German Shepherd Dog Training

german shepherd names girls
What should I name my German Shepherd girl dog?

Sunny
Riley
Lola

The Pit Bull – Friend or Foe?

Is the American pit-bull terrier genetically different than other breeds?  Were they born to fight?  In Britain, pit bulls are considered dangerous creatures.  Britain’s government ministers want to ban the breed altogether.1 The main purpose for having a pit bull was not to protect the family from dangers as with Doberman pinchers and rottweilers who were bred to guard their owners.¹ Defenders believe the dog is as harmless as any other dog, but this may not be the case.  They say the owners who have the dogs have made pit bulls act this way.  Pit bulls were genetically bred to become fighting dogs.   Pit bulls head and bone structure allow them to attack, fight and kill other dogs.¹ 

According to ‘The Economist’, when talking about reasons why a dog may be dangerous, one can speculate scientifically about the chemicals that are found in the body, in general, which may encourage dogs. There are some chemicals and mechanisms which are found in the body that trigger one to attack called the RAS or Reticular Activating System.  In this system is a chemical called L-tyrosine is found which sends signals from nerve to nerve.  This chemical can be altered genetically through breeding.  Dogs which have elevated levels of L-tyrosine attack more easily.  It is suggested that pit bulls have this genetic chemical.¹    Not only does it increase attacking, but distracts a dog from feeling pain, so a dog may attack for many minutes even though someone is trying to hit them or make them release their victim.  In a certain attack a pit bull attacked someone for 15 minutes.  This involved a young girl, and the adults who were trying to help her could not beat of the dogs, even though the animal had begun to bleed.¹ 

This deflection of pain is also one of the reasons why pit bulls may attack.  Usually if dogs are in fights, they shy away from the dog that beat them, but pit bulls do not.  This may be related to endorphins which may decrease the feeling of pain.  But of course endorphins and its man-made sister, morphine, which is a pain reliever, are addicting.   The pit bull may be seeking out ways to increase their endorphins by getting into fights in order to receive the endorphins, which are also at an elevated than level than normal.  They seek ways to increase pain in order to get the endorphins which are made through fighting.¹  This sensitivity seems to be found more in pit bulls because of their reaction to receiving anesthetics.  Not only do they receive endorphins, they receive a higher amount than other dogs.  It is like morphine for human beings, it becomes addictive to the dogs, and they seem to want to fight in order to relieve these cravings.1   

In Britain, before the dog was popular, the pit bull used to be culled if it bit someone, therefore naturally modifying the behavior of the breed genetically by cutting off those dogs with a tendency to attack.  Ever since the pit bull has become a sought after pet, culling has decreased, creating an attack dog that genetically will attack more often than normal.¹ Owners do have some responsibility for a pit bulls aggressiveness.  In a pack of dogs there is always an alpha male who is in charge of being the bully or attacking.  When in a household, the dog may become the alpha male and not the owner, causing, the dog to attack.  It is recommended to teach young dogs to be submissive and obedient, yet in the case of pit bulls this may not work.¹

Certain dog breeds are sometimes made popular by movies.  Lianne George, the author, states that a case in point was Disney’s movie about Dalmatians.   She states everyone went out to buy one because of the movie and soon realized a Dalmatians temperament was not as docile as those in the movie.² This has also occurred with Doberman Pinschers.   As the fad runs out, so do the breed of dogs.  In the instance of Dobermans, Diane Jessup, an  animal control officer and canine historian based in Washington, states that, “Now you hardly ever see them”.²   Today’s dog breed of choice is now pit bulls.  We see them in rap videos and traversing the streets with no owners in sight.  They are seen walking down streets in neighborhoods in which they are considered prized possessions.²    People now fear them more because of all the attacks that are being publicized.²  In Canada, pit bulls are now banned from being bred, and those that have owners must be muzzled if outside.  This is the first time a breed has been banned over an entire province.  According to Attorney General, Michael Bryant, there are those who believe as  he does; that pit bulls are “ticking time bombs”.²  There are those who deal with animals daily who believe it is all media-based hype.  Pit bulls weren’t always the black sheep of dogs.² They use to grace American advertisements, and were examples of America’s strength.  Other use of the pit bulls image was in Buster Brown ads, and The Little Rascals series.  But now pit bulls are considered a liability, and are now the most mistreated dog in the US.  Pit bulls are chained up for most of their lives. 

