Blanca's White German Shepherds

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The German Shepherd Dog, sometimes known as the Alsatian herders (in France, the UK and Ireland) or more common in France "Berger Alemand", Schäferhund (in other parts of Europe) and by the acronym GSD or simply German Shepherd, is a breed of dog originally bred for herding sheep. Today, based on 2006 Kennel Club figures, German Shepherd Dogs are the fourth most popular breed in the UK, with 12,857 registrations^[1] and are the third most popular breed in the United States with 43,575 registrations^[2]. They can also be found working as guide dogs for the blind, police work, guarding, search and rescue, therapy and in the military. Despite their suitability for such work, German Shepherds can also make loyal and loving pets inside the home. They enjoy being around people and other animals, although socialization is critical for young puppies in order to prevent aggressive and dangerous behavior as an adult. German Shepherds are well-suited to obedience, with advanced and prestigious titles available to test both the handler and dog in various schutzhund trials.

[edit] Appearance

A German Shepherd being active

A black-and-red German Shepherd with saddle markings

Exact standards for the breed vary by country and organization, but the following criteria are generally part of the definition.

The German Shepherd Dog is a large and strong dog, typically between 75 and 110lbs, but have been known to reach 130lbs. The height for males is typically 24-26in (60-65cm); for females it is 22-24in (55-60cm). The fur is a double-coat (under coat and outer coat). While some organizations accept long-haired German Shepherds, short-haired dogs are typically (and historically) preferred.

German Shepherds are easily identifiable by their large head, ears which stand straight up, wedge-shaped muzzle and compact legs. They also have a distinctive gait, as well as other breed-specific features.

Disqualifications for conformation-line dogs include white nails, a nose which isn't all-black, a muzzle which isn't predominantly black, non-erect ears, and very light-toned eyes.

[edit] Controversy over the modern appearance

German Shepherds are sparingly bred, by the efforts of a great few, for work function ("working line") as was originally intended by the breed inventor Max von Stephanitz. Most often they are bred to conform to breed appearance standards ("conformation line"). Though Max von Stephanitz distinctly stated, "Our shepherd dog is a service dog, and he must only be bred as a service dog. He must only be judged as a service dog. With service dogs, suitability ranks higher than beauty."

He is also quoted as saying, "The most striking features of the correctly bred German Shepherd are firmness of nerves, attentiveness, intrepidness, tractability, watchfulness, reliability and incorruptibility together with courage, tenacity and hardness." Max particularly pleads to champions of the breed to, "Take this trouble for me: Make sure my shepherd dog remains a working dog, for I have struggled all my life long for that aim."

[edit] Appearance in working versus show lines

In Germany, Conformation line dogs are bred to not only proper physical appearance, but must also have working instincts (herding, prey drive) They are bred to conform to the published breed standards for appearance, health and workability, hence the strict rules of the German SV Schaeferhunde Verein[3] for dogs in their Pink Paper breeding program to be titled and Köred (critiqued by a Judge). However, because they are bred for Conformation/beauty, these dogs are most often found as quality pets, in breeder environments, and in sport (Schutzhund, IPO, AKC agility)and as volunteer Search and Rescue dogs.

Working line German Shepherds are typically excluded from the show ring, as most don't conform to the highest levels of the breed standard for physical appearance. These dogs are bred to have an enduring work drive, and unwavering obedience. Of critical importance is the dog's ability to distinguish what constitutes a threat and what does not constitute a threat. Dogs that cannot make that distinction are eliminated from police and military programs. Extremely well-suited for police and military work, these dogs are less suitable as pets for home environments, and owners should be familiar with their dog's abilities and needs. Working line dogs are now employed in many police departments and government organizations across the globe such as the UK Police Service and the Metropolitan Counter Terrorism Command in the United Kingdom, and the ATF, the U.S. Marshals, and Customs in the USA.

[edit] Appearance in national breed lines

A German Shepherd puppy. The ears do not stand erect until several weeks or months of age, and go through phases of both-ears-down, one-ear-up, etc., until then.

There are typically four recognized breed lines.

The West German Lines both working and confirmation lines. The split between the working line and confirmation line bred dogs has affected this line also. The confirmation line specializing in beauty while the working line dogs are targeted towards performance related activities.

The DDR lines. In the former East Germany, German Shepherds adhered more closely to the old pre-war standard, marked by a straighter back, a longer and denser coat, and a darker color. There are current attempts to preserve this distinct line. These are known as the DDR lines. The government sponsored breeding program fell when the wall fell thus there are no longer any true DDR dogs being produced.

The Eastern European lines were very similar to the DDR lines due to the close contact between the former Easter Bloc countries. Czech and Slovak dogs are often prized for working applications. Although many are attempting to preserve this line type the government sponsored breeding programs fell when these countries broke from communism similar to the DDR dogs.

Most Czech dogs had their origins in the government kennels of Z Pohranicni straze (z PS), Z Jirkova dvora CS and Z Blatenskeho zamku. One of the most prolific kennels Z Pohranicni straze (Z PS) was founded in the year 1955 for the strict purpose of production and training of the dogs that would be solely used for the protection of Czechoslovakian People's Republic's, since 1968 Czechoslovakian Socialist Republic's borders. The majority of dogs were acquired from former East Germany.

The American lines are recognized by AKC and the UKC, and they have a noticeably different appearance from the international conformation-line (German line) German Shepherds. The most obvious difference is the sloping back and "collapsed" hips, which is a disqualification for dogs in international competitions. This has led to the creation of the Shiloh Shepherd in the United States, which was originally a line of German shepherd whose breeder did not favor that feature in the American lines and wanted to preserve the way the breed originally looked.

German Shepherd Breed Types with photos

[edit] Variant sizes and coats

There are many color variations. For conformation-line dogs, the most common ones are black-and-tan and black-and-red. Combinations containing very light hues such as cream are typically considered faulty. All-black is usually, but not always, accepted. A white German Shepherd is automatically disqualified from entering the show ring.

A solid black German Shepherd

Working-line dogs are typically sable, black-and-tan or black-and-brown.

There are several different color-marking patterns. For conformation-line dogs, the "saddle" marking is probably the most well-known. This consists of a large black patch on the upper and mid back, extending partway down the dog's sides. The "sable" marking, which consists of one color with randomly-sized and -shaped patches or swaths of different-colored hair mixed in, is typical for working-line dogs. Some sable-pattern dogs have three colors in their coat; this is called agouti. The other popular marking is called "bi-color", and consists of a dog that is all one color (typically black) save for differently-colored paws and lower legs, and sometimes a swath on the belly.

Some groups or breeders have focused on variants of the breed that are not recognized by most kennel clubs as standard show German Shepherds. White Shepherds or Berger Blanc Suisse are recognized as a separate breed.

[edit] Long-coated German Shepherds

Long Haired German Shepherd

Dogs with the long haired coat variation look somewhat like the Tervuren type of Belgian Shepherd Dog. The long hair gene is recessive