Why German Shepherds Are Considered One of the Best Dog Breeds
The German Shepherd is constantly at the top of the rankings of the smartest and most loyal pets.
Dogs of this breed can be seen in films, shows and in the news.
The first place, of course, is taken by law enforcement. German shepherds make excellent policemen and border guards.
They often participate in rescue operations and guard their owners' homes. These dogs are always friendly towards them.
This breed of dog was bred in the middle of the 19th century. The ancestors of German shepherds were German herding dogs. A major role in their breeding belongs to Max von Stephanitz, who died in 1936.
His death raises many questions. It is believed that the Nazis had a hand in it, as Hitler did not want the German Shepherd to become a popular breed outside of Germany.
German Shepherds are medium-sized. Males can weigh 40 kg, and females about 30. They have a strong, mobile neck and straight, large ears.
All German Shepherds have a long and broad chest. Their legs are also strong. As a rule, the color of these dogs is black with tan, red, brown and light gray markings.
Zoologists note that dogs are highly trainable. They have a naturally stable psyche.
At the same time, the German Shepherd is considered an independent and stubborn dog. It does not like to be alone, but can wait for its owner for a long time. German Shepherds have innate guard instincts.
They are very cautious with strangers, and are ready to give their lives for their owner. Despite the fact that German Shepherds enjoy spending time with small children, they can be dangerous for small children due to their size.
If the owner who got a dog of this breed already has pets, the German Shepherd will most likely be able to get along with them.
Although the German Shepherd is easy to train, the dog should not be left to its own devices. The owner must constantly demonstrate his leadership qualities to be an authority for the dog.
Dogs of this breed become psychologically mature only by the age of 3. In the first years of life, even large dogs continue to remain puppies internally.
You can keep a German Shepherd both in an apartment and in the yard. It is very important that the animal's diet is balanced. The dog cannot be fed scraps from the table, because its digestive system is not able to withstand salty, fried and fatty foods. The pet must always have access to fresh water.
With proper care, a German Shepherd can live for at least 9 years. It is extremely rare to find dogs older than 13 years.
Since the breed's development was fraught with many difficulties, the animals are prone to diseases such as pyoderma, diabetes and leukemia.
Dogs with epilepsy and pancreatic insufficiency are often encountered by veterinarians.
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