{"id":8120,"date":"2021-10-19T19:33:35","date_gmt":"2021-10-19T18:33:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/?p=8120"},"modified":"2024-02-18T14:20:30","modified_gmt":"2024-02-18T14:20:30","slug":"facts-about-german-shepherds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/facts-about-german-shepherds\/","title":{"rendered":"22 Facts About German Shepherds (2024 UPDATE)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re interested in learning interesting <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">facts about German Shepherds<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you can count on us. We collected these facts to show you how fascinating German Shepherds are.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some information might surprise you, but most will make you fall in love.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, let\u2019s go!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='top-10-german-shepherd-facts'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Top 10 German Shepherd Facts<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In WWI and WWII, German Shepherds <a href=\"#served in the military\">served in the military<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">German Shepherds <a href=\"#helped in the aftermath of the 9\/11 attacks\">helped in the aftermath of the 9\/11 attacks<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">German Shepherds were <a href=\"#among the most famous stars\">among the most famous stars<\/a> in the silent film era.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of the <a href=\"#best service dogs\">best service dogs<\/a> are German Shepherds.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">German Shepherds are the <a href=\"#third most intelligent dog breed\">third most intelligent dog breed<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An average lifespan of a German Shepherd is between <a href=\"#9 and 13 years\">9 and 13 years<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The German Shepherd\u2019s <a href=\"#nose must be black\">nose must be black<\/a> for it to compete in breed shows.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The official name of the breed in English is the <a href=\"#German Shepherd Dog\">German Shepherd Dog<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#Schutzhund\">Schutzhund<\/a> is a sport created especially for German Shepherds.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some German Shepherds have been <a href=\"#trained to recognize COVID-19\">trained to recognize COVID-19<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id='fascinating-german-shepherd-history-facts'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fascinating <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">German Shepherd History Facts<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">German Shepherds have a long history of being awesome. They were the stars of the 20th century, both in cinema and on battlefields.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Read on to find out how these fantastic dogs made history.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='1-the-german-shepherd-was-introduced-in-the-early-1900s'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. The German Shepherd was introduced in the early 1900s.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Vom Geliebten Haus)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first German Shepherd was actually a Thuringian Shepherd, used to develop the breed by being bred to other herding dogs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Capt. Max von Stephanitz is the man who bought and named the first German Shepherd in 1899. He wanted a dog that is loyal, easily trainable, intelligent, and able to perform many tasks. He found all that in one dog and used it to create many more like it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='2-in-wwi-and-wwii-german-shepherds-served-in-the-military'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. In WWI and WWII, German Shepherds served in the military.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Military Working Dog Support Association, Inc)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">German Shepherds were highly useful during the wars.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During WWI, they served only in the German military. However, In WWII, other armies, including the US army, also used them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They primarily served as messengers but also performed the roles of guards, ammunition carriers, and rescue dogs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='3-american-and-canadian-police-trained-german-shepherds-helped-in-the-aftermath-of-the-911-attacks'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. American and Canadian police-trained German Shepherds helped in the aftermath of the 9\/11 attacks.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(The New York Times, The Dogington Post)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They worked in the search team among other search-and-rescue dogs. The number of German Shepherds that were a part of the team is unknown, but some sources say that there were roughly 100 present in NY after the attacks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, a German Shepherd named Trakr was the only dog that found a survivor in the rubble. His DNA was later used for cloning, and 5 Trakr clones were born in 2009.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='4-german-shepherds-were-among-the-most-famous-stars-in-the-silent-film-era'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. German Shepherds were among the most famous stars in the silent film era.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Reader\u2019s Digest)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">German Shepherds have been popular stars of Hollywood films. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/dog-facts\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One German Shepherd, Rin Tin Tin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, appeared in more than 25 films during the 1920s and 1930s. He earned more than some human stars of that time, over $6,000 a week (around $80,000 today).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, the highest-grossing star in Hollywood at the time was actually another German Shepherd \u2014 Strongheart. He eventually became a multi-millionaire and was generally considered more widely known.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='5-a-german-shepherd-was-the-very-first-guide-dog-in-america'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. A German Shepherd was the very first guide dog in America.