Black German Shepherds, White German Shepherds and more

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German Shepherd Facts

German Shepherd Puppies and German Shepherd Dogs

German Shepherds were bred to be guardians and the breed still has a very strong protective instinct. A dog that is high strung or nervous should never be bred, as the resulting puppies can be untrustworthy. However, most German Shepherds are wonderful dogs and devoted to their families, including children and other pets. 

The German Shepherd is a fairly large dog, weighing from sixty to seventy five pounds and standing twenty two to twenty six inches tall. This breed has erect ears, dark, intelligent eyes, and a graceful tail. The German Shepherd is most commonly black and tan, although gray and tan or black and gray dogs are also available. A striking all white dog, commonly called an Alsatian, is popular with many people. If you like the look of the Alsatian, be sure you meet the puppy's parents, as these white German Shepherds can sometimes be a bit highly strung.

The German Shepherd's coat requires little grooming, although of course, if you have a Long Haired German Shepherd, your dog's coat will require much greater attention than with the short haired varieties. The dense coat is coarse and does not mat easily. Brush your dog once a week to remove dirt and debris. If you live in the city, concrete will probably wear down your Shepherd's nails. However, if your dog lives in a rural area he may need to have his nails trimmed several times a year. 

German Shepherds need to eat a nutritional dog food that is formulated for large breed dogs. If your Shepherd is a working dog, you may need to feed him a high protein food. A good dog vitamin is also a smart idea in order to avoid dog health problems generally.

Whether your preference is black german shepherds, white german shepherds, silver german shepherds, sable german shepherds, or even dwarf german shepherds, you'll be rewarded with many long and loyal years with this wonderful dog breed. 

German Shepherd Training



So you have a German Shepherd (or are thinking of getting one)?

Whether you choose a Black German Shepherd or other German Shepherd colors, it's important that you think seriously about training your dog.

German Shepherd training is probably more important than training of a small dog - simply because the sight of a large breed such as a German Shepherd can be cause for alarm in some people who may not be particular dog lovers. A well training German Shepherd will give such a good impression on outsiders.

But never mind outsiders - training your German Shepherd well will give you cause for pride in your accomplishment, and it will vastly improve the relationship between you and your Shepherd.

Yes, German Shepherd training IS important!


Click Here for more information on how to train your German Shepherd well!

German Shepherd Pictures

Wear your German Shepherd pictures on your T-Shirt!

Healthy German Shepherds (and Other Breeds)

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German Shepherd Training

- find out how to train a German Shepherd

Since your German Shepherd will rapidly grow into a big, powerful dog, you may want to enroll him in obedience classes while he is a puppy. It is much easier to control a small puppy than a full grown untrained dog. In addition, puppy obedience classes also help provide another important benefit for your German Shepherd puppy, socialization to other dogs and people. Many people who own these intelligent dogs make the unfortunate mistake of thinking that their dogs need to be trained as guard dogs. However, this training can lead to aggression in your dog if your dog is not trained properly. Since German Shepherds are naturally protective, they do not need attack dog training to guard your home. 


So does German Shepherd training differ from any other type of dog training? Well, yes and no. You can very effectively train a German Shepherd in exactly the same manner that you'd train any breed of dog. But you can also invoke specific German Shepherd training so your dog will behave like the majestic German Shepherd that he is!

Choosing a German Shepherd Puppy

Before thinking about bringing home a German Shepherd puppy, you should first consider whether you are able to adequately care for a large breed of dog. Your financial situation, time and sufficient space are all important considerations. The average lifespan of this breed is generally between 7 to 10 years.

The German Shepherd breed originated in Germany in the 19th century. The breed was developed mainly for herding sheep and is known to be a working dog because of its strength and intelligence.

German Shepherds can come in a variety of colors however the most common is, as mentioned above, the Black German Shepherd - i.e. black with either tan or red markings.

German Shepherds are specifically known for their intelligence and ranked as the one of the most intelligent breeds of dogs. They are highly active dogs, very loyal, strong, obedient when properly trained, and have a great willingness to learn.

The German Shepherd is the third most popular breed in the United States, probably due to its loyalty and protective nature. Choosing the ideal German Shepherd puppy requires some research, effort and time.

The ideal method for purchasing a German Shepherd puppy is from a breeder, although good alternatives are animal shelters and rescue services. When selecting a German Shepherd puppy it should be clean, a healthy weight, odor-free, clear eyes, full hair coat, no excessive scratching and appear to be playful and friendly.

It is always advisable to research a breeder carefully in terms of references and recommendations before purchasing a puppy. It is also important to ask the breeder about the German Shepherd puppy's shots, deworming and any exams it has already had.

Find out the history of all diseases in the puppy's parents and further down in its lineage as this will help narrow down the variety of inheritable diseases the puppy may encounter as it grows older.

And once you get your puppy home, make sure you take him/her to your vet within a week or so, to have him/her thoroughly checked out.

German Shepherds on Amazon

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German Shepherd Health Report

German Shepherds, whether they are black German Shepherds, white German Shepherds, sable German Shepherds, or any other color or type, need to be kept healthy (just like any other breed of dog). The Dog Health Report blog has a myriad of helpful information for your German Shepherd and other dog breeds alike.
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German Shepherd Pictures

Sam and Ninya by Kyuni786
TRANSITIONS: The Seasons of Our Lives by roberthuffstutter
Sable -  German Shepherd by possumgirl2
Sable - German Shepherd by possumgirl2
Crystal by possumgirl2
Beaver by possumgirl2
Lei & Jess Photoshoot 335 by Colure
Lei & Jess Photoshoot 337 by Colure
Lei & Jess Photoshoot 336 by Colure
Lei & Jess Photoshoot 310 by Colure
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German Shepherd Clicker Training

- yes, big breeds can be clicker trained!

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