Interesting facts about German Shepherds that you might not have known!
The German Shepherd is one of the most iconic dog breeds. Strong, resilient, loyal, intelligent, and instantly recognizable for their unique coat, patterns, and features, these animals hide more than meets the eye.
Fact #1: German Shepherds are one of the smartest dog breeds
Being a smart breed is a pretty common boast when it comes to dogs, but German Shepherds are especially smart even among the truly smart breeds. In fact, the American Kennel Club ranked the German Shepherd third in intelligence out of a survey of 100 different dog breeds.
These dogs are easy to train and pick up lessons quickly, which may explain why so many of them are appearing in professions like law enforcement. According to scientists, German Shepherds are at least as smart as a 2-3 year old child in terms of understanding language and can learn at least as much math as a 4-5 year old.
Photo: chewy.com
Fact #2: World War I made German Shepherds famous
While World War I taught us many things, such as that traditional mounted cavalry was the dominant force on the battlefield, it also made the German Shepherd famous among the Allies. Used by the German army for a variety of tasks, soldiers fighting against the Kaiser were impressed by the loyalty, tenacity, and intelligence of Germany's most common military dog.
This admiration is one of the reasons why the German Shepherd became such a popular breed in the United Kingdom, and is likely to have contributed to the dog becoming as popular as it is in the United States and even Bulgaria. Ironically, however, the same war that made the dog so popular made the "German" part of the name quite unpopular. For this reason, the German Shepherd was called Alsatian wolfhound in some parts of the UK and in other countries.
Fact #3: German Shepherds are not dangerous dogs
German Shepherds have developed a reputation for being dangerous, aggressive dogs over the years. However, organizations such as the American Veterinary Medical Association have repeatedly debunked these unfounded claims. Although German Shepherds are often used by police and military personnel, the qualities these organizations seek are intelligence, obedience, endurance, and strength, not aggression. Police and military dog teams want dogs that are easy to train and will follow their orders in dangerous situations. Properly trained and socialized German Shepherds tend to be friendly and, aside from being nervous around new people entering their territory, they are ideal family dogs.
Photo: Dogster
Fact #4: The First Modern German Shepherds
When the breed was standardized by Max von Stephanitz, the first goal was to find and breed ideal dogs. The first dog in this experiment was named Horand. The second generation was also carefully bred, resulting in the birth of Beowulf, named after the hero of Norse mythology. Beowulf is, in many cases, the ancestor to whom most modern sheepdogs trace their lineage.
Fact #5: German Shepherds have stars on the Walk of Fame
While you might think the Hollywood Walk of Fame is only for two-legged stars, there are at least two German Shepherds on this star-studded sidewalk. The older of the two stars is Strongheart, who is one of the earliest German Shepherds in film. Rin Tin Tin, widely considered one of the most famous German Shepherds to ever appear on screen, is also on the Walk of Fame. While there have been other great canine actors since then, no other Shepherd has matched these two, let alone surpassed them.
Fact #6: Their double coat sheds
The thick, coarse double coat of this breed helps insulate the dog, keeping it cool in the summer and warm in the winter. To maintain it properly, never shave or trim your German Shepherd's coat. Comb it or use a deshedding tool every other day to easily remove loose fur.