In Ontario, Canada, a law was passed which banned pit bulls in the province after several attacks.  One of the stipulations of the law is that it encompasses all breeds of pit bulls, yet not all breeds of pit bulls are necessarily dangerous.² A doctor in Ontario, Canada, Dr. Gary Landsberg, an Ontario veterinarian and president of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, states that even if the breed was eliminated, the people, or owners, would switch to different dogs.²    In Winnipeg, this is exactly what happened.  Pit bulls were banned and attacks decreased, but Rottwieler and German shepherd attacks increased.  Landsberg says that “people who want to breed and/or own vicious dogs will simply turn to other breeds”.² People abuse pit bulls in order to make them more behaviorally mean.² “If you knew what these dogs go through, you’d be amazed that there wasn’t a pit bull fatality every day of the week.” said Diane Jessup, the veteran animal control officer.  She does not believe pit bulls are inherently mean, but are made that way by abusive owners.² People like Jessup are trying to create more fair laws that punish abusive owners and not those with other pit bull related dogs that are not aggressive.²

 

Dog Attack Statistics

 Statistics:

• 25% of all fatal attacks were inflicted by chained dogs.
• 68% of all fatal attacks were inflicted by a single dog.
• 79% of all fatal attacks were on children under the age of 12 occurring when the infant or child was left unsupervised with the dog.
• 21% of the breeds involved were Pit bulls, second were mixed breeds (16%) and third Rottweilers and German Shepherds at 13% and 9%.
• Most attacks were caused by unaltered males. 
• California topped the list as the state with the most fatalities at 47 between 1965 to 2001.

(Statistics from Karen Delise, “Fatal Dog Attacks” 1965-2001)³

 

Jimmie Mae McConnell was a Kansas City woman who feared for her safety at her own home.5 She was killed when a neighbors’ two Pit Bulls attacked her while she was gardening.  Her last plea was a phone call to her son-in-law to call the police.  She died at a local hospital soon after.  A friend of hers stated that McConnell said that “[O]ne of these days those dogs are going to get me”. 5 One dog was tranquilized and another retrieved from a neighbor’s house after getting a search warrant. 5 Most of the households in that area stated that the dogs belonged to those neighbors, which were next door.  Though police had not identified the breed of the dogs, most of the neighbors agreed they were pit bulls, which are not allowed in Kansas City, Kansas. 5

The Center for Disease Control in the ‘State Legislatures’ journal states that 12 people are killed and 5 million bitten per year.4  Policymakers in at least 29 states have laws which deal with dangerous dogs.  Most states create these laws after a trial in court with an animal officer present.4 In Ohio, all pit bulls are barred.  Usually a dog in any other state would be banned if they attacked someone, but not because of what breed it is, as in Ohio.4 In other states, it is unlawful to ban a dog because of its breed, but Denver, Colorado is fighting to do just that.  They have been successful in overturning the states statute, which bans breed-specific legislation. 4 At this point in time, most states have enacted a law which shields owners from liability for the first dog bite, but makes them accountable for the second and on. 4

           

 

Dog Attack Laws

 

As mentioned earlier, Colorado overturned a state statute made in 2004 to ban breed-specific dogs.  The statute was overturned after a 3 year old and 59 year old minister were killed.6 At this point in time, any Pit-bull related dog or even a dog that looks like a pit bull will be euthanized. 6 Many other states are thinking about following in line. 6

