GERMAN SHEPHERD Breed Standards
The German Shepherd Dog is the end result of a concerted effort to create the perfect shepherd and working dog, and is perhaps the most meticulously designed breed in existence today. The German Shepherd is among the newest of breeds, and owes its existence primarily to a man by the name of Captain Max von Stephanitz and the Verein fur deutsche Schaferhunde, a society formed by von Stephanitz in 1899 to propagate the breed. Von Stephanitz was a great admirer of the native German herding breeds, but he felt that no one breed embodied all of the desirable traits of the group. With that in mind, von Stephanitz began with the best herder he could find, a dog named Horand v Grafet, and from there developed what would become the German Shepherd Dog.
These dogs excelled not only at herding but at a number of other task as well, including police and military work. As a result, it was not long before they had spread throughout Europe and North America. The German Shepherd Dog was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908. During World War I the German Shepherd saw action on both sides, but due to increasing animosity toward Germany, the breed’s named changed several times during this period. At one time or another, the breed was called the Alsatian (after the Alsace-Lorraine region on the border of France and Germany), Alsatian Wolfdog, Shepherd Dog, or simply Wolfdog. None of these named proved particularly popular, and the AKC and other organizations eventually changed the name back to German Shepherd Dog.
The German Shepherd Dog held the coveted title of most popular dog in American for many years during the 20th century. This popularity came largely from film and TV stars Strongheart and Rin Tin Tin, as well as the breed’s inherent desirable traits. Though no longer top dog in the US, the German Shepherd is still in the top five in terms of AKC registration, and also serves in a myriad of working roles including shepherd, police dog, guard dog, narcotics and/or bomb sniffing dog, search and rescue, and seeing eye dog
SKILLS: The first impression of a good German Shepherd, is that of a strong, agile, well muscled animal, alert and full of life. It is well balanced, with harmonious development of the forequarter and hindquarter. The dog is longer than tall, deep-bodied, and presents an outline of smooth curves rather than angles. It looks substantial and not spindly, giving the impression, both at rest and in motion, of muscular fitness and nimbleness without any look of clumsiness or soft living. The ideal dog is stamped with a look of quality and nobility--difficult to define, but unmistakable when present. Secondary sex characteristics are strongly marked, and every animal gives a definite impression of masculinity or femininity, according to its sex. The ideal dog is stamped with a look of quality and nobility - difficult to define, but unmistakable when present.
SIZE: The desired height for males at the top of the highest point of the shoulder blade is 24 to 26 inches; and for bitches, 22 to 24 inches. The German Shepherd Dog is longer than tall, with the most desirable proportion as 10 to 8½. The length is measured from the point of the prosternum or breastbone to the rear edge of the pelvis, the ischial tuberosity. The desirable long proportion is not derived from a long back, but from overall length with relation to height, which is achieved by length of forequarter and length of withers and hindquarter, viewed from the side.
COAT: The ideal dog has a double coat of medium length. The outer coat should be as dense as possible, hair straight, harsh and lying close to the body. A slightly wavy outer coat, often of wiry texture, is permissible. The head, including the inner ear and foreface, and the legs and paws are covered with short hair, and the neck with longer and thicker hair. The rear of the forelegs and hind legs has somewhat longer hair extending to the pastern and hock, respectively. Faults in coat include soft, silky, too long outer coat, woolly, curly, and open coat. Color - The German Shepherd Dog varies in color, and most colors are permissible. Strong rich colors are preferred. Pale, washed-out colors and blues or livers are serious faults. A white dog must be disqualified.
CARE REQUIRED: This breed sheds bits of hair constantly and is a seasonally heavy shedder. A quick daily brushing is best unless hair in the house is not a problem. They should be bathed rarely, only once or twice a year to avoid skin oil depletion.
CHARACTER: The breed has a distinct personality marked by direct and fearless, but not hostile, expression, self-confidence and a certain aloofness that does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate friendships. The dog must be approachable, quietly standing its ground and showing confidence and willingness to meet overtures without itself making them. It is poised, but when the occasion demands, eager and alert; both fit and willing to serve in its capacity as companion, watchdog, blind leader, herding dog, or guardian, whichever the circumstances may demand. The dog must not be timid, shrinking behind its master or handler; it should not be nervous, looking about or upward with anxious expression or showing nervous reactions, such as tucking of tail, to strange sounds or sights. Lack of confidence under any surroundings is not typical of good character. Any of the above deficiencies in character which indicate shyness must be penalized as very serious faults and any dog exhibiting pronounced indications of these must be excused from the ring. It must be possible for the judge to observe the teeth and to determine that both testicles are descended. Any dog that attempts to bite the judge must be disqualified. The ideal dog is a working animal with an incorruptible character combined with body and gait suitable for the arduous work that constitutes its primary purpose.
EXERCISE: German Shepherd Dogs love strenuous activity, preferably combined with training of some kind, for these dogs are very intelligent and crave a good challenge.
SOCIAL BEHAVIOR: The German Shepherd will do okay in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. They are relatively inactive indoors and do best with at least a large yard.
TRAINING: To be truly happy, the German Shepherd needs a task in life. The breed is so intelligent and learns so readily that it has been used as a sheepdog, guard dog, in police work, as a guide for the blind, in search and rescue service, and in the military. The German Shepherd also excels in many other dog activities including schutzhund, tracking, obedience, agility, flyball, and ring sport.
