Are German Shepherds No Longer Work Dogs?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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GSD owners understand their dogs were developed as working dogs

. In fact, the ideal German Shepherd has a body and gait suited to the hard work that is considered its primary purpose. This means your dog can excel at almost anything.

What dog is replacing German Shepherd?

But in recent years that popularity, and the overbreeding that came with it, has driven the German shepherd into eclipse: even the police in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, who had relied on the dogs for years, recently announced they were replacing them with

Belgian Malinois

, because the less-popular …

What is the difference between a working German Shepherd and a show German Shepherd?

Physical Difference


Working German Shepherds have thicker and a straight body structure so they can work harder for long hours.

While show lines German Shepherds are thinner with slanted back because their back legs are shorter than their legs in front. Unlike the working lines GSD, legs in back are longer than front.

Are all German Shepherds working line?

Today,

there are two common lines of German shepherd dogs – the working line and the show line

. All German shepherds originated from the original German line but over the years have developed into two distinct types of dogs differing in appearance and temperament due to breeding.

Why German Shepherds are not good pets?

As cute as pups are when they are ‘pup’s they grow up,

they get taller, fill out, have huge feet and can weigh a bit, so they are no good as lap dogs

. GSD’s can grow quickly and can weigh up to 50kg. Do NOT purchase this breed of dog if you think it will stay small.

What is a straight back German Shepherd?

The german shepherd to the current standard is built to be the best possible trotter for original breed work while ‘working lines’ are bred for different kinds of work. The ‘straight back’ is

a marketing term used by backyard breeders as the show line outside of a free stack is straight as well

.

Is Malinois better than German Shepherd?

In general,

a German Shepherd makes a better family pet than a Malinois does

. The Malis extremely high work drive, energy, and often highly strung personality means they are not usually the right pet for a standard family environment.

Are Belgian Malinois better than German Shepherd?

Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd: A Matter of Good Health


The Belgian Malinois seems to be the healthier of the two breeds

, primarily prone to dysplasia in the joints and eye issues, though they can also suffer from allergies.

Do the police still use German Shepherds?

In short, German Shepherds are prized for their intelligence, obedience, and temperaments. And that makes these great as working dogs.

They’re widely used in police work, but also as service animals, for farm work, or in competition.

How big are working line German Shepherds?

They may generally be smaller in size, with the

males measuring 24′′ to 26′′ at the shoulder, and 66 to 68 pounds, as the females measuring 22′′ to 24′′, and 49-61 pounds

. They commonly have a more slender yet dense appearance and can appear more powerful.

What is the best working line German Shepherd?

Probably an

American line or West German line

would be best for you. If you’re wanting a working dog for police work, Schutzhund, security, or personal protection, you’ll definitely need to purchase from a working line. If you want a stable temperament, the German and/or Czech working line is your best bet.

Are black German Shepherds working line?

To some, an all black German Shepherd is perceived to be more scary and intimidating,

They can be from Show and Working Lines

and from different lines types from different respective countries. As a plus, they often win in Conformation because of the intensity of their sharp silhouette outlines.

What’s the difference between American German Shepherd and German German Shepherd?


The American German Shepherd has a larger set of bones and weighs a little bit more than the European too

. The American German Shepherd has a smaller and rounder head, compared to the European German Shepherd, which has a larger and more angular head. Many describe the European’s head as similar to a wolf’s head.

Are straight back German Shepherds healthier?


Those with straight backs are less prone to health problems and have higher endurance

. They fit closer to what the German Shepherd originally was intended to be. They make much better working dogs as well since they have higher endurance and are bred for more practical purposes.

What is the difference between East and West German shepherds?

The most noticeable difference comes with the

slope of the hips

. You will notice a more pronounced slant in the Western German Shepherd’s hips as compared to the East German Shepherd. They are typically heavier built and a bit taller at the shoulder.

What German Shepherds dont like?

  • Hugging. …
  • Staring. …
  • Shouting. …
  • Interrupting Sleep. …
  • Teasing. …
  • Not Letting Your Dog Be a Dog. …
  • Leaving Your Dog Alone For a Long Period. …
  • Very Strong Fragrances & Chemicals.

Should I get a male or female German Shepherd?

Research shows that males German Shepherds are more aggressive than female German Shepherds. This means that

a family should consider choosing a female for a companion over a male

. Males tend to perform better for roles in protection and guarding and could do well in a home without children and the proper training.

Do German Shepherds turn on their owners?


A well-trained German Shepherd will rarely turn on or bite his owner

. However, if the dog is scared or sick, he may bite to defend himself if provoked. A dog may also bite if he has a history of being abused or neglected.

What is a saddleback German Shepherd?

A Saddleback is just what it sounds like:

the black color looks like a saddle over the dogs’ back and sides

. A blanket back is darker in color, and the black covers more of the dog’s back and sides. Some black and tan dogs have minimal black covering their backs.

What is an Isabella German Shepherd?

Isabella German Shepherds are

GSDs in a rare color that look like a light lavender color

. These dogs are also known under the name lilac. Lilac is known as one of the most beautiful dog colors out there, and it’s therefore among the most expensive ones. Not many dog breeds come in this color.

Why are German Shepherds hind legs?

The simple answer is, of course, breeding.

The dogs in the ring are born and bred to show, and so their bloodlines, traits and history are supposed to be followed rigorously.

Which is better Rottweiler or German Shepherd?

Both the Rottweiler and German Shepherd are powerful dogs. The Rottweiler probably has a slight advantage when it comes to strength because it has a more muscular, heavier build and they were built for carrying and pulling weight, whereas the German Shepherd is more agile.

Are two German Shepherds better than one?


Getting two German Shepherds of the opposite sex seems to be a better choice considering dogs are less likely to fight with the opposite sex

. Ideally, the two dogs should have at least 1.5 to 2 years apart to avoid excessive bonding between each other that may impede their socialization with humans and other dogs.

What is a king German Shepherd?

The King Shepherd is

a hybrid dog breed

. They’re a mix of many different breeds, but always have German Shepherd ancestry. The main colors of King Shepherds are fawn, red, black, brown, and sable. Their coats are usually a combination of two or more colors.

Which is most intelligent dog?
  • Border collie. According to The Intelligence of Dogs, which ranks 131 dog breeds in terms of their relative intelligence, the border collie is the smartest dog breed known to man. …
  • Poodle. …
  • German shepherd. …
  • Golden retriever. …
  • Doberman pinscher. …
  • Shetland sheepdog. …
  • Labrador retriever. …
  • Papillon.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.