German Shepherd Dog E-Book

• Herausgeber: CompanionHouse Books
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Serie: Smart Owner's Guide
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2010

Seitenzahl: 223

Beschreibung

Dedicated to the world's most accomplished working dog, respected guard dog, and beloved family companion, the German Shepherd Dog, this Smart Owner's Guide, created by the editors at Dog Fancy magazine, offers the most up-to-date and accurate information every dog owner needs to become a well-informed caregiver for his dog. Illustrated with color photographs of adorable puppies and handsome adults, this easy-to-read primer is designed in a modern, lively manner that readers will find user-friendly and entertaining.Each Smart Owner's Guide offers a description of the breed's character and physical conformation, historical overview, and its attributes as a companion dog. The reader will find informative chapters on everything he or she needs to know about acquiring, raising, and training this remarkable purebred dog, including: finding a breeder and selecting a healthy, sound puppy; preparing for the puppy's homecoming, shopping for supplies, and puppy-proofing the home; house-training; veterinary and home health maintenance; feeding and nutrition; and grooming. Obedience training for basic cues (sit, stay, heel, come, etc.) and solving potential problem behaviors (barking, chewing, aggression, jumping up, etc.) are addressed in separate chapters, as are activities to enjoy with the dog, including showing, agility, therapy work, and more.Entertaining tidbits and smart advice fill up colorful sidebars in every chapter, which the editors call "It's a Fact," "Smart Tip," "Notable & Quotable," and "Did You Know?" Real-life heroes and rescue stories are retold in full-page features called "Pop Pups" and "True Tails." Recipes, training, and care tips are highlighted in the "Try This" feature pages.The Smart Owner's Guide series is the only series that offers readers an online component in which dog owners can join a breed-specific online club hosted by dogchannel.com. At Club GSD, owners of the breed can find forums, blogs, and profiles to connect with other breed owners, as well as charts and checklists that can be downloaded. More than just 20,000 pages of solid information, there's a host of fun to be had at the club in the form of downloadable breed-specific e-cards, screensavers, games, and quizzes.The Resources section of the book includes contact information for breed-related organizations and rescues, as well as practical guidance on traveling with dogs, identification, and locating qualified professionals to assist the dog owner, such as pet sitters, trainers, and boarding facilities. This information-packed Smart Owner's Guide is fully indexed.

Leseprobe

Table of Contents

Title Page

Foreword

CHAPTER 1 - GERMAN ENGINEERING

PERSONALITY POINTS

OWNER SUITABILITY

VERSATILITY AND AGILITY

WHAT MAKES A GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG?

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

CHAPTER 2 - A GSD HISTORY

IN THE BEGINNING

HERDER PLUS

GSD DIVERSIFIES

IN AMERICA

MODERN-DAY GSD

CHAPTER 3 - SELECTING A SHEPHERD

EVALUATING BREEDERS

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PUP

CHECKING FOR GSD QUALITIES

D-I-Y TEMPERAMENT TEST

PHYSICAL FEATURES

PUPPY PARTICULARS

BREEDER PAPERS

CHAPTER 4 - HOME ESSENTIALS

PUPPY-PROOFING

FAMILY INTRODUCTIONS

PUP’S FIRST NIGHT HOME

PET-SUPPLY STORE SHOPPING

BEYOND THE BASICS

CHAPTER 5 - SUCCESSFUL HOUSETRAINING

IN THE BEGINNING

LET’S START WITH THE CRATE

A PUP’S GOT NEEDS

HOUSING HELPS

IN CONTROL

SCHEDULE A SOLUTION

CHAPTER 6 - VET VISITS AND EVERYDAY CARE

FIRST STEP: SELECT THE RIGHT VET

FIRST VET VISIT

VACCINATION SCHEDULING

EVERYDAY HAPPENINGS

MORE HEALTH HINTS

CHAPTER 7 - ON THE TOPIC OF HEALTH

DEGENERATIVE MYELOPATHY

EXOCRINE PANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCY

CHRONIC HIP DYSPLASIA

LUXATED PATELLA

PARASITE BITES

AIRBORNE ALLERGIES

AUTO-IMMUNE ILLNESS

FOOD ALLERGIES

EXTERNAL PARASITES

INTERNAL PARASITES

CHAPTER 8 - SUPPER FOR A SHEPHERD

BASIC TYPES

NUTRITION 101

CHECK OUT THE LABEL

STAGES OF LIFE

CHAPTER 9 - GERMAN GROOMING GUIDE

GEAR UP

BATH AND BRUSH

BRUSH THAT DOG!

