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German Shepherd Dog Club of IL, Inc.
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The German Shepherd Dog is nothing short of highly gifted; it's intelligence is the envy of most of the dog world. It is able to perform virtually any task asked of it including guide dog, search & rescue, tracking, watchdog, police work, drug & bomb sniffing, & of course herding. Highly intelligent, obedient, easy to train, protective, brave, & fiercely loyal are just some of the words used to describe this breed. Although high intelligence is an often sought after trait in a dog, it is not always a desirable one. Prospective owners of a German Shepherd need to be willing to put in the extra effort to physically & mentally stimulate their new family member as they require extensive attention and exercise. Click here to learn more before deciding if this amazing breed will be a good addition to your family.
By far the best website to help you learn about structure, lines, color, temperament and all things GSD is Linda Shaw’s Illustrated Standard of the German Shepherd Dog. We are grateful for her permission to link to her site and her many excellent articles. Her entire site is well worth reading but the following articles are especially invaluable in understanding structure, types and color.
Confused about where the withers are? No idea what a pastern is? This chart will bring clarity.
An excellent article by PETER VAN OIRSCHOT about the Strengths and Weakness of the Modern German Shepherd Dog.
The German Shepherd Dog in Word & Picture by v. Stephanitz is a must read. Written in 1925 by the founder of the breed it provides amazing insight regarding the development of the breed. Many of Max's warnings about the pitfalls to be avoided are eerily prophetic. English translations are available and please don't let the price tag of this book deter you. Currently out of print but you may luck out and find a reasonably priced copy on Ebay.
So you want to breed your dog? Before you do, read these articles: