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Other working dogs
include the
Kelpie
and Bullmastiff,
to mention a few. |
German Shepherd
Description As suggested by its name, the German Shepherd originated in Germany where it evolved from herding dogs that were used to tend and protect sheep. Being recognised as excellent guard and attack dogs, they were used by the police and military resulting in 48,000 dogs being enlisted in the German army during the First World War. It is an interesting fact that after the First World War English owners changed the name to Alsatian because nobody wanted to be associated with anything German however, now with the war long over, the breed has changed back to its original name and has become one of the world's most widely recognized breeds. The German Shepherd's character, particularly its power of attention, faithfulness, courage and acuteness of its senses have made them capable of carrying out the most varied of tasks.
Temperament They have an excellent temperament. These loyal, loving and versatile dogs are willing to do anything for the people they love even to the point of giving their own lives. They adore their family and even though these dogs are good with children, they should not be left alone with small children because both dogs and puppies can be boisterous.
Appearance Height: 55-65cm (22-26in) Weight: 35-40kg (77-75lb) Their coat is generally a mixture of black, fawn and gold and pure black however, their true colour is not known until the puppy coat is shed and the full adult coat has grown. They have a powerful and well-muscled body with a weatherproof coat.
Grooming Requiring regular care and grooming especially when their coat has its seasonal change from winter to summer, it is often necessary to strip out the dead, woolly coat by using a rubber brush specifically designed for the job. Ideally they should be groomed at least weekly as failure to do so can cause a build up of dead hair, dirt and dust particles and skin scales which in turn can lead to skin irritations and infections such as dermatitis. Bathing your dog should begin when you first bring your puppy home and as it matures, monthly bathing should be quite adequate depending of the dog’s environment and daily activities.
Life Expectancy 12 Years
Health Concerns If not bred correctly they can be prone to health problems including haemophilia and elbow and hip elbow dysplasia, a crippling disease of the hind legs. They are also prone to skin problems.
Suitability Even though good indoors, when shedding their coat they will need to be brushed regularly to minimise accumulation of shed hairs on people or in the house. House training is a relatively simple task because of their intelligence as with obedience work. Making good companions, if well socialized they will be easier to introduce to new people and situations.
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