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(International Guide Dog Federation)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 1928, the first guide dog, a German Shepherd called Buddy, arrived from Switzerland with her new owner, Frank Morris. Many were skeptical, but helping her new owner cross a busy street in New York proved her skills very quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Interestingly, the trainer of that dog was also an American (living in Switzerland), Dorothy Eustis.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='german-shepherd-features'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">German Shepherd Features<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We all know what German Shepherds look like, and a lot of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/dogs-that-look-like-german-shepherds\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">other breeds have a similar physique developed<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by the breeders. There\u2019s more to these dogs than their wolf-like looks. Keep reading to find out more fascinating <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">German Shepherd facts<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='6-the-breed-has-a-lot-of-predispositions-to-different-health-issues'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6. The breed has a lot of predispositions to different health issues.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(MAGSR)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of the most common illnesses they can have are degenerative myelopathy, epilepsy, bloat, pancreatic enzyme insufficiency, and hip dysplasia.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They also often suffer from thyroid diseases, skin allergies, and many other problems depending on their genetics and lifestyle.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='7-some-of-the-best-service-dogs-are-german-shepherds'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7. Some of the best service dogs are German Shepherds.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(CertaPet)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are excellent service dogs because of their loyalty, intelligence, and easy trainability.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They work as guide dogs for the blind, hearing dogs for the deaf, medical alert dogs for people with epilepsy, mobility assistance for people with disabilities, and lastly, as psychiatric service dogs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='8-they-are-one-of-the-most-active-dog-breeds'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8. They are one of the most active dog breeds.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(PitPat, Ready, Set, Puppy!)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">German Shepherds are among the most energetic dog breeds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. Adult German Shepherds need at least 90 minutes of exercise each day to stay healthy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Puppies and seniors need a bit less. Puppies should exercise only for five minutes for each month of their age. If over-exercised, they can start developing hip dysplasia earlier than normal.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='9-german-shepherds-belong-to-the-herding-dog-group'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9. German Shepherds belong to the herding dog group.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(American Kennel Club)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They were created from different herding breeds and were first used for herding sheep. Today, many of them are used for guarding, protection, and police purposes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like other herding dogs, they have a strong herding instinct they might also use on their owners, especially kids.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='10-there-are-both-mini-and-giant-german-shepherds'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10. There are both mini and giant German Shepherds.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Anything German Shepherd, Animalso)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mini German Shepherds are a crossbreed between a German Shepherd and a Poodle, Corgi, or some other small breed. Giant German Shepherds, also called King Shepherds, are also a hybrid breed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Besides these two, there are also dwarf German Shepherds, which are purebred German Shepherds that suffer from pituitary dwarfism.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='11-german-shepherds-are-the-third-most-intelligent-dog-breed-in-terms-of-obedience-and-working-ability'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">11. German Shepherds are the third most intelligent dog breed in terms of obedience and working ability.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Petrix)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This means that they understand new commands after they\u2019ve been repeated fewer than five times.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">German Shepherds obey first-time commands in 95% of the cases. The only breeds considered more intelligent than German Shepherds are Border Collies and Poodles.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='12-an-average-lifespan-of-a-german-shepherd-is-between-9-and-13-years'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">12. An average lifespan of a German Shepherd is between 9 and 13 years.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(K9 Web)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unfortunately, German Shepherds don\u2019t live long. Because of their size and potential health issues, the average age they reach is 10.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When they reach 13, they can be compared to an 80-year-old human. In rare cases, they can reach the age of 18\u201320, but not more.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='13-the-german-shepherd%e2%80%99s-nose-must-be-black-for-it-to-compete-in-breed-shows'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">13. The German Shepherd\u2019s nose must be black for it to compete in breed shows.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(American Kennel Club)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Independent of the fur color, the tip of the nose cannot be of any other color. In other words, if a German Shepherd is born with a nose of any other color, it would be disqualified in a breed dog show.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, it could still compete in agility events, work as a service dog, and be an amazing pet.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='fun-facts-about-german-shepherds'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fun Facts About German Shepherds<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s not hard to see why German Shepherds are so popular today. However, if you\u2019re still not convinced, here are a few more fun facts to emphasize the reasons for their fame.