German Shepherds are one of the most popular and well-loved dog breeds in the world. These dogs are intelligent, loyal, and can adapt to different environments to perform different tasks that is why they are often used as family pets, police dogs, and even for search and rescue.
In this article, we intend to look at what makes this breed special and more closely at the German Shepherds. In addressing the progeny, we shall focus on the four components, which include the features, personality, and attitude of the German Shepherd puppies.
And will get to know about the various types of German Shepherd and what different traits they possess Black and tan German Shepherd dog, brown German Shepherd, white German Shepherd.
Features of the German Shepherd Breed
- Physical Appearance: German Shepherds are a large breed of dogs that are well endowed with muscles. They have a well-balanced body with a broad chest, strong back, and powerful hindquarters.
- Size: For Male German Shepherds, the generally recommended height should be between 24 to 26 inches from the shoulder level, while the female ones should be between 22 to 24 inches.
- Weight: Males are of the size of 65-90Ibs for females, it is between 50-70Ibs.
- Coat: The coat of German Shepherds is double with a pack of thick undercoats and a rugged and wiry top coat. As with most garments, this can be of any length depending on short, medium, or long.
- Colors: There is the well-known black and tan German Shepherd dog, but German Shepherds are available in other colors including the brown German Shepherd and the white German Shepherd.
Different Types of German Shepherds Explained
They are such wonderful dogs and there actually are a few kinds of German Shepherds you will find, all of which are likely to have slightly different appearances and personalities.
Here’s an easy guide to understanding the different types of German Shepherds:
Black and Tan German Shepherd Dog
However, for this climax, the coat color specified for the standard German Shepherd dog is black and tan.
The basic breed is the black and tan German Shepherd dog. These dogs are black from the root of the tail to the withers but have legs, face, belly, and scull in tan.
Most of them are familiar with movies and television shows due to their conspicuous appearance. They are a great all-round breed that can define family pets as well as working dogs.
Brown German Shepherd
These are also referred to as sable German shepherds, and these are dogs with black and brown coats. Their coats can be light or dark brown and will frequently be tipped black.
This gives them a sort of appearance that can be characterized as wild, and that sometimes makes them look like wolves. This is because this breed is known to have a great working attitude and is thus employed in various activities.
White German Shepherd
White German Shepherds are considered alongside the standard German Shepherds to be rare but lovely German shepherd types.
Here’s what makes them special:
Appearance
White German Shepherds have this attractive white color and it is quite rare because most German Shepherds are black and tan. It is a medium coated dog with either straight or subtlety wavy hair.
History
White is only seen in the breed after dominant black genes are absent and thus both the parents have to be either producer or supplier of whites. White German Shepherds have been present from the moment when the breed was being created but for long time white color was not appreciated.
Temperament
White German Shepherds have the same great qualities as other German Shepherds:
- Loyal: An example of character endorsement is the way children in these series form strong bonds with their families and prove themselves to be very loyal.
- Intelligent: They also long to learn and they are clever.
- Protective: They are spontaneously protective over their family members and those dear to them.
Misconceptions
Some people might tend to think that white coated GSDs are comparatively weaker or more prone to health issues, which is not the case at all. They are as healthy and as functional as any other German Shepherd breed out there.
Acceptance
Currently, white colored G.D.S are accepted by several doggy organizations and much admired because of the breed’s great beauty and excellent characteristics. They are good for families and equally able to perform different tasks as the traditionally colored ones.
Working Line German Shepherds
The dog that are bred to work and these German Shepherds are not an exception. They are employed as police/military dogs, rescue dogs, and social/assistant dogs.
They are aggressive, conclusive, and normally less heavy with good spines. The working line German Shepherds will suit anyone who would like a dog that can perform difficult tasks successfully.
Show Line German Shepherds
These dogs are reproduced to fit the grooming standards of a dog show. Working-line German Shepherds tend to have a less inclined back and a rougher look compared to show-line German Shepherds.
We suppose they maintain all the wonderful characteristics of German Shepherds but their main purpose is to achieve breed-specific goals. Family-raised line German Shepherds can also be home companions and they are often seen in shows and trials.
Every type coming from the breed has its own appeal and skills that can be attributed to it. There are German shepherds with black and tan fur, brown German shepherds, and even white German shepherds; useful information on the various types could help you in your search process for the right German shepherd.
Personality of a German Shepherd
Intelligence and Trainability
Intelligence, we believe is one of the most special features that comes with a German Shepherd. They are recognized to be one of the intelligent dog breeds.
