OLD GERMAN COUNTRY DOG - ALL ABOUT THE DOG BREED, PHOTO AND CONTENT RULES

When talking about the Old German Shepherd Dog, we do not mean a specific breed, but a whole direction of dog breeding. Several centuries ago, in different regions of Germany, shepherd dogs and guard dogs for cows and sheep began to be bred. Outwardly, these dogs are so different from each other that it is possible to talk not about a specific breed, but only about the breed direction. And the names of specific groups of this direction depend on the area in which this or that shepherd breed was bred.

Breeders at that time were concerned about the working qualities of their four-legged helpers. The peasants needed a dexterous, attentive dog that was resistant to any weather conditions and maintenance. Therefore, color, coat length, and ear shape were not taken into account. The sizes varied depending on the type of livestock that was entrusted to the dog’s attention: the larger ones guarded the cows, the smaller ones guarded the sheep.

Each region developed its own type: sheep poodle, tiger, yellow-cheeked dog, black shepherd dog, fox. Over the centuries, agriculture has undergone changes and interest in herding dogs has faded. Only in 1989, enthusiasts created an organization to preserve and breed the Old German Cattle Dog.

Large German dog breeds

Large dogs are large in size. Among them there are hunting, service, herding and guard dogs.

German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is the most famous and widespread of all German dog breeds. It was bred in the 19th century by Max von Stefanitz specifically for serving (guarding) and helping shepherds.

The German Shepherd is large in size: 60-65 centimeters (male height) and 55-60 centimeters (female height). The optimal weight for such a dog is considered to be 34-40 kilograms (for a male) and 24-34 (for a female). She has short but thick black-brown fur.

Dog breeders believe that this is the ideal dog, because the shepherd’s character traits include: balance, devotion (recognizes one owner), friendliness, high intelligence, and endurance. Knows how to get along with children, behaves warily towards strangers. These dogs are trainable. They live both in an apartment and in an enclosure in a country house. The German Shepherd becomes a friend, a guide, a companion. Serves in the army, security, police.

German dog

The Great Dane is a large dog. It is called "Apollo" because it combines power, grace and elegance. The breed was developed in the 19th century to hunt wild boar.

The Great Dane is distinguished by its large size: the female grows up to 76, and the male - up to 81 cm. Weight: 45-59 (females) and 55-90 kg (males). These dogs have different colors: brindle, black, white with spots (merle), blue and fawn. The coat is smooth and short.

The character traits of the Great Dane include: intelligence, friendliness, devotion, restraint. Gets along with children and other animals if they grow up together. Trainable. He loves to spend time with his family, so separation from his owners is not easy. These dogs are best kept indoors. The Great Dane is a guard dog, service dog and family pet.

Leonberger

Leonberger is a large dog with a beautiful lion-like appearance, nobility and courage. This breed was developed in Germany in the 19th century.

The height of a male reaches 80 cm, and that of a female reaches 74 cm. Weight: 45-59 kg (female) and 59-78 kg (male).

Distinctive character traits of the Leonberger: friendliness, loyalty, prudence, observation. Amenable to training, gets along with children. Due to its large size, it is recommended to keep it in a private or country house, where there is plenty of space for walking and playing. Lenberger becomes a guard and friend to family members.

Doberman

The Doberman is a large dog. It is distinguished by loyalty and devotion to its owner.

The Doberman has an impressive height and body weight: up to 72 centimeters and 45 kilograms for males, and up to 68 centimeters and 35 kilograms for females.

These dogs have a complex character. So, Dobermans are active, intelligent, balanced, energetic, and loyal. They can be trained, but there are also aggressive representatives. They live both in an apartment and in an enclosure in a private house. Doberman is a guard, service dog and friend.

Rottweiler

The Rottweiler is a large breed. A guard and protector with a strong character.

The height and weight of males reach 70 centimeters and 50 kilograms, females - 65 centimeters and 45 kilograms.

