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Use: The German Shepherd Dog breed’s versatility has led it to a farm career in herding livestock.
History: The German Shepherd Dog breed was originally found on German farms. Its type was standardized in the 1890s by a German cavalry officer, Capt. Max Von Stephanitz, whose aim was to perfect a superior herding dog of elegant appearance. The breed was first imported to North America early in the 1900s and got its biggest boost in popularity after World War I, largely because of the screen exploits of Rin Tin Tin.
Conformation: The German Shepherd Dog has a double coat; with a dense outer coat and a downy undercoat. The breed has three types of coats: rough-coated, long rough-coated and long-haired. Their colors are usually black-and-tan “saddle.” Black, black and silver, and black and red are also acceptable. Males measure 24 to 26 inches in height at the shoulder, and females measure 22 to 24 inches in height at the shoulder. Both genders’ weights range from 75 to 80 pounds.
Special Considerations/Notes: The German Shepherd dog is intelligent and easy to train. The breed’s life expectancy is about 10 to 12 years. Its coat sheds heavily, so it requires daily to weekly brushing.
