Long-haired German Shepherd dog breed: photo, accepted standard, character traits and care rules

The long-haired German Shepherd was officially recognized in 2010.

Before this, a German Shepherd with a coat longer than the standard length was considered a defective breed.

However, the long-haired variety is currently becoming popular.

What is the secret of this breed, which is gaining popularity all over the world? And what do people who decide to buy such a dog need to know?

Origin story

Dogs similar to modern German Shepherds were mentioned in German chronicles of the 7th century AD. In them they are described as large and strong animals, predominantly light in color. It is quite possible that it was among them that long-haired individuals first began to appear.

Dark colors in shepherd dogs appeared much later - in the 17th and 18th centuries. But even then it was impossible to talk about them as a separate breed - they were working dogs, very diverse in their type of build, color and length of coat.

But by the middle of the 19th century, two types of shepherd dogs were bred in Germany. More massive and squat dogs were assistants to farmers in Central and Northern Germany. And in the south of the country, shepherd dogs with a different type of build were bred - lighter and more graceful. All of them were distinguished by excellent working qualities, they were quite angry, but at the same time, balanced and controllable.

Thus, by the time targeted work on the breed began, Germany already had a good number of dogs, which gave rise to the German Shepherd breed.

The founder of the “Germans” was the German breeder Max von Stefanitz. He not only was engaged in breeding work to breed a certain average type of German shepherds, which would embody their best exterior and working qualities, but also developed the first breed standard.

NOTE!

After the standard was developed in 1899, it took only a few years for the German Shepherd to become a recognized police and military dog.

History of the Long Haired German Shepherd Breed

The shaggy type of shepherd dog has been known for a long time; their ancestors can be seen in engravings by artists of the 15th century. This type even had its own name - Old Germanic. In the 18th century, veterinarian Max Stefanitz began breeding a new breed, which was supposed to have excellent protective qualities and be perfectly amenable to training and education. Its founder was a dog named Hector, bought by a breeder at an exhibition. After some time, typical Germans began to have long-haired puppies in their litter. They were mercilessly rejected. The cause of the birth of such individuals was a recessive gene that appeared as a result of mutation. Until the beginning of the 21st century, the International Canine Association did not recognize long-haired shepherd dogs as representatives of the breed, but in 2010 the request of German dog handlers was granted, and fluffy dogs were identified as a separate type. Since then, the popularity of the shaggy look has only grown.

Description of the breed

In appearance, the long-haired German Shepherd is similar to the short-haired Shepherd. This is a large, harmoniously built, strong, agile and muscular dog of a rather elongated format.

The German Shepherd is considered a universal service breed, as it is suitable for a wide variety of work - it can be a bloodhound, a watchman, a rescuer, a guide for the blind, and a shepherd's assistant.

First group

GDR type - exhibition classic.

This common variety of German Shepherds is the most standard oriented. Basically, it is these universal examples of smooth-haired shepherd dogs that are bred and shown at exhibitions and auctions. Excellent friends and guides, they participate in sports competitions.

Since the standard is constantly being adjusted, over a hundred years the requests have become extremely categorical. Only the hard short type of cover is allowed. Any deviations from the length are considered a defect. Smooth-haired dogs with flaws are not allowed for breeding without receiving a breeding assessment.

The coat, close-lying, is very hard. The cover is thicker and longer on the neck and back of the limbs; on the head, legs and fingers it has a short structure. “Pants” are formed on the hips due to the thickness of the wool. The color is predominantly black, but red is also allowed.

But an extremely short cover is no longer acceptable; it is considered a flaw.

Character traits

The long-haired German Shepherd has a less balanced temperament than short-haired dogs.

Some of the so-called “long-liners” are characterized by excessive excitability and nervousness. If such a dog gets carried away with something, it can be very difficult to stop him.

There are also long-haired German Shepherds that are extremely phlegmatic. These dogs are not very fond of outdoor games and training and may even seem lazy.

At home, longhaired shepherds are usually friendly and sweet towards their owners. But dogs with a phlegmatic character show apparent indifference to attempts by family members to play with them or pet them. And choleric, overly excitable dogs act according to their mood - if they are in a good-natured mood, they can come and begin to caress people, but if they are not in the mood, they can growl and snap.

