How to determine the purebred of a German Shepherd?

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The German Shepherd is a loyal, obedient, talented and very intelligent dog breed. This is the most popular breed all over the world, which people have always appreciated for its versatility and friendliness to people. It is worth noting that, despite the standard, almost all representatives of the breed have the above qualities. However, in order to participate in exhibitions and subsequently in breeding, you need to choose the “German” puppy wisely. He must meet all canine requirements both in appearance and in character and pedigree.

• We identify a purebred “German” puppy by its exterior
• By parents
• Don't forget about documents

Interesting facts about the dog breed

• German Shepherds are distinguished by the fact that they are capable of performing a wide range of functions, so they can be found both in the service and as a family friend.
• This breed is characterized as flexible, intelligent and loyal, while understanding that the person is in charge.
• The German Shepherd breed is one of the three most intelligent dog breeds, which also includes border collies and poodles.
• They simply need physical activity, as well as communication with people.
• They perfectly find a “common language” with children of all ages.
• They can live indoors or in enclosures without problems.
• A shepherd dog can live for at least 9 years, but after 7 years of life, it is necessary to carry out comprehensive monitoring of the dog’s health.

The German Shepherd has always been at the top of rankings that include the smartest, most loyal and most trainable dog breeds. The faces of these animals can be seen in news shows, on newspaper pages and on the pages of magazines and books. Quite often, German Shepherds take part in various television shows. And yet, despite such a high authority of this breed, its main task is to maintain law and order. Therefore, German Shepherds are found in police departments, border and customs services, and also rescue people. At home, these dogs become full members of the family, protecting the peace and property of citizens, as well as the citizens themselves and their family members from outside attacks. At the same time, they help all family members cope with negative emotions, recharging themselves with positive ones.

Definition

The German Shepherd is a dog bred at the end of the 19th century in Germany as a service dog based on the Central and South German varieties of guard breeds, a descendant of the northern wolf. According to the FCI classification, it belongs to Group 1 – herding and cattle breeding. A self-confident, well-managed, good-natured dog with strong nerves.

German Shepherd

A mongrel is a dog that has not belonged to any breed for several generations, often homeless. Due to strict natural selection, it has good health.

First of all, it should be said that you need to study the breed standard very well before buying a dog. It is very difficult for a non-professional to distinguish a German Shepherd from a mongrel. But at least some conclusions can be drawn.

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Historical data

In order to trace the pedigree of various types of breeds, even if they became known already in the 19th century, and even more so in the 20th century, it is enough to rummage through special documents or use eyewitness information. As for the German Shepherd breed, not everything is so simple, since experts say that the ancestors of this breed should be sought much deeper.

Archaeological data obtained as a result of excavations in the territories of some European countries indicate that back in the 4th millennium BC there were dogs whose skeletons were very similar to the skeletons of modern shepherd dogs. According to experts, their ancestors are wild individuals who lived near the sites of ancient people, as a result of which they began to obey the will of man.

Scientists also suggest that already in those days primitive breeding work was carried out, as a result of which preference was given to strong and obedient individuals.

The small Indian wolf, which no longer exists in our time, increasingly moved away from its independent relatives, eventually acquiring the status of Bronze Age dogs. As time passed, humanity gradually developed, as a result of which the needs of all humanity changed. Despite this fact, farmers and pastoralists have always been tied to a specific area. As a result, four-legged companions began to master new functions. Throughout Europe, and especially in the Middle Ages, it was customary to breed Hofwarts. Translated from German, this means “guardian of the yard,” although dogs also performed other functions not related to real estate protection.

In those days, the area was simply teeming with predators, and domesticated livestock needed protection. In addition, already in those days there were many who wanted to profit from other people’s goods. Man could not cope with his responsibilities on his own, especially when he had to graze numerous herds. Therefore, man had to take advantage of the capabilities of yard dogs. Not all dog breeds could cope with the protection of numerous flocks, but only those that were distinguished by endurance and intelligence. The problem was also to select and train the animal. Such dogs were so valuable that in those days, for killing a dog that was herding flocks of livestock, the culprit faced death punishment.

