The German Shepherd dog is handsome, well proportioned and very strong. Males generally weigh 70 to 90 lbs. and females 60 to 80 lbs. Some may be a bit smaller and some may be as large as 140 lbs.
Their colors are black & tan (with the tan portion ranging from a light cream to a deep red); solid black; white; bi-color (a black dog with tan legs); black and silver; blue (which looks like a very muted, grayish black and tan); sable. In a sable, just the tip of each hair is colored. Their eyes are almond shaped, dark, with a lively, intelligent expression.
There are three varieties of coats; rough-coated, long rough-coated and the long-haired. Long coats have about the same coat as a Belgian Tervuren. They are double coated with an outer coat of longer hair that gives you the color and an undercoat which is shorter and finer that provides insulation. Even with the double coat, it is recommended that they reside indoors as a family member.
Often used as working dogs, German Shepherds are direct and fearless, eager and alert. Bold, cheerful, obedient and eager to learn. Known for their tremendous loyalty and courage. Calmly confident but not hostile. Serious and almost human in his intelligence. They have a high learning ability.
German Shepherds love to be close to their families, but they are wary of strangers. This breed needs his people and should not be left isolated for long periods of time.
They only bark when necessary. German Shepherds have a very strong protective instinct, so they should be extensively socialized to prevent over-guarding when they are an adult. Aggression and attacks on people are largely due to poor breeding, handling and training. A well bred, well adjusted and trained dog is for the most part generally good with other pets and excellent with children in the family.
German Shepherds are very intelligent, responsive dogs. Originally bred to make most of their own decisions as herding dogs, German Shepherds have the ability to think for themselves and, therefore, will assume the leadership role if not trained in obedience and given firm rules that are not to be broken. They take to obedience training quite well and excel as guide dogs, assistance dogs for the physically challenged, search and rescue dogs, police patrol dogs, narcotics dogs, agility dogs, etc.
Should I own a German Shepherd?
• Do I want a dog that wants to be with me all the time and be part of the family?
• Do I want an active dog that requires exercise and attention?
• German Shepherds were bred to work and if not kept occupied, may find their own amusement.
• Am I able to provide proper training and guidance to help my dog fit into my/our lifestyle and furnish him/her with a structured routine?
• Am I willing to crate my dog if necessary?
• Am I willing to commit to the responsibility of having a dog for 12+ years?
• The German Shepherd is one of the most intelligent breeds of dog, and it needs structure, someone to love, companionship and a purpose in life.
Please thoroughly think this through before considering a German Shepherd. If you think this is the dog for you, fill out the Adoption Application and send to Good Shepherd K-9 Rescue, P. O. Box 1291, Janesville, WI 53547-1291 or email us at pawmeadows@hughes.net.
Panosteitis
Panosteitis (also known as pano) is an inflammation of the membrane covering the bone and is relatively common. Rest, quiet and sometimes a vet-approved painkiller are generally recommended for the puppy. Some vets recommend a reduced protein diet. High protein puppy diets may make the puppy grow too fast and increase the chance of the pup experiencing pano (sometimes described as "growing pains"). Pano can show up in any leg and may come and go without warning (i.e., one day the dog limps on the right rear leg and the next it limps on the left front). Pups usually completely outgrow Pano by 18 months with no lasting ill affects.
