A man tamed a dog to be his companion, assistant and guardian. All these three qualities came together in the best possible way and manifested themselves in a breed such as the shepherd. One of the most prominent representatives is the long-haired German Shepherd. A beautiful, intelligent and hardy animal not only makes the owner’s life easier, but also makes it safer.
History of the origin of the breed
This is a relatively new type of shepherd dog. Its first registration with the FCI occurred on January 1, 2011. Until this moment, this dog was not recognized in cynological associations. Only after this did these dogs begin to be bred by livestock breeders. Initially they were used as watchdogs and herders. But over time, they began to be used in other industries. The Nuremberg Museum has paintings depicting the ancestors of these dogs. As for their active use, the owners' club opened in Germany in 1985.
Main types of colors
The usual color of the German Shepherd is black and red, but there are three types of color that are provided for by the standard.
- Cheprachny
The most popular color in the breed. Such individuals have a large black spot on their back, which extends to the stomach, sides, and upper part of the tail.
The neck, chest and paws are painted in light shades (gray, beige, fawn) . The dog's face and ears are covered with a black mask - this is a mandatory condition, since its absence is considered a defect.
- Zonar (wolf)
A rare type, only 5% of the total number have this suit. The coat color is light at the base, then dark, gradually turning into yellow, and black at the tips.
The muzzle, tail and back are most brightly colored; on the sides and on the paws the color becomes less saturated . The standard also allows brown and yellow shades, provided the color structure is observed.
- Black
This type of “German” is considered exclusive and has a spectacular black coat without inclusions. Any light stains are not allowed.
Description of individuals
The only difference from ordinary shepherds is the presence of thicker fur, which will serve as protection. This is the main feature, otherwise these dogs do not differ from ordinary ones. The fur itself is as smooth as possible; you can see feathering on the paws, tail, and behind the ears. But the undercoat in the waist area is small. This can be immediately noted by running your hand over the fur.
This German variety has a fairly strong bone structure, which is surrounded by powerful muscles. Brown or milky pigmentation. If the earlobes are light, then this indicates a defect, but small deviations are allowed. The eyes are black and expressive. The case index is slightly stretched. You will immediately notice that the limbs are very strong. Newborn puppies already have a slightly pointed muzzle and a smaller chest. The tail is very short. The cable is noticeably larger in size. Despite the abundant hair, this type of shepherd dog feels good in the heat.
Long-haired beauty German Shepherd
The long-haired German Shepherd has already won thousands of people's hearts around the world, one of the most popular breeds. There are a huge number of breeders of this beautiful representative all over the world.
- All over the world, shepherd dogs are considered one of the smartest animals, but in reality, this fact has been completely erased.
This is a faithful friend, a devoted comrade and a cheerful companion, an ideal service dog, a sweet and gentle dog. Every year they take first places in competitions of service breeds, become stars of exhibitions and simply make people happy with their existence.
A family dog, they do not show causeless aggression, but require sufficient attention in education and training.
Brief history of origin
The long-haired shepherd has an interesting history, but some of the information, unfortunately, is not supported by facts, and it is not possible to understand their veracity.
At the end of the 19th century, Max Von Stefanitz acquired a beautiful German male dog and was puzzled by how to improve his appearance and service skills. His dream - to bring out the best German representatives - grew into his life's work.
In 1899, while at another dog show in Germany, he and a friend noticed a beautiful male dog, Hector, who became the progenitor of all Germans.
Max created the first known club - amateurs, and work began with great speed. Since there were a lot of elms, and the availability of suitable individuals was even less, no matter how hard Max tried, the gene for shaggy, long-haired appeared and declared itself. Furry representatives were not considered standard, but did not cause much controversy either.
Main characteristics of the German Longhair standard
Hairy Shepherd - according to the FCI, this is also a German dog, only with long hair. By and large, they have the same standard, except for the length and type of coat.
