German Shepherds Breeders - Rescues

German Shepherds Breeders - Health Problems

Picture source: Lanes House Of Shepherds © 2001-2004 Lanes House Of Shepherds, ASuperiorGSD com

German Shepherds often suffer from elbow and hip dysplasia related to irresponsible breeding, because it is genetically predetermined. As a dog grows, there is an evolving deviation in the structure of limbs, which make the dog extremely vulnerable to traumas, to say nothing of the dog's gait and labor capability. Therefore, affected species are not supposed to take part in any breeding program whatsoever.

Degenerative Myleopathy is another serious hazard, which directly affects the dog's basic capabilities. This illness shows in the weakness of hind limbs. Initial symptoms resemble those of dysplasia, although actually this is a spinal cord disorder. German Shepherds may suffer from epilepsy, a genetically transmitted disorder.

Panosteitis is a condition, which is common to German Shepherds and caused by excessive production of the long bones. X-ray images reveal noticeable affected areas on bones. This illness can be overcome, but it is very painful for dogs. Researches show, that this is a diet-related disease, and for unknown reasons it is common for German Shepherds. German Shepherds can also have Peripheral Vestibular Disease (affects coordination), Soft Ears and Von Willebrand's disease (poor blood condition) and CSK (Chronic Superficial Keratitis or Pannus).

German Shepherds Breeders - General Information Links

Picture source: Rescue Every Dog RED © 2001 rescueeverydog org

100 Years of the German Shepherd Dog - Article by Fred Lanting about the history and future of the breed.

4gsd.net - Articles on working and showing, famous bloodlines and celebrity dogs, basic puppy and dog care, training, diets, and health, rescue links, and chat room.

Ben's Pages - The story of the life of Ben, the German Shepherd.

East German Shepherd Dog Central - DDR pedigree archive, German translations, DDR Siegers and Siegerins, the Wertmessziffer rating system, sire production stats, articles, and links.

German Shepherd Dog FAQ - Includes history, health concerns, pedigrees, titles, certifications, Schutzhund, standards, clubs, and common concerns.

GermanShepherd.com.au - Focusing on the breed in Australia and New Zealand. Includes breed standard, schemes, ANKC trial regulations, health issues, message forum and a directory of breeders.

GermanShepherds.com - Chatrooms, history, photo gallery, and breed, club, and rescue resources.

Heaven's Gate - Database for the causes of GSD deaths. Includes information on diet, vaccinations, and previous health problems.

Illustrated Standard of the German Shepherd Dog - A series of articles on the structure and movement of the breed, written and illustrated by Linda Shaw.

Picture source: Lanes House Of Shepherds © 2001-2004 Lanes House Of Shepherds, ASuperiorGSD com

International White Shepherd Federation - FCI breed standard, photograph galleries, global breeders list, health, service dogs, and events. [English and Dutch]

Long Haired German Shepherds - Photograph galleries of Bear and Zeke, GSDs living in New Zealand, their friends, a LH GSD calendar, and links.

Mandy's Homepage - Her life and training, with pictures.

NorthWest K9 - Excellence in Working Dogs - A program of early evaluative screening and foundation training of German Shepherd Dogs for Police K9, SAR, detection, and personal service and security. Photographs, pedigrees and video of available dogs, educational articles, books, and videos.

Our GSD - Breed standards and information, German commands and names, weight chart, health, rescue organization database, GSD-L mailing list subscription and message archives, chat room, photographs, and anecdotes.

Pastore Tedesco - Breed information, show calendar and results, and free breeder's gallery of photographs. In English and Italian.

Real GSD - Novice information, news, standards, health, forum, links to kennels worldwide, and comparison of FCI to North American dog registry breeding practices with AKC; impact on health, trainability, and well being of dogs.

Sam - a German Shepherd in Florida - Diary and photographs of this young German-born dog.

Schaferhund.Com - Information on anatomy, Schutzhund, breed standards, training, and health.

Sjors' Place - Includes history, care, nutrition, activities, photographs, and links to kennels and national GSD associations. [English/Dutch]

The Pedigree Database - Database with photo galleries, show and trial results, marketplace, and general breed information.

UK National German Shepherd Dog Helpline - Extensive collection of articles including health, behavior, and care. Also includes a United Kingdom rescue directory and listing of educational events, ongoing research, microchip service, and book list.

