Dogs

 

 

 

 

 

  This breed is hundred of years old.  It's the closest relative is the wolf.  This dog was bred in Europe and was used for herding livestock.  A German Captain bred the standard German shepherd in the late 1800's.  The first German Shepherd dog was named Hektor Linksrhein.  This was the first German Shepherd S.Z.1.
 

Captain von Stephanitz almost single handily built the first German shepherd dog club.  In 1904 the Shepherd first came to America.  In World War 1, the Germans made good use of these dogs, as "war dogs" and "police dogs".  During these times every one wanted to have a dog like Rin-Tin-Tin or Strong heart.  During World War 2 this breed gained even more popularity and has been one of the top 5 registered breeds for many years.
  The height/weight of a standard adult male is from 24-26 inches from ground to shoulder and the weight is 55-100 pounds.  The height/weight of a standard adult female is from 22-24 inches from ground to shoulder and 55-95 pounds.  This breed is bred for strength and endurance.  Their heads have long muzzles, pointed ears,
 

black noses, dark almond shaped eyes, and tails are long and thick.  They have black areas on their bodies, head and tails.  The rest of the body can be yellow, tan, brown and gray.  Some can be all white and all black. 
  Feeding and good nutrition is always an important part of good care.   This is especially seen when the dogs are little.  The puppies nurse from their mothers approximately 24 hours after birth and until there teeth begin to grow in.  When the mother dog is pregnant it is important to give her enough protein to help produce healthy puppies.   Puppies need more protein, vitamins and minerals so their muscles develop.  When puppies become adults they have already done all the growing they are going to do.  The adult German shepherds needs only a
  maintenance type of diet, as they will be doing no more growing. Maintenance rations are made of predominately plant or animal based ingredients.  Their food should be approved by the AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officials).  An active German shepherd dog may not do well on only a maintenance diet; instead it should be placed on a high-performance diet.  It is good to ask your veterinarian for the best type of diet for your dog.
  You need to take people to doctors, so take your dog to the doctors as well, a veterinarian.  The best approach to a healthy dog is to start early.  By 2-3 weeks of age your puppy should have been taken for its' first vet appointment.  This visit should include the first treatment for controlling worms.  At 6-20 weeks of age most puppies are weaned.
  At this time the vets are scheduling shots for the puppies, giving dental exams, checking to see if male sexual organs are properly descending, and all joints and muscles are forming properly.  This is repeated until 1 year of age.  After that dogs should be taken for a yearly visit.  At. These visits boosters, x-rays and vaccines are given.

 
  One of the most unique qualities of this breed of dog is it's intelligence, and its' reputation as being one of the smartest dogs.  This is why they are one of the most popular breeds for the armed forces and for police departments.  They can also help people with disabilities.  A German shepherd was the first Seeing
 

Eye dog.  They are often the dogs of choice for the blind.  These dogs also make good signal dogs for deaf people.  They alert their owners to sounds like doorbells, clocks, or fire alarms.  These dogs can also help their owners by opening and closing doors, carrying things and turning lights on and off.

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