IT’S SNOWING FUR!

NOW EAR THIS

MINIMAL EYE UPKEEP

NAIL CLIPPING 4-1-1

IT’S THE DARN TOOTH!

REWARD A JOB WELL DONE

CHAPTER 10 - TIME TO TRAIN

LEARNING SOCIAL GRACES

BASIC CUES

TRAINING TIPS

THE THREE-STEP PROGRAM

COUNTER CONDITIONING

LEAVE IT ALONE

CHAPTER 11 - BREAKING BAD HABITS

NIP NIPPING

STOP THAT WHINING

CHEW ON THIS

NO MORE JUMPING

UNWANTED BARKING MUST GO

FOOD STEALING AND BEGGING

DIG THIS

POOP ALERT!

AGGRESSION

AGGRESSION TOWARD DOGS

DOMINANT AGGRESSION

SEXUAL BEHAVIOR

CHAPTER 12 - FOR THE FUN OF IT

EXERCISE OPTIONS

SCHUTZHUND

HERDING HAPPINESS

AGILITY TRIALS

OBEDIENCE TRIALS

RALLY BEHIND RALLY

SHOW DOGS

CANINE GOOD CITIZEN

THERAPY

CHAPTER 13 - RESOURCES

BOARDING

HOME STAFFING

SCHOOL’S IN SESSION

CAR TRAVEL

IDENTIFICATION

Copyright Page

FOREWORD

K9 EXPERT EDUCATION

So, you have a German Shepherd

Dog or are thinking about getting one. Excellent! You have chosen a fabulous breed. For years to come, your GSD will be your best pal, protect your property and love your kids.

German Shepherds have long been used as protection, police and bomb-sniffing dogs. But they’ve been companions to man — mainly shepherds — for much longer. Their herding instinct remains strong today. If you have children, livestock or even geese, your new friend will want to “herd” them whenever he gets a chance. This can be great if your toddler is wandering toward the street, or a problem if you have fowl on your property who don’t really need a dog ordering them around!

For whatever reason you’ve chosen a German Shepherd from the many dog breeds available, he’s sure to fit the bill. A GSD will be happy to jog with you once he’s full-grown, patrol the perimeter of your property each morning and take an agility class, too. This breed is highly trainable, wanting to learn whatever it is you want to teach. So, if you want to try flyball, compete in schutzhund events, do therapy work at a hospital or even give the show dog world a whirl, you’ve selected the right breed.

However, it’s not all about what your new friend can do for you. You’ve chosen a breed that craves attention and affection. Months spent in pastures, with just one human companion, over generations and generations, has created a dog who tightly latches on to his master. This means you can’t put him in the backyard to fend for himself or expect him to be happy spending 10 hours a day in a crate.

You’ll need to walk him each morning and night, spend time playing with him every day, let him sit next to you for lots of petting and also find a way to expend his mighty energy. That could translate to regular dog park visits, agility classes or a nightly jog. Whatever you choose, your GSD won’t see this as a necessary “trip to the gym,” but as his chance to be with you. And he’ll keep watch over you the whole time.

Another great thing about this breed is its ease with other pets. Most GSDs get along just fine with the family cat, other dogs and even smaller pets. Because they’re herders, not ratters, they don’t have the need to pounce on hamsters and guinea pigs like terriers and some other breeds do. Supervision is required, of course, but you won’t have a prey-starved dog on your hands.

If you’ve never had the good fortune to live with a German Shepherd before, you’ll be surprised at his versatility. With consistent training and patient assistance, this dog can accomplish anything. And if you just want a super canine friend, a GSD will, of course, be just that. Be a super human friend to him, and you’ll be a contented pair for many years to come. Enjoy your new friend. He’ll never let you down.

With this Smart Owner’s Guide™, you are well on your way to getting your GSD diploma.

But your German Shepherd Dog education doesn’t end here. You’re invited to join Club GSD™ (DogChannel.com/Club-GSD), a FREE online site with lots of fun and instructive features such as:

◆ forums, blogs and profiles where you can connect with other GSD owners

◆ downloadable charts and checklists to help you be a smart and loving GSD owner

◆ access to GSD e-cards and wallpapers

◆ interactive games

◆ canine quizzes

The Smart Owner’s Guide series and Club GSD are backed by the experts at DOG FANCY® magazine and DogChannel.com — who have been providing trusted and up-to-date information about dogs and dog people for more than 40 years. Log on and join the club today!

