German Shepherd Dog

Size
Large to Giant (27Kg +)
Exercise
40 min/day
Training
Daily
Size of home
House with garden
Time at home
Alone with support
Grooming
Weekly
Barking preference
Watchdog barking
Personality
Independent

Breeder List

Breeder - Mrs Gwen Den (CHELLOWDEEN)

chellowdeen@gmail.com
See Details
Breeder - Mrs Shirley Ford (TAKIMBRE)

tkbgsd@iinet.net.au
See Details

1. Submitted by Kellie Fahey. Photos by ShyWolf Photography

History

The German Shepherd Dog (GSD) or Deutsche Schäferhund originated from herding breeds in Germany in the late 1800s under the guidance of Captain Max von Stephanitz. It was not long before people realised that this was a dog of extraordinary intelligence suited for working. In 1899, a breed society known as Der Verein für Deutsch Schäferhunde (The Club for German Shepherd Dogs) was formed in Germany. The first registered dog in the studbook was Horand von Grafath.

Early imports of GSDs, known as ‘German sheep dogs’ reached Western Australia around 1904.
Two of these were Freia vom Park and Stephen vom Park. Others were imported to Melbourne around 1925, with other states soon following. In October 1928, the Federal Government banned the importation of GSDs. During the ban, which continued for another 43 years, a number of GSDs were smuggled into the country. The ban was lifted in 1972, with some restrictions remaining until 1976. The breed then enjoyed a surge in popularity, with record numbers of GSDs being shown at national shows during the 1980s. The popularity peaked during the 1990s, when the GSD became the most common breed in Australia in terms of registrations of puppies. Today the breed is still one of the most frequently registered.

In 2011, the GSD standard was amended to include the Long Stock Coat variety, which was previously ungraded in the show ring. From 1 January 2012, Long Stock Coats were separately registered, could be exhibited as such, and compete independently from Stock Coat varieties. The standard for both varieties is identical except for coat description, representing a major change in breed history. From 2023, interbreeding was permitted between the Stock Coat and Long Stock Coat varieties. 1.

Appearance

The GSD is medium-sized, slightly elongated, strong and well muscled; the bones are dry and the overall construction firm. The length of the body is greater than the height at the withers by about 10 –17 per cent. 2.

The Stock Coat GSD (normal coated) should carry a thick undercoat and the outer coat should be as dense as possible and be made up of straight, hard, close lying hairs. The correct coat is weatherproof, allowing the dog to work in all conditions.

The Long Stock Coat GSD (long-haired) has longer outer hair. The trousers are long and thick and the tail is very bushy. A Long Stock Coat without an undercoat is not permissible.

The top coat should be long, soft and not close fitting, with feathering on the ears and legs, bushy breeches and bushy tail forming flags below. It should be short on the head including the inside of the ears, the front side of the legs, on the feet and toes, it is longer and heavily coated on the neck, almost forming a mane. The hair lengthens on the back of the legs to the pasterns or hock joints; and on the back of the thighs it forms distinct breeching. 3

The colour of the GSD is ideal as camouflage, for working either in the field, or blending into the background at night. Black and tan (gold) with the black saddle pattern and black mask on the face is the most common colour. Sable dogs (red or grey) would be the next most common colour. These dogs have black tipping of the coat in a similar saddle pattern, but it can be more extensive over the body. Black-coated dogs are less commonly seen these days. The undercoat is, except in all-black dogs, usually grey or fawn in colour. Black-coated GSDs with additional colour are generally referred to as a Bi-Colour.

Small white markings on chest as well as a lighter colour on the insides of legs is permissible but not desirable. The nose must be black in all colour types. The colour white is not permitted in the standard. White is a recessive colour that virtually is never seen in the current bloodlines. Early on, white was undesirable as it was too easily seen at night and could not be readily distinguished from the sheep. 4.

Temperament

The GSD is of well-balanced temperament, steady of nerves, self-assured, absolutely ‘at ease’ (except when provoked) and good-natured, as well as attentive and easy to train. It possesses instinctive drive, resilience and self-confidence, and is suitable as a companion, watch dog and protection, service and herding dog.