According to experts, animals of the Medieval period, including those of later eras, were significantly different from modern representatives of various breeds. In those days, the main attention was paid not to the shape of the body, but to the mental abilities of the animal and its endurance. No less important was the “psychological portrait” of the dog, which was always next to the person. As a rule, the shepherds were isolated for a long time, throughout the entire season of keeping the animals, so the dogs were in contact exclusively with the shepherds all this time. And here the most important thing is that the dogs unquestioningly perform their functions. Moreover, the dogs were supposed to become real friends and companions for the shepherds.

By the end of the 17th century, the main characteristics of herding dog breeds began to appear. Two regional breeds have become widespread: the semi-long-haired Thuringian dogs with a curled tail and a fawn-gray color, as well as the long-haired Württemberg dogs with semi-erect ears, distinguished by a black or red color. These 2 breeds also differed in their behavior. If the former were considered very active animals and often barked loudly, then the latter were calmer and more resilient. Therefore, the breeders decided to join forces to develop a completely new breed of dog.

A lot of time passed and at the end of the 19th century the result of long and painstaking work was presented to the general public. In 1882, Baron von Knigge presented two of his pets at the Hanover Exhibition. Interest in the new breed arose with renewed vigor when the owners of the Hannau kennel showed off their impressive pair. Thanks to this couple, at least 2 dozen champions and winners of subsequent dog shows were born.

In 1891, it became known about the creation of the first club of German Shepherd lovers, although this organization, called “Philax,” did not exist for so long, and it was able to determine the breed standards in such a short period. On the German-French border, in the city of Karlsruhe, an exhibition took place, which is considered to be significant. The event was not anything extraordinary, but at the exhibition many saw a unique representative of the old-format breed. However, he did not take part in the exhibition.

Hector von Lyrkenheit did not do anything supernatural, but only entertained the audience, demonstrating the shepherding skills of his pet. At that very moment, two friends happened to be nearby, who in their free time practiced breeding German Shepherds. They immediately noted that the dog’s external characteristics were not inferior to his shepherding skills. The owner refused for a long time to provide his dog for breeding work.

Since friends believed that they had got the ideal representative of this breed, they included him in the list of breeding work at number one. From that moment on, they began to look for a bitch for the dog who would have similar characteristics to him. It took very little time, and the couple produced offspring worthy of imitation of this breed. As a rule, even modern successors of this family have a purebred line associated with this “ideal German”.

Claude von Boxberg is considered another famous representative of this breed, since he took part in the 1925 international exhibition and won a landslide victory. This moment is considered the factor that marked the beginning of a new breeding line.

In 1936, when Max von Stephanitz died, members of the National Socialist Party insisted that the breed should not appear outside Germany. It is believed that the events of this period were the cause of his death, as national patriots threatened this man, intending to send him to a concentration camp. During the Second World War, many animals were destroyed, including nurseries for their breeding. Nobody cared about the purebredness of the surviving individuals. In fact, it was possible to preserve several purebred individuals, and in the post-war years there were enthusiasts who set to work to restore this unique breed. Already in 1946, exhibitions continued, and after another 5 years a new winner appeared, who became the founder of the modern lines of purebred German Shepherd.

The German Shepherd Owners' Union was created back in April 1899. The activities of the leaders of this Union were aimed at maintaining the purity of blood, confirming this with relevant documents. At the same time, it was practiced to encourage breeders who developed the working characteristics of the breed. This organization has survived to this day. In May 1968, an international association began its work, which is known today as , which has brought under its “wing” 89 national unions from 82 countries of the world.

GERMAN SHEPHERD – INTERESTING FACTS

How to distinguish a German Shepherd puppy from a crossbreed

To distinguish a purebred dog from a crossbreed, you first need to know about some things. As a rule, when selling purebred dogs, the dog breeder provides a full set of pedigree documents. An honest seller will show the parents without any problems and will not hide the address of the nursery.

