Table of Contents
Introduction
I am the proud owner of a beautiful male German Shepherd named Jasper. Jasper is a daily pleasure in my life. He is also the source of a good deal of exasperation and a consumer of my resources which I don’t mind since I like shopping! But he has not been an inexpensive hobby.
I researched a great deal before buying Jasper. German Shepherds are not a dog to be bought on a whim. Really, no dog should be bought on a whim but if that dog is going to end up being stronger, faster, and perhaps smarter than you special care should be taken! This blog will be about my experiences with Jasper and I hope it helps anyone considering a German Shepherd dog or who perhaps has one and is now wondering what did I get myself into?
German Shepherd Dog History
The German Shepherd first originated in Germany in the late 19th century. Max von Stephanitz is credited with starting the breed. While visiting a dog show he saw a dog named Hektor and was so impressed he bought him on the spot. His goal was to create a dog that was strong, loyal, courageous, and intelligent. In Hektor, von Stephanitz found his prototype for the breed he envisioned.
The breed quickly became popular throughout Europe due to their powerful athleticism and dependability, which made them ideal for working roles such as police dogs or guard dogs. Von Stephanitz had a clear vision of what he thought the breed should be and carefully bred for those qualities using inbreeding techniques where the dog is bred back to close female relatives.
These very techniques are part of why the German Shepherd has issues with various genetic diseases. It’s thought the entire breed descended from three of Hektor’s sons. Of course, it is also responsible for the many wonderful qualities people admire about the breed today. This was in the days before genetic testing was available. Responsible breeders interested in improving the breed are careful to test for the genetic issues GSD’s can be victims of and avoid breeding dogs exhibiting or carrying those genes.
German Shepherd Dog in Society
German Shepherds are extremely versatile and trainable. During World War I, the breed served in a military capacity and was highly valued for its bravery and strength. After the war, American servicemen brought back German Shepherds to the United States, further popularizing the breed.
One of the most popular German shepherds was the well-known movie star Rin-Tin-Tin, who had a large hand in how popular the breed became in The United States.
The breed excels at almost any dog sport from dock diving to tracking. They serve as guard dogs, seeing eye dogs for the blind, search and rescue, and are often a part of elite seal teams. They can be trained to sniff for drugs, and explosives, and find living people and cadavers. They are highly sensitive and when trained and used as war dogs can suffer the same PTSD many of our soldiers do.
German Shepherds and all dogs, have over 37 times the scent receptors that humans have. Interestingly, dogs can smell cadavers even underwater and are sometimes used for water searches in drownings. They can smell things buried up to 40 feet deep or under 80 feet of water! The sense of smell is the first sense your puppy will have and will remain the primary way he experiences the world.
German Shepherds in Relationships
A German Shepherd is fiercely loyal and bonds deeply with its handler or family if handled correctly from the beginning. They will and have laid their lives down in defense of family and home. They are also independent and stubborn. This was considered a valuable trait in their herding ancestors and even though the average German Shepherd does not do much herding today those traits remain. Combine that with their powerful physique and you have a dog that needs either an experienced owner or one willing to become experienced by seeking out help in the form of training and education.
If obtained from a good breeder and raised, trained, and socialized correctly you will have a friend for life, a protector, and a dog that can serve many needs and be trained to do just about anything. However, if his needs(which are more than the average dog’s) are not met, you could end up with a 90-pound tyrant with inch-long teeth who scares your neighbors and probably you as well and that will not be the dog’s fault. Ninety percent of what goes wrong with German Shepherds and seems to land them in shelters is owner irresponsibility.
Do not get a German Shepherd unless you have fully educated yourself in what will be required of you for the next 12-14 years daily. If you want a low-maintenance dog the German Shepherd is not for you. If you want a dog who will be content to be a couch potato and watch TV with you this is not the dog. If you have a perfectly manicured lawn and want to keep it that way this dog may not be for you. Jasper literally, ate one of my apple trees!
Jasper and Me
For all that, I have not a single regret. Jasper is perhaps one of the smartest dogs I have had and I have had many dogs in my almost 65 years. Speaking of age, I would not be considered in particularly good condition but I am also not frail. I have no disabilities but Jasper was stronger than I was by the age of 6 months as evidenced by him pulling me off my feet more than once and I am not small! Luckily I roll well and we have worked on that issue. My point is if you are frail, don’t get this dog breed unless you plan to have him very well trained by someone first.
I am training Jasper myself. This is why I got him. To train him and enter dog sports with him. I was not a novice dog owner and had some training experience including other large dog breeds and from that experience, I can say training Jasper has been more challenging and demanding for many reasons, not the least of which is I am not 30 anymore! Jasper did not come to me trained and the process while rewarding can be hard on older bodies. Just keep that in mind.
Conclusion
Today, the German Shepherd is one of the most popular breeds of dogs in the world. While it is still bred and used for service, the German Shepherd has also become a beloved pet due to its intelligence, loyalty, and a great capacity for love. German Shepherds are not, however, for the faint of heart or for anyone unwilling or unable to put the time in that the dog needs and deserves. Don’t be one of those people who add to the million or so dogs being euthanized each year because people took on a responsibility they could not handle and then threw away an essentially helpless being who was dependent on its owner to do right by it, often sending them to their deaths.
So you are welcome to come along on Jasper and my ongoing journey. Of course, I want to make money if possible on this blog so you will see various ads but they will be of things I have actually used and Jasper approves!