The GSD is recognised for is its excellent character, marked by its courage, intelligence, devotion and nobility. GSDs love human companionship and owners will find that this breed just wants to be with, and please them. GSDs have a distinct personality marked by an intelligence and fearlessness that does not generally tend to make immediate friendships. Although it is normal for these dogs to appear aloof, they should be approachable and never hostile when with their owners. GSDs have a keen sense of humour and enjoy playful games that keep their active minds alert. Once you accept this breed into your family, you will gain an intelligent, loyal pet that will give you a lifetime of love, affection and fulfilment. 5.

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Ava. Submitted by Matthew Caryl Morris. Ffire Photography copy

Posca Vallie Priscilla 10wks. Submitted by Matthew Caryl Morris

Maintenance

The GSD is a relatively easy dog to maintain by brushing and combing each week, however, the Long Stock Coat GSD requires a little more grooming. GSDs are a double-coated breed, with a coarse, water-resistant outer coat and a heavy, woolly undercoat. The outer coat hairs are shed regularly while the inner coat hairs are shed twice a year, more heavily in spring, and may require daily or weekly combing when dropping coat. The breed requires no clipping and only occasional baths. 6.

Suitability

GSDs, are generally very good with children. Adult GSDs will generally tolerate a degree of rough play from young children. Of course, all play should be supervised, particularly when strange children are mixing with the dog’s own family’s children.

The GSD requires lots of contact with people, particularly in the early formative stages (up to 20 weeks). With poor socialisation, or a lack of firm and consistent handling, they can become spoilt and unruly. With a GSD, one should be consistent, kind and firm, giving them boundaries of acceptable behaviour. Adult GSDs are active and will require regular exercise. Puppies on the other hand, should not be over exercised. Gradually increase the exercise over time until, as young adult dogs, they are being taken on regular walks. GSDs also need a lot of space, such as a fenced yard or decent sized dog run. As with most working dogs, GSDs can become easily bored and even destructive if not given adequate outlets for their energy. They are known “Velcro dogs” as they prefer to be close to their master or mistress. 7.

Health

As with most breeds there are genetic diseases, but responsible breeders do regular health checks before breeding. Please contact the German Shepherd Dog League of NSW Inc for further information.

References:
1. The German Shepherd Dog League of NSW Inc
2-3. DOGS AUSTRALIA Breed Standard
4-7. Dr Karen Hedberg BVSc

Image: Thinkstock

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the German Shepherd Dog and have decided this is the dog for you. If you would like more information, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the German Shepherd Dog and its needs and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 08 Oct 2015)

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A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

The German Shepherd Dog is medium size, slightly elongated, strong and well muscled, the bones are dry and the overall construction firm.The length of the body is greater than the height at the withers by about 10 to 17%.

Characteristics

Purpose and Usage: Versatile Utility, Herding, Guard and Service Dog.

Temperament

The German Shepherd Dog must be of well balanced temperament, steady of nerves, self assured, absolutely `at ease (except when provoked) and good natured as well as attentive and easy to train. He must possess instinctive drive, resilience and self confidence in order to be suitable as a companion, watch dog, protection, service and herding dog.