Susan ChaneyEditor, DOG FANCY

CHAPTER 1

GERMAN ENGINEERING

Without question, the German Shepherd Dog’s temperament and intelligence have earned him an international fan club. His affable, easygoing nature gives way to a strong protective instinct when provoked. People close to the breed frequently claim that German Shepherd Dogs know right from wrong and that a well-trained GSD is the best room-mate you could ask for. The breed standard (a written description of the ideal GSD) refers to aloofness and self-confidence “that does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate friendships ... The ideal [German Shepherd Dog] is a working animal with an incorruptible character combined with a body and gait suitable for the arduous work that constitutes his primary purpose.”

The traits of keen intelligence and train-ability have made the German Shepherd Dog arguably the most versatile breed in the history of dogdom. In addition to their traditional roles as police and herding dogs, the breed excels at tracking, rescue, service work, obedience, agility, home sentry and scent identification.

The first dog to guide a blind person was a German Shepherdnamed Buddy in 1929. Today, The Seeing Eye® foundation — the first organization to train guide dogs for the visually impaired — still counts on this breed, among others, to carry out its mission.

PERSONALITY POINTS

Throughout history, in whatever capacity the German Shepherd has been used, one thing that has remained constant is the bond between the dogs and their owners. Because GSDs have traditionally been used as service and working dogs, this bond was a necessity. Shepherds had to be very obedient and very reliable to perform their given tasks. A major role of the GSD has been that of a guard dog, so the dogs also had to be very protective of their owners. These characteristics translate into a dog who is very intelligent, highly trainable and extremely loyal. The German Shepherd Dog watches over the entire family and seems to be able to sense if someone is in trouble or needs help. Likewise, the GSD is a wonderful protector of children and property.

A German Shepherd known as Manhattan is the only GSD to have taken the top prize, Best In Show, at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City. Manhattan did so in 1987.

Due to these protective instincts, the German Shepherd Dog is naturally wary of strangers. This is not to say that he is not a friendly dog, but he chooses whom to befriend based on his owner’s attitude. “Any friend of yours is a friend of mine,” the GSD seems to say to his owner, and he fiercely trusts his owner’s judgment. The dog will warm up to people with whom he becomes familiar; he looks to his owner for clues about who is OK and who is not. Proper socialization and introduction to people from an early age are necessary to help the German Shepherd Dog become more accepting of the people he meets.

The GSD is noble and proud; he has a lot going for him and he knows it! A wonderful combination of stamina, athleticism, intelligence, grace and beauty, he personifies the virtues of “man’s best friend.”

OWNER SUITABILITY

Because the German Shepherd Dog is so devoted to his owner, it is only natural that he should thrive with an owner who can show him equal devotion. The GSD basks in his owner’s attention. It is not necessarily true that the only type of person suitable to own a German Shepherd Dog is one who is home all day, but the owner who spends the day at work must plan to spend time with his or her GSD after work.

Meet other GSD owners just like you. On our GSD forums, you can chat about your German Shepherd Dog and ask other owners for advice on training, health issues and anything else about your favorite dog breed. Log onto DogChannel.com/Club-GSD for details!

Regular exercise is also important for the German Shepherd Dog. Remember, these dogs were bred to work and to be active. The breeders’ original focus was on function. Because the pet GSD is not being used for his intended purpose, he must be active in other ways.

A GSD who lives at home with his owner cannot exercise himself; it is something that dog and owner need to participate in. It is not fair to the German Shepherd, who has patiently waited all day for his owner to return from work, for the owner to come home and promptly park himself on the couch for the remainder of the evening. Exercise is essential for the GSD’s well-being — physically and mentally. It provides this athletic breed with much-needed activity; plus, it helps him feel like he has a purpose.

A house with a securely fenced yard is ideal for a smart German Shepherd Dog owner, as his GSD will have some freedom to run and play by himself. The dog should still be under the owner’s supervision when off leash, but at least the dog will not be totally dependent on his owner for exercise. This does not make up for time spent with his favorite person — you — but it will at least give the dog some physical benefits. An owner who keeps a GSD in a house without a yard or in an apartment must make the commitment to regularly run, walk and play with his GSD.

