What Were German Shepherds Bred For? From Herding Sheep to Herding Hearts
German Shepherds have become a beloved breed for families all over the world. But where did these iconic pups come from? What Were German Shepherds Bred For? Let’s look back to discover how this ever-so-loyal dog came to be.
The Story Begins in Germany
It all began in 19th-century Germany when the Royal Court of Wurttemberg held an exhibition for sheepdog breeds. The goal was to create a new breed that could herd and guard sheep without fail. Max von Stephanitz, a former cavalryman, had other ideas.
He wanted to create a new type of working dog to master tasks such as police work, military service, and search and rescue missions.
At this exhibition, he discovered his first German Shepherd – Horand von Grafrath – which became the foundation stock for what we now know as the modern-day German Shepherd.
In 1899, Stephanitz formed the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV), or German Shepherd Dog Club of Germany.
This organization is still the oldest club for purebred dogs worldwide! By 1914, only fifteen years after its inception, over 11,000 GSDs had been registered with SV.
The U.S., Too!
By 1908, German Shepherds had made their way across the pond and into America’s hearts with intelligence and loyalty – attributes that make them popular police dogs even today!
As World War I broke out in Europe, anti-German sentiment in America caused fear around owning anything associated with Germany – including GSDs – leading many people to rename their pets “Shepherd Dogs” instead of “German Shepherds” until after WWI had passed.
Despite this setback, GSDs continued to rise in popularity throughout the 1920s due to their strong work ethic in police forces across America – an image they have kept up ever since!
Working Like a Shepherd – The Wonders of Herding and Tracking Dogs
Have you ever seen a dog with seemingly magical abilities to herd sheep, track prey, or even keep an eye on children? Shepherds are these dogs.
Their intelligence and instincts have been used for centuries to help humans with herding and tracking tasks. Let’s explore why shepherds are so well-suited for these activities and what makes them such special working dogs.
The History of the Shepherd Dog Breed
The shepherd dog is one of the oldest known breeds. Archaeologists believe that ancient European farmers bred the first shepherds over 5,000 years ago to help with herding sheep.
Shepherds were selectively bred over many generations from this early beginning to maximize their herding abilities. Today, there are dozens of shepherd dog breeds, including German Shepherds, Belgian Shepherds, and Australian Shepherds.
What Makes German Shepherds Such Great Workers?
One of the most remarkable things about shepherds is their intelligence. They can quickly learn new commands and how to perform tasks more efficiently than other breeds.
This intelligence can be attributed to selective breeding over thousands of years, making them more intelligent and obedient than other breeds.
In addition to their intelligence, shepherds have strong instincts, making them excellent at herding sheep or tracking animals in the wild. They are instinctive to know when something is wrong or amiss, which helps them stay alert during dangerous situations or complex tasks.
Finally, shepherds have solid physical capabilities, perfect for running long distances or working long hours in extremely cold weather or rugged terrain.
Shepherd dogs are truly unique creatures that have been helping humans since ancient times. Their intelligence, instincts, and physical abilities make them perfect workers, whether herding sheep or tracking animals in the wild.
A shepherd is worth considering if you’re looking for an intelligent, loyal, hardworking companion! They can provide many years of joy at home and on the job with proper training and care!
What Makes German Shepherds So Special?
Do you want a loyal, friendly companion who will never leave your side? Then the German Shepherd is the dog for you! This breed has a long history, with origins in 19th-century Germany.
They have become one of the most popular and recognizable breeds worldwide for their intelligence, strength, and loyalty.
Physical Characteristics German Shepherds are large dogs, typically weighing 50-90 pounds and standing 22-26 inches tall. They have a different double coat that is short, thick, and either tan or black.
Their fur is designed to protect them from extreme hot and cold temperatures. Their ears are erect and pointy, while their eyes are usually dark brown.
They also have a strong jawline and solid teeth for gripping their prey— although they won’t do much of that now that they’ve been domesticated!
Personality Traits Along with their physical features comes to an impressive personality to match! German Shepherds are naturally intelligent dogs with quick learning abilities.
They are protective of their families but not overly aggressive — they know when to back down after assessing the situation.
