German Shepherds Puppies - Pictures

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German Shepherds Puppies - Description

Purebred German Shepherd dogs should match a breed standard. Those may be in some ways different in various register clubs. The AKC standard gives a thorough description of demanded appearance and behavior. All modern versions of standards are nearly the same to the one laid down by Max von Stephanitz over a century ago.

German Shepherds Puppies - Temperament

German Shepherd Dogs combine as many qualities as no other breed. They are self-assured, loyal and friendly. At the same time, they are highly protective, brave and suspicious of strangers, but it is more than likely that if a stranger gains the dog's trust, the two will become friends for the rest of the life. German Shepherds are calm and intelligent. They are obedient and therefore easily trainable.

Height: Dogs - 24-26 inches, bitches - 22-24 inches
Weight: Dogs - 66-88 lbs, bitches - 48-71 lbs

German Shepherds Puppies - Body

German shepherd dogs have a distinctive wolf-like appearance. They have a muscular and lean body, which through its overall shape exhibits agility, strength and ease. The length of the body exceeds the height at the withers. The tail is bushy and long; it should reach at least to the hock joint of the hind legs. The chest is roomy and deeply set. The ribcage is neither flat nor barrel shaped. The back is straight and long. The neck is sloping, muscular and not excessively curved. In a standing position, the neck should hold an angle of about 45 degrees to the topline.

German Shepherds Puppies - Head

German Shepherds have a wedge-shaped skull. The length of the head is around 40 per cent the height at the withers. Viewed from above, the head tapers smoothly from forehead to muzzle in a similar wedge-like fashion. There may be a slight groove running down the middle of the muzzle. Ears are set moderately wide apart. When alert, they are erect and the inner sides turned to the front. The eyes are dark brown and almond shaped. Jaws are strongly developed, dentition is complete and healthy (42 teeth). German Shepherds have a scissors bite.

German Shepherds Puppies - Forequarters and Hindquarters

The front legs are straight, both viewed from the front and from the side. The legs must be parallel. The length of the upper arm equals the length of the shoulder blade. The pasterns are about 1/3 of the length of the upper arm, the angle to the upper arm being about 20 degrees. Considerable deviations from this angulation impair the German Shepherd dog's working ability. Viewed from behind, the hind legs are parallel. The thighs are muscular and positioned at a 120-degree angle to the body.

German Shepherds Puppies - Gait

The coordinated motion of hind and front legs provides for a remarkably smooth and ground covering trot. Pure German Shepherds run like well-lubricated machines, their fore- and hindquarters reaching equally far ahead. The back remains almost immobile.

German Shepherds Puppies - Coat and Color

The coat is dense and slightly rough. It has undercoat. The skin is loose, but not wrinkly. The upper coat is straight and it lies close to the body. It is short on the head and on the front side of the legs. The coat on the neck is dense and long. German Shepherd dogs vary in color; coloration occurs both, in total black and grey or black with red, tan or yellow markings.

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