IMPORTANT!

Such behavioral features can be corrected by correct and timely training, but most often it is not possible to completely change the character and temperament of a long-haired German Shepherd to suit oneself.

Appearance and character

Breed standard:

• male – height no more than 65 cm (at the withers), weight from 30 to 40 kg;
• female – height no more than 60 cm (at the withers), weight from 22 to 32 kg.

German Shepherds have an almost identical build. If you imagine them without hair, it will be very difficult to understand what kind of dog it is: short-haired or long-haired.

The Shag Sheepdog is quite large, with a deep chest and powerful paws. She has a long, muscular body with a proportional head and erect ears. A characteristic feature of the exterior is the sloping back. This determines the dog's good suitability for trotting.

Other conformation requirements for the breed:

• white teeth with scissor bite;
• eyes are dark brown with a golden tint, almond-shaped, of normal depth;
• the nose is large, completely black.

No matter how good the long-haired German Shepherd may be in other respects, if you intend to take a puppy for breeding or exhibitions, any deviations in the exterior and colors will matter. This also applies to nasal pigmentation. It may appear brown, pinkish, or spotted.

The coat is up to 4 times longer than that of a short-haired shepherd. Depending on the presence and thickness of the undercoat, the hair itself may look more or less massive, and in dogs without undercoat on the back, the soft hair breaks up into a pronounced parting. Beautifully shaped feathering on the paws; the tail and base of the ears are also distinguished by wooliness.

Newly born puppies have voluminous and fluffy fur, but by 8 months the length of the coat decreases due to age-related molting. Then the hairiness is restored. Thanks to this, the shaggy will always look more powerful and larger than his short-haired counterpart. Wool color:

• black;
• zonal gray;
• zonal red;
• saddle cloth

White wool is a reason for culling, but in older dogs, especially dark-colored ones, gray hair is clearly visible on the face and spine. The paws and belly are painted a lighter shade.

A description of a breed would be incomplete without its character. The long-haired German Shepherd (with proper training) is a wonderful friend for the whole family, a dutiful and faithful dog, cheerful, energetic, but unobtrusive, with a good sense of its owner. The character is calm, but you need to take into account that, like people, dogs also have temperamental characteristics. They, as a rule, appear already by one and a half months: it is at this time that the first litter of puppies is produced. But these details are corrected by appropriate training. A well-trained dog does not cause any inconvenience to its owner.

Accepted standard

The height at the withers for males is 60-65 cm, and for females - 55-60 cm. Weight is 30-40 kg for boys and 22-32 kg for girls.

Other standard characteristics of dogs:

• the head is proportional, looks wedge-shaped from above - widened in the cranial part, but tapering towards the nose. The forehead is slightly convex, the stop is smooth, the cheekbones are weakly defined;
• the length of the muzzle is approximately equal to ½ of the total length of the head;
• the ears are medium in size, erect, set high, in the form of a triangle with a wide base;
• The eyes are oval, medium size, dark brown. The nose is quite large and black;
• the neck is strong and muscular, of medium length, without dewlap;
• the withers are well defined, the back is elongated but strong. The croup has a clearly visible slope;
• The chest is oval, quite deep and powerful. The abdomen is moderately tucked;
• The forelimbs are parallel and straight. The hindquarters are covered with well-developed muscles, straight, and slightly pulled back when standing;
• saber-shaped tail, abundantly overgrown with hair.

The main external feature of the long-haired German Shepherd, which makes it unlike short-haired dogs, is its shaggy and thick coat, which forms fringes on the ears, paws and tail.

Expert opinion

Kozhevin Semyon Kirillovich

Expert dog handler.

The long-haired German Shepherd is a strong and hardy working dog, outwardly no different from an ordinary short-haired shepherd except for the type of coat. But these two breed varieties have differences in character and temperament. Despite the fact that most “long dogs” are calm and balanced dogs, among them there are both overly phlegmatic and choleric individuals. In any case, having decided to purchase a long-haired German Shepherd, you need to be as responsible as possible in choosing the breeder and the puppy itself.

The diagram below shows the ideal proportions for a shepherd.