This intelligence makes them highly trainable since they can quickly understand what is expected of them and put ideas into practice successfully.
The German Shepherds can be taught almost any command and activities they need to perform. They are especially good in subjects like obedience; they are raised for business like searching, police dogs, and therapy dogs.
Loyalty and Protective Nature
As earlier mentioned another characteristic common with these dogs, especially the German Shepherds is protectiveness, this can be fully attributed to either the breeding history and or genetics of these noble dogs.
Originally bred in Germany for herding and guarding livestock, these dogs developed a strong instinct to protect.
German Shepherds form strong attachments with their friends, regarding them as their pack; they are alert, brave and have the kind of confidence that comes from being sure of one’s strengths.
They make sure to inform their owners of any danger hence are always ready to sacrifice for the safety of the family. They are intelligent and trainable; thus, good at differentiating a normal environment from a dangerous one, provided that they are trained and properly socialized.
The breed’s protective nature, along with their obedience and sheer muscularity, makes German Shepherds useful as guard dogs, police dogs, and even fighting in the military.
This is why this type of German Shepherds is so valued and trusted, they are able to protect, guard, and, most importantly, remain loyal.
Energetic and Playful
The German Shepherds are very lively and therefore require a lot of exercise. They like to play and do not mind a game of ‘ball’ or a run in the park. It is this energy that makes them ideal friends, especially busy people as well as families who are fond of physical activities.
Social and Friendly
Although they are guarding, German Shepherds are also outgoing and playful, and other people and animals if properly trained during their childhood. They are good-natured and can easily live with children and other pets, thus they can be regarded as family dogs.
Attitude of a German Shepherd Puppy
Curious and Adventurous
German Shepherd puppies are playful and possess high energy levels, they like to explore. Children love to roam around and they are ready to go through many things that they come across. This curiosity makes them quick learners, but that is also the reason they get into mischief if left to their own devices.
Playful and Energetic
Pups in this breed are playful and very active. The children love to play and are best when occupied physically all the time, in order to utilize all their energy. Clothing young kids with toys also make them busy and assist in helping them spend their time by playing and getting entertained.
Affectionate and Loving
German Shepherd puppies are friendly and would always like to be won the company of their masters.
They are friendly animals that like to be fondled like being pet on the belly and will almost always accompany their owners within the house. This affectionate nature is very useful in helping the puppy to be closely attached to its owners/family.
In the case of trained animals, a young age is suitable for this mainly because the young age is a more effective time to learn.
Trainable from a Young Age
A good idea for training German shepherd puppies is to do so as early as possible. They are intelligent and love to work hard to please their masters hence very trainable.
Once they take the puppies home basic obedience should start with social training as soon as they arrive. Such early training will assist in molding them into good adult dogs.
Conclusion
What makes the breed even more outstanding is that it is originally from Germany, and it is called German Shepherd. They are intelligent, loyal, and versatile and all these traits make them stand out from other dogs.
You can end up with a black and tan German Shepherd dog, a brown German Shepherd, or a white German Shepherd, you can be sure that you have a friendly and worthy partner.
Knowledge of the varieties of German Shepherd dogs is important in the decision-making process when choosing the appropriate one from the many.
Be it the innocence of a German Shepherd puppy, always full of energy and tickling one’s funny bone, or the loyalty and responsibility of an independent dog, which starts manifested at the age of one year, German Shepherds have the ability to enrich one’s life and ensure the protection of a home.
FAQs
1. What are the key physical features of a German Shepherd?
Answer. German Shepherds are large, muscular dogs with long thick double-coated heads, a strong back,, and large powerful hindquarters. Some of the common colors are; Black and Tan German Shepard, Brown German Shepard, and White German Shepard.
2. What is the personality of a German Shepherd like?
Answer: The German Shepherd breed is smart, and devoted and will do all it takes to protect its owner. They are very correctable, active, and good for family companionship as well as assistance.
3. How should I care for a German Shepherd puppy?
Answer: Newborn German Shepherds are playful and active. They require a lot of exercise, brain work, and early socialization to be good adult dogs.
4. What are the variety of German Shepherds?
Answer: The major types of German shepherds include the black and tan German shepherds, brown German shepherds which are sable, white German shepherds, working line German shepherds, and show line German shepherds.
5. Are German Shepherds good with children and other pets?
Answer: Absolutely, just as any other dog breed, when socialized well the German Shepherd is friendly with kids and other animals hence and is ideal for families.
