GROUP 5 - WORKING DOGS

PUPPY OFFICER | Mandy Scrivens  | puppylist@gsdcv.org.au | 0417 388 421

Brief History
The German Shepherd Dog originated from herding breeds in Germany in the late 1800s. People soon realised that this was a dog of great intelligence, and in 1899, a breed society for German Shepherd Dogs was formed. The first imports into Australia arrived around 1904, but in 1928, the Federal Government banned the importation of German Shepherds. This ban was lifted in 1972, when there was a huge surge in popularity.

Average Life Span
When considering a dog, please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime.
The average life span is 10 to 13 years.

Temperament
Renowned for its loyalty, trustworthiness and versatility, the German Shepherd should be confident and outgoing. He should never be nervous or shy. He is, however, a dog with an innate natural ability to guard people and property.

General Breed Description
The German Shepherd is on the larger size of medium, a strong and well muscled dog. Originally bred as a herding dog, he can act as guardian, herder, tracker, guide and trusted companion. Colour can vary from black and tan (gold), sable (red or grey) and black, which is less common now. The colour contributed to camouflaging the dog, when it was working in the fields, or blending into the background at night. There are two varieties, the Stock Coat, and the Long Stock Coat.

Coat and Care Requirements
German Shepherds – both varieties – have an outer weather resistant coat and an undercoat. Grooming on a weekly basis will suffice for the Stock Coat, however the Long Stock coat may need more frequent attention. Bathing is recommended when required.

Size
Height: Males 60 to 65cms, Females 55 to 60cms.

Weight: Males 30 to 40kgs, Females 22 to 32kgs.

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about the breed’s health and what health testing the breeder does. The German Shepherd is generally a healthy breed, however health conditions do occur occasionally. These may include Hip Dysplasia (HD) and Elbow Dysplasia (ED), for which breeders must test breeding stock. Males must be screened for Haemophilia.

Suitability
The German Shepherd is a suitable dog for an active owner who is prepared to exercise the dog appropriately. Plenty of space at home is also recommended. Good socialisation is required from an early age. They are generally good with other dogs and cats, once acquainted, if socialised well as a puppy. They are a dog that cannot be left home alone for hours on end. They need stimulation and consistent training.  The well-mannered German Shepherd is indeed one of the finest companions imaginable; an unruly German Shepherd will have you at your wits’ end.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard: https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/158