The Rottweiler has the following character traits: intelligence, activity, intelligence, confidence. Gets along with children and is trainable. Sometimes he is aggressive. These dogs can be kept in an apartment, but it is better for her to be in a private house, where there is room to play and run around. The Rottweiler becomes a guard and service dog.

Bavarian mountain hound

The Bavarian Mountain Hound is a hunting dog breed that was developed in the 19th century.

The average height of the Bavarian mountain hound reaches 45-52 cm, and body weight – 20-25 kg.

These dogs have character qualities: courage, devotion, loyalty, endurance, courage, calmness. Gets along well with children and is trainable. The Bavarian mountain hound can be kept both in a country house and in an apartment.

Weimaraner

The Weimaraner is a beautiful, elegant and graceful hound. This breed was developed in the 19th century.

Has impressive height and weight: 57-65 centimeters and 23-29 kilograms (female), 59-70 centimeters and 25-32 kilograms (male).

The Weimaraner has a difficult and harsh temperament. The dog is friendly, loyal, energetic, smart. But it is better not to leave small children alone with him, as this dog sometimes demonstrates its aggression. It can be trained, but this process is difficult in some cases. The best option for keeping a Weimaraner would be a private house with a large area where you can walk and run. This dog is of the hunting type.

Landseer

The Landseer is a large breed that was developed in the mid-19th century.

It has impressive parameters, on average, height reaches 67-80 centimeters, and body weight – 50-60 kilograms.

Landseer has positive traits: courage, loyalty, friendliness, sociability. Not prone to aggression, gets along well with children, and is trainable. He will not protect the house and territory. Considering their large size and long hair, it is not recommended to keep these dogs in an apartment; a private house with a large area and a swimming pool will suit her, since the Landseer loves to swim. Becomes a companion.

Giant Schnauzer

The Giant Schnauzer is a large breed that originates from herding dogs and was developed in the 17th century.

It has impressive dimensions: weight reaches 35-47 kilograms, and height – 60-70 centimeters.

The personality traits of the Giant Schnauzer include: loyalty, strength, intelligence, hard work, endurance. Attentive and noble. However, for training it is better to give it to a professional. These dogs get along well with children. Giant Schnauzers live both in apartments and in country houses. The main thing is to take time for walks. They become guards and service dogs (they are valued in law enforcement agencies).

Health of the Old German Cattle Dog

The hardy and strong Old German Cattle Dog gets sick no more often than any other. To ensure that the animal does not have health problems, it must be kept in good conditions and be able to move a lot. It is mandatory to carry out preventive vaccinations against rabies, plague, and enteritis. Twice a year, give your four-legged companion anthelmintic, remove ticks and fleas.

Download the specialized application for pet owners Petstory on the IOS and Android platforms using the link – https://petstory.ru/prilozhenie-konsultacija-veterinar/.

Medium German dog breeds

Medium dog breeds are medium in size, but they are intelligent, loyal, friendly and loyal. Their main purpose is hunting, but at the same time, such dogs make excellent companions.

German boxer

The German Boxer is a medium-sized dog breed. It can be used both for security and for law enforcement service. In addition, he will become a friend to his owner.

On average, the height of a male is 57-63 cm, body weight is about 30 kg, females are 53-59 cm, weight is about 25 kg.

Among the boxer's character traits, one should highlight sociability, sensitivity, devotion, kindness, and intelligence. He gets along with children and is amenable to training, which he perceives as a game. These dogs can be kept in an apartment if the owners have time to walk outside.

Miniature Schnauzer

The Miniature Schnauzer is a playful, active and energetic medium breed dog. He has established himself as a watchman and search engine in the service.

Its parameters: male weighs 14-20 kilograms, height 46-51 centimeters, female weighs 14-18 kilograms, height 43-48 centimeters.

The Miniature Schnauzer has a lot of useful qualities: courage, bravery, high intelligence, quick wits, loyalty. Loves small children. These dogs can be trained if they are involved in the process. They can be kept both in a city apartment and in a private house.

