The German Shepherd Dog (GSD) is a versatile working-dog, capable of being trained to perform a wide variety of tasks. GSDs are family pets, police dogs, guide dogs, search and rescue dogs, bomb and drug detection dogs, sheep and cattle herders, hunting companions, guard dogs, obedience champions, avalanche dogs, assistance dogs, show dogs, and more.

Regardless of their particular role, GSDs are excellent companions provided they receive the attention, training, and exercise they need and feel useful. On the other hand, a neglected GSD will use those same wonderful traits to devise ways to amuse himself, much to the chagrin of his owner.

Remember this: The owner of a dog is responsible for the behavior of their dog.

The following questions will help you determine if a GSD is the right dog for you.

Plenty of web pages and trainers and vets in the dog world right now recommend that shelter and rescue dogs are a great choice for ownership.  They are right!  These GSDs can make some of the greatest companions and pets available, plus, these are dogs that need a good home now.  Many who do not find a home in time face an uncertain, sometimes deadly, fate.

Rescue dogs come from many places.  Most are given up by their owners who don't have time for them, who develop allergies to them, who get divorced and have nowhere to keep a dog, or develop financial hardships that preclude dog ownership.  Many are given up because of a lack of training from the owners - these dogs get some training during their foster stays.  Others are strays and/or are rescued from shelter situations.

Badgerland German Shepherd Rescue (BGSR) medically treats any dog that comes into our program for any known problems, as well as updating the dog on shots, testing for parasites and heartworm, and putting the dog on heartworm preventatives. The dog's basic temperament must meet BGSR's guidelines before that dog is accepted into the program.  Generally, most rescue dogs have a known history, and BGSR volunteers will try to evaluate each dog to try to ascertain whether the dog appears to be good with children, other dogs, cats, etc.  If the dog is placed in a foster home, the volunteer will also try to get a handle on the dog's personality and needs for a successful placement in the right kind of home.  We try to brush up on the dog's housebreaking and household manners as well.

BGSR believes in finding the right dog for the right family.  This is why we have an application and interview process when you apply to adopt a dog. This process is in place to help us help you find the right dog.  Personalities and breed traits vary widely in the breed, so every GSD out there isn't necessarily great for every adopter.  Particular types of or individual GSDs are just better for some people than others.  Rescue groups like BGSR can help guide you through this maze to find just the right dog for you and your family.  Getting the wrong dog can be quite a travesty - it's best to figure out what you want and what your family can handle, and then get help in finding a dog like that.

Yes! GSDs are naturally protective of their "pack".  Young children should never be left unattended with a dog; however, if the children learn to respect the dog as a living being, the dog will be a wonderful companion for the children as they all grow up together.  Your dog's ranking in the "pack" should always be established as the bottom (Omega) member below humans.

GSDs are natural herding dogs.  Your GSD will try to "herd" you and your family.  Often they will "follow ahead", walking in front of you and looking back to make sure you're going where you should.  Although the GSD is not used as frequently for herding in present time, there are many breed lines still known for their herding.  The breed is naturally loyal, intelligent and protective (which makes it good for police work).  The GSD has an excellent nose, making it good for tracking and search and rescue work.  They are calm and have a steady temperament when well-bred which is why they have been used as "Seeing Eye" dogs.  A GSD thrives on regular exercise, mental stimulation and a well-balanced diet.

These traits make a GSD an absolute pleasure to own when well-trained, but in the hands of a novice, unconcerned, uncommitted owner, their intelligence and drive can become difficult to manage.

How big will my GSD be?

The full adult size of your GSD will depend in large part on the genetic background of its parents.  The AKC Standard states that adult males should range between 24-26" at the shoulder blade, females from 22-24".  Males within the standard may weigh anywhere from 65-90 lbs. depending on their bloodlines.  Females may weigh anywhere from 55-80 lbs. (Again, much depends on the genetics and bloodlines.  The above are only a rough idea.)  Although the GSD will reach close to adult height by 10-18 months, s/he will continue to fill out until up to 3 years old.

Socializing refers to exposing your dog to a variety of experiences, including meeting lots of people of various ages, races, sizes and both sexes as well as teaching them how to acceptably interact with other dogs.  Obedience classes provide an excellent opportunity for socialization in a controlled environment.

