• It is considered the prince of dogs for its majestic appearance and its great ability as a guardian and defender.
• Its popularity has, however, led to a weakening of the breed.
• Currently, only careful and conscientious selection can restore the German Shepherd to its former glory.

Who doesn't know the German Shepherd? This magnificent guard and defence dog is the star of our dreams and the desire of every canine enthusiast. From the dashing Rin Tin Tin to Inspector Rex, through comics and cartoons, the legendary representative of the breed born in Germany has been, and still is, the favourite of generations of children and teenagers who grew up with a passion for the dog that defends home, family and territory. Over the years, however, the German Shepherd, like so many breeds created by humans, has experienced a decline marked by hereditary conditions, behavioural problems and emotional fragility that have undermined its warrior temperament and longevity. Its potential as a strong and determined dog nonetheless remains intact, and careful selection can be the foundation of its recovery at a breeding level. But let us get to know it better before delving into the current issues facing what is still the emotional benchmark for every dog lover.

The German Shepherd, a brief historical overview

The first specimen of the German Shepherd dog — this being the breed's full designation — is historically recognised in the now distant year of 1899, when a subject of this type was entered in the stud book of the Association for the German Shepherd Dog (S.V.) under the registration number S.Z. 001 (Schäferhund Zuchtbuch 001). The name that appeared in the stud book is that of Horand von Grafrath, derived from the kennel name of his owner. The breed association came into being at the first meeting of its founding members, held in Augsburg on 23–24 April 1899, with the approval of the V.D.H. (Verband für das Deutsche Hundewesen).

Horand combined the character traits and morphological qualities idealised by the pioneers of the canine association. All of these qualities were sought among the varieties of herding breeds already present in the various German regional districts, and together they formed the prototype of the guard and defence dog par excellence. In short, one can speak of a great aptitude for guarding and defending people and property, combined with an imposing appearance and a solid build. A German Shepherd must above all inspire fear and respect, but must also be capable of transforming into a reliable and patient companion for children and the more vulnerable members of the family unit.

It was in 1921, through the work of Otto Kämpfedel, the breed's stud book keeper (Zuchtbuchführer), that the Körschein was introduced — a document certifying the actual character and morphological suitability of registered subjects intended for breeding. The need to introduce additional regulations became necessary following the growing production of specimens, which very often disregarded the most obvious precautions set out in the association's breeding guidelines. Into this particular context crept, unfortunately, unscrupulous "dog dealers" whose unorthodox and misleading conduct contributed significantly to devaluing the selection of the German Shepherd, both in quantitative and qualitative terms.

The expert's view on the German Shepherd

To better understand the origins of this great dog breed, we turned to an expert: Dr Francesco Micoli, veterinary surgeon and clinical director of ReproVet Genetics Italia. Here is what he told us.

• Group: sheepdogs and cattledogs (excluding Swiss cattledogs)
• Section: sheepdogs
• Variety: short-haired; long-haired

"The German Shepherd is a sporting dog with a marked aptitude for various canine sporting disciplines and for work in general. This is a unique characteristic that makes it particularly well suited to a wide range of fields. Subjects of this breed express in movement a dynamic efficiency of 100%, or at least this is how it should be in a well-selected dog. It is precisely the muscular energy deployed that is converted into fluid movement, with no loss of efficiency or waste of energy. This is then expressed in an extended trot produced by a powerful drive from the hindquarters, in balance with the angulation of the forequarters. This is a characteristic capable of sustaining great force and imparting an energetic and elegant movement with the minimum energy required. This allows the German Shepherd to sustain prolonged and high-performance working sessions, and to be the perfect dog for guarding and defence.

Unfortunately, in the German Shepherd, as in every other dog breed, certain conditions can be observed that compromise its wellbeing and longevity. This is the case with hip and elbow dysplasia and, in general, various genetically based osteoarticular disorders that affect some breeds of large and medium build. There is often a tendency to identify the German Shepherd as a breed frequently affected by these diseases, which has wrongly earned it the label of "at-risk breed". In reality, the risk of developing the condition is no higher than in other breeds and is often even lower. The study of dysplasia through radiographic "screening", aimed at excluding affected subjects from breeding, began in Germany — the breed's homeland — as far back as 1966, and although it represents an outdated system today, still being based on phenotypic data, it has made it possible to monitor and control the condition's prevalence over time.

In the German Shepherd, therefore, dysplasia must be regarded as an osteoarticular condition with a genetic basis that affects several other dog breeds, as does the presence of this type of problem in general. In addition to this, neoplastic forms, degenerative myelopathy (another debilitating disease), certain specific dermatitides, cardiac conditions and certain forms of idiopathic epilepsy are reported in the breed. Leukaemic forms, blood coagulation disorders, congenital malformations, and so on may also be found. The pursuit of the so-called hypertype, by accentuating morphological qualities at the expense of health and wellbeing, has certainly encouraged the emergence of genetically based conditions. This has constituted a serious problem, particularly in Italy, as no oversight has ever been put in place with regard to selection practices, resulting in a medium-to-high level of inbreeding distributed throughout the breed population.

The German Shepherd's temperament

To prevent excessively aggressive and protective behaviour, the German Shepherd must be well socialised and trained in obedience from puppyhood. It must live together with the family and be supervised at all times when other people or pets are present. Its exuberance could, in fact, tip over into aggression. This is a dog that must not be confined to a kennel or a garden, neither alone nor with other dogs. The closeness of the family unit is, in fact, essential for it. The German Shepherd is an active dog that loves to be engaged in some form of activity, a basic condition for its proper development. The moult, which is considerable, occurs 2 times a year, but during the rest of the year there is an almost constant shedding of a smaller amount of coat. To keep this under control and maintain the coat in good condition, the dog should be brushed several times a week.

Veterinarian Dr Chiara Dissegna explains: "Excessively rapid growth and nutritional deficiencies during the development period are factors that can significantly worsen the animal's condition. Excessive exercise, such as beginning to practise a sport at a competitive level at a very young age, also influences the development of orthopaedic problems. It is, in fact, important that the puppy grows slowly and engages in physical activity commensurate with its actual capabilities. The best prevention starts with a balanced diet that promotes harmonious and gradual development with the right functional supplements, such as omega-3, vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene."

For the German Shepherd, as for other large breeds, the advice of a veterinarian and regular check-ups are the best way to achieve a healthy, long-lived dog that can remain by our side for as long as possible.

FAQs

• How long does a German Shepherd live? The average lifespan of a German Shepherd is around 9–13 years. This duration can vary depending on the dog's general health, care and living conditions.
• How much does a German Shepherd weigh? An adult German Shepherd can weigh between 22 and 40 kg. Males tend to be heavier and more robust than females.
• How much does an adult German Shepherd eat? An adult German Shepherd generally consumes between 500 and 600 grams of dry food per day, divided into two meals. The exact amount can vary depending on the dog's age, level of physical activity and state of health.