Kurzhaar

The shorthaired pointer is a hunting breed of dog whose energy is in full swing.

This is a medium breed of dog, so it has the following parameters: a female has a height of 58-63 centimeters, a weight of 20-27 kilograms, a male has a height of 62-66 centimeters, a weight of 25-32 kilograms.

Among her character traits are friendliness, activity, and devotion. But you shouldn’t leave the shorthaired pointer alone in the apartment for a long time; he will show aggression and chew the furniture. These dogs are trainable. Gets along with children. Kurzhaar does not feel very good in an apartment; a private house with a large yard where he can run around and play is more suitable for him.

Kromforlander

The Kromforlander is a rare dog breed developed in the 20th century.

Its representatives have average parameters: height 38-46 centimeters, and body weight 11-14 kilograms.

The Kromforlander's character traits include friendliness, activity, devotion, and balance. Gets along with children and other animals and is trainable. But he does not tolerate separation from his owners very well: he refuses to eat and does not make contact. This breed can be kept both in an apartment and in a private house. The main thing is to take time for walks. The Kromforlander is a companion for the whole family.

German Wachtelhund

The German Wachtelhund is a hunting breed, also called the "German Quail Dog".

On average, its height reaches 40-51 centimeters and weight 20-30 kilograms.

It becomes a companion for its owner, but hunting instincts often take their toll, which is why German Wachtelhunds are most often acquired by huntsmen. Also, the character traits of this dog include friendliness, activity, sociability, intelligence, and intelligence. Does not tolerate rough treatment. Trainable. The German Wachtelhund is best kept in a private home in the countryside, where it can run, play and hunt.

Small Munsterlander

The Small Munsterlander is a breed of hunting dog that is adapted to hunting both on land and water.

Her parameters are as follows: body weight 18-24 kilograms, height 48-56 centimeters.

The character traits of the Little Munsterlander are as follows: devotion, activity, intelligence, cheerfulness. He gets along with children, but it is not recommended to keep him with other animals, since he has a developed hunting instinct. These dogs need training, otherwise they will become lazy. It is better to keep the Small Munsterlander in a private home, because he is very vocal. A representative of this breed becomes a hunting assistant and a friend for the whole family.

German pinscher

The German Pinscher is a hunting breed that was developed in the 17th century.

Its dimensions are average: height 45-50 cm, and weight 14-20 kg.

The German Pinscher is suitable both for living in an apartment and in a country house. Protector, guard and companion. It has a lot of useful qualities. So, this breed is strong-willed, loyal, active, intelligent, energetic, and quick-witted. Patient with small children, but aggressive towards strangers. The German Pinscher can sometimes be stubborn and independent, so it is important to start training him from an early age.

German Stichelhaar

The German Stichelhaar is a rare hunting breed. It is also called the needle-haired pointer.

Has average parameters: weight 25-30 kilograms, height 58-70 centimeters.

By nature, the German Stichelhaar is hardy, courageous, balanced, and persistent. However, it only perceives the owner and shows aggression towards strangers. Needs constant training to get rid of excessive energy. It is better to keep representatives of this breed in a private house in a rural area, where they can do what they love - hunting.

Jagdterrier

The Jagdterrier is a hunter and friend for all family members. They are bred mainly by hunters.

They have average parameters: height 33-40 centimeters, body weight 9-10 (for a male) and 7-8 kilograms (for a female).

The Jagdterrier has a lot of positive qualities: friendliness, devotion, endurance, activity, determination. He gets along with children. However, it is difficult to get along with other animals, perceiving them as game. Needs constant training. These dogs can be kept in an apartment, but the best option is a private house, where they feel more comfortable, since there is room to run, play, and hunt. In addition to hunting, the Jagdterrier serves as a guard.

TOP 10 most popular dogs from Germany

Let's start with, perhaps, the most famous German dogs:

• The German Shepherd is certainly one of the most famous and popular dog breeds in the world. Initially bred as a herding dog, but over time it became not only a service dog, but also a companion. Her unpretentiousness and sharp intelligence make her an excellent choice for any breeder. Belongs to the category of large dogs.