German Shepherds Breeders - Other Shepherds sites

German Shepherds - German Shepherds are strong, active, well-muscled dogs that give the impression of balance and alertness. The dog's head is long and proportionate to the body. The expression is intelligent and confident. The medium-sized eyes are almond-shaped. The pointed ears are carried erect when the dog is in alert. A German Shepherd with cropped or hanging ears will be disqualified.

The German Shepherd's neck is strong and muscular. The straight back is relatively short. The chest is deep and carried well forward. The tail is bushy that tends to hang in a curve when the dog is at rest. German Shepherds have a dense double coat of medium length. Most colors are permissible in German Shepherds, with preference given to rich colors.

German Shepherds Breeders - German Shepherds, having been developed almost entirely in the 1900s, are a fairly recent breed. On April 3, 1899, Max von Stephanitz attended one of the earliest dog shows for all breeds ever held in Germany, where he purchased a herding dog, and where he decided to form the Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde,( S.V.). He was named as the organization's first president and remained so until his death in 1936. Horand von Grafrath, the dog he purchased that day, was designated S.Z.1. The first German Shepherd Dog to be registered with the Verein. The Verein became the largest specialty club and a major force in the canine world.

German Shepherds are well known for their work as a police dog, search and rescue dog, and as a guide dog. The dog is highly intelligent and is easily trained and has a great amount courage and loyalty. It should be socialized at an early age with other people and pets. Aggression and attacks on people are mainly due to poor breeding and training. German Shepherds have a strong protective instinct. A well-bred and well-trained dog is generally very good with other pets and people, including children, though young ones should be watched while with the dog. The dog becomes very attached to its owners, sometimes suffering anxiety when separated. German Shepherds serve as excellent companions, work dogs, and also as obedience or show dogs.

German Shepherds - German Shepherds are unparalleled as working dogs and companions. The breed was the original "Seeing Eye Guide," and star of movies and television. The German Shepherd was also the standard by which other military and police dogs were judged.

The first German Shepherd was registered in the US in 1912. The Kennel Club dropped the "German" from its name to protect the dog from anti-German sentiment during the First World War. It was restored in 1932, just in time for World War II.

German Shepherds Pictures - German Shepherds are direct and fearless, eager and alert, and are often used as working dogs. Known for their loyalty, courage, and calm confidence, they have a high learning ability. A well-bred, well-adjusted, and correctly trained German Shepherd, is for the most part generally good with other pets and excellent with children in the family. It is important to purchase your German Shepherd from a reputable breeder. These dogs should be trained and socialized from an early age, firmly and lovingly.

Von Stephanitz and other breeders produced a responsive, obedient, and handsome German Shepherd using local shepherd dogs from Wurtemberg, Thurginia, and Bavaria. In April 1899, a dog named Horan was registered as the first Deutsche Schaferhunde, which means German Shepherd Dog in English. Until 1915, both longhaired and wire-haired varieties were exhibited. Today, in most countries, only the short coat German Shepherd is recognized for show purposes.

German Shepherds Puppies - German Shepherds are very intelligent animals, and easily learn whatever you teach them. A determined German Shepherd will figure out how to open any door, lock you out, and open any cupboard or drawer to get what he needs when he wants it.

This breed is very people-oriented. They are best as a housedog, and they love being around their family. If you are going to be gone for long periods of time and don't have the time for training and playing, consider another breed. The more time you spend with your GSD, the better he will behave. A GSD left for long periods of time will quickly become a nuisance barker, digger, and chewer.

German Shepherds Rescues - German Shepherds are descendants of numerous sheepdog breeds that enjoyed great affection of people for lucid thinking, protectiveness and faithfulness. People of all generations sought to have an animal friend who would always be by one's side to keep away enemies and to be his or her eyes, ears and legs!

During pre-industrial area shepherding was the sole assignment of many if not all known breeds of medium and large size dogs. Breeders sought to develop a species, which would combine shepherding, hunting and fighting aptitudes. In 1891, a group of fanciers founded an organization, called Phylax Society. It did not last long, but it was a good start for the breed we now refer to as German shepherd.

