Whitney Veterinary Hospital and
Cat Care Clinic

Nadia and Zoey are German Shepherds!

The German Shepherd is a member of the herding group. This is a fairly recent breed - originating in the late 1800's as a deliberate attempt to produce a herding dog that was capable of protecting the flock. It was quickly discovered that it excelled at police work, and subsequent breedings were made to improve its intelligence, courage and companionability. After WWI, German Shepherds were known for a time as Shepherd Dogs or Alsatian Wolfdogs, with the name slowly changing back to German Shepherd.

This is one of the most intelligent of dogs, and is so intent on its job that few other dogs can equal it. It becomes completely devoted and protective of its family, and aloof and suspicious toward strangers.

The German Shepherd is a large dog; weighing between 70 and 95 pounds and standing 22 to 26” tall. Daily mental and physical exercise is necessary to keep this dog fulfilled, and it needs weekly brushing to maintain the thick coat. It can live outside in temperate climates, but much prefers to be with its family.