10 Quick Facts About German Shepherds

German Shepherds are one of the most registered dogs, which proves how popular they are as a breed. These large and powerful creatures are just as loyal and compassionate. They make great pets for families because they are good with children and can be trained to protect the house. The following are some things you may not have known about this breed.

Max von Stephanitz

Max von Stephanitz has been credited as the creator of the German Shepherd. He was trying to breed the best dog for working, and many people believe that the product of his breeding created a dog with the best combination of loyalty, strength, intelligence and appearance.

Size and Color

German Shepherds are large-breed dogs that are generally between 22 and 26 inches long, with an ideal height of 25 inches. They weigh between 49 and 88 pounds. The coats of German shepherds come in different colors, with typical mixes being tan/black and red/black. Full white and full black varieties are also found.

Intelligence and Aggression

German Shepherds were bred in part for their high intelligence level. Stanley Coren, who wrote "The Intelligence of Dogs," ranked the German Shepherd as the the third most intelligent species of dog. In terms of aggression, these dogs are known to be more likely to bite a person than most other breeds. Their aggression, however, does not generally affect their owners.

Loyalty

German Shepherds show a high degree of loyalty toward the people they are most familiar with, including young children. If not socialized well, however, they can become too attached and wary or aggressive to outsiders.

Health and Lifespan

There are two health problems common to German Shepherds. They tend to experience arthritis at later ages, especially in the hips. They are also prone to ear infections because of their large ears. The average lifespan of a German shepherd is 7 to 10 years.

Jobs

German Shepherds are known to be one of the best breeds of working dogs. They are often employed by the police, military, and search and rescue operations.

Coat

These dogs have a double coat. The undercoat is composed of short hairs that are not shed often, while the outer coat is shed constantly and features short or medium hairs, with long hairs being less common.