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THE GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG
aka Alsatian
Onyekachi Omenuko
Considered the most popular dog breed in the world,
and one of the very few to be regarded as ‘nobility personified’.
It was
developed as a general working dog and has
found considerable favour doing police and military work. Its popularity
has brought both positive and negative things to
it. This is a breed renowned for its loyalty, stamina endurance and versatility.
The world over, the dog’s uncanny intelligence and faithfulness has made it one
of the worlds most versatile dogs.
Today there are German Shepherd Dogs in all facets
of man’s life as guard and watch dogs, sight dogs, search and rescue dogs,
narcotics dogs, law enforcement dogs and not to be forgotten as the ever present
family dog. Experts estimate that there are more GSD than any other breed of dog
in the world. In Nigeria today, the GSD still is the most popular dog and in
local parlance is most often referred to as ‘Police dog’ perhaps stemming
from its popularity as the number one dog used by the Police Force.
Being a large breed (see breed profile below), and
grouped variously as working, pastoral and utility the breed has great strength
and is self assured. Perhaps its greatest challenge as a breed stems from both
its popularity as well as its versatility. The popular nature of the breed has
led to various ‘standards’ of the breed that exist today all over the
world. From the varying slant backs of the American continent to the straight
back working dogs of the European continent, the variations that have been
imposed on this breed are far from what the breed founder intended. Today there
are all over the world varying ‘standards’ that still lay claim to the
breed standard. This of course does not include the big Shiloh and King
shepherds which though impressive breeds in their own right, do not conform to
the SV standard used for judging this breed.
In Nigeria, where standards are nothing to go by,
the GSD has suffered further mutilations in name and standard, as any mongrel
that half looks like a GSD is called one. Dogs that have no genetic relationship
whatsoever to this breed have been so called and sold to unsuspecting owners.
Today we can see in every major town dog owners who believe they are buying GSD
but in actual fact are far away from the true thing. Some of us have been
victims to these unscrupulous sellers of dogs and have had to part with good
money for a second rate dog.
In versatility, it has been considered the all
comers and all purpose dogs. To this end it has been subjected to serious cases
of abuse where people expect it to perform under all conditions and even when
not properly socialised and trained. It has also become the number one dog to be
crossed with other breeds both pure and mongrel. It has variously been crossed
with the Rottweiller, the Doberman and the Caucasian sheepdog with the erroneous
belief that this will enhance the aggressiveness of its offspring or make a
better dog. It has had its ears cropped and sold to unsuspecting persons as
Caucasian sheepdog, and its tail docked as some form of prerequisite for it
growth. It has also been much maligned as an overtly aggressive dog and seen as
a very vicious dog around children. All these are far from the truth about this
breed. In temperament, this breed is
loyal, courageous,
confident and highly trainable. It gets on well with its family be it children
or the elderly.
Owning
Those who have owned a pure
bred GSD will attest to the pleasures and majesty of this breed. The GSD
thrives on activity and challenge and will live well in an environment where
it is given both mental and physical challenges. The breed requires space to
run around as this will enhance its full muscular development. It is not a
dog to be chained to one place all day or locked up in a box. Doing this
will diminish the dog and create psychological problem for the dog which
will manifest in not too pleasant behaviour patterns.
This breed has an excellent reputation as a
companion family dog where it fits nicely into the family protecting and herding
all members, keeping them within its sights. Its rating with children is very
good but as a big and boisterous dog, it should not be left unsupervised with
small children as it may in attempt to herd them push them over.
As guard and watch dogs, these dogs will let
unwanted guest know they are not wanted with its fast reflexes and speedy
attacks. This is also an area where this breed has had some of its challenges as
it is ready to lay down its life in the duty of protecting it owner.
In terms of care, the breed requires minimal
grooming. A normal wash a week will just do the job, but a lot of exercise is
required. This is not a breed for an indoor person. The breed also suffers some
hereditary problems like other breeds, such as hip dysplasia which is passed on
from parents to offspring but can be avoided by purchasing dogs from parents
that have had their hips scored. Unfortunately in Nigeria this practice is yet
to catch on. However, constant medical checks and proper nutrition and exercise
will go a long way to keeping this active breed live up to and beyond its 10
years life expectancy.
Socialization
The German Shepherd Dog is
a very intelligent dog and needs a lot of mental stimulation to reach its
full potential. Part of this has to be done during the early socialization
process. By this we mean the period in which you and your dog understand and
work out the social relationships between you as well as other people and
animals around you. This will include the understanding of the canine social
system, the canine-human relationship and the acceptable behaviours in these
environments.
To buy a GSD and tether it to a post all day and
night or confine it to a small kennel, is asking for the development of the
wrong type of dog. This breed needs work to do and a mental aptitude to keep it
functioning as it was bred to. It is therefore important that anyone owning a
GSD is knowledgeable and dedicated enough to be able to provide adequate
exercise and activities for the dog. There are a lot of excellent books on this
breed of dog that are available for the keen owner.
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BREED
PROFILE OF THE GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG
(culled from the internet) |
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General Appearance
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Height
(inches): 24 - 26 (dogs); 22 - 24 (bitches)
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Weight
(kg): 34 - 43 (dogs); 34 - 43(bitches)
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The standard calls for a medium
sized working dog capable of prolonged work.
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Ear type:
The desired ear is erect and pricked.
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Color:
Commonly a saddled black and tan, sable, bicolor black and
tan and black dogs are also acceptable. Black and silver
dogs are felt to be a bit too pale. White dogs are
disqualified from conformation showing although they are
bred by individual fanciers who have even formed their own
clubs and have their own shows.
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Coat Type:
Medium length (1 1/2 to 2 inches) double coat. The desired
situation is for a weatherproof, low maintenance coat "outer
coat should be as dense as possible, hair straight, harsh
and lying close to the body...” Long haired individuals
occur in the breed, as does the occasional woolly and curly
coat.
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Temperament:
The German shepherd is one of the breeds where temperament
is one of the most important variables attended to by
dedicated breeders striving to preserve the breed as a
working animal. The character of the ideal GSD is loyal,
courageous, confident and highly trainable. They should not
be timid, nervous or gun shy. Neither should they be
vicious. An individual dog, once bonded to its owner, will
bond for life. For this reason alone, one should not lightly
contemplate acquiring a GSD.
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This article was published in Dog’s
World Magazine
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