• The dachshund is a miniature dog suitable for hunting burrow animals. But it can also become a faithful companion and family favorite. An interesting feature is that the dachshund is one of the longest-living dog breeds.

• The Spitz is the darling of fate and the favorite of many dog ​​lovers; this dog gave rise to many breeds. In addition, the breed is considered one of the oldest in the world. The German Spitz is a faithful companion.

• The Rottweiler is a large dog and belongs to the working group. Today, Rottweilers are actively used in police service. Despite their menacing appearance, dogs of this breed have a calm character, and in the family they are affectionate and have good contact with all members of the household.

• The Dobermann is another large working German breed. Dobermans were originally bred for police service, but in Russia they are not used as service dogs. Dogs of this breed have a strong protective instinct and are prone to aggression towards strangers. In the family, Dobermans are friendly to all members of the household.

• The German Pinscher is the progenitor of such famous dog breeds as the Miniature Pinscher, Doberman, Rottweiler, and Affenpinscher. Tall but thin, they are considered medium-sized dogs. They will become an excellent watchman, zealously guarding the owner’s property.

• The Great Dane is a huge dog and a real aristocrat of the canine tribe. The benevolent giant can perfectly serve as both a guard and a watchman.

• The German Boxer is a friendly and loyal medium-sized dog that can serve as both a companion and a guard equally well.

• Drathaar is a medium-sized dog, the dream of any hunter. Quickly trainable - training turns into pleasure. At the same time, it also has protective qualities.

• The shorthaired pointer is a medium-sized, versatile hunting dog. Friendly and smart, he will make a wonderful family friend. He picks up commands on the fly and carries them out with pleasure.

Did you know that these dogs come from Germany?

Small German dog breeds

Small breeds of dogs are most often chosen as pets for keeping in apartments. They do not need very long walks, a lot of food and space. Most of all, these dogs need care and attention.

Affenpinscher

The Affenpinscher is a rare dwarf breed.

Its height is 25-30 centimeters, and its weight is from 4 to 6 kilograms. The Affenpinscher is also called the "monkey pinscher" because its face resembles a small primate. Possesses the following character traits: courage, devotion, vigilance, self-confidence, energy. They do not like children and do not tolerate other animals near them. They do not tolerate loneliness very well; they need maximum attention from the owner. It is difficult to train these dogs because they remember commands well, but often refuse to carry them out. The Affenpinscher can be kept even in a small apartment, where he is quite comfortable. The main thing is to take time for walks, and wear overalls in cold weather.

Miniature Pinscher or Miniature Pinscher

The Miniature Pinscher or Miniature Pinscher is a small but incredibly elegant breed. Becomes a faithful companion and a real pet.

The dog's parameters: height from 25 to 30 centimeters, body weight from 2 to 4 kilograms.

Among the character traits of the miniature pinscher are energy, devotion, self-confidence, endurance, ingenuity, and high intelligence. Gets along well with other animals, except hamsters and birds. Treats older children well, behaves aggressively with children. Trainable. The miniature pinscher feels great in a city apartment, but he needs long and active walks outside, and in cold weather the dog needs to be dressed.

Biewer Yorkshire Terrier

The Biewer Yorkshire Terrier is a wonderful little companion for all family members.

This dog is small in size: height up to 27 centimeters, and weight from 2 to 3 (for a male) and 3-3.5 kilograms (for a female).

The Biewer Yorkshire Terrier's character is calm, balanced, confident, affectionate, and playful. Gets along great with children. Behaves warily around strangers. It tolerates loneliness well, so it is also suitable for busy people. Trainable. These dogs are perfectly suited to living in a city apartment, subject to regular walking outside (in the cold season it is necessary to wear overalls).