Socializing is important because it helps strengthen your dog's confidence and reduces the chance that your dog will become shy or fearful.  Fearful dogs can become fear aggressive or fear biters.

Bloat (otherwise known as "gastric torsion") can be a problem with any deep-chested breed like German Shepherds.  The stomach twists so nothing can pass through the esophagus to the stomach or through the stomach to the intestines, causing gas to build up.  This is an immediate health concern where the dog should be taken to the vet or emergency clinic.  Signs of bloat include a distended rigid abdomen, indications of vomiting with no results and inability to belch or pass gas.

High activity directly before or after eating can exacerbate bloating.  Keeping the dog quiet at least one hour before and after eating can help reduce the chances of bloat.  Pre-moistening the dog's food with water can also reduce the chances, however, without the teeth-cleaning help of crunching food, you will want to take especially good care of your dog's teeth by weekly tooth-brushing and hard biscuits to help remove tartar.  (Be sure to include any treats you give in the balance of food intake.  Too many treats may cause your dog to gain weight, and treats only may not give the dog the nutrition it needs.)  Bloat is more of a problem with a dog that "gulps" its food.

Most lines of GSDs will live to between 10-13 years of age.  11-12 years is probably a very reasonable expectation.  A GSD becomes "middle-aged" between 5-7 years old, and is generally considered "geriatric" at about 10.  Their food intake and exercise and nutrition needs may change over this period of time.  They may begin to develop stiffness in their joints (much like people do as they get older).  Healthy teeth are important as bacteria from decaying teeth can affect the health of the dog.

German Shedders....errr....Shepherds are real shedders.  The GSD is a double coated dog with and undercoat that sheds twice yearly (blown) and guard hairs that shed all year.

The German Shepherd is a "wash and wear" dog breed - especially when compared to many other dog breeds.

The German Shepherd Dog has a "double-coat".  Their coat consists of a "downy" type undercoat next to the skin, with longer, coarse guard hairs as an outer shell.  Under normal conditions, the GSD will only require regular brushings, and an occasional bath.  The dog’s guard hairs will be shed all year round.  The undercoat is "blown" twice a year.

Without regular grooming, however, there is a great potential risk that the wooly undercoat of the German Shepherd will mat.  This can also result in hot spots, bald spots, rashes and other coat and skin problems, so do not take grooming too lightly.

If you let the clumps of fur build up and hang off their bodies, the coat and skin underneath cannot breathe properly and could possibly suffocate as a result causing more potential health problems for your GSD.

It would be an understatement to say that German Shepherd's shed.  German Shepherd's DO shed... A LOT. Twice a year, you can expect your German Shepherd to "blow" their coat - even more hair all over the place.  Expect to have to sweep or vacuum several times a week during the time these dogs "blow" their coats.  Grooming the GSD is an important part of owning this breed.

What is "blowing coat" you ask?  Believe me, you'll know it when it happens - but you can always ask your breeder or another GSD owner ahead of time to describe exactly what this is to you.  Basically, it is a seasonal molting of all that dead winter (or summer) coat - and all within a few days or weeks time, verses the traditional all year "normal" shedding.  When a German Shepherd blows coat, you could easily collect enough fur to fill a good sized trash can - and then some, in just a few days.

Daily grooming of the GSD boils down to this: a quick brushing to keep the coat clean and healthy and also to help to combat shedding.  The GSD sheds constantly throughout the entire year and even more heavily with the changing of the seasons.

Daily or weekly brushings will substantially cut down on its shedding overall and the amount of dog hair found throughout your house and also the overall amount of time spent grooming the GSD and dog training can help this process be more smooth.  You can also have a better idea of whether or not your dog has any parasites such as ticks or fleas while grooming your dog.

Baths should be given no more than once or twice a year to avoid drying out their skin. Remember too that diet plays an important part in coat condition overall, so feeding quality foods will help prevent any skin problems from happening as well.

Yes and no to both.  Most GSDs are eager and willing to learn and enjoy training sessions. If you start young and teach your puppy its order in your "pack", problems with training will be minimized.  However, GSDs tend to have more dominant personalities than some breeds and can be stubborn, so some care in training is recommended.  Classes are extremely beneficial.  A GSD that thinks it's the Alpha member of the pack can be a big handful.

