Mr. Petman
Breeds: dog

German Shepherd

German Shepherd
Illustration by Mr. Petman
Size
large
Height at withers
60–65 cm, males55–60 cm, females
Weight
30–40 kg, males22–32 kg, females
Lifespan
9–13 years
Group
Needs exerciseGuardingHerding
Sheddingheavy
Exercisehigh
Groomingregular

An editorial estimate, not a measurement.

Suits. Служба, охрана, спорт, работа с проводником. Умна и обучаема, работает с человеком в паре.

Be aware. Нужны нагрузка и задача, минимум два часа в день. Скучающая овчарка грызёт дом. Дисплазия суставов — проверяйте родителей.

Temperament

Одна из самых обучаемых пород вообще: немецкая овчарка понимает, чего от неё хотят, быстрее большинства собак, и получает удовольствие от работы. Требует занятия — не физической нагрузки, а именно задачи. Овчарка без дела начинает придумывать дело сама, и результат хозяину обычно не нравится. К семье привязана сильно, к чужим настороженна.

Care

Шерсть густая с подшёрстком: вычёсывать два-три раза в неделю, в линьку каждый день. Нужны длинные прогулки и обучение — минимум час активности в день. Обязателен рентген на дисплазию у родителей щенка: это самая частая проблема породы, и добросовестный заводчик снимки покажет сам.

Origin

Выведена в Германии в конце XIX века для пастьбы, быстро стала служебной. Сегодня одна из самых распространённых пород в мире и основная порода полиции и армии в большинстве стран.

What to watch in this breed

Breed predispositions are not a diagnosis and not a sentence. They are what occurs in this breed more often than in others, and what is worth knowing in advance.

Watch firstHip dysplasia
The puppy sits to one side, struggles to get up after sleeping, runs with a “bunny hop” using both hind legs together. What is in your hands: no excess weight and no jumping down from height while it grows. The puppy’s parents are screened by X-ray — ask the breeder.
Keep in mindElbow dysplasia
Limping on a front leg after exercise, especially in a growing dog, and reluctance to go down stairs. It is often put down to a pulled muscle — but a limp that keeps coming back is not a strain.
Keep in mindDegenerative myelopathy
Slow weakness of the hind legs in an older dog: they cross over, the hind claws wear down, the dog sways. There is no pain — that is what tells it apart from disc disease. A genetic test exists; movement within the dog’s ability slows the course.
Keep in mindGastric torsion (bloat)
A lethal emergency in deep-chested breeds: a swollen hard belly, retching that brings nothing up, restlessness, drooling. This is the emergency vet right now, with no “let us wait until morning”. Prevention: feed twice a day in smaller portions and no running straight after a meal.
OccursIdiopathic epilepsy
Seizures with no outside cause, usually between six months and five years. During a seizure do not reach into the mouth — that is how people break their own and the animal’s teeth. Time it: a seizure longer than five minutes is an emergency. Film it, that matters more to the vet than your description.

A predisposition means a probability, not a disease. Most animals of these breeds live their lives without any of it. We do not diagnose: the list is here so you know what to ask your vet at a routine check-up and which signs not to write off as old age.

Weight and lifespan are a guide for the breed, not a standard for your animal. Actual figures depend on the line, care and health.

Where to get one: German Shepherd breeders

These records are collected by us and marked verified only after a call. Ring ahead: available litters change every week.

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