Diseases typical for the breed

The most dangerous infectious diseases are:

• plague,
• infectious hepatitis,
• leptospirosis,
• parainfluenza,
• parvovirus

Unfortunately, there are also certain genetic diseases. For example, this is hemophilia - it usually affects males. But cataracts can affect both males and females.

In addition, like many large dogs, German Shepherds suffer from hip and elbow dysplasia - especially with heavy loads during puppyhood and an improper diet.

One of the color options

Popular types

Based on their coat type, long-haired German Shepherds are divided into two types:

• dogs with long, coarse hair . The coat is coarse, rather hard and does not adhere to the dog’s body. Forms feathering on the front and hind legs, as well as on the ears and tail;
• dogs with rather soft, long hair . The long and fluffy hair lies like a light wave on the back, forms dewlaps and feathers on all limbs, on the ears and on the tail.

Reviews from long-haired German Shepherd owners

Andrey, Novosibirsk:

I only keep German Shepherds. Two years ago I bought a long-haired, black one. Today my Bertha is a serious dog with a spectacular charcoal color. An excellent watchman, protection, security, smart - that's all about her. Lives outside, tolerates the cold well, but after rain the wool takes a long time to dry.

Polina, Omsk:

She named her shaggy German Mamai. At our first meeting he behaved so actively that he attracted my attention. Now he is six months old, I train him every day, sometimes he is stubborn, but he remembers everything quickly, he is already a decent guard.

Photos of dogs with basic colors

The main colors of the long-haired German Shepherd are black and red, black and black. A black mask on the face is desirable.

Examples of colors are shown in the photo below.

Interesting Facts

It is noteworthy that BUTs are among the three smartest dog breeds in the world. Indeed, shepherd owners will confirm that when learning a new command, an adult dog only needs five or six repetitions to remember what to do. At the same time, many scientists believe that the “Germans” are descendants of northern wolves, which is why they have such strength and endurance.

What does a long-haired representative of the breed look like?

For your information! German Shepherds worked side by side with humans during World War II. They carried letters, found victims, delivered medicine to the battlefield, and performed protective and security functions.

Today, the shepherd is the most common service dog. She accompanies military personnel in the army and police. At the same time, NOs are considered champions in molting. Even short-haired representatives of the breed have fur that changes actively throughout the year, while long-haired individuals require special care.

The name of the first representatives is the long-haired Old German Shepherd.

Advantages and disadvantages

Pros:

• long hair that forms fringes gives these dogs a very beautiful and even elegant look;
• trainees;
• exceptionally devoted;
• unpretentious in maintenance and feeding;
• clearly understand the difference between work and everyday life;
• wonderful security guards;
• Suitable for any sport or service.

NOTE!

A balanced temperament and the ability to instantly get involved in work and just as quickly move to a normal, “non-working” state is one of the main advantages of most long-haired German shepherds.

Minuses:

• these dogs need serious training;
• “long-liners,” especially those with a choleric temperament, need great physical exertion;
• this dog must be “in business”;
• may be too aggressive;
• during shedding there is a lot of wool in the house;
• predisposition to allergies and dysplasia.

Breed characteristics

Short description
Origin:	Germany
Conditions of detention:	Private territory, apartment building
Purpose:	All types of canine services, companion
Color:	Black
Wool length:	Smooth-haired – 4 – 6 centimeters; Longhair – 8 – 10 centimeters
Adult dog size:	Height 53 – 66 cm; weight 32 – 39 kg
Average life expectancy:	Up to 16 years old
Walk:	Every day, at least 2 times a day
Physical activity needs:	Very high
Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FIC) classification:	Group 1: Herding and guard dogs. Section 1: Shepherds
Puppy price:	Varies from 15 to 75 thousand rubles

How does it relate to children and pets?

Long-haired German Shepherds tolerate children, but if they begin to annoy them too much, they may snap at them.

Relationships with other pets living in the same house with them develop differently. They agree to tolerate cats, provided that they themselves do not pester them. Other dogs are tolerated, but not too favored.