German Spitz (describe all breeds)

The German Spitz is a small dog breed that includes five varieties:

1. Wolfspitz (Keeshond) height from 45 to 55 cm,

2. Grossspitz (large) from 42 to 50 cm,

3. Mittelspitz (medium) from 30 to 38 cm,
4. Kleinspitz (small German Spitz) from 23 to 29 cm,
5. Miniature Spitz (Pomeranian) from 18 to 22 cm.

The character of all Spitz dogs is balanced, smart, calm and loyal. They get along great with children. They respond well to training. Sometimes they are used in canis therapy. But these dogs do not tolerate loneliness well; their representatives are jealous of their owners. They are distrustful of strangers. Spitz feels good in a city apartment. Makes a wonderful companion for the whole family.

Miniature Schnauzer

The Miniature Schnauzer is a small, but incredibly temperamental and strong dog.

The dog's body weight reaches 4-8 kg, height 30-35 cm. In addition, this is the smallest service breed in the world, so the miniature schnauzer is used for work in the police and customs.

It has a lot of advantages. So, this breed is loyal, fearless, vigilant, hardy, sensitive, and lively. He gets along well with children, treating them as his playmates. It lends itself well to training, picking up commands on the fly. The miniature schnauzer feels comfortable in a city apartment, but a private house is better suited for them, where they can run and play.

Maintenance, care and feeding

The unpretentiousness of the Old German Cattle Dog does not mean that caring for it is not at all burdensome. Under natural conditions, its fur does not require combing, constantly being renewed on the grass and branches of bushes. In apartment living conditions, the dog must be brushed once a week, otherwise it becomes unkempt. Claws and ears need to be monitored, treated as necessary.

The animal's endurance allows it to be kept in a warm enclosure, in which the dog feels much better and more at ease than in an apartment.

A herding dog should receive adequate nutrition, up to 50% meat by-products or lean meat, no more than 35% cereals, up to 30% low-fat milk or fermented milk, 10-15% greens and fruits. It is impossible to completely replace the natural diet with ready-made food. An adult animal feeds twice a day.

German hunting dogs

Hunting dogs are used both for their historical purpose and can become participants in exhibitions and pets. These include:

1. Weimaraner. Initially, the breed was bred for hunting roe deer, wild boars, and bears. A little later they were reclassified as poultry.

2. Bavarian mountain hound. Hunts roe deer, red deer, elk, mouflon, fallow deer, as well as hare and duck.

3. Kurzhaar. They go hunting with dogs of this breed: pheasants, snipe, corncrakes, ducks, etc. In addition, they take them to hunt hare, wild boar, deer and fur-bearing animals.

4. German Wachtelhund. The name of the breed literally translates as “quail dog.” Today, dogs of this breed are also trained to hunt deer, elk and wild boar (so-called blood trail hunting).

5. Small Munsterlander. A versatile gun dog, capable of hunting on land and water, game birds and fur-bearing animals.
6. German Stichelhaar. A cop, capable of working in any conditions, both on a “cold” and “blood” trail.
7. Jagdterrier. Specialist in burrow hunting for badgers and foxes.

Selection of German Shepherd puppies

Having decided to buy a dog of this breed, you need to weigh everything, find out about the pros and cons, and decide on the gender. It is recommended to communicate with experienced dog breeders, visit exhibitions, kennels, observe dogs, study information about them and photographs. After choosing a breeder who offers purebred purebred shepherd dogs, you need to visit him, find out how much it will cost, get acquainted with the living conditions, find out how the bitch gave birth, what her diet was.

German Shepherd puppy

German Shepherd puppy

Teenage German Shepherd

Puppies are usually purchased at 2 months of age. By this time they have received basic vaccinations. But vaccination continues for several months, so be sure to visit a veterinarian. The cost of a purebred shepherd dog in Moscow ranges from 25 to 60 thousand rubles. A pet without documents can be bought for 10 thousand.

An interesting video about the German Shepherd will help you make your choice.

Video: German Shepherd - Interesting facts about the breed

The German Shepherd has long been popular not only among professional breeders, but also among ordinary dog ​​breeders. This is not only a guard and protector, but a devoted friend, companion and nanny for a child. If you raise your pet correctly, it will bring only joy.

