Shorthair German Shepherd Dogs: description and features of care

Those who are at least a little interested in history know that it was the dog that was the first animal that humans tamed. Initially, such domesticated pets were used by people for hunting and served as security guards. But today, everything has changed completely. Of course, the dog continues to be specially trained so that it can protect the property and protect its owner, but, first of all, today she is a friend of man.

There are legends about such a dog breed as a German shepherd. In addition to the fact that they are specially trained in order to serve in certain military units, they are also considered the best among all other breeds for living together with people.

To have such a reliable and faithful friend at home is the dream of many dog ​​lovers. But, before deciding to start a similar dog, you need to learn as much information about it as possible, and you need to start with the history of the breed's origin. Some dog handlers and breeders claim that the Indian wolf is a distant ancestor of the German Shepherd. And, if you look closely at the appearance of the dog, then in fact you can find some similarities.

Shorthair German Shepherd is a shepherd breed. Yes, this is exactly what was used during the grazing of cows, goats and sheep. In order to create the perfect dog for grazing animals, German breeders worked for quite some time.

Speaking about the standards of this breed, I would like to note the features of the structure and appearance of the dog. Shorthair German Shepherd Dogs are characterized by a thick, stiff coat and dense undercoat. The hairs do not stick out, but adhere to the body in one direction.

As for the exterior, it is thanks to him that the breed can be easily distinguished from other dogs. The short-haired German shepherd is characterized by a square skull and a wedge-shaped head. Her jaw is very well developed: both the upper and lower. The lips are characterized by fit to the jaws and a dark color. Also, the shepherd can give her nose, which is exclusively black.

The male of this breed is quite large, and exceeds the female in height and weight. The weight of an adult male can be 30-40 kilograms, while the weight of a female does not exceed 32 kilograms. Male growth reaches 65 centimeters, and the female is only 5 cm lower.

The color of a short-haired or, as it is also called, a smooth-haired German shepherd can be different, and this is another of its distinguishing features. The most common and common colors of the breed include:

• black and gray;
• bluish with gray;
• the black;
• a combination of four shades of red color;
• blacked out black;
• weakened black;
• black-out;
• brindle;
• zoned;
• white.

When choosing a dog that will live with people, especially in families with children, it is necessary to take into account the nature of the breed. And here it is worth noting the fact that it is a German shepherd, each of its subspecies, that is considered an ideal pet.

It's no secret that the shepherd is one of the smartest dogs in the world. Experts say that such a dog has extremely positive character traits, which include:

• obedience;
• intelligence;
• dedication;
• humility;
• ability to feel a person and a situation;
• self-control and self-control - the dog will never show aggression unnecessarily, but if something threatens its owner and those close to her, mercy can not be expected from her;
• activity and vitality.

Most respected is the dedication of the shepherd, which has no borders. Very often there are situations when the dog at the cost of his own life protects the owner or another family member. A dog of this breed loves all household members, during the separation with which it is very sad.

Of course, the dog’s attitude towards children is one of the components of the animal’s character, but I would like to talk about it separately, since this is a rather important point when choosing a pet. If you have small children, and you plan to get a dog, then a shepherd is an ideal option.

Such a pet will be a reliable protection, he will never offend the baby. Even if the child, as is customary in children, will in every way provoke the animal, trying to pull his ears or mash, in case of discomfort, the dog will simply hide or leave the room. Shepherd dogs are very playful and active dogs, so they really have fun with the kids.

The health of the shepherd, like any other pet, needs to be carefully monitored. It will not be difficult for a dog to adapt to a specific climate; it is convenient for her to live in an apartment and on the street - in a kennel or aviary. Despite the fact that the German shepherd is one of the most hardy dog ​​breeds, which steadily resists many diseases, it also tends to hurt.

Dogs of this breed most often suffer from:

• inversion of the intestines;
• food allergies;
• diabetes mellitus;
• failure of the hind legs;
• urinary tract diseases;
• growth hormone deficiency;
• aortic stenosis.

The most vulnerable spot of a German shepherd is her eyes. Infectious eye diseases are something that almost every dog ​​of this breed can face. It is necessary to monitor the condition of the pet’s eyes, especially if the dog lives on the street.

To ensure the well-being of the dog and to minimize the possibility of manifestation of various diseases, vaccination is needed. The German Shepherd should be vaccinated against such diseases:

• rabies;
• infectious hepatitis;
• parvovirus infection;
• arbovirus enteritis;
• leptospirosis;
• parainfluenza;
• the plague is carnivorous.

A great advantage of the breed is its unpretentiousness. However, during the molting of a short-haired German shepherd, one cannot do without a special comb, with which the dog needs to be combed twice a week. And with special scissors you need to cut long hairs of wool. As for water procedures, a dog needs only three baths a year in the warm season. Experts do not recommend bathing the shepherd more often, otherwise her coat may lose its natural luster.

Tartar is another breed problem. To prevent its occurrence, you need give the dog a special dental stick at least once a week, which you can buy at a veterinary pharmacy. Also, do not forget about trips to the veterinarian, who must necessarily examine the dog's oral cavity and make sure that everything is fine and meets the requirements.

The key to animal health is proper and balanced nutrition, which must contain the necessary vitamins, minerals, trace elements. Given the characteristics and capabilities of the breed, experts recommend introducing exclusively ready-made super-premium feeds into the dog’s diet. But what to feed his dog, the owner, of course, decides for himself, most importantly, so as not to harm the animal.

It is very important that the feeding schedule is maintained.

• 2 to 6 months the puppy needs six meals a day.
• From six months and up to about a year, 3-4 is enough.
• Adult 2 meals per day are enough. The portion size needs to be adjusted independently, for this you should understand how active the dog is. After the dog has eaten, you need to wash its bowl.

After all the above information, which related to the upbringing and care of animals, it remains to talk only about how to choose the right puppy and what to pay attention to.

It is quite difficult for an inexperienced person to independently choose a good and healthy puppy from the litter, so we pay attention to:

• skin - it should not be bitten or irritated;
• flat tail;
• eyes without mucus;
• short coat;
• paws that should be straight;
• general condition of the puppy.

If you take a puppy in a kennel, keep in mind that such companies usually have documents confirming the legitimate activities of the organization. The nursery should be clean and dry, and the animals should be well-groomed and live in appropriate conditions.

On which shepherd to choose, see further.