During an external examination, it is necessary to compare the characteristics of the dog with the breed standards. You need to look very carefully, because sometimes there are very similar, almost indistinguishable crosses. It is also worth paying attention to the dog’s gaze - it should be focused and confident. In addition, the purebred German has smooth, large paws.

Appearance of a German Shepherd

Dogs of this breed are medium in size. Males have a height at the withers of about 65 cm maximum, with a maximum weight of 40 kg. Bitches are slightly smaller in size: they are 5 cm lower and 8 kg lighter. It should be noted the optimal ratio of the animal’s weight to its height. The dog is distinguished by a slightly elongated body shape, strong build, strength and power, while the skeleton is not coarse.

Head

The proportions of the head are such that its length is about 40%, in relation to the height of the dog at the withers. The shape of the head is wedge-shaped. The forehead has a slight convexity. The size of the cranial part is the same as the facial part. The transition between these parts of the head is smooth and barely noticeable.

Neck

It is believed that the length of a German Shepherd's neck corresponds to the length of its head. The neck is strong, muscular and quite mobile.

Eyes

The eyes are medium in size, oval in shape and dark in color. Not convex and slightly obliquely spaced.

Nose

The nose is black in color, while the nose has the usual shape for a dog, without a dividing strip.

Teeth and jaws

The German Shepherd has well-developed lower and upper jaws. Each jaw has a full set of strong teeth. The bite is normal, and the lips fit tightly to the jaws.

Ears

The German Shepherd breed has large, erect, triangular-shaped ears that run parallel. The ears point forward. The ear cartilage is elastic, without visible flaws.

Torso

The German Shepherd has a long chest that is deep and wide. The ridge line runs obliquely from the withers to the croup, while the withers are powerful, the back is wide and strong, the croup has an inclined shape and a barely noticeable transition to the base of the tail.

Tail

This breed has a fairly long, slightly curved tail that usually points downward. The tail is fluffy, and the hair on the lower part of the tail is somewhat longer.

Limbs

The forelimbs are without bends, and if you look from the front, they are set parallel, while they are muscular and strong. The humerus and shoulder blades are the same length and are connected at right angles.

The hind legs, when viewed from behind, are also straight and parallel, but at the same time slightly set back. The thigh and lower leg are connected at an angle of 120 degrees, but at the same time have the same length. The hind legs are also muscular and strong. The paws on the forelimbs are quite compact, with toes that have a slight arch.

Wool

The German Shepherd boasts a double coat, with thick, straight and coarse bristles and a thick undercoat.

Color

The main color is black, with reddish-brown, brown or yellow markings, to light gray. Solid black or solid gray color is also possible.

RKF breed standard

Russian cynological standards for purebred dogs were constantly changing, new provisions were added to them. For the first time, dogs of the German Shepherd breed appeared in the Soviet Union in the 20s from Germany. These were individuals far from ideally purebred, and the Great Patriotic War damaged their purebredness even more. In the USSR, not German, but large East European shepherd dogs, far from international standards, began to be cultivated. As a result, the breed lost a lot, since all contacts with former enemies were prohibited.

After the war, purebred dogs began to be smuggled into the USSR across the borders of several states. The first breeders were so fanatical that they were not afraid to die - at that time, transporting this dog was tantamount to treason. A huge stream of Germans of average quality poured out of the German Democratic Republic, although in the 70s of the twentieth century the countries of the socialist camp refused to comply with Eastern standards and recognized Western ones. In 1989, the RKF German Shepherd breed standard was officially adopted on the territory of the Soviet Union.

The breed traits of a dog in the USSR were:

• graceful appearance;
• iron discipline;
• energy;
• natural neatness;
• excellent sense of smell;
• absolute pitch;
• mental stability.

Appearance

According to RKF standards, a purebred shepherd dog should have a thick coat made up of hard guard hairs that fit tightly to the body. The animal feels good in cold weather due to the presence of undercoat. The muzzle is covered with short hairs, and longer hairs on the neck. On the back of the forelimbs, the hair extends down to the wrists, and on the hind legs there are feathers.

