Brought to you by The American Kennel Club and The German Shepherd Dog Club of America.
Lead Editor: Lindsay Hanks
Art Director: Cindy Kassebaum
Production Supervisor: Jessica Jaensch
Assistant Production Manager: Tracy Vogtman
Book Project Specialist: Karen Julian
Vice President, Chief Content Officer: June Kikuchi
Vice President, Kennel Club Books: Andrew DePrisco
I-5 Press: Jennifer Calvert, Amy Deputato, Lindsay Hanks, Karen Julian, Jarelle S. Stein
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
The American Kennel Club’s meet the German Shepherd dog : the responsible dog owner’s handbook.
p. cm. -- (Akc’s meet the breeds series)
ISBN 978-1-935484-72-1
eISBN 978-1-937049-46-1
1. German Shepherd dog. I. American Kennel Club.
SF429.G37A44 2012
636.737’6--dc23
2011031433
Printed and bound in the United States
14 13 12 11 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Meet Your New Dog
Welcome to Meet the German Shepherd. Whether you're a long-time German Shepherd Dog owner, or you've just gotten your first puppy, we wish you a lifetime of happiness and enjoyment with your new pet.
In this book, you’ll learn about the history of the breed, receive tips on feeding, grooming and training, and learn about all the fun you can have with your dog. The American Kennel Club and I-5 Press hope that this book serves as a useful guide on the lifelong journey you’ll take with your canine companion.
Owned and cherished by millions across America, German Shepherds make wonderful companions and also enjoy taking part in a variety of dog sports, including Conformation (dog shows), Obedience, Rally®, and Agility.
Thousands of GSDs have also earned the AKC Canine Good Citizen® certification by demonstrating their good manners at home and in the community. We hope that you and your German Shepherd will become involved in AKC events, too! Learn how to get involved www.akc.org/events, or find a training club in your area at www.akc.org/events/trainingclubs.cfm.
We encourage you to connect with other German Shepherd owners on the AKC website (www.akc.org), Facebook (www.facebook.com/americankennelclub) and Twitter (@akcdoglovers). Also visit the website for the German Shepherd Dog Club of America (www.gsdca.org) the national parent club for the German Shepherd, to learn about the breed from reputable exhibitors and breeders.
Enjoy German Shepherd!
Sincerely,
Dennis B. Sprung
AKC President and CEO
Contents
1 FALL IN LOVE WITH THE GERMAN SHEPHERD
2 THE GSD DESIGN
3 SHOPPING FOR A GERMAN SHEPHERD
4 YOUR DOG’S NEW HOME
5 SCHOOL DAYS
6 HOUSE-TRAINING YOUR GSD
7 HOME CARE FOR THE GSD
8 GSD COMMAND CENTRAL
9 STAYING HEALTHY
10 ACTIVITIES FOR GERMAN SHEPHERDS
RESOURCES
One of the world’s most recognizable purebred dogs, the German Shepherd Dog defies description. The American Kennel Club classifies the breed in its Herding Group, but herding sheep and goats only represents one aspect of this multi-faceted working dog. Images of the heroic and noble German Shepherd, assisting soldiers in wartime or working side-by-side with rescue workers after the September 11th attacks on New York City’s World Trade Center and the Pentagon are seared in the minds of Americans today, just as recollections of Rin Tin Tin and Strongheart on movie screens moved earlier generations.
Dogs at Work
The GSD’s intelligence and willingness to cooperate with humans make the breed versatile working dogs. They excel