Non-standard suits of the “Germans”

The following colors of German Shepherds are rare. All of them are considered marriage. Such dogs are not allowed for exhibitions or breeding. But if you need an unusual pet-class puppy, then there are no barriers to getting a four-legged friend with a unique coat color. It does not affect the health or character of the pet in any way.

Let's look at the rarest colors of "Germans" with photographs and brief descriptions.

White

Light-colored puppies appear if both parents display the recessive gene responsible for this color.

Individuals with a white color are not albinos. They have a black nose, dark eyes and claws. But they are rejected.

Red (yellow)

Another non-standard look. Red dogs look impressive. However, this is a deviation that is not recognized by kennel clubs. At the same time, red tan or zone-red color is allowed.

Grey

It is also called blue. It appears as a result of a weakening of the black color. Dogs of this type are culled.

Golden

A variety of non-standard red color. Occurs when a certain pigment is present. The coat of these “Germans” is light, almost golden in color.

Spotted

The fur coat of spotted German Shepherds seems to be covered with multiple pigment spots. They are found throughout the body and are scattered unevenly in different areas. As a rule, such dogs are mestizos of shepherds and mongrel dogs.

Roan

Sometimes, with age, a “German” can turn gray. More and more light hairs and fewer and fewer dark ones will appear on the fur coat. When gray hair begins to predominate, we can talk about a roan color.

No matter how much you would like to get a German Shepherd of an unusual color, it is worth remembering that such an animal is not recognized as a standard. It can only be kept as a pet.

If you plan to participate in exhibitions or breed, you must take a “German” of an acceptable color. Moreover, there is enough diversity even among standard types.

Is it suitable for keeping outdoors and in an apartment?

The German Shepherd feels best in a private home. Their long fur allows them to stay warm even in cold weather. But it is important to remember that in winter the shepherd will need an insulated booth.

A long-haired shepherd dog can live in an apartment if you take it for a walk at least twice a day. Walks should be quite long and active. However, you need to remember that German Shepherds kept in an apartment shed heavily.

In addition, these dogs react very sensitively to the slightest noise and can bark in the absence of their owners.

Character of dogs

The black-haired German Shepherd is an intelligent, vigilant, attentive and very loyal dog to its owners. She is distinguished by courage, determination and distrust of strangers.

This is a reliable guard and bodyguard who cannot be deceived or bribed.

Impeccably obedient when properly trained, the shepherd will wait for the owner's command before pouncing on a stranger who seems suspicious to her.

At the same time, these dogs are quite capable of making their own decisions if the owner is not nearby.

At home, shepherd dogs are quite friendly: they treat all family members well, although they tend to consider only one person as the main owner.

The show-bred Black Sheepdog, in addition, has an innate ability to show itself in the best light during exhibition.

But in order for a pet to take first place, it must be taught from an early age the correct exhibition stance and walking in a straight line and in a circle.

Life expectancy and health

The average life expectancy is 10-14 years.

In general, the Longhaired German Shepherd is a relatively healthy breed, but members may be predisposed to the following diseases :

• dysplasia;
• diseases of the digestive system;
• allergy;
• dermatitis;
• otitis.

The long-haired German Shepherd can be prone to mental disorders, which is why its behavior can be either hyperactive and overly excitable, or inhibited.

Care and maintenance of a long-haired German Shepherd

A German Shepherd with long hair can be kept indoors or outdoors, in an enclosure. She needs enough space to live, frequent walks and exercise. The quality and volume of food must correspond to the age and individual characteristics of the dog. For your pet, you must purchase in advance feeding bowls, special tools and hygiene products, a leash and muzzle, a mattress, a set of brushes and combs.

Dog hygiene

Immediately after birth, the mother takes care of the hygiene of the puppies. The owner needs to update the bedding daily and monitor the condition of the eyes, ears, nose and claws. Twice a week, long hair is combed and matted hair is removed. Babies should not be bathed before vaccination. Shepherd dogs change their teeth to permanent ones at 7 months, and their coat by one year. Twice a month, puppies have their teeth and ears cleaned; if their eyes are red or watery, they are washed with chamomile decoction and anti-inflammatory drops are instilled. If the claws do not grind down, they are trimmed using a nail clipper. Only the very tip is cut off without touching the blood vessels. The procedure is completed correctly if there is no characteristic “clicking” sound when walking on a hard surface.

