| The Alsatian, commonly known as the German | | | | Since German Shepherds are frequently used as |
| Shepherd Dog, is a working dog breed that often | | | | attack and police dogs, they have received an |
| acts as military dogs, guard dogs, police dogs, or | | | | image of being quite dangerous. However, most |
| search and rescue dogs. They are used because | | | | German Shepherds make great pets for families |
| they can be trained in protection and obedience | | | | and are not aggressive.German Shepherds are |
| easily and they like to please their owners.German | | | | very emotional dogs and are quite loyal. They are |
| Shepherd Dogs are large, strong dogs that have | | | | sometimes used as guide dogs, but that is on the |
| coats with either long or short hair. Their coats' | | | | decline as they can get separation anxiety and |
| colors vary, but are mostly seen in tan and | | | | trauma. As stated earlier, different lines of |
| brown. However, there are some German | | | | German Shepherds vary in temperament. |
| Shepherds who are completely black or white. | | | | Working dogs have more energy and are more |
| German Shepherds' ears stand up erect and they | | | | obedient. They are intelligent and become upset if |
| also have long tails.There are several lines of | | | | they do not get enough exercise. They like to |
| German Shepherd, all of which have different | | | | have a job to do, which is why they are often |
| looks, behavior and skills. The international working | | | | used as rescue dogs. North American lines of |
| line of German Shepherds are bred as working | | | | German Shepherd Dogs are more fitted for the |
| dogs. They are quite tough but their appearance | | | | role of companions.Due their large size, German |
| varies. The North American show line of German | | | | Shepherds can suffer from elbow problems and |
| Shepherds are bred for their appearance, which is | | | | hip dysplasia. They may have skin allergies or |
| unique to them. Their backs are more angled than | | | | have von Willebrand's disease. The average life |
| a typical German Shepherd's and unfortunately | | | | span of a German Shepherd is twelve |
| this can be bad for their backs. They are also | | | | years.German Shepherd Dogs were discovered in |
| believed to not have the working dog traits of | | | | the late 1800s by Captain Max von Stephanitz |
| the other lines. The international show line of | | | | and were meant to be a diverse working dog. |
| German Shepherd Dog also is bred more so on | | | | American and British soldiers of World War I then |
| appearance, so they typically look the | | | | brought German Shepherds to their homes and |
| same.German Shepherds tend to develop great | | | | they became popular dogs. They were used as |
| loyalty and are very obedient towards their | | | | family pets and as working dogs.German |
| owners. Due to their strong teeth and jaws, they | | | | Shepherds are very versatile in the type of things |
| can be trained to attack. Unfortunately, they can | | | | they can do. They are highly intelligent and like to |
| also become too aggressive or become fearful if | | | | please and protect their owners. For this reason, |
| not bred properly. Many of these types of dogs, | | | | they can become great guard dogs, rescue dogs, |
| who are either poorly bred or have owners who | | | | or police dogs and also make good pets for |
| don't train them properly, end up in puppy mills. | | | | families. |