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Why choose a German shepherd?
Congratulations on your choice! As a German shepherd owner, you are in good company - other famous owners of German shepherd dogs including Bob Hope, Roy Rogers, President Roosevelt and Sigmund Freud. German shepherd dogs are the only dog breed to have the word “dog” as part of their official name.
Not many dog breeds have as unique and proud a heritage as the white German shepherd. The breed had its beginnings in Austria in the 19th century when the Queen of Hapsburg reputedly wanted white dogs - to match both the white dresses and the white horses used by the family.
German shepherd dogs are popular for several reasons – their distinctive appearance, their reliability and their suitability for families. According to the American Kennel Association, in 2006, the breed was the third most popular in the United States – only the Labrador Retriever and Yorkshire Terrier were more popular.
It’s no wonder that German shepherds are so popular – apart from their distinctive appearance, they are also considered to be among the easiest breed of dog to train. Many breeders claim that they are one of the top three most trainable breeds, along with the Australian sheep dog and the Labrador retriever.
White German shepherds are also well known for their loyalty and devotion – it isn’t unusual for them to form a strong bond with a trainer or handler. And not surprisingly, entering them at dog shows and obedience competitions can be rewarding – German shepherds enjoy more than their fair share of success.
Because they are so easy to train, German shepherds are widely used around the world for various tasks. In France, they are used to track criminals and to search for avalanche victims. Switzerland has a large number of German shepherds in it police force - and in the UK, German shepherd dogs were regularly used by world famous Scotland Yard up until the 1950s.
Apart from their suitability for law enforcement, German shepherds are used in other lines of work. In 1927, the first Seeing Eye dog was a German shepherd – today, the breed is still the most popular for the job. And the German shepherd is also a great choice for such tasks as herding sheep, pulling carts or acting as watchdog.
However, training a dog can be time consuming, frustrating and hard work – you will need to have patience, a routine and plenty of puppy treats! The task of training your puppy will be a lot easier if you begin the process at as early an age as possible - a younger puppy has generally not had the chance to learn too much negative or destructive behavior.
The following pages will tell you how to train your puppy for most situations - crate training, house training, biting and barking, and interacting with other animals and people. Hopefully, you will find that the job of training your new friend is a rewarding and happy experience. | |
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