The German Shepherd will fit into just about any family structure — adults, children, single people — as long as his owner takes into account his needs.

VERSATILITY AND AGILITY

Although your German Shepherd Dog may never be required to do more than provide companionship and protection to you and your family, you should be proud to consider the many other functions the breed can be called upon to perform.

The instinct to serve, which is innate to a GSD, is the foundation of his functional versatility along with his physical and mental traits of strength, size, endurance and intelligence. It would be fair to say that the majority of all service dogs in the world are German Shepherd Dogs. The potential for specific service duties lies within each shepherd, but in almost every case, professional training is required to harness such potential.

The German Shepherd Dog is also an excellent herding dog. This was his original function and remains a central factor in his modern versatility. His endurance, his rough coat, sure-footed speed, responsiveness and deeply rooted instinct to protect anything small or weak make him an ideal herding choice.

It is only in Germany that the German Shepherd Dog is a first choice among farmers and stock owners. In the United States and Great Britain, other native breeds that are more traditional and therefore more attractive — such as the Australian Shepherd and the Border Collie — are predominantly seen in herding capacities.

Show your artistic side. Share photos, videos and artwork of your favorite breed on Club GSD. You can also submit jokes, riddles and even poetry about German Shepherd Dogs. Browse through our various galleries and see the talent of fellow GSD owners. Go to DogChannel.com/Club-GSD and click on “Galleries” to get started.

German Shepherd Dogs are known to be tough and protective, but they still need T-L-C from their loving owner.

German Shepherd Dogs were especially impressive as scout dogs for the military, often able to detect the presence of an enemy at 100 yards away. Countless human lives were saved by these dogs, but many of the animals were sacrificed during duty such as mine detecting.

Stemming from their role in the military, German Shepherd Dogs became the go-to dogs for police K9 units. In the pursuit and apprehension of criminals, GSDs have proven themselves valuable and rather more effective — certainly more humane — than guns. The dog’s cool nerves and intelligence make him an excellent choice for crowd control. His scenting ability makes him invaluable in search-and-rescue work, as well as bomb and drug detection.

The skills and abilities of these functions are combined in schutzhund, a training and competition program that emphasizes the elements of protection. Schutzhund means “protection dog” in German. Schutzhund trials have existed since the early 1900s. They include tests for temperament, tracking and protection. Dogs are scored according to their performance in these areas and must exhibit complete obedience (despite distraction), confidence, courage, scenting ability, determination and concentration in tracking.

The preceding jobs and activities have stressed obedience founded upon the German Shepherd breed’s natural proclivities. The GSD is not a particularly aggressive dog. He is, however, very protective of his family and property. This is the basis of the alertness and protective instinct that have made him a staple on security forces and an effective watchdog for the home and family.

The most noble and pride-stirring use of the German Shepherd Dog has been in the service of people with physical handicaps. The GSD was the first dog used as a guide dog for the blind and later for deaf individuals. The dog’s initial employment as guides for blind World War I veterans led to the conception of The Seeing Eye® foundation in 1929. Today this breed’s traits of composure, intelligence and responsibility, combined with all of his other excellent attributes, continue to make him the first choice in this role to serve humankind.

The German Shepherd Dog’s striking appearance has led more than one to become a canine movie star. In fact, even before the most famous GSD actor, Rin Tin Tin, one of the first animal actors was a GSD named Strongheart, who made his first movie in 1921 and worked well into his golden years.

WHAT MAKES A GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG?

The founder of the German Shepherd Dog breed, Capt. Max Emil Friedrich von Stephanitz, had some very specific ideas about what a GSD should be. Von Stephanitz wrote: “The most striking features of the correctly bred German Shepherd Dog are firmness of nerves, attentiveness, unshockability, tract-ability, watchfulness, reliability and incorruptibility together with courage, fighting tenacity and hardness.” None of these qualities have anything to do with looks, structure, coat type or even herding ability. Instead, the hallmark quality of the German Shepherd Dog is that steady, somewhat aloof, alert and ultimately reliable temperament.

But anyone expecting a big waggy retriever-style dog, a cuddly lap dog, a couch-potato dog or a dog who is easy to outsmart, won’t be happy with a German Shepherd. To know the GSD is not only to love him but to have the ability to train him successfully. “The things von Stephanitz said are very, very true,” says Lori Nickerson, a GSD breeder in Bend, Ore., who participates in obedience, herding, tracking and agility with her dogs, and is chairman of the performance award of merit committee for the German Shepherd Dog Club of America. “But this breed isn’t for everybody. This dog has to be part of the family in order to fulfill his potential. They are a one-family dog to a great extent, and they don’t solicit attention from strangers. But you won’t find a more trainable, courageous or loyal breed.”

NOTABLE & QUOTABLE

German Shepherd Dogs possess unlimited potential for adapting to different situations — particularly for service to their masters and their families. They are ultimately faithful and highly observant, and readily accept responsibility for many functions in the home and family.

— William F. Gish, vice president of the German Shepherd Dog Club of Northern Virginia

The German Shepherd is a tending dog. They are more inclined to keep the flock in one spot, acting as a living fence. For example, while a Border Collie moves a flock but waits at rest while the flock is grazing, a GSD remains vigilant and mobile, always aware of what’s going on. He acts as a moving barrier to keep the flock safe.

That means you, and especially your children, are in many ways your German Shepherd Dog’s flock. “They do try to keep kids all together when they are playing, and even when you walk them, they will tend to go a little ahead, but keep checking back with you and circling you to make sure your perimeter is secure,” Nickerson says.

While sable is the most popular GSD color in the United States, it is decidedlyless common in Germany. The most popular color in Germany is black and tan; however, both sable and black-and-tan coats tend to have richer, darker colors in Germany.

This herding instinct also translates into lots and lots of energy because the German Shepherd must have the stamina to keep the flock contained all day long. “If you want a couch-potato dog, you do not want a German Shepherd,” says Toni Liedtke, who works with GSDs in the Linn County (Iowa) Police Department. “If you’ve been at work all day, when you get home, your dog is going to want to go run five miles or go swimming or tracking or something. It’s like the dog is thinking, ‘Look, I’ve been good all day, and I haven’t eaten your house. So we’re going to go do something.’ This is a breed that has to go and do. They are intense. You have to stimulate them physically and mentally, or they’ll channel all that energy in some way you aren’t going to like.”

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

German Shepherd puppies have floppy ears that stand erect by 6 or 7 months of age. Some dogs have ears that never stand. Although taping most often can correct this fault, these dogs should be considered poor breeding choices.

Traditional depictions of the breed emphasize the black-and-tan coat with saddleback markings, but the German Shepherd Dog comes in a variety of colors such as black and red, black and cream, all black, all white, sable (with various colorations), black and silver, liver and blue. Breeders do not favor the white, liver or blue varieties; the American Kennel Club lists white dogs among the disqualifications for conformation (aka dog shows).

GSDs have double coats, with the coarser outer coat serving to resist water and debris, and the soft dense undercoat working to retain body heat during cold seasons. The coat can range from short and coarse to long and soft. Long-coated dogs, however, are not eligible for showing in the breed ring.

German Shepherd Dogs will shed all year long, with heavy shedding during the spring and fall. Grooming, however, is not difficult. Regular light brushing is all that is required. A hypoallergenic shampoo should be used during baths.

The main concern of every admirer of the German Shepherd Dog, however, is character. The animal should be courageous, intelligent, playful and safe with children, and obedient and responsive to his owner. These elements of sound disposition and utility supersede any and all physical ideals.

NOTABLE & QUOTABLE

Someone who isn’t able to become a leader and takecontrol of a situation should not own a GermanShepherd Dog. Most of these dogs are pretty strong-willed. You can’t let yourself be intimidated by these dogs. You need to giveguidance, the right environment and training. You need to have fortitudeand commitment to own one of these dogs.

— Linda Kury, rescue coordinator for the German Shepherd Dog Club of America

A German Shepherd wants a job, be it a family companion, sports star, police dog or therapy volunteer.

True Tails

The Gentle German Shepherd

Jasmine had to testify in court, but Toni Liedtke knew it wouldn’t be easy to get the scared 6-year-old to talk. As Victim Witness Coordinator for the Linn County Police Department in Cedar Rapids, lowa, Liedtke often dealt with children, but this little girl, the victim of a crime, had no interest in sharing her story with adults, whom she had learned not to trust. Instead, she stared at a bulletin board covered with police dog cards in Liedtke’s office. Suddenly, she turned to Liedtke and said, “Why isn’t Charger on this board?”