These characteristics make them excellent guard dogs as well as family pets. They also love to stay active; playing fetch or going on long walks can help keep your pup entertained and healthy!
Lifespan & Health A German Shepherd’s average lifespan ranges from 9-13 years, depending on genetics and lifestyle choices such as diet and exercise.
Like any other breed, these dogs can be prone to certain health conditions such as hip dysplasia or bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus). Regular vet check-ups can help catch any potential issues before they become more serious problems later down the line.
A Guide to the Different Types of German Shepherds
German Shepherds are one of the world’s most popular breeds of dogs. Whether you’re a dog owner, breeder, or someone who loves these animals, knowing about the different German Shepherds is essential.
After all, their unique personalities and characteristics can be attributed to their various breeds. Let’s explore them!
East German Working Line
This line of German Shepherds is bred for working purposes. They have an incredibly high work drive and are loyal and obedient to their handlers.
These dogs often require more physical activity than other breeds, as they need an outlet for energy and enthusiasm.
The East German Working Line has a strong sense of protection and can be quite aloof with strangers, so early socialization is essential for building trust.
West German Working Line
The West German Working Line was developed by combining several major European lines into one breed standard. These dogs are considered confident and reliable guardians due to their excellent temperament and protective nature. They excel at obedience training and make great police or guard dogs due to their intelligence and loyalty.
Czech German Shepherd
The Czech German Shepherd is a relatively new breed developed in the Czech Republic in the 1950s. This breed has a solid work ethic and an intense desire to please its handler.
They have strong herding instincts but also make excellent companion animals due to their loving nature and loyalty towards family members.
As these dogs can become overly protective if not properly socialized as puppies, they should be supervised around children or strangers until trust has been established.
American/Canadian Show Line
These lines were developed from European show lines but focused on conformation rather than performance traits such as those found in working lines – although some American/Canadian show lines still possess some working abilities such as agility or tracking skills.
These Shepherds tend to be more laid-back than other types but still require regular exercise and stimulation to keep them happy and healthy and prevent boredom-related behavior issues from developing.
West German Show Line (European Showline)
The West German Show Lines were initially bred for conformation shows but have since become popular in both Europe and North America due to their stunning looks, balanced temperaments, obedience capabilities, intelligence, trainability, and overall good health conditions, which make them suitable companions for dog owners with varied lifestyles ranging from active households through low maintenance ones alike.
But even though they often look less intimidating than other types of GSDs (German Shepherd Dogs), they should still receive proper socialization training. At the same time, they’re young so that they learn how to behave around people later on in life when they are fully grown adults already.
Benefits Of Owning A German Shepherd
If you’ve ever heard the phrase “man’s best friend,” it was likely about a German Shepherd. They possess a unique quality that makes them instantly lovable and incredibly loyal.
But there are more benefits to owning one of these handsome canines than just unconditional love. Let’s consider why getting a German Shepherd is such a great idea!
Protection
It’s no secret that German Shepherds are one of the most popular guard dog breeds, so if protection is your goal, then consider this breed.
They have an innate sense of when something isn’t quite right, and they will alert you to any potential threats or dangers. Their intimidating size alone is enough to ward off would-be intruders—talk about added security!
Trainability
German Shepherds are brilliant dogs, which means they learn quickly and respond well to training. This makes them perfect for sports competitions, agility training, and obedience classes.
Even if you want to teach your pup basic commands like “sit” or “stay,” they will follow these instructions quickly. Plus, teaching them new tricks is lots of fun for you and your pup!
Family Friendly
German Shepherds make fantastic family pets because they bond closely with their owners and are incredibly patient with kids.
They will offer protection without being overly aggressive, making them ideal companions for children who need extra guidance around strangers or other animals.
On top of that, having a furry friend around can provide endless entertainment for kids—be sure to supervise playtime closely!
Conclusion
The benefits of owning a German Shepherd cannot be overstated—they make lovely family pets who are loyal and protective yet gentle and playful at the same time.
If you want an intelligent canine companion to keep your home safe while providing endless entertainment for adults and kids, look no further than this beloved breed!
They offer love and companionship unlike any other pet and peace of mind knowing that your home is always secure from unwanted visitors. So what are you waiting for? Get yourself a German Shepherd today!