The standard allows for black, gray shades of wool with brown or yellow markings. A black mask with light spots is allowed, although snow-white ties on the chest may be rejected. A light color on the inside of the paws, claws, and nose will become a problem. Pink, beige, brown nose tips or light eyes are not allowed.

For purebred German Shepherd Dogs, a number of characteristics are allowed, including the presence of:

• athletic build;
• stretched torso;
• large, wedge-shaped, moderately wide head, which is 12% less than height;
• transition from a convex forehead to a muzzle, which is not too pronounced;
• powerful jaws consisting of 42 deep-set teeth;
• nose with straight wings and black lobe;
• dry, tight lips;
• almond-shaped, obliquely spaced black eyes;
• vertical ears that are not broken or droopy;
• a well-developed muscular neck without a hint of fat, located at an angle of 45° towards the body.

Character

According to the RKF standard, not only exterior features are important for German shepherds, but also service qualities. These dogs were at first herding dogs, but then became universal. They are distinguished by endurance, tirelessness, intelligence, developed intuition, the ability to quickly make contact, and make decisions independently. For several decades, German shepherds with unstable psyches have been culled.

At dog shows, a pet must demonstrate its best qualities. These include the ability to:

• quickly respond to external stimuli;
• searching for traces and hidden things;
• protect the owner, things, territory;
• quickly enter the fight;
• remain calm in a stressful situation;
• be distrustful of strangers and new things;
• work in any situations, including emergencies;
• show courage and observation;
• independently make decisions appropriate to the current situation.

Based on their character, they can reject untrained dogs that are unable to follow commands. Cowardly, nervous, aggressive dogs who are unable to establish contact with their owners will be denied participation in competitions.

Personality of the German Shepherd

As a rule, owners of this breed indicate that the dog is loyal, intelligent, calm and obedient. The excellent character of an animal is associated with a stable psyche, strengthened by proper upbringing.

The intellectual abilities of German Shepherds are not aimed at their desire to be independent and stubborn, but on the contrary, they easily master new teams, games or territories. These dogs do not like loneliness, but can wait for their owner for a long time. Their good health and normal mood are inextricably linked with communication with a person, in conditions of long walks or outdoor games.

The most important characteristics of the German Shepherd are its innate instincts to protect various objects, therefore it is always wary of strangers, but without certain conditions it does not show aggression. This dog is so devoted to its owner that it is ready to protect both the owner and his family members until his last breath. Moreover, the dog is able to react to danger instantly.

German Shepherds understand where children are and where adults are, so they play with children with great pleasure. However, children should not be left alone with the dog, as there is a big difference in size and weight. The Shepherd is also tolerant of other pets, especially if they grew up together.

German Shepherd - care, training, health

The process of education and training

German Shepherds are quite intelligent animals that are easy to train. But under no circumstances should this process be allowed to take its course. From the first months of its existence, the puppy is provided with all forms of various games and tasks. As a result of completing tasks and commands, the puppy must be rewarded with treats. As a result, the puppy develops certain concepts about the norms of acceptable behavior and the implementation of basic commands.

A person must demonstrate his mental abilities and love for an animal without raising his voice and, especially, without using physical force. Not everyone is able to cope with this difficult task on their own. Therefore, in the case when a person is not able to cope with this task, one should seek help from specialist dog handlers.

Naturally, not every individual is capable of performing security functions. Despite such facts, any shepherd dog must understand and follow basic commands, such as, “Come to me!”, “Place!”, “No!”, “Near!”, “Sit!”, “Lie down!”, “ Walk!”, “Fetch!”.

When the puppy gets stronger, you can begin physical activity, training the animal to overcome obstacles. It is especially important to train your dog to walk on a leash, and then, after reaching six months, in a muzzle. At the same time, we should not forget that the animal must be rewarded for obedience.

You should also remember that you need to do it in the first 3 years. During this period, the still young dog, which meets all the indicators of the breed standard, remains psychologically vulnerable, requiring care and love, as a puppy.

