
Abdominal distension, increased salivation, retching without vomiting, restlessness, drowsiness, and a fast heartbeat are all signs of bloat in dogs.
Degenerative Myelopathy
A degenerative condition of the spinal cord that mostly affects the communication between the brain and the rear legs. Dogs with DM have trouble coordinating their hind limb motions, which frequently leads to their eventual incapacity to walk. There aren’t many treatment alternatives, though in rare cases, vitamin shortages may occur and vitamin supplements may be necessary.
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
Food digestion and absorption are hampered by this genetic pancreatic disease, which reduces the generation of digestive enzymes. Gas, decreased appetite, weight loss, changed stools, and heightened hunger are some of the symptoms.
A blood test provides an easy diagnosis, and the dog’s diet is supplemented with pancreatic enzymes as part of the treatment.
Last Words
In the end, everything has its pros and cons. The pros of having a Shepherd dog are he is very affectionate and friendly with the family. He is a very loyal and protective dog which proves he is also a very good watchdog. Another good thing about him is that he is one of the most hard-working dog breeds.
The cons of having a Shepherd dog are that he has a high-intensity motor and not everyone can tolerate this intensity. As they have high energy and require lots of activities, owners need to spend a massive amount of time caring for their needs. They have double coats and shed frequently.
Frequently asked questions:
1. Are Shepherd dogs rare?
Black and sable Shepherd dogs are difficult to find as compared to others. But if you are determined to find one, it will not be that difficult. The typical black and tan Shepherd dog is easy to find.
2. What is the normal size of a Shepherd dog?
Male Shepherd dog weigh 65-90 pounds, while females weigh 50-70 pounds and measure 25-28 inches tall.
3. How does a Shepherd dog look?
The Shepherd dog, known for its highborn head, strong body, erect ears, and alert expression, has a distinctive and attractive look.
4. What is the origin of the Shepherd dog?
Shepherd dog also originated in Germany in black, tan, silver, and grey variations.