Eye and ear care

When examining the eyes of a long-haired German Shepherd, pay attention to whether there is any redness or discharge. Once a week, wipe with a soft cloth soaked in boiled water. If necessary, wash with a decoction of chamomile.

If you see clear wax in your ears, this is normal. The presence of dark purulent discharge and increased sulfur content indicate problems. You should contact your veterinarian. To clean the ears, use special solutions (lotions and tonics), cotton pads, napkins and sticks.

The animal is gradually accustomed to the procedure, encouraged with food, and shown that the disc is safe.

Long hair care

German shaggy shepherds shed twice a year (no longer than two weeks), so there are no special problems from their luxurious coat. Basic care comes down to bathing and combing:

1. The dog is placed in the bathtub and the long hair is soaked with warm water.
2. Apply special shampoo for animals.
3. Massage with gentle movements.
4. Rinse off and wipe with a cloth.
5. Dry with a hairdryer.
6. Comb first with a comb and then with a furminator.

A German Longhaired Shepherd should be bathed no more than four times a year. More often, the procedure is carried out only in cases of severe contamination.

Combing is carried out at least twice a week, and daily during shedding, so that the falling hairs do not become tangled.

Diet

The puppies' feeding plan is the same as the previous owner followed. If you decide to switch from dry food to natural food, do it gradually so as not to provoke digestive problems. At 1 year old, the shaggy German Shepherd begins to be fed twice a day - in the morning and in the evening.

The daily diet should contain:

• protein (50%) – meat, cottage cheese, eggs, offal;
• carbohydrates (30%) – vegetables, fruits, cereals;
• fats (20%) – animal and vegetable.

Dry food is more convenient to use; you need to choose high-quality food that contains all the necessary ingredients in the required volume.

Diseases, life expectancy

Like any large dogs, long-haired German Shepherds are not long-lived. The average duration is 10-14 years.

Their health is quite good, but genetically they are predisposed to joint dysplasia, allergies, otitis media and digestive diseases.

If long hair is not regularly cared for, it can become matted, which creates favorable conditions for the proliferation of parasitic insects, the development of dermatitis and diaper rash.

Raising and training a dog

As soon as the German Longhair puppy is weaned from its mother, its upbringing and training begins. By two months, he should know his nickname and follow the commands “Come to me” and “Place.” By four months, the pet has developed self-control and is taught the commands “Lie down”, “Nearby”, “Sit”. It is especially important to ensure that the dog does not eat anything from the ground; this can cost him health and even life.

For socialization and development, a German needs group exercises with other animals and dosed physical activity.

By the age of one year, the dog should have received the basics of education and obey commands without question. If the process was left to chance, it will be much more difficult to retrain her.

Keeping a dog on the street and in the apartment

Keeping a long-haired shepherd dog in an apartment involves some inconveniences. If there is a lack of physical activity, the dog compensates for it through independent entertainment - in the absence of the owner, he can chew shoes, furniture, tear wallpaper, pull the contents of cabinets onto the floor, and ruin linoleum. Among the disadvantages of living in an apartment is loud barking at any noise and at incomprehensible sounds in the entrance and on the staircase. If you spend a lot of time outside with your pet, play actively, and exercise him physically, then at home he will rest on his own bedding and will not cause inconvenience to others.

Losing long hair and fluff during the molting period is also considered a disadvantage when keeping in an apartment. The problem can be partially solved by regularly brushing the dog with a furminator.

The best option for keeping Germans with long hair is in a private house, in a spacious outdoor enclosure. She needs an insulated box for the winter and space for walking. The coat allows you not to freeze even in the most severe frosts.

Basic rules of care

Every day it is necessary to examine your pet's ears, eyes and teeth and, if necessary, clean them.

The dog needs to be brushed 3-4 times a week, and during the molting period - once a day. At the same time, if the hair sheds a lot, it is better to use a furminator rather than a brush.

The German Shepherd usually grinds its claws down on its own during walks. To clean teeth, it is recommended to give your dog special treats or toys to chew on.

You need to bathe your dog no more than once every 2-3 months. It is recommended to wash your dog only with shampoo specifically designed for animals.