Shepherd dogs are standard and long-haired, with a large, powerful, dry head, with a pronounced transition from forehead to muzzle. Its shape resembles a wedge. The eyes are medium, brown in color, the nose is black with full color. The jaw is powerful, with good strength, the bite is correct - scissor-shaped. Teeth – large, white, full set. The ears are triangles, set parallel.
The neck is of medium length, powerful, without dewlap, the withers area is well defined. The back is elongated, strong with well-developed muscles. Sloping croup. The chest is externally powerful, slightly rounded. The abdomen is tucked, the muscles are developed, dry, without skin folds. The tail is set low, in a calm position at the level of the hock joint, the tail itself is powerful, and does not extend above the line of the back.
Powerful, straight, standing parallel, without turning out, with well-developed muscles. The thigh is wide and strong. The paws are collected in a dense ball, the toes are oval, with black strong claws. The pads are hard.
- The standard provides: height at the withers for females - no more than 60 cm, males - no more than 65 cm;
- Weight: 35 – 46; girls – 34 – 45 kg.
A fluffy shepherd dog, especially a black long-haired one, looks more impressive than fellow dogs of other colors. By gender, females are much more elegant and miniature than boys, but sometimes they are faced with the fact that they are of a small type.
Character and behavioral characteristics
The intelligent and deep look of this breed immediately stands out. Individuals adapt to any living conditions. This is facilitated by an excellent nervous system and good health. It is impossible not to note the special fidelity of these animals. That is why they even began to be used by police in various countries around the world. These animals are incredibly loyal. That is why they are often bought for women so that they are protected. Shepherd dogs immediately notice ill-wishers and begin to attack them. They can make good company for a sick or simply lonely person.
Diseases and life expectancy
Typically, Hairy Shepherds live 10-13 years. Life expectancy depends on many factors. It is influenced by living conditions, activity, nutrition, genes.
This dog can live more than 10 years
A disease that accompanies all large breeds of dogs - hip dysplasia - is a real scourge of the “Germans”. Show-bred dogs are most susceptible to it due to their special croup structure and low back. The disease manifests itself in most adult shepherd dogs.
Raising and training shepherds
Be sure to buy a German Shepherd for training, this is one of the best options. Even a person who has never done such things can cope with raising this dog. The Shepherd's coat is quite sensitive, so you can pet it as a sign of approval. You can scratch behind the ears. Individuals are also excellent at learning commands. Therefore, they are often shown at various exhibitions. Representatives of this breed themselves sense danger very well, so they will not have to signal in any way in case of a threat. But in order for the upbringing to be as effective as possible, long-haired dogs are selected at the age of no more than 2 months. The older they get, the more difficult it is to raise puppies.
“So far the competition in competitions among Germans with long fur is not so high, but the situation is changing quickly” - Vladimir, exhibition organizer.
Features of the animal
German Shepherds are long-haired shepherds, guards and search engines. Strong and hardy dogs are protected from cold and heat by long hair.
Shaggy (photo)
This feature makes it possible to serve a person in the most unfavorable conditions. Natural intelligence, the ability to be easily trained, and hard work make a dog of this breed irreplaceable.
Please note : an aviary in the yard or in the house is suitable for living.
It should be noted that the long-haired shepherd is not aggressive by nature, is sociable, active and will easily become a member of the family. You can read about education here. Without proper attention and communication, the animal suffers, and physical activity is necessary for it.
Diseases and care
The weak point is the musculoskeletal system. In particular, dysplasia of the elbow joints is noted. Eye diseases are also common. They are often mistaken for tumors. Tympanitis is also noted. In order to avoid numerous problems, you should walk your animal regularly.
You should check coat . Especially if you plan to exhibit your dog in various competitions. Shedding should not be allowed. If the coat begins to darken, this indicates a critical lack of basic vitamins. Also, do not forget about hygiene procedures; purchase a special comb. Buy a special shampoo for adult dogs.
