German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is probably best known as a Police dog. And for good reasons. They are strong, intelligent, and obedient making them well suited for almost any work you train them to do. They also make great companion dogs but need to be exercised daily by playing a game of catch or a long walk. If you have the notion that the GSD is an aggressive dog you are mostly wrong. Proper socialization, training, and handling from a young age are key to having a well-behaved German Shepherd. They do have a protective nature so without firm “pack leader” human interaction and a job to do they will become aggressive.
Choosing a reputable breeder that only breeds quality bloodlines and cares for the breed standard will make a huge difference in the temperament and health of the GSD.

The German Shepherd does have a few health discrepancies coming from the early days of in-breeding. Hip and Elbow dysplasia is most widely known along with DM becoming a thing in recent years. Doing genetic testing and evaluating the joints by the German SV or OFA will lead to much less chance of the GSD having difficulties in older years but is not guaranteed to eliminate it.

The following quote from the AKC website sums it up very well.

“Generally considered dogkind’s finest all-purpose worker, the German Shepherd Dog is a large, agile, muscular dog of noble character and high intelligence. Loyal, confident, courageous, and steady, the German Shepherd is truly a dog lover’s delight.”

These are just a few of the high points of the German Shepherd. For more reading use this link https://www.dogbreedinfo.com/germanshepherd.htm or go to AKC here https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/german-shepherd-dog/ for more information on the GSD.