German Shepherds - The ancient predecessors of modern German Shepherds were reflected in the works by Tacitus, an early Roman historian. He referred to them as 'wolf-like dogs'. In ancient times there were a lot of dog varieties, whose missions were driving cattle, guarding property, carrying loads and accompanying soldiers during war time. Due to these activities, many breeds have genetically achieved enviable intelligence and strength that were added to high speed, endurance and perfect eyesight.

Those old fathers of the German Shepherd varied in size, color and coat type according to climatic conditions. Their basic job was to guard sheep and other cattle. All that prompted Max von Stephanitz, a cavalry Captain, to develop a uniform breed of dog, which was to have a distinctive appearance and which was to inherit all of the useful qualities from its numerous predecessors. Thus was bred a dog with so vast a potential that no other animal could display.

German Shepherds Puppy - Of all breeds, German Shepherds seem to be the most widely spread and loved. They are known for their remarkable aptitude to learn as much as no other breed can. They were produced intentionally by man, who sought to develop as many positive traits and wonderful abilities in them as to make an ideal and lifelong friend and companion.

The first man to be credited with the advent of German Shepherds was Captain Max von Stephanitz, who founded the Vereine fur Deutsche Shaferhunde (SV), the first on earth German Shepherd Club in 1899. Incorporated into the development of the breed were cattle guarding dogs and European drover dogs.

German Shepherds Photos - German Shepherds are the world's most faithful and obedient dogs. They were bred as working, service dogs and were meant to be laborious, enduring and protective companions. This is one of the few breeds, which combines all positive features and useful capabilities of different breeds, and few types of dogs can boast such a wide range of goodies.

Initially the dog's sole function was cattle driving. However, with the progress of industrialization, sheep keeping declined, but there was definitely no fear that such a brilliant, brave and sturdy creature might suddenly have no job to do. This is just the right thing to say simply because German Shepherds are naturally active and job seeking. In other words, there always must be an occupation for a German Shepherd.

German Shepherds Pictures - German Shepherds are the most versatile dogs in the world. They have a wonderful aptitude to tolerate tough conditions and withstand long-time strains. It is not for nothing, that they function as service dogs in police, security services, and rescue and teams. They are physically strong, keen-eyed and they have an excellent sense of smell. They combine many positive features that the German Shepherd has inherited throughout the history of dog keeping.

The breed is relatively young. The first German Shepherd was officially registered in 1899 by then the newly founded and actually the world's first German Shepherd Club, which was named the Verein fur Deutsche Shaferhunde. Captain Max von Stephanitz, who is fairly viewed as the god father of the breed, was the head of the society.

German Shepherds Breeders Pictures - German Shepherd dogs were bred in a comparatively recent time in Germany. First attempts to produce an agile and protective species of shepherd dogs took place in the 1880s. In the early 1890s, a pioneer German Shepherd Club, the Phylax Society, was founded. It could not withstand the pressure of public indifference and disregard, and the society collapsed shortly after its foundation.

On April 3, 1899, Max von Stephanitz, a cavalry captain, attended a dog-show and spotted a peculiar wolf-like herding dog. He was delighted with the dog’s unsurpassed agility, unswerving integrity and unquestioning obedience. Max set himself a task to develop an intrepid, faithful, enduring and laborious companion, who would be able to withstand all hazards and perils of combat and who could bear considerable physical rigors.

German Shepherds Puppies - The history of German Shepherd dogs started in 1899, when Captain Max von Stephanitz founded the world's first German Shepherd Club, the Verein fur Deutsche Shaferhunde (SV). He began his great deed with a purchase of an admirable wolf-like dog during a dog show. Stephanitz named the dog, Horand. As he observed, the dog did live up to what was his vision of an ideal would-be German Shepherd.

However, as Max noticed, Horand had suffered from lack of proper care and training, which did in fact impact his general behavior to the point of being a serious fault. The dog frequently displayed excessive aggression toward strangers and other dogs and animals. However, Max von Stephanitz was convinced that it was due to improper upbringing, not any inborn breed fault. Horand was a laborious dog, and during work and training all those behavioral faults vanished immediately.

German Shepherds Rescues Breeders - German Shepherds are currently the most popular and widespread breed on earth. Old predecessors of the dog had a wolf like appearance, but they were enduring and highly labor capable. Besides, despite their somewhat wild look, they showed whole-hearted faithfulness, protectiveness and sociability.