German working dog breeds

Service dogs have strength, endurance, loyalty and courage, and become service dogs through training and education. These include:

1. German Shepherd.

2. German dog.
3. Leonberger.

4. Doberman.
5. Rottweiler.

6. Giant Schnauzer.

7. German boxer.

8. Miniature Schnauzer.
9. Miniature Schnauzer.

Possible diseases

German Shepherds are resistant to many diseases, with the exception of the eyes and musculoskeletal system.

Remember the following essentials:

• Timely examination by a veterinarian;
• Vaccinations (keep a vaccination calendar);
• Prevention against internal and external parasites;
• Washing and grooming.

German guard dogs

Watchdogs are excellent at protecting a home, office or business. They are smart and incorruptible. These include:

• Doberman.

• German Shepherd.

• Leonberger.
• German dog.

• Giant Schnauzer.

• Rottweiler.

Links[edit]

1. "Top-10-Fragen" (in German). AAH. Retrieved October 16, 2008.
2. "German Shepherd Profile". JustShepherds.com. Archived from the original on February 19, 2009. Retrieved August 10, 2008.
3. ^ ab "Altdeutscher Schaeferhund". The herd is online. Archived from the original on March 27, 2013. Retrieved October 7, 2008. [ self-published source?
   ]
4. "History of the breed". GermanShepherds.com. Archived from the original on June 1, 2008. Retrieved July 15, 2008. [ self-published source?
   ]
5. von Stephanitz, Max; Schwabacher, Joseph (1994). German Shepherd in Word and Picture. Hoflin Publishing. clause 12. ISBN 978-99932-80-05-7.
6. Willis, Malcolm; Bennett, Janet (1992). The German Shepherd: A Genetic History
   . Maxwell Macmillan International. ISBN 978-0-87605-175-7.
7. Die wichtigsten Beschlüsse der Bundesversammlung vom 6.-7. Juni in Kassel. [ permanent dead link
   ] In:
   SV-Zeitung.
   July 2009, pp. 437–438.
8. FCI-Standard N ° 166 - German Shepherd Archived November 1, 2013 in the Wayback Machine (Microsoft Word.doc format). "Double coat and longer, stiffer top coat"
9. "Westerwälder Kuhhund" (in German). German Society for the Conservation of Old and Endangered Livestock Breeds. Archived from the original on January 3, 2009. Retrieved October 8, 2008.
10. Beschreibung der Altdeutschen Hütehunde durch die Interessengemeinschaft Altdeutsche Hütehunde
11. Rorem, Linda. "The Old German Shepherd in America". The herd is online. Archived from the original on March 27, 2013. [ self-published source?
    ]
12. Mohr, Erna (1969). Ungarische Hirtenhunde
    (2nd ed.). Lutherstadt-Wittenberg: Ziemsen.
13. in 1951, 57 centimeters at the withers and 23 kg for males were declared. Luther, Wolfgang (1951). “Beobachtungen über angeborene Verhaltensweisen bei einem pommerschen Hütehund.” Zeitschrift für Tierpsychologie
    .
    8
    (3):443–448. DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.1951.tb00185.x.

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Nicknames for dogs of the German breed

Nicknames for dogs can tell a lot, both about themselves and about the owner’s attitude towards them. Therefore, it is very important to choose the right nickname for your pet so that it reflects the inner essence of the dog.

Girls

The following names are suitable for a dog (girl):

Athena, Alicia, Agna, Wendy, Viola, Vista, Gretta, Geisha, Garbi, Jesse, Juna, Jeta, Jasmine, Jeannette, Geneva, Linda, Lilu, Loya, Isabel, Ilda, Kaya, Cassiopeia, Leona, Nicole, Nikki, Piper, Runa, Tiffany, Tilda, Ula, Haifa, Hillary, Chelsea, Charlotte, Emilia, Utah, Yakuza, Dayna, Kerry, Meni, Blackie, Shadow, Cameo, Zlata, Goldie, Ada, Lola, Burma, Thunderstorm, Bonnie, Bakara, Virta, Grona, Zheya, Irena.