Read more about caring for a German Shepherd here.

Where can you buy and how to choose a black German Shepherd puppy

By purchasing a dog from a trusted kennel, the risks of buying a sick animal or a mixed breed are minimized. When choosing your best friend for the next 10 - 12 years, do not hesitate to ask questions to the breeder; a good breeder will be happy to explain all the dilemmas of a novice dog breeder.

You should be wary of breeders who rehome puppies at 3 to 4 weeks of age. The baby must go through the first stage of socialization with its mother and littermates. Favorable age for moving is from 2 to 4 months.

Before buying a puppy, you need to pay attention to its behavior. Cowardly, frightened animals are immediately rejected. A good puppy should be active, enjoy playing with his brothers and sisters, and be curious about people and toys. You can ask the breeder to demonstrate the puppy's parents to observe their behavior and character.

Nurseries

Since the breed is quite rare, there are few specialized kennels for black German shepherds:

• "Gladiator";
• "Best of the Black"

You can also find puppies of rare colors in kennels of ordinary shepherd dogs:

• "Haus Schiran";
• "Samara Land".

The black German shepherd is an excellent friend and companion for people leading an active lifestyle or professional athletes. The high price of a puppy is only a small price to pay for the boundless love and devotion that the pet will give throughout its life.

5 / 5 ( 2 voices)

Education and training

raised by a self-confident and strong person who can explain to the dog from the first day of its appearance in the house who the leader of the “pack” is.

You cannot indulge the dog’s whims, because once you give the puppy free rein, then it will be very difficult to call the shepherd to order.

From the very beginning, it is necessary to determine that the pet should never be allowed under any circumstances, and all family members without exception must strictly ensure that the dog does not violate these prohibitions.

For example, it is completely unacceptable to allow a dog to growl at its owners, or even more so, to try to bite them. You should also discourage begging near the table and the habit of sleeping on the sofa or bed.

IMPORTANT!

From the very beginning, you need to start socializing the puppy so that he understands once and for all that without the owner’s command he cannot bark at strangers, much less attack them. The same applies to the attitude towards other animals - the shepherd dog should not see them as enemies or potential prey.

At the age of 4 months, you can begin to teach your pet a general course of training. You should move on to more serious activities when the dog grows up. At the same time, your pet should be taught protective or detection skills under the guidance of a professional.

Key points in training

“Germans” are incredibly smart and always want to please their owner; the training process does not bring much trouble. German Shepherds enjoy exercising, especially if the training is done through positive reinforcement.

Training is necessary, otherwise the pet’s irrepressible energy will go in the wrong direction. The main obstacle to training can be the dog's hyperactivity, which interferes with concentration. Team training should begin after a walk, so that natural needs do not distract the pet from training.

Read about how to properly train a dog in the article: “Training a puppy: effective methods from dog handlers, learning commands at home.”

How and what to feed?

fed either high-quality food for large active dogs or a balanced natural food.
If your dog eats ready-made food, it is better to choose a hypoallergenic one based on lamb, rabbit or turkey. Considering the predisposition of shepherd dogs to dysplasia, we can recommend feeding a pet of this breed with ultra-premium class .

A homemade diet should be based on animal protein products, such as beef, lamb or turkey. Buckwheat and rice are suitable cereals for the shepherd dog. It is useful to supplement your dog’s diet with vegetables and fruits, and preference should be given to seasonal ones.

As a treat, you can feed finely chopped and dried bread.

It is necessary to give your shepherd fermented milk products - kefir, low-fat yogurt, cottage cheese. They are especially useful for growing puppies.

Diseases and life expectancy

Typically, Hairy Shepherds live 10-13 years. Life expectancy depends on many factors. It is influenced by living conditions, activity, nutrition, genes.

This dog can live more than 10 years

A disease that accompanies all large breeds of dogs - hip dysplasia - is a real scourge of the “Germans”. Show-bred dogs are most susceptible to it due to their special croup structure and low back. The disease manifests itself in most adult shepherd dogs.

What do the puppies look like?