Charger, one of the newest canine officers, hadn’t had his card made yet, Liedtke explained. “But how do you know Charger?” she asked. Jasmine explained that her school had raised money for the police department, and in thanks, was allowed the opportunity to name the newest canine officer. “I named him,” she said proudly. Suddenly, Liedtke had an idea.

She took the little girl on a tour of the courthouse, and introduced her to Charger’s handler, Officer Graham Campshure. Jasmine got to pet Charger and play fetch with him. “You could see the change on her face whenever she was with that dog,” Liedtke says. Finally, Jasmine said, “I’m not talking about this without Charger.”

The little girl met with Charger on all her subsequent meetings with Liedtke, and while the judge wouldn’t allow Charger in the courtroom while Jasmine had to testify, the faithful shepherd waited just outside the door. While testifying, Jasmine clutched three photographs of herself with Charger, and whenever she got scared and needed a break, she was allowed to go outside the courtroom and pet the ever-loyal GSD.

“I sincerely believe she never would have been able to go through all this and testify in court if it hadn’t been for Charger”, Liedtke says. “This dog helped her regain trust. The most amazing part was to see this tough, working police German Shepherd lying down on the floor with this little girl hugging and kissing and petting him, and then to know that 10 minutes later, he was out on the street apprehending criminals. But that’s the German Shepherd.”

A smart GSD owner will provide opportunities for his herding dog to fulfill his instinct to herd.

THE GERMANSHEPHERD INGENERAL

These serious, loving dogs make great additions to any family

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Germany

WHAT HIS FRIENDS CALL HIM: Alstian, Deutscher Schaferhund, Hasselhoff

SIZE: 22 to 26 inches, 60 to 90 pounds

COAT & COLOR: GSDs come in black and tan, black and red, solid black and sables of various shades. They have a double coat of medium length that consists of a dense outer coat and a downy undercoat. Long-coated varieties (pictured) aren’t uncommon, but they are seen as a disqualification in the show ring (but not in homes of owners who enjoy the extra fluff!)

PERSONALITY TRAITS: These dogs are self confident and have an even temperament.

WITH KIDS: enjoys children

WITH OTHER PETS: does not play well with pets. He wants to herd them!

ENERGY LEVEL: middle to high

EXERCISE NEEDS: Daily outdoor exercise is a must for this breed.

GROOMING NEEDS: Smart owners brush their German Shepherd Dogs daily because this breed sheds heavily. Also, nails should be clipped regularly. Baths and ear cleaning should occur as needed.

TRAINING NEEDS: German Shepherd Dogs are intelligent and easy to train, especially when training begins at an early age. They perform well in obedience and other canine sports.

LIVING ENVIRONMENT: They are best suited to homes with large, fenced yards.

LIFESPAN: 10 to 12 years

CHAPTER 2

A GSD HISTORY

It’s no accident that the German Shepherd Dog is currently one of the most popular of the breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club. In the 90 years that the AKC has been registering dogs, the German Shepherd has been in the AKC Top 10 since 1948. This is due in part to the popularity of the 1950s television show, Rin Tin Tin, and partly to the high visibility the breed commands in military, police and assistance dog work.

However, popularity is a mixed blessing, as any conscientious German Shepherd breeder will tell you. It leads to indiscriminate breeding, overproduction and perpetuation of genetic flaws, such as poor temperaments and conformation faults. In years past, the German Shepherd Dog breed has suffered from more than its share of hip dysplasia, weak hocks (the equivalent of the ankle in humans) and unsound temperaments.

Not surprisingly, GSD aficionados are determined to improve the breed they love. Through culling, outcrossing, importing and a little soul-searching, they are pulling the German Shepherd Dog back from the abyss of irresponsible breeding.

The German Shepherd Dog Club of America was established in 1913, by B. H. Throop of Pennsylvania and Anne Tracy of New Jersey. By 1916, the club was incorporated and sponsored its first specialty show with 40 GSDs.

A breed based in temperament, the German Shepherd Dog is at home in the field.

IN THE BEGINNING

The particular qualifications that set the German Shepherd Dog apart from other breeds are numerous and evident from the first moment in the history of the breed. Considerations of companionship and domination aside, the first domesticated canines were utilized for practical and essential purposes such as guarding and controlling livestock. From the earlier herding dogs who helped shepherds with their flocks evolved light-gaited, weather-impervious, dependable canines, commonly categorized as sheepdogs.