[msb-alumni] Fwd: about the German Shepherd
- From: Terry Posont <terryt52@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: Msb List <msb-alumni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 4 Apr 2014 06:19:04 -0500
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Begin forwarded message:
> From: "Chasity Jackson" <chasityvanda@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> Date: April 4, 2014 at 3:54:16 AM CDT
> To: <terryt52@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: about the German Shepherd
>
> The German Shepherd is one of the most popular breeds of dog in the world. As
> their name suggests, they were developed in Germany in the late 1800′s. They
> originated from old farm and herding breeds which were specifically chosen
> for their working ability, to produce a strong and intelligent all-purpose
> working dog.
>
> Also known until recently as the Alsatian, the German Shepherd Dog was first
> exhibited in the United States in 1907. They play a number of roles in our
> community, from police dogs to search and rescue dogs, and even guide dogs.
>
> Appearance
>
> German Shepherd Dogs are a large breed of dog. They can grow as tall as 26
> inches at the shoulder, and a large male can weigh up to 88lbs. They have an
> air of strength, agility and nobility, and are often described as “handsome”.
> Their erect ears and direct gaze give them a watchful, alert expression.
>
> They have a short double coat, with a coarse, dense outer coat and a soft
> undercoat. However, some German Shepherds carry the genetic code for a long
> coat, but this is the exception rather than the rule. The most well
> recognized colors are black and tan, and red and tan. Breeders don’t like to
> see white German Shepherds, but even if they aren’t permitted in the show
> ring, they can still be wonderful service dogs or family pets. During the
> 1970′s, owners of white German Shepherds formed their own dog clubs, and
> members are working to obtain recognition of the white German Shepherd as a
> separate breed.
>
> One particular characteristic of the GSD is that male dogs are very
> definitely masculine, and female dogs have a feminine appearance. It
> shouldn’t be too difficult to tell the gender of a dog just from the way they
> look.
>
> Temperament
>
> German Shepherd Dogs are well known for their intelligence. They are easy to
> train and very loyal, which makes them ideal to work alongside police
> officers, security guards and the military. They are confident and self
> assured, and very willing to learn.
>
> These dogs can be aloof, and they may take a while to warm to new people.
> However they form a strong bond with those they know and love. They can
> become very protective of their family, and will defend them from unwelcome
> intruders. This has given them the undeserved reputation of being aggressive.
> A well trained, well socialized German Shepherd Dog is not dangerous, but
> they are not a breed to be taken on lightly.
>
> Although it sounds like they are a serious breed for a serious owner, German
> Shepherds are great fun. They love to play, they love company, and they are
> the ideal companion to accompany you on bush hikes or any other outings.
>
> Health
>
> As a breed, the German Shepherd is known to have problems with their hips.
> Hip Dysplasia is common, and it has a strong hereditary basis. Responsible
> breeders are having their dogs hip scored before they are mated, to reduce
> the incidence of this disease in their pups. A lower score means a dog has
> better hips. By x-raying their dogs’ hips, and only breeding from the
> soundest animals, the average hip score of German Shepherds has dropped. It’s
> important to remember that hip dysplasia is multi-factorial; there are many
> factors that contribute to this disease in dogs. One that can be managed by a
> dog’s owner is rapid weight gain; a very fast growth rate has been associated
> with a higher incidence of hip dysplasia.
>
> Some people believe that the preference for German Shepherds with sloping
> backs has increased the amount of hip disease in the breed. It’s fair to say
> that those who use German Shepherds as working dogs, such as Police
> Departments, do seem to prefer the dogs with the straight top-line.
>
> Elbow dysplasia is also hereditary in the German Shepherd, and x-rays and
> elbow scoring have been used to try to reduce this problem in the breed.
>
> Von Willebrand’s Disease is a blood clotting disorder which is also thought
> to be hereditary in the breed.
>
> Before you purchase your German Shepherd puppy, ask your breeder to show you
> the results of any tests performed on the parents, including hip scores,
> elbow scores and Von Willebrand Disease status.
>
> The German Shepherd can suffer from allergies which cause itchy inflamed skin
> and ear infections. It’s possible that this too has some sort of hereditary
> cause, but that hasn’t yet been confirmed.
>
> Like any deep chested breed of dog, the German Shepherd can suffer from
> bloat, a potentially fatal accumulation of gas in the stomach. These dogs
> shouldn’t be overfed, nor should they be allowed to drink a lot of water or
> exercise soon after eating.
>
> Maintenance
>
> The German Shepherd is a working breed, and they thrive when they have a job
> to do. This needn’t be herding sheep, or protecting their police handler. It
> can be as simple as learning obedience exercises, or mastering agility
> obstacles. They are not happy if left to their own devices, because they have
> nothing to do with their brain and become bored. Start your German Shepherd
> off with puppy pre-school and continue their training at obedience classes
> and you’ll have a happy, well mannered dog that is a pleasure to own.
>
> Keep your German Shepherd in good condition with regular exercise. A good
> walk or run every day will expend their energy, keep them trim and allow them
> to explore their neighborhood.
>
> Their thick coat needs a regular brushing to remove loose hair, otherwise you
> can expect drifts of dog hair in your home. When they are shedding their
> coat, which happens all year round, the fur can come out in tufts! You may
> also want to clean their ears out weekly or fortnightly with a gentle ear
> cleaner and cotton ball, to help prevent infections. Don’t be tempted to use
> a Q Tip in their ears, as this can go in too far and damage the inner ear.
>
> Conclusion
>
> The German Shepherd’s intelligence and need for training may be a bit much
> for the dog owner who is looking for a laid back companion to lounge on the
> couch and watch television with them. They are not the right breed for
> someone who isn’t prepared to put the effort into meeting their physical and
> mental needs.
>
> These dogs do get on well with children, but they need supervision. They are
> powerful dogs, and can inadvertently hurt small people. Children must learn
> how to behave around any breed of dog, but particularly so around this strong
> working dog.
>
> German Shepherd Dogs live for up to 12 years. Although they do make wonderful
> family pets, any potential owner needs to do their homework and be prepared
> to put time and effort into raising their German Shepherd, before choosing to
> welcome this wonderful breed into their lives
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