Long-haired German Shepherd puppies are born with slightly wavy hair, but by the age of one month it is more or less straightened and begins to fluff, which is why such puppies are immediately noticeable, especially if they were born in a litter of short-haired dogs.

The color of a small “German” at this age will most likely be black and tan, which will become larger and larger as the pet grows, until finally the dog completely fades. Black and black-fawn puppies will change color, if at all, then only slightly.

A small shepherd dog may have disproportionately large paws, and ears that fall to one side or remain drooping. You should not be afraid of this - the paws will begin to appear smaller when the dog grows a little, and the ears will begin to rise at about 3 months .

Training

Training a German Longhaired Shepherd begins at a young age, from the moment the puppy is separated from the bitch and transferred to a new home. You need to learn the specifics of training from dog handlers and breeders. Already a small puppy can learn basic commands - sit, come to me, and others.

Particular attention should be paid to ensure that the dog does not take anything into its mouth on the street. This is the key to not only health, but sometimes even life.

It’s not worth leaving the dog to grow up on its own, hoping that it’s enough just to feed it, and it will simply understand words and, at the behest of its inner voice, run for buns and newspapers in the morning. She needs to be educated. The dog trainer will advise what classes are needed - group or individual, as well as physical activity. The main thing is regularity.

How to choose your future pet?

Since the German Shepherd is a very serious dog, you only need to buy a pet of this breed with documents of origin. In addition, the puppy's parents must have medical certificates confirming the absence of dysplasia.

Nowadays, most long-haired German Shepherds have become show dogs, so if you need to find a working shepherd with this type of coat, you may have to spend a lot of time searching for a suitable baby.

NOTE!

You can buy a German Shepherd from the age of two months. If you pick up the puppy earlier, he will not get the necessary experience of communicating with other dogs, which means there will be problems with his socialization.

Before you go for a puppy, you need to finally decide not only on the gender and color, but also on the most desirable type of temperament. And, if you just need a companion, and not a guard dog, you should not choose a baby that shows aggression towards people or towards the mother and littermates.

It is also very important that the puppy is sufficiently well-fed and large, but not excessively. If a dog is bought for exhibitions, then it is better to choose a medium-sized baby, as it is more likely to grow into a standard-sized dog. And, of course, the chosen puppy must be completely healthy and should not have even the slightest signs of illness.

More complete information about the rules for choosing a German Shepherd puppy can be found here.

Color and coat type

The fluffy shepherd is almost no different in temperament, behavior, and character from its German counterparts, but its entire body is covered with shiny, elongated hair. The densest fringes are observed:

• behind the ears,
• on the inside of the paws,
• in the chest area.

On the back of the shepherd, the black hair is separated by an even, neat parting. There are representatives of the breed with saddle-colored wool or a combination of red, gray, yellow, whose elongated hair lies in thick waves and is slightly curly.

Reference! A serious deviation from the shepherd standard is the presence of light and white shades on the coat.

Sometimes you see dogs with a pointed muzzle, with a narrow rather than oval chest, but the ears of the German Shepherd are proportionally positioned.

Briefly about the main thing

1. The German Shepherd is a breed of dog that is often used for service, to guard the herd, or as a pet.
2. The main varieties of colors according to the standard are zoned, saddleback and black. Combinations of these colors are possible.
3. All other shades of German wool are defects of the breed. Such dogs are bred only in the pet class. The most beautiful colors are roan, gray, white, golden and spotted.

Will atypical shepherd colors be included in the breed standard? Share in the comments which coat color suits Germans best.

Choosing a puppy

The decision to purchase a dog requires a serious approach. A lot of attention, time and money are required, especially if the shepherd is large and shaggy.

The choice of a puppy must be made consciously, with an understanding of the purpose for which it is purchased.

The breed has show class representatives - attractive shaggy dogs of black and brown color, participating in show rings. And there are active working shepherd dogs with a pronounced guard character. They usually have a zonal color (gray, black, yellow).

The breed has show class representatives - attractive shaggy dogs of black and brown color, participating in show rings. And there are active working shepherd dogs with a pronounced guard character. They usually have a zonal color (gray, black, yellow). It is not recommended to purchase a puppy on the market. Otherwise, you can become the owner of an ordinary mongrel or purchase a sick animal. You should find a serious breeder. If you need a purebred German Shepherd that meets the standards, it is better to contact a kennel with a good reputation.