Boys

The following names are suitable for a dog (boy): Archie, Altai, Azimuth, Bim, Boss, Bruno, Wolf, Veksel, Viscount, Gray, Goodwin, Harry, Dick, Dexter, Yenisei, Zhivago, Gendarme, Zeus, Emerald, Ymir, Caucasus, Lord, Luciano, Marcel, Madison, Nemo, Noah, Pirate, Prince, Rolf, Roger, Solomon, Topaz, Urwin, Fredi, Fresh, Candied, Ceylon, Sherman, Juventus, Amber, Yamal, Avatar, Blade, Jenko, Erkhan, Conan, candy, Live, Mavrik, Marshall, Rapport, Red, Twilight, Sydney, Santa, Tikhon, Qigong, Caesar, Central, Chief, Sorcerer.

Attentive and professional education of the puppy from the first days of life

Based on existing experience, we can confidently state that it is the first weeks of life that are most important for the formation of a dog’s character. It is during this period of time that likes and dislikes for a person develop, and this happens to a much greater extent than previously thought. By 15 months, the dog is already a creature with a formed character, which will determine its subsequent life.

The most ideal pedigree becomes meaningless if German Shepherd puppies are raised incorrectly and exposed to unfavorable conditions at an early age.

Another important factor that distinguishes a service dog from all other breeds is the thoughtless execution of the owner’s commands. Contrary to a common misconception, this is precisely one of the main differences between a service dog, and not intelligence and intelligence. Indeed, among representatives of other breeds there are quite often very smart individuals, but having received any command, they can allow themselves to think about whether to carry it out or not. For a service dog, any command is a guide to action, and not a topic for thought.

A little history

In Nazi Germany, German shepherds, in addition to all other functions (guard, search, etc.), were also used as bodyguard dogs for the highest ranks of the Reich. At the same time, the dogs were trained to carry out complex commands. That is, one command included a whole range of actions.

For example, the dog receives the appropriate command (one) and begins to perform its service. What is it? The protected object is located on the territory of a country house:

• The dog allows any person into the protected area, but does not lose sight of him.
• A person can move freely throughout the territory, but cannot approach the owner closer than two meters. If the distance is violated, the dog first warns with a growl, and when the movement continues, it immediately works on the violator’s throat.
• The arriving guest, moving around the territory, cannot touch anything. Or the second option - he can touch and take any objects, he can even put it in his pocket, but the dog will not allow him to leave the territory along with the taken property, be it a large object or its size does not exceed a match head.

How to choose a herding breed

Before purchasing a shepherd puppy, it is important to consider the following nuances:

• The purpose of the institution. If a dog is needed only to guard livestock, then a pet-class breed is suitable. But if the goal is to exhibit a pet, then it is better to take a show category dog.
• Free space. Free space and constant activity are extremely important for the herding breed. The optimal place to live would be an aviary, a spacious country house with a large garden plot where the pet can run around all day. Living in apartment conditions is not advisable. The dog will be cramped; due to lack of physical activity, the muscles will lose tone, which will lead to a weakening of the body.
• Free time. Shepherd breeds are not suitable for workaholics who spend all their time at work. When keeping a pet in an apartment, it is necessary to take it for a walk at least 2 times a day, with a duration of at least 2 hours per walk. It is optimal if the walk takes place in a forest belt or in an open deserted area so that the dog can warm up and run around to its heart’s content.

After deciding on the breed, it is important to choose the right puppy. It is better to purchase it from trusted breeders or nurseries.

There must be a pedigree, a veterinary passport, and the absence of hereditary diseases. When choosing a puppy, you need to clap your hands loudly above his head or drop some noisy object next to him. If the baby does not show fear, does not bark or run away, then the dog has a strong psyche.

Only experienced dog breeders can cope with shepherds