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='14-there-are-two-lines-of-german-shepherds'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">14. There are two lines of German Shepherds.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(German Shepherd Shop)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The line can either be working or show, and the dogs are usually bred to fit the line.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Show line dogs are bred to have more sloped back, broader shoulders, and lower energy levels. They are also friendlier and less intense. However, some of the physical requirements also make them suffer from more illnesses.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Working line German Shepherds are bred to be healthy, strong, active, fearless, and enduring.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='15-there%e2%80%99s-a-dog-club-for-old-german-shepherds'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">15. There\u2019s a dog club for old German Shepherds.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(German Shepherd Dog League of America)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When German Shepherds turn 12, they are eligible for German Shepherd Thirteen (13) clubs. These clubs celebrate the dogs that reach the age of 13. Their and their owner\u2019s recognition is honored with a certificate. It\u2019s also published on the web pages and in the Shepherd news.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='16-the-official-english-name-of-the-breed-is-the-german-shepherd-dog'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">16. The official English name of the breed is the German Shepherd Dog.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Federation Cynologique Internationale, German Shepherds Etc)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First, it was known only as German Shepherd in English. After WWI, England and Ireland changed the name to Alsatian, while America changed the name to Shepherd Dog<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While in England and Ireland, the dog is still sometimes referred to as Alsatian, in America, it was changed back in 1930.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From 1977, their official name in English is German Shepherd Dog, not just German Shepherd!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='17-german-shepherds-are-the-third-most-popular-dog-breed-in-the-us-as-of-2020'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">17. German Shepherds are the third most popular dog breed in the US as of 2020.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(American Kennel Club)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Among <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/most-popular-dog-breeds\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">344 officially recognized different breeds of dogs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, German Shepherds are always in the top three in the United States. In 2020, they went from second to third place but are still equally loved.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='18-there-are-eleven-standard-colors-of-german-shepherds'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">18. There are eleven standard colors of German Shepherds.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Canine Weekly)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although the most famous German Shepherds come from the bi-color group, there are more standard colors to choose from. They can be:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Black<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Black with either red, tan, cream, or silver,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blue<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Liver\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">White<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sable<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep in mind that not all colors are acceptable for breed shows. For example, liver, blue, fawn, spotted black, pure red, and white are considered faults and cannot compete in breed shows.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='19-german-shepherds-of-some-colors-can-cost-more-than-2000'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">19. German Shepherds of some colors can cost more than $2,000!<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(AllShepherd, ZooAwesome, Ned Hardy)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some colors, like black, panda, or Isabella, are extremely rare. This means that you\u2019d most likely have to wait for your puppy \u2014 and pay quite a lot.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Black German Shepherds, for example, can cost up to $2,000, while panda puppies range from $1,500\u2013$3,000. Isabella-colored puppies are also priced at $1,500, at least. However, as the price depends on the breeder and location, it can be much higher too.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buying from a reliable breeder is also a must, because German Shepherds can change color from puppyhood to adulthood.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='20-schutzhund-is-a-sport-created-especially-for-german-shepherds'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">20. Schutzhund is a sport created especially for German Shepherds.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(United Schutzhund Clubs of America)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This sport\/competition tests how well-bred each German Shepherd is. It tests the following features:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Endurance<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intelligence<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trainability<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scenting ability<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mental state<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ability to work\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Efficiency<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bravery<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id='21-german-shepherds-are-bred-differently-in-europe-and-america'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">21. German Shepherds are bred differently in Europe and America.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(LoveYourDog)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">American and European breeders don\u2019t use the same standards for breeding German Shepherds. This is why dogs from America and Europe are never the same.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, the American German Shepherd is larger, lives a shorter life, but is generally a better family pet.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='22-some-german-shepherds-have-been-trained-to-recognize-covid-19'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">22. Some German Shepherds have been trained to recognize COVID-19.