How to choose a puppy
When choosing a puppy of any breed, you should approach it as responsibly as possible and not lose your head over the charming appearance of the fluffy, clumsy little ones.
If you do not plan to participate with your dog in exhibitions and competitions, then you do not have to look for an animal with an excellent pedigree and an exterior that matches the canons of the breed.
In this case, you should pay attention to the puppy’s health and find out in advance how a dog should behave at a given age. Also, do not forget about the animal’s passport indicating all the nuances, vaccinations and features.
If you want to purchase a purebred puppy to participate in various exhibitions and further create a kennel, you will have to not only carefully choose a dog, but also first study the history of the breed, standard and exterior, fully understand and feel this breed.
Many dog lovers consider the German Shepherd breed to be the best for many reasons. Well, perhaps you will join their ranks!
Feeding
The dog's diet should contain only high quality products. It is based on protein, the source of which is meat. Beef, lamb, liver are suitable. In order to strengthen bones, you should give cottage cheese and unsweetened yogurt. For Germans, it is acceptable to include cheese in their diet. You can feed fish with a high Omega-3 content. Give boiled eggs from time to time.
As for dry food, you should only look at products from trusted brands. It’s good if they contain vegetables. This is especially important in winter, so that a representative of this breed is not tormented by various diseases. If over a long distance you notice that your pet has poor absorption, then you can soften the dry food . Or mix it with high-quality canned food. This will simultaneously enhance the taste. Everything said above in this section is also true for shorthaired dogs.
“Be sure to use a stand to serve food” - Olga, has owned a pet for more than 2 years.
Attitude towards people, children and other pets
Shaggy German Shepherds have a very unique character. It is among representatives of this type that one encounters evil-cowardly animals. They can swoop down on a person, barking menacingly at him, but as soon as he swings at a dog, the dog switches to hysterical notes in his voice. There is no need to experiment, of course. Not all dogs will tolerate this. Others will go on the attack, which is why it is not very advisable to engage in ZKS with long-haired choleric people. These dogs are crazy. They pretend to obey their master. But at a critical moment they may not listen, which in the city can lead to catastrophic consequences. A dog that knows its strength and knows how to bite well is a killing machine.
In general, the attitude towards strangers is wary.
Children are tolerated, but may snap if the child has caused discomfort to their four-legged friend.
They treat cats loyally and play with them. They get along with other dogs, but with some reserve. Rodents such as rats and hamsters are not welcome. They are quite capable of knocking down a cage and strangling a defenseless pet.
Only long-haired cats are calm, the reaction to other pets can be unpredictable
Security qualities
If desired, you can make a stunning guard out of a fluffy German Shepherd. This is the highlight of the representatives of the breed. They are not kept in apartments, but in enclosures. And their security qualities are very well developed.
Price and where to buy a puppy
Today there are a large number of offers on the Internet. But there are quite a lot of defects. How to define it? Just look at the pigmentation behind the ear. Another sure sign is an overly elongated muzzle. In addition, purchases can be made in specialized stores or at poultry markets. In the first case, getting a defect or a sick animal is noticeably less likely.
As for the cost , it very much depends on the region of your residence. In some places there is an increased demand for this dog. At best, a 3-month-old individual can be obtained for about 5,000 rubles ($85). If there is increased demand in the city, then this figure can be increased by 2 or even 3 times.
Which parents produce long-haired puppies?
Considering that the gene for long hair is transmitted as a recessive trait, the probability of having a long-haired puppy is 25 percent. The gene does not depend on which parents gave birth to a shaggy puppy: ordinary with short hair or long-haired. A fluffy, long-haired puppy can be born to both.
Some dog experts believe that the DNA of long hair appears in German Shepherds due to the mixing of Württemberg genes. Herding dogs from the district of Württemberg were one of the ancestors of the modern German Shepherd. They precisely had long hair and this distinguished them from the Thuringian shepherd dogs.
