German Shepherds, originally from Germany, rank among the top 10 dog breeds worldwide, excelling in AKC sports, dog events, police work, and SV working competitions due to their versatility and intelligence.
Did you know that 130,000 new owners of German Shepherds register their dogs and bring them into their homes every year? Such a massive number reflects the fact of the enduring popularity of the German Shepherd, as one of the most versatile and much-loved dog breeds in the world. In fact, the German Shepherd is one of the most popular and multi-functional dog breeds, with high loyalty, intelligence, and ability. While most people have in mind a single breed, namely the German Shepherd, there are many types of German Shepherds, each of which has its peculiar traits and features.
Whether you are an experienced breeder, a passionate hobbyist, or merely a proud owner, knowledge of this breed will help you to significantly enrich your appreciation of these remarkable dogs. We will delve through the complex German Shepherd world, looking into their history, character, and unique traits that each subtype uniquely presents.
History of German Shepherds
The German Shepherd breed has a rich history dating back to the late 1800s. The father of this breed was Max Von Shlephanitz who bought the first Shepherd dog in 1895, named Horand Von.
German Shepherds proved to be highly intelligent, loyal, and agile as war dogs during World War I. After the war, they became extremely popular globally as police dogs, search and rescue dogs, and guide dogs, and received recognition from the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1912. Their service during World War II paved the way for them to become a favorite breed around the world.
With time, different lines emerged, and several types of this breed were recognized. The West German Show Line was attentive to conformation and appearance, while the Working Line focused more on intelligence, athleticism, and herding ability.
Other breeds have different lines such as the DDR Line in East Germany, bred for strength as well as police work; the Czech Line, a breed that presents the combination of West and East German features; the European German Shepherd with muscular build; Sable German Shepherd, highly prized for the dark-colored coat; and the American German Shepherd, large in size and gentle.
Today, German Shepherds are working in police and military service, participating in search and rescue operations, guiding the blind, being therapy dogs, and accompanying families as pets.
Here are the Different Types of German Shepherd Dogs
In this list, let’s discover the different kinds of German Shepherds, fun facts about them, and their shapes and colors.
1. European German Shepherd
First, we have a European German Shepherd for you. The GSDs are a variety of German Shepherds with different lines and strains. The European and American GSDs are different breeds within the same breed that are bred differently, following the European kennel club standards.
Some lines are West German Original Working Lines, West German Working Lines, East German Working Lines, and Czech Working Lines. Each family has its history and the traits common to all, while they all come from the European German Shepherd breed.
European German Shepherds are characterized by their wedge-shaped heads, dark eyes, black noses, and straight backs. Their size is as follows: males weigh 85-105 pounds and stand 26-28 inches tall, while females weigh 75-95 pounds and stand 24-26 inches tall, making them stand out from their peers. They are intelligent and protective dogs that require a lot of daily exercise. It is important to distinguish European German Shepherds from American German Shepherds when selecting a suitable dog. European German Shepherds have superior longevity due to regulated breeding practices and thorough health checks. They have stiffer, longer hind legs and straight backs, which can contribute to developing hip and elbow dysplasia.”
Color of European German Shepherds:
European German Shepherds typically come in various beautiful colors: black, black and red, black and tan, and sable with a variety of variations, all of which are complemented with special markings that accentuate their heavy and intense coats.
Fun Fact:
- European German Shepherds will need between 60 and 90 minutes of exercise per day because they have a lot of energy and like to work.
- European German Shepherds are one of the three most intelligent breeds known and doing fantastically well in police, military, and search & rescue work.
- They tend to bond strongly with the family and usually turn out to be watchful, affectionate pets.
2. American German Shepherd
The American German Shepherd is different from the ones you can see in Europe, as the latter tends to have unique looks and smooth movements. This variety of German Shepherd, one you would be proud to show in dog competitions, is a real eye-catcher. They run delicately with a narrow figure.
The American German Shepherd is a long-lasting and durable dog breed, typically Black and Tan, with various colors due to breeding processes. They thrive on high-quality dog food but should avoid harmful foods like chocolate, grapes, and onions. They typically live 11 to 13 years, with proper care and proper nutrition. They can tolerate various weather conditions, but extreme temperatures are not suitable. It’s advisable to let them reach maturity before breeding, ensuring they are fit for parenthood. Understanding these aspects helps maintain their health and happiness in their home and environment.
Color of American German Shepherds:
American German Shepherds display their colors in a rather broad range, from the classic black and tan to notable liver, blue, and white, with an assortment of patterns and shades that reflect their unique breeding heritage.
Fun Fact:
- American German Shepherds need at least 60 minutes of exercise every day because they are high-energy dogs with a strong work ethic.
- American German Shepherds are bred based on intelligence, loyalty, and athleticism.
- They are highly trainable, but consistency is so important.