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(News Medical)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because of their fantastic sense of smell, they were trained to recognize COVID-19 in the sweat of the affected people. Their average accuracy was 85\u201388%, which is higher than that of some antigen tests.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='faq'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FAQ<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 id='why-do-the-police-use-german-shepherds'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why do the police use German Shepherds<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The police use German Shepherds because they are excellent working dogs. They use the working line of German Shepherds specifically bred to perform well in challenging conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">German Shepherds are extremely intelligent, are great at maintaining order, are natural protectors, and are exceptionally easily trained.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They have a calm temperament and react well in all situations. Besides all these factors, they are also strong and energetic. Because of these characteristics, they are also <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/what-is-a-service-animal\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">one of the most used service animals<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Misty Ridge Animal Resort &amp; Boarding Kennels)<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='what-are-german-shepherds-known-for'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are German Shepherds known for<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">German Shepherds are mainly known for their intelligence and trainability. They are also known for being great police dogs and for their exceptional work in the service dog industry. And, of course, for their herding skills, from which they got their name.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Misty Ridge Animal Resort &amp; Boarding Kennels)<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='is-a-german-shepherd-a-good-family-dog'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is a German Shepherd a good family dog<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">German Shepherds can be great family dogs with the right training. If they are introduced into the family when they are puppies, they\u2019ll quickly get used to people.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But, you should keep in mind that these dogs are highly protective of their family members and may become aggressive towards others.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also, since they are active pets, they are best for families with yards, so they can run and play whenever they want.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Neater Pets)<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='how-smart-are-german-shepherds'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How smart are German Shepherds<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The German Shepherd is as smart as a 2.5-year child. They are among the most intelligent dogs and one of the easiest breeds to train. They have excellent memory and are able to learn most of the commands quickly and easily.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Petland Independence)<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='what-do-you-need-to-know-about-german-shepherds'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What do you need to know about German Shepherds<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First of all, you should know that German Shepherds are highly intelligent pets. They are great as service dogs and police dogs, but they also make great family pets if trained from an early age.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But it\u2019s also important to note that they are highly protective of their family and can hurt those they perceive as threats.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(PitPat, CertaPet, Neater Pets)<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='final-thoughts%c2%a0'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Final Thoughts\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">German Shepherds are one of the most interesting dog breeds that has achieved so much. They did so much in a little bit over 100 years and are still winning hearts all around the world.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is why we hope that our <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">facts about German Shepherds<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have helped you understand and love them even more than you have before reading.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='sources'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sources:<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.allshepherd.com\/german-shepherd-puppy-price\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AllShepherd<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.akc.org\/dog-breeds\/herding\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">American Kennel Club<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.akc.org\/expert-advice\/dog-breeds\/the-most-popular-dog-breeds-of-2020\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">American Kennel Club<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"http:\/\/images.akc.org\/pdf\/breeds\/standards\/GermanShepherdDog.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">American Kennel Club<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/animalso.com\/breeds\/king-shepherd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Animalso<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.anythinggermanshepherd.com\/dwarf-german-shepherd-what-causes-a-gsd-to-be-born-with-dwarfism\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anything German Shepherd<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/canineweekly.com\/german-shepherd-colors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Canine Weekly<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.certapet.com\/german-shepherd-service-dog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CertaPet<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.fci.be\/en\/nomenclature\/GERMAN-SHEPHERD-DOG-166.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Federation Cynologique Internationale<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gsdca.org\/german-shepherd-dogs\/the-13-club.