Herding Dog Group - German Shepherd Dog

The German Shepherd Dog, or Alsatian, is said to be a descendant of the Bronze Age wolf. The modern breed is perhaps the most widely recognized of all dogs, a versatile worker, that is renowned for its strength and agility.

Coat: Medium length, straight, hard, and close-lying, with a dense, thick undercoat.

Color: Solid black or gray; black saddle with tan or gold to light gray markings; gray with lighter or brown markings.

Features: Strong head; medium-size eyes and ears; relatively long neck; long shoulder blades; straight back; strong hindquarters, broad and well muscled; long, bushy tail. There is some color variation among German Shepherd Dogs, with the familiar sable background and black saddle being the most prevalent.

Size: Height at shoulder: dogs 24 -26 in, bitches 22 -24 in. Weight: 75-95 lb.

Care: Needs vigorous daily grooming, plenty of exercise, and, above all, a job to do.

Character: Extremely intelligent and a first-class companion, obedience worker, and guard dog. Eminently trainable as police dog, in the armed services, guide dog for sight-impaired people, and in numerous other capacities.