Due to the GSDs intelligence, size, etc., they need an owner who is assertive but fair.  They need training and sensible management.  Professional training or training with an obedience class or club is suggested for the average dog owner. 

Do not reward cowardice or aggression.  Do not comfort cowardice.  Motivate proper behavior and reward.  Also, do not reinforce whining or barking for many GSDs can be quite vocal and can become annoying.  These dogs have a lot of energy and need an outlet or they will find one!  Play sessions, exercise and training are a must to keep a GSD happy and well behaved.  Please do not isolate your GSD.  Remember they love their humans and will become upset (leading to inappropriate behaviors such as destructiveness, nervousness, noisiness etc.) if separated from their people for long periods.

Schutzhund is German for "protection dog", but it also refers to a training discipline and dog sport involving 3 phases; obedience, tracking and protection.  It is supposed to be a fun experience for both the dog and the handler.  If it isn't for one or the other, don't consider it.  Find another activity.  Schutzhund is not the be all and end all of training.

This condition is relatively common among GSDs.  It can appear in a young dog, but generally appears from middle age.  The degeneration occurs over time, beginning with hind limb weakness.  Eventually other weakness can occur, including the lower portion of the esophagus, which makes complete swallowing difficult and can lead to recurrent pneumonias. Although initial signs resemble hip dysplasia, in actuality, it is the degeneration of the spinal cord rather than hip joints.

Elbow dysplasia is characterized by an onset of severe lameness at between 4 and 6 months of age.  It almost always affects only one of the elbows but occasionally will affect both. There are three different types of elbow dysplasia: UAP (ununited anconeal process), FCP (fractured coronoid process), and OCD (osteochondrosis). OCD more resembles arthritis in the elbow that may or may not be brought on by trauma or looseness of ligamentation at the elbow. Final diagnosis can only be made by radiograph. OFA now certifies elbows as well as hips. (See OFA Information and Statistics)

This may possibly be genetically transmitted.  At the least, the tendency exists in a few lines.  The disorder may not express itself until the dog is about three to four years old.  There is no way of testing for the disease until the dog has a seizure.

The hip joint is not constructed properly, usually with a shallow acetabulum.  Dysplastic dogs can vary from minor problems to severe dislocation of the hips.  This condition is generally considered to be inherited.  

(Chronic Superficial Keratitis (inflammation)) Pannus is an eye condition in which blood vessels grow onto the cornea.  It can lead to blindness if untreated.  It is not curable, but is controllable with medication.  Some studies suggest an autoimmune problem.

(Commonly called "long bone disease," "wandering lameness," or simply "pano.") Generally seen between 5-12 months of age, it is caused by excessive bone production on the long bones.  Dogs will generally grow out of the problem, but it is a painful condition.  Pano is, for unknown reasons, common in GSDs.  If the dog is x-rayed during a bout of pano, lesions on the growth plates will be visible.  However, pano leaves no lasting ill affects on a dog.  Diet is thought to play a role.  High protein puppy diets may make the puppy grow too fast and increase the chance of the pup experiencing pano (sometimes described as "growing pains").  Pano is also called "Shifting Leg Lameness" as it can show up in any leg and may come and go without warning.  Pups usually completely outgrow Pano by 18 months.  Enforced rest is usually prescribed.  Painkillers are contraindicated since the pup will play more without pain, and may exacerbate the condition.

A congenital defect of the middle ear.  Puppies will generally circle in an unbalanced way, holding their head back or to one side.  Dogs rarely recover, and as afflicted adults, there will still be some head tilt.

Though all GSDs are born with floppy ears, normal ears will begin to stand erect in the 2nd or 3rd month.  Some ears will never develop the musculature to stand erect.  This is an inherited recessive trait.  Though soft ears primarily affects a dog's showability (hanging ears are a disqualification), soft-eared GSDs are also more prone to ear infections.

A blood disease that can include mucosal bleeding.  It is an inherited dominant condition. Requires clinical blood testing to distinguish it from other conditions.  Results of breeding two VWD dogs are lethal. VWD is autosomal and not sex-linked.

NOTE: Although these disorders are found in GSDs, they are not necessarily found only in GSDs, nor are they necessarily common.  Though this list may seem a bit intimidating, a good look into any breed will reveal a substantial list of health problems that may be common to that breed. This list shouldn't scare you away from GSDs, rather, it should educate you to the disorders themselves.