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">German Shepherd Dog League of America<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/germanshepherdsetc.com\/alsatian-wolf-dog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">German Shepherds Etc<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/germanshepherdshop.com\/blogs\/list\/the-german-shepherd-dog-working-line-vs-show-line\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">German Shepherd Shop<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.k9web.com\/breeds\/german-shepherd-lifespan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">K9 Web<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.loveyourdog.com\/american-vs-european-german-shepherds\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LoveYourDog<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/magsr.org\/content\/gsd-health-issues\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MAGSR<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mwdtsa.org\/german-shepherd-dogs-military-brief-historical-overview\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Military Working Dog Team Support Association, Inc<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mistyridge.com\/german-shepherds-used-police-dogs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Misty Ridge Animal Resort &amp; Boarding Kennels<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/neaterpets.com\/blogs\/news\/german-shepherds-family-dog\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Neater Pets<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/nedhardy.com\/2020\/10\/01\/panda-german-shepherd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ned Hardy<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news-medical.net\/news\/20210607\/Accuracy-of-three-COVID-sniffing-dogs-exceeds-8525.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">News Medical<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.petlandindependence.com\/blog\/why-are-german-shepherds-so-smart\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Petland Independence<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/petrix.com\/dogint\/intelligence.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Petrix<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pitpat.com\/exercise\/how-much-exercise-does-a-german-shepherd-need\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PitPat<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rd.com\/list\/richest-dog-actors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reader\u2019s Digest<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/readysetpuppy.com\/dos-and-donts-of-exercising-a-young-german-shepherd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ready, Set, Puppy!<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2021\/08\/30\/arts\/design\/the-dogs-of-9-11.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The New York Times<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.germanshepherddog.com\/about\/schutzhund-training\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">United Schutzhund Clubs of America<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geliebteshepherds.com\/history-of-the-breed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vom Geliebten Haus<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/zooawesome.com\/home-pets\/things-to-know-about-isabella-german-shepherd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ZooAwesome<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dogingtonpost.com\/remembering-the-hero-dogs-of-911\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Dogington Post<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Why do the police use German Shepherds?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The police use German Shepherds because they are excellent working dogs. They use the working line of German Shepherds specifically bred to perform well in challenging conditions.\\n\\nGerman Shepherds are extremely intelligent, are great at maintaining order, are natural protectors, and are exceptionally easily trained.\\n\\nThey have a calm temperament and react well in all situations. Besides all these factors, they are also strong and energetic. Because of these characteristics, they are also one of the most used service animals.\\n\\n(Misty Ridge Animal Resort & Boarding Kennels)\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What are German Shepherds known for?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"German Shepherds are mainly known for their intelligence and trainability. They are also known for being great police dogs and for their exceptional work in the service dog industry. And, of course, for their herding skills, from which they got their name.\\n\\n(Misty Ridge Animal Resort & Boarding Kennels)\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Is a German Shepherd a good family dog?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"German Shepherds can be great family dogs with the right training. If they are introduced into the family when they are puppies, they\u2019ll quickly get used to people.\u00a0\\n\\nBut, you should keep in mind that these dogs are highly protective of their family members and may become aggressive towards others.\u00a0\\n\\nAlso, since they are active pets, they are best for families with yards, so they can run and play whenever they want.\\n\\n(Neater Pets)\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How smart are German Shepherds?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The German Shepherd is as smart as a 2.5-year child. They are among the most intelligent dogs and one of the easiest breeds to train. They have excellent memory and are able to learn most of the commands quickly and easily.\\n\\n(Petland Independence)\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What do you need to know about German Shepherds?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"First of all, you should know that German Shepherds are highly intelligent pets. They are great as service dogs and police dogs, but they also make great family pets if trained from an early age.\u00a0\\n\\nBut it\u2019s also important to note that they are highly protective of their family and can hurt those they perceive as threats.\\n\\n(PitPat, CertaPet, Neater Pets)\"}}]}<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>German Shepherds have a sport created especially for them! Find out what it&#8217;s called and many more amazing facts about German Shepherds! [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/facts-about-german-shepherds\/\">Read More&#8230;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> from 22 Facts About German Shepherds (2024 UPDATE)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":8122,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8120","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-stats-and-facts"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8120","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/28"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8120"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8120\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8122"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8120"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8120"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8120"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}