Choosing a puppy by appearance

At first glance at the puppy, it should be clear that the baby is well-fed, cheerful and cheerful. A healthy puppy looks fat, curious, and is not afraid of a stranger. It is better to choose the most active and lively dog ​​from the litter. The coat of a healthy dog ​​should be without bald spots, dense and shiny. There are no red dots or spots on the abdomen. Eyes, ears and nose are clean. Paws are straight and powerful. Dull and tousled fur, watery eyes, a bloated belly - indicate an illness in the baby.

A German Shepherd's ears may not be fully erect for up to 4 months, this is within normal limits.

To test a shepherd's hearing, they clap their hands sharply - the animal must react immediately. When purchasing a male dog, you should examine whether the testicles have descended into the scrotum (this happens already by 1.5 months). If problems arise with this, this condition may require medical intervention in the future. Such a male is not allowed for breeding work.

The body position of the German is characteristic - the croup is drooping, the dog seems to be sitting on its hind legs. The puppy also has this physique. The tail of the German Shepherd is long, straight, without kinks. In a state of excitement, babies can lift their tails up, but they never lie down on their backs. The color of the puppies is always slightly darker than the color of the parents. There are German Shepherds that are pure black in color. There are also long-haired German Shepherds. Wavy hair is not allowed.

Care and maintenance

The structure of the German Shepherd's coat is such that it can live both in a person's home and in the yard. If kept in the yard, it is necessary to build a spacious enclosure with a warm booth. It is advisable that the enclosure be protected from wind and precipitation.

If it is assumed that the shepherd will live in the house, then it is necessary to allocate its own place where bedding and a mattress, as well as various toys, should be placed. There should be no sources of heat or drafts near the animal’s place. When decorating a place, it is better to use natural materials that do not require complicated cleaning. The presence of various toys will allow you to save furniture and shoes from the encroachments of your toothy friend.

It is very important to provide your pet with proper, balanced nutrition, which will help protect the animal from abnormal development and the manifestation of illnesses. A complete diet is only possible if high-class (premium or super-premium) factory dry food is used. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the age categories of the animal. When eating natural foods, it is necessary to ensure a balance of fiber and protein intake. Under no circumstances should you give your shepherd dog leftover food from the human table, since the dog’s digestive system is not designed to consume fatty, fried, salty and other foods with seasonings. Fresh water should be freely available.

This breed does not require frequent washing of the dog with various shampoos, but as it gets dirty, it is necessary to do this. In this case, it is necessary to comb the coat a couple of times a week. When the animal sheds, this procedure will have to be carried out much more often. It is equally important to monitor the condition of the ears, eyes, teeth, and nose.

Experts recommend visiting a veterinarian at least 2 times a year.

German Shepherd - Care and Maintenance // Network of Veterinary Clinics Bio-Vet

What you need to know before the inspection

Before examining the dog, you need to ask the seller how often the puppy’s mother gives birth. It is highly not recommended to take a baby if the dog gives birth on average more than once a year. Experience shows that dogs that bear offspring more than once a year are more likely to bear defective offspring.

The optimal number of puppies in a litter is no more than 10, otherwise the likelihood increases that a mother with many children simply does not have enough strength for high-quality gestation. It is also recommended to pay attention to the size of the puppies. They should have approximately the same condition, naturally taking into account the fact that males will always be larger than females.

German Shepherd Health and Diseases

A German Shepherd can live on average for about 13 years maximum. As a rule, all work related to the breeding of a particular breed of dog entails many negative factors that seriously affect the health of the animal. A number of diseases begin to appear as early as the puppy's age. This is a problem with hormone deficiency, this is diabetes, and leukemia, this is intermittent claudication (eosinophilic panostitis), as well as intussusception and pyoderma.

As the dog grows and develops, it may develop allergies, hip dysplasia, intervertebral disc problems, arthritis, eye problems, epilepsy, pancreatic problems, heart problems, hind limb paralysis, cancer, etc.

