Cats, Dogs and other Pets

The German Shepherd dog has a relatively short history though it is a well-loved and well-worked dog today. The breed began in Germany in 1899 and was registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1911. Briefly renamed the Alsatian Wolf Dog due to anti-German sentiment surrounding World War II, the German Shepherd regained popularity so much that over 48,000 German Shepherds were enlisted into the German army. The intelligent and hard-working breed can be trained in a variety of areas.

German Shepherd breeders may specialize in German Shepherds trained in a certain line of work or they may be able to refer buyers to specially trained Shepherd kennels. These dogs are commonly trained to be guides for the visually impaired, members of the police force and security for home and business owners. German Shepherds are one of the easiest breeds to train due to their inherent intelligence, desire to work, courage, physical and mental strength and loyalty. German Shepherd dogs excel in jobs that allow them to protect and serve. There is no better protector than a German Shepherd. Purebred German Shepherds have specific characteristics. Max von Stephanitz inbred the first German Shepherds so that certain traits would be guaranteed in the line. The German Shepherd Dog Club of Germany sets the breed standard. It defines characteristics from body measurements to character to gait. German Shepherd breeders should be familiar with the breed standard as well as what health problems to expect and to have dogs evaluated for. For example, German Shepherds are prone to hip dysplasia and other skeletal disorders. Good breeders specialize in only one or two breeds and are affiliated with the American Kennel Club and dog rescue centers. German Shepherd breeders are involved in training and competition programs with their Shepherds. Knowing characteristics of the breed such as height, weight, and markings and the potential health problems specific to the breed can help a buyer rule out bad dogs (or bad breeders). One of the first signs of good breeders is that they maintain their own kennels and will encourage buyers to visit and get to know German Shepherd puppies and see how they are raised. Sure-fire signs of bad German Shepherd breeders include the fact that they only sell puppies over the Internet, they have no physical kennel of their own or only broker puppies, they ask for a non-refundable down payment before the litter is born, they do not plan to keep one of the litter, They claim to have a kennel but will not allow a buyer to visit and they have many dogs for sale at one time. Buyers must know the breed standard including it’s characteristics, needs and potential medical conditions. Buyers must also research breeders to make sure they and their dogs are legitimate. A final sign of a bad breeder is not asking the buyers for any information about themselves. Good breeders interview buyers to make sure the household their puppy is going to will be appropriate and have adequate discipline, care and training. Breeders that don’t ask questions don’t care about their German Shepherds.

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