| Alsatian - The German Shepherd Dog | | Breed Origins: | Germany ( 700's ) | | Breed usage: | Herding and guarding sheep | | Dog Weight: | 75 - 95 Pounds | | Dog Height: | 24 to 26 inches to the shoulder | | Cost of Puppies: | Cost of puppies varies depending on location, breeder and pedigree history |
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Information, Facts & Origins of the Alsatian Dog
The Alsatian Dog comes from Germany and was bred originally for herding and guarding sheep. It's origins can be dated back to the 1700's. The Alsatian Dog is also known by the other names of the German Shepherd Dog and the Deutscher Schaferhund. The advent of the two World Wars influenced the history of this dog. The association with Germany was unpopular following the wars and the breed was therefore given the name of the Alsatian Wolf Dog after the German-French border area of Alsace-Lorraine. The term 'Wolf Dog' was then dropped as it was believed that this would also prove to be unpopular. Finally, in 1977, the breed name was changed back to the German Shepherd Dog. This dog is classified as one of the Herding Dog Group which we go on to describe in detail in the section at the bottom of this page. The Alsatian Dog was first Registered by the AKC (American Kennel Club) in 1908. Dog Name Facts and Dog Names:The word Alsatian is often mis-spelt as Alsation. |
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Description of the Alsatian Dog and Puppies - Coat and Colors information
The Alsatian Dog's coat is normally a shade of solid black, grey, tan, gold and white. The coat is normally medium, straight and hard.Alsatian Dog Names Dog & Puppies Health information - potential problems of the Alsatian Dog Breed
All owners of dogs and puppies are concerned about the health care of their pets and just as with people dog health issues arise from time to time. Solving dog health issues, including those of the Alsatian Dog, can prove to be costly and it would be wise to consider the benefits of obtaining canine health insurance. Diseases in dogs may occur because of trauma, infection, immune system abnormalities, genetic factors, or degenerative conditions. The most common health problems and questions occur in relation to the Bones, Joints, Muscles, Nerves, Ears, Eyes, Teeth and the Mouth. Other, more serious, issues can relate to the Digestive System, Heart & Respiratory Systems, Immune & Blood Systems, Reproduction and Urinary Systems. Potential health problems of the Alsatian Dog may be checked via the Dog Symptoms Sorter, but can include: - Hip dysplasia (abnormal development of hip joints)
- Skin disease
- Congenital heart disease
- Bloat
- Panosteitis (an inflammation of long bones in the legs.)
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Should any Alsatian dog or puppies health problems occur it is advisable to raise any issuess you may have with a Veterinary Surgeon. Information on Grooming and Care of the Alsatian Dog Breed
The Alsatian Dog requires weekly care and grooming. Grooming consists of not only brushing out the coat and bathing but also giving attention to the eyes, teeth, ears, feet and nails. A regular routine helps to ensure that any potential health problems are identified as quickly as possible, especially important in puppies and older Alsatian Dogs. Life Expectancy information of the Alsatians
The life expectancy for the Alsation breed is 12 – 14 years. Age comparison between the Alsatian Dog Breed and People
Age comparisons between dogs and people are always a matter of debate - we hope that the following information clarifies the situation. After the 1st of life, a dog is equivalent to 16 human years. After 2 years, they are equivalent to a 24 year old, at 3 years a 30 year old, and each year after, add 5 human years to determine a dog's equivalent age. The Pictures reflect the Size of Adults - not Children and Puppies!
The pictures above allow for a useful comparison of sizes providing an accurate portrait of the size of an average Alsatian Dog - essential information but unique to this site. The size of puppys are considerably smaller and the full grown size of the canine can easily be forgotten when confronted with cute puppies! The slogan "A dog isn't just for Christmas - it's for life!" came about as a result of well meaning people buying puppies at the Xmas, unaware of the puppy's growth rate. The pictures provided make it very clear exactly how big puppies will grow and whether they will suit the living conditions of the family. Alsatian Dog - Puppies Info and Names
The following considerations should be made when choosing puppies: - Budget - Purchasing, training, equipment, medication and feeding costs of the breed
- Convenience and Grooming time e.g. long or short hair
- Personal situation - time available and medical conditions such as allergies etc
- Exercising requirement for the Alsatian Dog breed
- Living Condition for the dog breed - suitability for puppies
- Family - is the dog suitable for a child or an elderly person
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Herding Dog Breed Information
Dogs in the Herding Group ( sometimes referred to as the Pastoral Group ) include the Alsatian, were developed to perform a variety of tasks relating mainly to the herding of livestock. The types of livestock that these dogs are associated with are quite diverse and include sheep, cattle, reindeer and any other cloven footed animals. The Herding groups of dogs are eminently suited to these pastoral tasks as many of the breeds have a weatherproof double coat to protect them from the elements when working in severe weather conditions. Their natural abilities have been fully recognised and the initial livestock herding function have been extended to include police work and Search & Rescue amongst other duties. | |
Herding Dog Breed Duties and Tasks
Characteristics and features of Herding Dogs, including the Alsatian, have been introduced and strengthened by breeding with animals who already demonstrated the desired traits. Breeding for appearance was only introduced in the 19th Century. Before this time dogs and puppies were bred to increase useful abilities and traits helpful for the duties they were intended for. Herding Group dogs share the amazing ability to control the movement of other animals. They also have great stamina reserves which allow them to work from dawn to dusk. The dogs are tenacious creatures who have the ability to herd animals such as cattle which are many times their size. They leap, run around frantically and nip at the heels of any animals that they are herding. Add this behaviour to aggressive barking and steely eye contact and their ability to influence much larger animals is fully understood. Thus, the various Herding breeds, including the Alsatian, were bred and introduced to help man according to his specific requirements such as: - Herding or Droving various animals including cattle and reindeer
- Police work
- Tracking
- Providing a service to handicapped owners
- Performing Search & Rescue
- Acting as sentries and couriers for the Armed Forces
In this day and age not every Alsatian might be called to undertake these tasks, but nevertheless, they still harbour the skills and characteristics that made the original Alsation breeding program successful. The Herding dogs are medium to large in size. Alsatians are intelligent, active, courageous, and determined dogs who make excellent companions and respond well to firm training. Alsations instincts are very strong and given half a chance they will try to herd, or round up, the family. They enjoy work and look to their owners to provide tasks to enable them to meet their instincts and be rewarded accordingly. Dog Name Facts and Dog Names: The word Alsatian is often mis-spelt as Alsation or Alsations. |
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