The German Shepherd, also commonly called the German Black Back or German Wolfdog, is one of the most admired dog breeds in the world. The breed went through several rounds of breeding adjustment before its modern appearance was established in 1899. It first earned broad public recognition through its performance in the First World War, where it excelled at scouting, capturing enemies, and assisting the wounded. Because of these abilities, it is still used today as a police dog, military dog, drug detection dog, and guide dog. At the same time, many people who like large, handsome, and powerful dogs also keep it as a family companion.
The German Shepherd ranks third in canine intelligence, which makes it a very smart dog. It is also especially obedient. As long as it has a good relationship with its owner, it will listen closely and can be asked to perform many tasks. In a sense, it is one of the most reliable working partners a person can have. It also adapts well to different environments. Because the breed originally developed in urban Germany, it usually handles life in major cities around the world without much difficulty.
One of the most striking features of the German Shepherd is its upright ears. They stand tall and give the dog a very alert appearance. If a supposed German Black Back has drooping ears, that may be considered a serious fault or a sign that it is not a pure specimen.
The eyes are almond shaped. A good quality German Shepherd usually has lighter eye color that does not bulge outward. Its expression is alert and observant, always watching the surroundings closely.
The coat is double layered, with both the undercoat and outer coat being dense. The outer coat is straight, coarse, and lies close to the body. In rainy weather it works almost like a raincoat. Once the rain stops, the dog can shake off much of the water and appear almost dry immediately.
The German Black Back is one of the most popular dogs in Germany. There may be around 500,000 of them there, with roughly ninety percent living in family homes and the remaining ten percent working as police dogs, customs dogs, or rescue and search dogs. Germans love the breed not only because it was developed in Germany, but because of its own qualities. It is handsome, tall, powerful, and serious looking, often giving a very cool and distant first impression. But that usually happens only before the dog knows you well. Once it accepts you, it can become surprisingly gentle and affectionate.
The intelligence of the German Shepherd can seem astonishing. It can communicate with its owner through eye contact to an impressive degree, often understanding a look without words. Who would not like a dog like that? If you plan to raise one, you may need to manage your facial expressions carefully, because the dog may understand more than you expect.
After hearing all this, is it really possible not to be tempted by such a dog?