German Shepherd Dog: A Comprehensive Guide to Owning and Caring for Your Dog

Since the breed's creation at the turn of the twentieth century, the German Shepherd Dog has been one of the world's most sought-after purebred dogs, prized for his intelligence, handsome looks, and uncanny versatility. This Comprehensive Owner's Guide serves as an ideal introduction to this dog of dogs, that serves humankind as a companion, protector, police dog, herding dog, military dog, search and rescue dog, Seeing Eye dog, and therapy dog, to name a few of the breed's modern-day roles.. The breed's origins are retold in the first chapter, beginning with the efforts of Max Emil Friedrich von Stephanitz to standardize the sheep-herding dogs in Germany in the 1890s and following the breed's importation to the United States, where the German Shepherd Dog has been a favored companion, show dog, and competition trial dog since the 1920s. The chapter on the breed's characteristics focuses on owner suitability, describing the GSD's physical and mental traits, versatility, agility, and requirements. The breed standard is presented in the third chapter, giving the readers a clear view of how the ideal GSD should look, act, and move. New owners will welcome the well-prepared chapter on finding a reputable breeder and selecting a healthy, sound puppy. Chapters on puppy-proofing the home and yard, purchasing the right supplies for the puppy as well as house-training, feeding, and grooming are illustrated with photographs of handsome adults and puppies. In all, there are over 135 full-color photographs in this useful and reliable volume. The author's advice on obedience training will help the reader better mold and train into the most well-mannered dog in the neighborhood. The extensive and lavishly illustrated chapter on healthcare provides up-to-date detailed information on selecting a qualified veterinarian, vaccinations, preventing and dealing with parasites, infectious diseases, and more. Sidebars throughout the text offer helpful hints, covering topics as diverse as historical dogs, breeders, or kennels, toxic plants, first aid, crate training, carsickness, fussy eaters, and parasite control. Fully indexed.