As a result of exposure to external negative factors, the dog may develop eye and ear infections, dermatitis, volvulus, bloating, etc.

When it is noticed that your pet has some health problems, you should immediately seek help from a veterinarian. Only a specialist can make the correct diagnosis and prescribe qualified treatment. It is very important not to wait until the dog has some problems with its organs, but to constantly visit a specialist for routine examinations. This is especially true for puppies, as well as individuals over 7 years of age.

Differences between Shepherds and Mutts

Now, summarizing all of the above, let's make a basic list of features that distinguish a purebred German Shepherd from a mongrel or mestizo:

• Two-month-old German Shepherd babies are much larger than mongrels - they grow and develop much faster. Their skeleton is already beginning to acquire classic harmonious shapes, their paws become powerful and strong. Mongrels at this age are still very small - their maturation occurs much more slowly;
• Mutts usually have a very noticeable furrow on the forehead, which you will not find on purebred Germans;
• Remember about the bite - it must be scissor-shaped, while in mongrels the bite can be anything. This is one of the weak points of non-purebred dogs - their characteristics are unpredictable, being a kind of lottery;
• The shepherd must have no dental defects - any curvature and the presence of extra fangs or incisors is sufficient grounds for rejection;

How to choose the right puppy

All the characteristics of the animal described above are inherent in individuals whose pedigree is officially confirmed by documents. Individuals that are not of pure blood (half-breeds) may also have a similar external and psychological portrait, but this category of German Shepherds represents completely different dogs.

Prospective owners who are interested in getting a specific breed of dog should look for puppies from trusted individuals and kennels that have an excellent reputation. Only in such conditions can you purchase a puppy that has no breed defects. It is very important that the future pet has a stable psyche, which is typical for purebred individuals.

As a general rule, responsible breeders will not sell puppies under a minimum of 8 weeks of age. By the 2nd month of life, puppies are already confidently standing on their paws, responding to their name and are ready for the training process.

If the future pet is planned to be used to participate in exhibition shows, then the main selection criteria come down to its health and friendliness. The fact that the puppy is absolutely healthy can be evidenced by its playful behavior, clean eyes, nose, and ears. In addition, the puppy should have an excellent appetite, an elastic belly without signs of bloating, and shiny coat. A German Shepherd puppy should behave calmly around people and not show aggression if someone wants to approach him.

It would be nice if the future owner of the puppy “gets acquainted” with its parents. In this case, a complete picture of the hereditary traits of the future pet can be formed. It won’t hurt to see the conditions in which the puppy and its parents are kept. If their space is clean, has quality food, and has a sufficient supply of toys, all of these factors indicate that the breeders are serious people. Plus, the future pet must have all the necessary vaccinations.

How to distinguish a shepherd from a mongrel?

The German Shepherd can rightfully be considered one of the most popular dog breeds - today there is a huge demand for such dogs.
This is quite understandable - the German breed captivates with its beautiful exterior, powerful build, high intelligence and excellent service qualities. Such a dog can become a loyal friend and protector who will always support you in difficult times and come to the rescue in a critical situation. Such popularity has become the reason that some breeders pay a lot of attention to the number of puppies, often sacrificing the quality and purity of the breed. Therefore, when purchasing, it is important to know how to identify a German Shepherd puppy without signs of degeneration, which carries all the advantages of the breed.

Below we will talk about what a German Shepherd puppy looks like and how it differs from a mongrel or a crossbreed - it is important to know this before choosing a pet from a breeder.

How much does a German Shepherd cost?

Puppies that have a "champion" pedigree and are potential winners of future shows are sold for at least $1,000. They can be purchased at the age of 5 months, when their external characteristics have already been formed, and they also have some experience in participating in junior “shows”.

If the puppies, although they are purebred, do not claim to be future champions for a number of objective reasons, but are still capable of performing security functions or are capable of becoming members of a family, they are sold for an average price of about $500.

Puppies that do not have confirmation of their pedigree are much cheaper, since there is no guarantee of their compliance with breed standards related to both physical and mental characteristics.