The Great German Shepherd

German Shepherds are a large-breed dog which generally are between 55 and 65 centimetres (22 and 26 in) at the withers and weigh between 22 and 40 kilograms (49 and 88 lb).The ideal height is 63 centimetres (25 in), according to Kennel Club standards.They have a domed forehead, a long square-cut muzzle and a black nose. The jaws are strong, with a scissor-like bite. The eyes are medium-sized and brown with a lively, intelligent, and self-assured look. The ears are large and stand erect, open at the front and parallel, but they often are pulled back during movement. They have a long neck, which is raised when excited and lowered when moving at a fast pace. The tail is bushy and reaches to the hock

Intelligence
Shepherds were bred specifically for their intelligence,a trait for which they are now renowned.They are considered to be the third most intelligent breed of dog, behind Border Collies and Poodles.In the book The Intelligence of Dogs, author Stanley Coren ranked the breed third for intelligence. He found that they had the ability to learn simple tasks after only five repetitions and obeyed the first command given 95% of the time.Coupled with their strength, this trait makes the breed desirable as police, guard, and rescue dogs, as they are able to learn quickly various tasks and interpret instructions better than other large breeds.

Temperament
German Shepherds bond well with children they know
German Shepherds are highly active dogs, and described in breed standards as self-assured.The breed is marked by a willingness to learn and an eagerness to have a purpose. Shepherds have a loyal nature and bond well with people they know. However, they can become over-protective of their family and territory, especially if not socialised correctly. An aloof personality makes them approachable, but not inclined to become immediate friends with strangers.German Shepherds are highly obedient and not easily distracted, but due to their strong self-will must be trained by "a firm hand".

Health
The average lifespan of a German Shepherd is 11-12 years,which is normal for a dog of their size.

working dogs
Urban Search and Rescue Task Force dog works to uncover survivors at the site of the collapsed World Trade Center after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
German Shepherds are a very popular selection for use as working dogs. They are especially well known for their police work, being used for tracking criminals, patrolling troubled areas, and detection and holding of suspects. Additionally thousands of German Shepherds have been used by the military. Usually trained for scout duty, they are used to warn soldiers to the presence of enemies or of booby traps or other hazards.German Shepherds also have been trained by military groups to parachute from aircraft.
The German Shepherd Dog is one of the most widely-used breeds in a wide variety of scent-work roles. These include search and rescue, cadaver searching, narcotics detection, explosives detection, accelerant detection, and mine detection dog, amongst others. They are suited for these lines of work because of their keen sense of smell and their ability to work regardless of distractions.

Choosing the "right" dog

Many things we have to considered before making or choosing the right dog for. Because dogs are going to be part of our family. here are simple few things to look for before deciding to choose dog breed.

Size and weight of dogs
Dog breed size are:

• Toy Dog : weight between 1 kg - 10 kg.
• Medium breed : weight between 10 kg -25 kg
• Large breed :weight between 25 kg - 50 kg
• Giant breed : weight between 50kg - 75kg.

The size and weight of dog measure when the dog are fully grown or adult.

Many people likes dogs with large size because it's gives the owner "macho" feeling,but latter on it's become confusing for them in matter of making cages and gives the 'large' dogs space. Make sure you calculate the space that you will gives to the dogs, because the larger the dogs the bigger space they need just to paly or sleep. But if you insisting on having large dogs meanwhile you don't have plenty of space to give to the dog, consider to bring the dogs for a routine walk "everday" in the mornig and the afternoon.
Another fact that you should count on is maintenance cost for the dogs!. Cost for it's dog food and veteranian.

Dog coat
There are many kind of dog coat, but what we normally see is devide into two kind of coat ; Long and hairy coat and short coat.
Dogs insting and function.
Each and every dogs has it's natural insting and function, and we can simply devide those into couple of things.

Toy Dog
Size: less than 10kg
Function: this kind of dogs is usuaaly very cheerfull and friendly to kids, it can be use as playing companion for youir kids. ( Pomeranian, Chihuahua, Pug, Miniature Pincher, Poodle,etc.)

Companion Dogs
Size : between 10kg -25kg
Function: as companion dogs for adult, companion dogs doesn't have to be aggresive or very highly trained. ( Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever etc..)

Guard Dog
Size: between medium and large size dogs.
Function: Guard dogs! sometimes we have to trained our dogs to become a "good" guard dogs. Because if we just relying on it's insting it can be very dangerous for the owner and people sorrounding. ( German Shephard,Rottweiller, Doberman etc.)

Those are the fact to consider when we choose our dogs, wheter we goin to have Toy dog for our children or having and aggresive Guard Dog to look after our home.
So let you thing it over before having dogs for your part of the family. Because when havimng dogs it also having the responsibility to nursing, loving and take care the dogs.

Tips on your 'new' dog

This is a few and simple tips on how you prepare to get new and good dog to your family, because dog also need love from you and also from your entire family and treat dog as part of your family.
This are a few tips:

• Bought dog directly from "Breeder"
• Check the Breeder Kennel, If it's environment is unclean and filthy try to find another breeder. This thing show that the breeder didn't taking care its kennel as the result, puppies from that kennel is not well and sometimes infected with disease.
• Ask the breeder to show you the puppies parent. The anatomy and character is not far different from it's parent. Ask if the puppies parent behaviour and character, is it aggresive or smart and also what disease it's because its diminish to its puppies.
• Check the sjin and coat condition of the puppies, if there is a sign of wound or something strange don't bought the puppies.
• Before you bring your new puppies home, check it's eating appetite. Puppies up to 4 months if in good condition eat very well.
• Make sure that the puppies already being vaccine by the breeder.
• ask for guarantee for minimum of 1 weeks from the date you purchase the puppies.
• Remember..! just because you like the puppies doesn't mean you neglected the fact above, it's to minimize problems in the future.

In the few tips mentioned, don't forget to ask members of your family because dogs need love and interaction not just from you but also from the entire member of your family.
Last but not least! don't treat your dog for badly, always consult to your veteranian for information regarding your dogs.