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	The head is wedge-shaped, proportionate in size to the body, (length of head about 40% of height of withers) without being coarse or too elongated, in overall appearance dry and moderately broad between the ears. The forehead is only slightly domed when viewed from front and the side and without any or only slightly indicated central furrow.The proportion of the skull to muzzle is 50% to 50%. The breadth of the skull corresponds approximately to its length. The skull (viewed from above) tapers evenly from the ears to the nose with a sloping, not sharply defined stop, into the wedge shaped foreface (muzzle). Upper and lower jaws are strongly developed. The top of the muzzle is straight, a dish faced or convex curve is not desired. The lips are tight, well fitted and of a dark colour.The nose must be black.
Eyes	The eyes are of medium size, almond shaped, slightly oblique and not protruding. The colour of the eyes should be as dark as possible. Light piercing eyes are not desirable as they detract from the expression of the dog.
Ears	The German Shepherd Dog has erect ears of medium size that are carried upright and almost parallel (not tilted inwards). They taper to a point and are set with the orifice to the front. Tipped ears and drop ears are faulty. Ears carried laid back, during gaiting or when at rest are not faulty.
Mouth	The dentition must be strong, healthy and complete (42 teeth conforming to the dentition formula) the German Shepherd Dog has a scissor bite that is, the incisors must fit scissor-like to each other so that the incisors of the upper jaw overlap those of the lower jaw in a scissor fashion. Level, over or undershot bites are faulty, as well as large gaps between the teeth. It is a fault when the incisors are placed in a straight line in the gums. The jawbones must be strongly developed so that the teeth are embedded deeply in the gum line.
Neck	The neck should be strong, and well muscled and free from throatiness (dewlap) the angle to the body (horizontal) is approximately 45 degrees.
Forequarters	The forelegs are straight viewed from all sides, and when viewed from front must be absolutely parallel.The shoulder blade and upper arm are of equal length and firmly attached to the body with strong musculature. The angulation of the upper arm and shoulder blade ideally should be at 90 degrees but generally up to 110 degrees.The elbows must be neither turned in nor turned out while in stance or in movement. The forearms when viewed from all sides are straight and absolutely parallel, dry and firmly muscled. The pastern is approximately one third of the length of the forearm and has an angle of approximately 20 degrees to 22 degrees to the forearm. Both infirm (more than 22 degrees) as well as steep pasterns (less than 20 degrees) restrict the working ability of the dog and in particular its endurance.
Body	The topline flows from the set on of the neck, over the high long withers and over the straight back to the slightly sloping croup without a noticeable break. The back is moderately long, firm, strong and well muscled. The loin is broad, short, strongly developed and well muscled. The croup should be long and slightly sloping (approximately 23 degrees to the horizontal) into the set on of the tail without disruption to the topline.The chest should be moderately broad; the underchest is as long as possible and well developed. The depth of chest should be approximately 45% to 48% of the height at the withers.The ribs should be moderately sprung, barrel-chested is equally faulty as slab sided.Skin: The skin is (loosely) fitting however without any folds.
Hindquarters	The position of the hind legs is slightly set back, when viewed from rear the hind legs are parallel to each other. Upper and lower thighs are of almost equal length and form an angle of approximately 120 degrees, the thighs are strong and well muscled.The hock joints are well developed and firm, the rear pasterns stand perpendicular under the hock joint.
Feet	The front feet are rounded, well closed and arched. The pads are hard but not inflexible. The nails are strong and dark in colour.The hind feet are closed slightly arched; the pads are hard and dark in colour. The nails are strong, arched and also dark in colour.
Tail	The tail extends to at least the hock joint, however, not beyond the middle of the rear pastern. It has slightly longer hair on the underside and is carried in a gentle hanging curve when relaxed. It can be carried higher when excited or during movement but not above the horizontal. Corrective surgery is forbidden.
Gait/Movement	The German Shepherd Dog is a trotter. The limbs must be of such length and angulation that the hindquarter may be thrust well forward under the body and the forequarter reaches equally far forward without noticeable change to the backline.Any tendency towards over-angulation of the hindquarter decreases the firmness and endurance and therefore the dog's utmost working ability. Correct structural proportions and angulations result in a ground covering, low to the ground movement that gives the impression of effortless forward propulsion. With the head pushed forward and a slightly raised tail, an even, balanced and smooth trot, results in a gently curving and unbroken topline, running from the tips of the ears and over the neck and back through to the end of the tail.
Coat	The German Shepherd Dog is bred in the coat varieties: stock coat (normal) and long stock coat, both with undercoat.Stock Coat (normal):The top coat should be as dense as possible, straight, harsh and close lying. It should be short on the head, including the inside of the ears, the front of the legs, and on the feet and toes; it is a little longer and heavily coated on the neck. The hair lengthens on the back of the legs to the pasterns or hock joints; and on the back of the thighs it forms moderate breechingLong Stock Coat (Long Coat):The top coat should be long, soft and not close fitting, with feathering on the ears and legs, bushy breeches and bushy tail forming flags below. It should be short on the head including the inside of the ears, the front side of the legs, on the feet and toes, it is longer and heavily coated on the neck, almost forming a mane. The hair lengthens on the back of the legs to the pasterns or hock joints; and on the back of the thighs it forms distinct breeching.
Colour	Black with reddish tan, black/tan, black/gold to light grey markings. All black, grey (commonly known as sables) with dark shadings; black saddle and mask. Unobtrusive small white markings on chest as well as very light colour on insides of legs permissible but not desirable. The nose must be black in all colour types. Lacking mask, light to piercing eyes, as well as light to whitish markings on chest and inner sides of the legs, light nails and red tip of tail are to be rated as lacking in pigment. The undercoat is of a light grey toning. The colour white is not permitted.
Size	Dogs:Height at withers: 60-65 cmWeight: 30-40 kgBitches:Height at withers: 55-60 cmWeight: 22-32 kgThe length of body is greater than the height at withers by approximately 10-17%.

