Introduction
A German shepherd is an amazing breed. It combines in itself all the positive qualities of a working dog, possesses great intelligence and a perfect ability to be trained.
Puppies of this breed like to learn since the young age and catch on new information very quickly. Thanks to all its qualities, a German shepherd is a multifunctional dog. It can be a guard, a protector, a seeker or a hunter.
However, this is a pretty difficult breed that will need all your efforts to be trained well. Let’s point out some special characteristics of these dogs.
Behaviour
This kind of dogs has a great potential that shows itself through its behaviour and abilities. Here are the main of them:
- An ability to guard a family or a certain territory. It should be mentioned that the dog usually makes decisions whether to attack a stranger or not by itself. It can attack somebody only if it thinks that this action is necessary.
- This is the dog of nice scent. A lot of security services use this ability in their work.
- The function of protection. A German shepherd is a selfless fighter that will protect the owner to the last. If an owner gives a command, it will also fight without any hesitation.
The Period of Adolescence
Since the age of six months the period of so-called “adolescence” begins. A puppy tries to assert itself in the world and shows a high level of independence at that time and till the reaching the age of puberty.
Since this age, your pet begins to show disobedience and does not obey the commands it usually obeyed before. Do not allow it to behave in that way, otherwise it will become its habit.
This difficult period finishes usually with coming of the age of puberty. For female dogs it is often at the age of seven or eight months, when the first heat starts. Male dogs begin to spray at this time and it comes a bit later.
The ability of guarding and protecting is also shown in this period. So, pay attention to the proper training of your favourite pet.
Fear and a Puppy
Your German shepherd can feel fear for several weeks during the period of adolescence. It usually happens about the age of seven weeks. The dog gets scared of well-known and unknown people, different things terrify it.
Be patient and calm during these uneasy days and try to share your calmness with your animal. Every time when the puppy shows you fear, say it “Stop!”, then go to the terrifying thing or person, touch it, showing that there is no danger.
This period would not last long, but it needs a lot of efforts from the owner.
Size, Weight, Height and Ears
Physical development of your dog is as important as mental one. We suggest you to look at the main features at the age of seven weeks that you can measure and analyse how your dog grow.
If there are some departures from the norm, go to a specialist and show your pet to get an advice. So:
- The height of the dog should be about fifty-three or sixty-three centimetres.
- The weight of a German shepherd must be from twenty to thirty kilograms.
- The norm of the chest size is about sixty-nine or seventy-five centimetres.
- The special attention should be given to the ears of your dog. At the age of seven months they should firmly be up.
A German Shepherd at Your House
So, if you are going to bring a dog at your house and have not decided yet what breed to choose, you can take a German shepherd without any concerns. It will make your life better, anyway.
