Dog Breed of the Day: German Shepherd Dog

This is my rescued boy, Titan. He's a German Shepherd Dog (GSD), also sometimes known as the Alsatian. One of the most popular breeds around the globe, the German Shepherd is known for its loyalty, intelligence, trainability, working ability, athleticism and watch/guard dog ability. This is a high energy breed developed for herding, but more commonly seen as police K9 dogs and family protectors/companions. Often sought in serious work fields, the German Shepherd has strong nerves and a sense of purpose. Hardly any breed has such a big difference and controversy in breeding practices in Amercia vs. Germany. Over breeding has produced dogs with an array of health problems. In fact, no other breed has more possible health problems (over 200!) than the German Shepherd. A healthy GSD will give you 12-15 or more years of its life though. Feed this breed at least 2 times a day, never only 1 big meal a day because they are prone to bloat like other large breed deep-chested dogs. Know the symptoms of bloat with any large breed, and how to minimize the risks. Give this breed tons of exercise. If you are a couch potato, this is not the breed for you! The German Shepherd also needs a firm handler to keep dominance under control. The German Shepherd is a large dog, typically weighing in at 75-100 pounds. Keep this dog a little on the lean side to minimize wear and tear on the joints, and most of all, have fun!