German Shepherd
Originally bred for sheep herding (hence the name shepherd), this working dog is now used for a variety of tasks, including police work, search-and-rescue, and assisting the disabled.
Genus, Species & Subspecies – Canis lupus familiaris
Common Names – German Shepherd, Alsatian
The German Shepherd is known are known for its protective nature and wariness of strangers. Their curiosity makes them well suited as guard dogs and search-and-rescue dogs. They are very intelligent and trainable, but require proper socialization or they may become aggressive toward individuals outside of their immediate family.
German Shepherd litters contain anywhere from one to 15 pups. The average litter size is eight pups.
German Shepherds can be quite large, measuring up to 26 inches at the shoulders, and weighing nearly 90 pounds in larger males.
Their coat is typically brownish-red or tan with black on the back forming a “saddle” and on the face forming a “mask”.
They have large, erect ears, long noses, and strong jaws.
The German Shepherd breed was created by Max von Stephanitz in the late 1800s/early 1900s. Von Stephanitz believed dogs should be bred to work, so combined various German herding dogs until he found the right balance to create the “perfect working dog”.
The first true German Shepherd was named Horand von Grafrath, and was believed by von Stephanitz believed to embody all of the proper traits desired in a working dog.
German Shepherds are very popular, both as working dogs and companion dogs, and as of 2022 are ranked number three on the American Kennel Club’s list of most popular dog breeds.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Shepherd
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/german-shepherd-dog/
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeding/average-litter-size/
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/most-popular-dog-breeds-2022
Safari Ltd German Shepherd Toys:
Best in Show German Shepherd Figurine