Top Dogs: Everything You Need To Know About German Shepherds

Following the loneliness of lockdown, 2.1 million individuals added a pet to their household in 2020. Whether for companionship or a reason to exercise, these pets have become beloved members of the family. One breed was the German Shepherd, which was the third most popular dog for adoption in the USA in 2020. 

From their capabilities as an intelligent working dog with an unrivalled level of courage and devotion to their handlers. They are hugely versatile animals and excel at any task they are trained to do - making them the perfect guard dog to protect your property and family. 

Samantha Davy, the Senior Manager of K9 Patrol, had the following to say about the beloved breed.

“German Shepherds were originally bred to herd and guard sheep in Germany from as far back as 1899 and were introduced into the UK and USA after WW1. Their adopted name ‘Alsatian Wolf Dog’ was introduced by the UK Kennel Club after the wars as there were fears that the dog's popularity would suffer because of its German attachment.

Before Labradors were chosen as the standard guide dog breed, German Shepherds were used due to their willingness, sense of loyalty and intelligence.

As German shepherds have an excellent sense of smell, they are often used for search and rescue missions, as drug sniffer dogs, bomb/landmine detection dogs and much more.”

Characteristics of the breed:

“With a long life expectancy of 12-13 years, several beautiful colours and their even temperament, unshakable loyalty and high intelligence, these are great dogs to own. If they are exposed to the other household animals early on, they will have no problem with other cats and dogs, however they do have a strong chase drive. They form close bonds with their owners and are incredibly obedient. They require a lot of exercise, so you will be required to do a lot of walks, plus they need to be mentally stimulated otherwise they will become restless and bark a lot.

Only Border Collies and Poodles are smarter dog breeds than German Shepherds. Therefore they can be trained easily and pick up new commands quickly. They are athletic and very switched on and so they should not be left inside for too long each day. At least one long walk a day coupled with ample time to run off lead is required.”

Protection capabilities:

“These Dogs have been used extensively in the police and Military for over 100years. Their courageous and protective personality makes them an excellent breed of guard dog hence why they are still very much a popular choice in the Security Dog Industry.”

Grooming needs:

“The German Shepherd’s coat has an inner and outer layer (a double coat). The outer layer is straight, harsh and waterproof and the under coat is soft and dense. The outer coat sheds throughout the year and their long hair requires daily brushing and grooming.”