The black back is a familiar dog to many people. In the past, some people identified it simply by checking whether the ears stood upright. Although that method is not fully scientific, upright ears are indeed a feature of the German Black Back. The dog referred to here is actually the German Shepherd, which many people habitually call the black back or wolfdog. If you want to raise one, you should first understand how to choose a good puppy.
1. Observe the body shape
People often call the German Black Back a wolfdog mainly because it looks very much like a wolf, not only in appearance but also in expression. Some people even mistook it for a wolf in the past. Therefore, when choosing a young black back, this wolf-like look is one of the features to pay attention to. Some people assume it must have wolf genes because it looks so much like a wolf, but that is not actually the case.
The black back not only looks like a wolf, but its expression and movement also resemble one. It has the fierce bearing and keen sense of smell associated with wolves, which is why it is often used as a hunting dog or guard dog. It is especially suitable for guarding the home and yard and is far more reliable for that purpose than breeds with a friendlier temperament toward strangers.
There is more than one kind of wolfdog in the world, and the German Shepherd is only one example. Other related working or wolf-like breeds include Wolfhound-type local breeds, Kunming dogs, Malinois, black wolfdogs, black bear dogs, Laizhou red dogs, and others. If you want to keep a wolfdog, it helps to decide which specific type fits your needs best.
The classification of wolfdog breeds also shows that their coats may be long or short depending on the breed. Regardless of coat type, these dogs are often used as working dogs and usually have strong, balanced bodies built through long periods of work. You can also judge the dog’s emotions by the way it moves its tail, whether it is happy, nervous, or afraid.
2. Check the dog’s health condition
This principle applies not only to wolfdogs but to other breeds as well. Look at whether the eyes are bright and alert. There should be no heavy eye discharge. Check whether the ear canal has any bad smell and whether the dog has bad breath. Most importantly, inspect the anus. A healthy puppy should have a tight anus without dirt or discharge around it.
You should also touch the coat with your hand. Grab a handful and let it go. A coat that springs apart naturally is better, while hair that clumps together is less desirable. Feel the skin under the coat as well. Skin that is smooth, elastic, and free from lumps is ideal. Also check whether the bone structure is solid. It is not a problem if the puppy is a bit thin when young, but weak bones can prevent it from growing into a strong and healthy wolfdog.
The black back is a striking and handsome dog, with both a fine appearance and a strong physique. When choosing one, simply follow the methods described above.