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When choosing a puppy, you need to look at the parents, as well as the living conditions of the mother and babies.

It is advisable to see photographs of previous litters and clarify when the bitch last gave birth. If less than a year has passed, then her body has not yet recovered, which will probably affect the last offspring.

It is also advisable to clarify whether among previous generations of shepherd dogs suffering from dog dysplasia, since in this case there is a high degree of inheritance of the disease.

Puppies should be active and well-fed, but not overfed. Bloating indicates the presence of parasites.

A healthy shepherd dog has a clear look, the nose is wet and shiny. Ears and eyes are clean, without discharge. Until 3 months, the ears do not stick out. Limbs are straight and strong.

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Anna Abramenko

An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.

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The breeder must have a complete package of documents for the puppy with marks of vaccinations.

Description

The breed is so called because of the length of its coat. This is the main difference from the shorthaired shepherd. The remaining characteristics and qualities: temperament, courage, learning ability, ability to train, are similar.

The breed is used in the armed forces, law enforcement agencies, and at protected sites. This dog will be a protector and friend to a child or a lonely person.

Character

Dogs of this breed are balanced, easy to train, with a developed sense of intuition. They are wonderful companions, reliable guards and protectors.

It is necessary to take into account that they themselves choose their owner and consider themselves a full member of the family.

The shaggy German Shepherd is energetic. Her lifestyle should be active. Otherwise, she may show character and be capricious a lot.

This breed does not trust strangers. But with the right upbringing, a shepherd can even get along with other animals living in the house.

Reviews

Longhaired German Shepherd owners emphasize intelligence, friendliness, and loyalty in their dogs.

Marina: “This is my first experience of purchasing a puppy. I'm glad I chose such a fluffy German Shepherd. This smartest creature follows me everywhere. I am attached to him with all my soul. There is simply no better breed.”

Oleg: “We have a private house and when choosing a dog breed for protection, we read a lot of literature and reviews, because we have small children. As a result, I bought a long-haired German Shepherd and did not regret it at all. It guards well and does not have the habit of barking for no reason. He even manages to tolerate the cat.”

Matvey: “My shepherd has no flaws. A lot of wool is not a problem. It is necessary to look after her. I read about hysteria and instability. Excuse me, but have you tried taking care of a pet? Like a child, he requires education and training. If you don’t have time for a dog of this breed, then you shouldn’t get one. And if you are not lazy and spend enough time communicating with your dog, you will grow up to be a wonderful representative of shepherd dogs.”

Nutrition

Properly selected balanced food is the key to your pet’s health.

The long-haired German Shepherd needs a large amount of protein and carbohydrates with a minimum amount of fat. Both natural food and dry food are suitable.

Expert opinion

Anna Abramenko

An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.

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You should choose one way of eating.

With natural feeding, the dog’s diet must include: lean boiled meat and dairy products, cereals, seasonal fruits, chicken eggs can be given 2 times a week. Fish is useful for such dogs. The consumption of foods fortified with calcium should be limited.

It is prohibited to give your dog:

• smoked meats and sausages;
• sweet;
• flour;
• roast;
• potato;
• legumes;
• oatmeal;
• salty, spicy and pickled dishes;
• carbonated drinks;
• tubular bones.

Puppies should be given sugar bones to strengthen their jaw muscles. Their use also helps in the fight against plaque.

It is better to choose premium or super premium ready-made food for long-haired German Shepherds. When using dry food, be sure to ensure there is sufficient water available.

The number of feedings per day is determined by the age of the dog.

Experts recommend adhering to the following daily diet plan:

• in the first 2 months of life – 6 times;
• to 3 – 5;
• from 3 to 6 the number of feedings is 4;
• from 6 to 1 year, the puppy is transferred to three meals a day;
• later the dog is considered an adult, food intake is reduced to 2 times.

Expert opinion

Anna Abramenko

An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.

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You need to feed your shepherd regularly, at the same time. The temperature of the dish is average. Bowls should be on a stand and positioned at the height of the dog's chest. This is important for the formation of correct posture.