I’ve wanted to write this piece for some time now, I grew up with German Shepherd Dogs and have a GSD cross today so I have to declare a certain bias.
Probably the most versatile working dog, German Shepherds are actually one of the most recent breeds to be developed. They are typically loyal, confident, courageous dogs with a strong guarding instinct. They are such a popular breed that they have descended into multiple distinct bloodlines or types.
First, a History Lesson
Because of their working versatility you won’t be surprised to hear that this shepherd’s history is diverse and interesting. The father of the breed is said to be Max von Stephanitz who standardised the breed in 1890. The dogs certainly existed before then and were widely bred by shepherds to herd and protect sheep. Von Stephanitz classified the breed traits and in so doing, pretty much created the standard for the German Shepherd.
Their loyalty and courage was put to use in World War I by the German Army. The dogs were used as guards, to send messages, carry ammunition and to lead wounded and blinded soldiers from the battlefield. In effect, they were the first guide dogs for the blind.
After Germany’s defeat in 1918, having been impressed by the performance of the dogs, the Allies returned home with some German Shepherds to initiate their own military working dog programs. However, Germany was so disliked after the War that the breed had to undergo a marketing make-over to gain acceptability and became known as the Alsatian, named after the strip of land running down the border of France and Germany.
In World War II both the Allies and Germany used German Shepherds in their militaries as guard dogs and messengers but increasingly for search and rescue purposes. By the end of the war their usefulness was being recognised to such a degree that specialised training facilities were developed across the USA to create the numbers of dogs required for the war effort.
Today, their military working dog role persists, but they are also used by police forces in a suspect apprehension role, they are a popular scent detection dog for government agencies and civilians alike where they prove to be an invaluable asset for man-trailing and finding missing people. They are even used to track rhino poachers in Africa.
Breed Basics
A lot of controversy has followed German Shepherd breeding in the last fifty or so years. The dog certainly looks very different from those bred by Von Stephenitz in 1900. He believed that intelligence and working ability was paramount but many dogs are bred today for looks alone. This has led to the sloping back, known as a roached topline, associated with hip dysplasia and other orthopaedic problems. These problems are strongly associated with show bloodlines and has pitched national kennel clubs against the breed clubs in some countries.
Amongst the show lines and working lines there are now many different varieties of German Shepherd. For example, the Eastern European line was originally bred in the former Soviet Union, said to be more cold resistant, they have a strong working drive and are more physically robust that the “show-lines” found in Western Europe and America.
The King Shepherd is a variety in the US bred in an attempt to eliminate the stereotypical health problems that the breed is known for.
The Shiloh Shepherd is an offshoot bred for larger size and physical soundness.
The White Shepherd is descended from the German Shepherd and is now often referred to as a separate breed.
The White Swiss Shepherd is descended from the White Shepherd in the USA and has been reimported to Europe.
Living with Shepherds
As with any dog, chose one that suits your lifestyle. There are so many different bloodlines available you need to choose a dog which will suit your lifestyle. If you want a dog to train as a search and rescue dog then a working lines dog will be right for you. If you are not planning to spend hours every day working your dog then an animal with a more even temperament and without the work drive will be much better. I see a lot of frustrated dogs of all breeds which aren’t being worked enough to suit their genetic needs, so start by getting a dog that’s right for you.
That being said, even the showiest of show line shepherds will need training, structure and obedience. They tend to like play too, tug toys are a particular favourite. So be prepared to spend time with your shepherd playing and training. They also need a good walk every day. This doesn’t necessarily have to be a long walk, I think in terms of quality over quantity. Given the breeds propensity for hip dysplasia I take the view that the walk should be as much a mental challenge as a physical one.
Being one of the most loyal breeds, German Shepherds make fantastic pets. They are easy to train so are highly rewarding and easy to live with; it is no surprise that they have a huge following. They are also one of the most emotionally sensitive dogs. They can seem more attuned to how we’re feeling than other human beings. I know a German Shepherd who was about four years old when he was adopted from a rescue. One of his new owners is in poor health with a heart condition and the dog can “predict” when he will have a heart episode. Of course, he isn’t predicting his owner’s health outcome, he’s reading his body language and probably smelling subtle differences and becomes aware of these changes long before his owner, a testament to how sensitively tuned they are to how we feel.
Health
Many dog breeds are prone to specific health problems and German Shepherds are no different. In the humble experience of your author there are three big ones which you should be aware of.
Allergies in long-haired variants. Long-haired German Shepherds seem to suffer from more than their fair share of allergies, food, pollen, environmental, and many more no doubt. These tend to manifest in “hot spots” or rashes which then prompt over-licking and the further problems this creates.
Hip Dysplasia. This is where a proper ball and socket joint doesn’t form to create the hip joints. This leads to pain, inflammation, and osteoarthritis. It often doesn’t manifest until later in the dog’s life but can on occasion afflict young dogs.
Degenerative Myelopathy. This is a condition which tends to develop in middle aged dogs due to a faulty gene. The nerves in the spinal cord slowly cease to transmit signals to and from the rear legs so over time the dog is not no longer able to feel or walk. In the early stages it is characterised by the dragging of the rear feet.
I need to stress that these do not constitute reasons to avoid the breed but it can be helpful to know these things exist. If you’re buying a puppy you should ask questions about the parents and grandparents, even great grandparents. Reputable breeders will choose their genetics carefully to avoid these diseases as much as possible. Temperament is another important factor which should always be considered when choosing a puppy. Nervy, insecure parents will lead to nervy, insecure offspring and these dogs will be more of a challenge to live with. As a general rule with working dogs, stability and confidence make for a good dog.
A Note on Rescues
There are a lot of rescue charities devoted to German Shepherds. This tells us a number of things: they are a common dog, a breed held in high esteem by a loyal following, and sadly, it tells us they can be a challenge if not looked after appropriately.
Most dogs in rescue are there because they were too much of a handful for someone. There will be the odd one who’s owners had to move house or go into hospital or have a similar reason for surrendering the dog, these tend to be more straightforward for rehoming. The reality, as with any dog, if not cared for appropriately they can pose problems and these are the dogs which end up in shelters.
I have worked with many rescued German Shepherds. Some were easy, some were more challenging. This route is not for everyone but will be hugely rewarding for those who take it. Ask the rescue lots of questions, visit the dog often and take it for walks to get to know it as much as possible before adopting. It might be worth fostering before adopting, it can feel less pressured while you get to know the dog and it settles into your household. Have a read of this: how to rescue guide It will help set you up for success.
In Summary
Loyal, obedient, courageous, intelligent and sensitive. It’s easy to see why German Shepherds have such a dedicated following.
Until next time, enjoy your dog.
Nick