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.MAJOR FAULTS* Any deviations from the above described breed characteristics that impair the working ability of the dog.* Ear Faults: Laterally too low set ears, tipped ears, inward tilted ears, ears that are not firm.* Severe lack of pigmentation.* Severe lack in overall firmness.DENTITION FAULTS* All deviations from a scissor bite and the dentition formula as far as it does not concern disqualifying faults (see below)DISQUALIFYING FAULTSa) Weak character, aggression without provocation or nervousness.b) Dogs with proven severe Hip Dysplasia.c) Monorchids and cryptorchids, as well as dogs with clearly uneven or atrophied (stunted) testicles.d) Disfiguring ear or tail defects.e) Dogs with deformities.f) Dogs with missing teeth as follows:-1 Pre-Molar 3, and one further tooth, or1 Canine, or1 Pre-Molar 4, or1 Molar 1, or1 Molar 2, or3 or more teeth altogether.g) Dogs with jaw defects: - Overshot 2mm or more.Undershot.Level bite in whole of the incisor area.h) Dogs that are more than 1cm over or under size.i) Albinism.j) White coat colour (even with dark eyes and nails).k) Long Stock Coat without undercoat.l) Longcoat: Long, soft top coat without undercoat, usually with a parting down the middle of the back, flags on ears and legs and tail.

Males must have two normally developed testicles fully descended in the scrotum.

History

According to the official records of the Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde (SV) (The German Shepherd Dog Club in Germany) with its headquarters in Augsburg, the standard was originally developed at the first meeting of members in Frankfurt am Main on 20th September 1899 based on the proposals of A Meyer and M von Stephanitz. The next step was to have the breed standard accepted by the VDH (German Kennel Club).Amendments were made to the standard during the 6th meeting of the association on the 28th July 1901, during the 23rd meeting in Cologne on the 17th September 1909, by the Board of Directors and Advisory Committee in Wiesbaden on the 5th September 1930, and at the Board of Directors and Breed Committee meeting on 25th March 1961. Within the framework of the World Union of German Shepherd Dog Clubs (WUSV), it was revised and confirmed at the WUSV meeting on 30th August 1976 and reviewed, catalogued by authorisation and resolution of the Executive and Advisory Committee on 23rd March 1991. Further amendments were made at the meeting of the federation on 25 May 1997, 31 May 2001/1 June 2011 and 6 & 7 June 2009.The German Shepherd Dog, whose planned breeding commenced in the year 1899 after the founding of the German Shepherd Dog Club in Germany, was bred from central German and southern German strains of existing herding dogs with a final goal of creating a working dog predisposed to a high working aptitude. In order to reach this goal the breed standard was laid down which relates to physical attributes as well as those of temperament and character.