3. East German Shepherd
The DDR German Shepherds, or East German Shepherd Dogs, had roots in the East German Republic and were bred specifically for their guarding and protective instincts. This gives them an advantage at a competitive level as they are bigger and stronger than the American German Shepherds.
DDR German Shepherds are the right choice for people who like to spend time in nature, practice sports, or work because they are clever, full of energy, and loyal. They are always ready to fight. They become the best of watchdogs and whistleblowers.
They need mental support and social interaction from the time they are born for them to overcome shyness and aggression. The daily routine for the DDR German Shepherds must involve a 2-hour workout, which should include mental exercises and commands. Training is a must, while grooming is easy yet significant. Hip dysplasia or bloat is an example of the health problems they are prone to. DDR German Shepherds have a very distinguishable temperament with characteristics like working ability, scent tracking, and resistance to cold temperatures.
Color of East German Shepherds:
German Shepherds, bred for their robust working ability, typically have a very rugged and dark coat color profile, ranging from black, black, and red, to dark sable shades, which reflects their rugged and versatile nature.
Fun Fact:
- East German Shepherds, because of their keen sense of smell, are top police dogs who are perfect at detection work, searching, and rescuing, in addition to tracking down drugs and bombs.
- They are great problem solvers because they can think independently.
- They often participate in working dog shows, where their obedience, agility, tracking, and guarding capabilities are appraised.
4. Czech Shepherds
Czech Shepherd Dogs (Czechoslovak Shepherd or Czechogerman Shepherd) are intelligent, active, and strong dogs that belong to the working breeds. Interestingly, they have a never-ending desire to learn and can perform various activities quickly. They are, therefore, so much more versatile.
They are always jolly and cheerful, and they work a lot, which is good for their health, and it is just a great feeling to be around them. These dogs are of medium to big sizes, and their jaws are powerful. They bite and hold their prey with their jaws.
The Czech Shepherd’s health is of great importance, so they should not be overfed and have two to three small meals per day. Exclude the ones with corn, wheat, soy, or fillers in the list to avoid back issues. When Czech Shepherds are under the weather, their sleeping positions can reveal their discomfort.
They love to play and can live in apartments with an exercise area. Sometimes, this could be achieved by having fun while training them in activities like obedience and agility. However, be careful when exposing them to difficult activities. It would be beneficial to use positive reinforcement as well as expose them to other people and places to help them not only become more confident but friendly pets as well.
Color of Czech German Shepherds:
Czech German Shepherds are very striking in coloring, projecting the darkness of the DDR Shepherds into the elegance of the West German varieties, with black, black, and red and sable shades and distinctive markings.
Fun Fact:
- They are well known to be fearless and will not budge in any situation.
- Czech Shepherds usually look more “wolfish” than other German Shepherd lines.
- Their loyalty and protective instincts make them exceptional family pets.
5. Sable German Shepherds
Lastly, we have the Sable German Shepherd.
The sable German Shepherd is a type of the German Shepherd dog breed, notable for its unique coat color and sturdy character. They have their distinctive look based on their coat, but they behave exactly like the other German Shepherds and are the most loyal.
Sable German Shepherds show the same characteristics and behavior as traditional German Shepherds, but they are rare and often come with a higher price tag. They usually can have litters ranging from 5 to 9 puppies. These dogs are characterized by their dome-shaped heads, pointed faces, long ears, and necks, which gives them their wolf-like appearance. Their fur can be either medium or long. Sable German Shepherds are known for their trustworthiness; they are very friendly with their owners and live between 9 and 13 years. Regular veterinary checkups and vaccinations play a major role in keeping them healthy and maintaining their well-being. For more insights into the signs of a happy dog, you can explore this resource: Signs of a Happy Dog.
Color of Sable German Shepherds:
Sable German Shepherds are embellished with an exquisite, multi-dimensional coat of color comprising cream, gold, brown, and black shades. Defined patterns and markings accentuate their intelligence and elegance.
Fun Fact:
- Sable German Shepherds are intelligent breeds that can excel with training, especially if you use brain-challenging games, positive reinforcement, and mentally stimulating toys.
- They are willingly obedient to their masters, and thus they have great responses to training.
- Sable German Shepherds are calm and gentle, and demonstrate a significant amount of patience, which makes them one of the perfect breeds to be used as therapy dogs.
Conclusion
To summarize, GSDs are bred in numerous types, each with features and characteristics that distinguish them from others. Whether it’s the beauty of the Sable German Shepherd, the ability to work with the Czech Shepherd or the intelligence of the other types you’ve read about, there is a German Shepherd out there for every kind of owner.
Knowing the peculiarities of these types would let you decide which German Shepherd suits you most. As a result, you will have a devoted and loyal friend for years. Furthermore, owning a German Shepherd has been shown to have positive impacts on the lives of their owners. To learn more about how pets are improving their owners’ lives, you can visit this resource: Pets Are Improving Their Owners’ Lives
