ELI-German Shepherd

The German Shepherd Dof is a popular breed of dog. German Shepherds are highly intelligent, agile and well-suited to active working environments. They are often deployed in various roles such as police work, guarding, search and rescue, therapy and in the military. They can also be found working as guide dogs for the blind. Despite their suitablity dor such work, German Shepherds can also make loyal and loving pets inside the home. They enjoy being around people and other animals, although socialization is critical for young puppies in order to prevent aggressive and dangerous behavior. German Shepherds are well suited to obedience, with advances and prestigious titles available to test both the handler and dog in various schutzhund trials. The breed has a personality marked direct, fearless, but definitely not hostile, expression, self-confidence, and a certain strangeness that does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate any type of friendships. The dog must be approachable, quietly standing its ground and showing confidence and willingness to meet overtures without itself making them. It is poised, but when the occassion demands, eager and alert; both fit and willing to serve in its capacity as a companior, watchdog, blind leader, herding dog, or guardian, whichever the circumtances may demand. The dog must not be timid, shrinking behind its master or handler; it should not be nervous, looking about or upward with anxious expression or showing nervous reaction, such as tucking of tail, to strange sounds or sights. Lack of confidence under any surroundings is not typical of good character. The ideal dog is a working animal with an incorruptible character combine with body and gait suitable for the arduous work that constitutes its primary purposes. As is common of many large breeds, German Shephers are prone to elbow and hip dysplasia. Other health problems sometimes occurring in the breed are von Willebrand's disease, skin allergies and canine degenarative myelopathy. It is also prudent to check the eye and ear health as GSD tend to have problems with these as well. German Shephers, like all large bodied dogs, are also prone to bloat. They have an average lifespan of 10-15 years.