This approach has sparked some controversy.  Two-hundred or more pit bull type dogs have been euthanized in Houston.7 This type of legislation has only grown more prevalent.  For example, the consequences of owning a pit bull are severe penalties, or the state will ban the breed. 7 Laws in Houston which occurred in August of 2006, which included creating fines for owners and banning pit bulls, has created the most number of euthanized dogs ever. 7 Many states, including California will not ban dogs based on breed. Because of the mauling of McConnell in Kansas and 3 men in Missouri, these two states are considering following the lead of Ohio and banning breeds states Janna Goodwin of the National Conference of State Legislatures. 7 Ledy VanKavage, an attorney with the ASPCA, states that they want to protect people from dangerous dogs, but labeling pit bulls as evil dogs is not fair, “any dog can bite”. 7 Cities are taking action against pit bulls in less harsh ways.  Ron Boyer, an assistant director of health in Missouri, states that their plan is to have all pit bulls registered.  This was in response to a number of children who had been mauled. He states that this requirement is “an immediate mechanism to deal with the problem”. 7 The City Council of Kansas, MO created a law in which Missouri can have a non-lethal way of tracking dogs, such as having them altered, or having owners put up fences and record who gets the puppies of that dog.  Other states have followed suit, including Kansas, and Illinois.  The governor of Missouri believes this will create stricter laws for those who own pit bulls.  But Shawn Webster, a veterinarian and state representative in Ohio, states that pit bulls are not genetically prone to attacks, and states that they are “great family pets”.7 

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh held a study and found that not only have states begun enacting laws which ban certain breeds of dogs, but insurance companies have also.   In 1996, a well-known insurance company, State Farm, gave out 80 billion dollars to people who had been attacked by dogs, 30% of all of its medical payments.    This has in turn caused insurance companies to refrain from giving out insurance to owners of attack-prone dogs.  It has been said that the media has created this idea that certain dogs are inherently vicious.8  An article from American Law Reports Fourth states that certain pit bull dogs are the “natural enemy of humanity…and are never completely predictable”. 8 In Lynn city in Massachusettes, to the Lynn ordinance was passed which stated that all pit bulls were to be regulated strictly.  Yet, it has not been possible for animal control officers or owners to directly pinpoint which type of pit bulls are vicious or not.   There are different types of pit bulls including, “American Staffordshire, Staffordshire Pit Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier or any mixture thereof”. 8 But those dogs are difficult to name as a certain breed and therefore the ordinance of a state to provide limitation on owners of certain dogs was not lawful. 8

Courtney Frank, a spokeswoman for the Houston Humane Society said that “there was no redemption for pit bulls raised to fight.”7 Frank stated that this has increased the negative connotations we think of when dealing with pit bulls (e.g.  killing people, etc.)   Frank does not believe that the dogs were inherently bad, but that their owners were to blame for putting them in dog fights.  Over half of US states have some kind of ordinances dealing with vicious dogs according to the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. 7   

Dog Behavior

A dog psychologist, Cesar Millan, deals with dogs everyday.  He even grew up on a farm and was raised with a pack of dogs.  Instead of blaming the dogs, he blames their owners.  He states it has to do with the dogs being spoiled by their owners, and in return the dogs have gone against them. Millan believes dogs need to be returned to their pack oriented history.  He takes a group of dogs on walks in order to reacquaint them with this, and tries to make them see that the owner is in control, and not them.9   Mordecai and Margolis, authors of a book about aggressive dog behavior, state that dogs are relatives of wolves, and therefore do share some of their traits.  This includes the need for survival, dominance, and territory.10

 

Dog Fights

             Are the bones of pit bulls and greyhounds different?  David Carrier, the author of ‘Functional trade-offs in the limb bones of dogs…running versus fighting’ hypothesized, that one type of bone may be for fighting, while another type may be for running. He wondered had artificial selection by humans caused this effect in dogs.  He assembled a team and decided to test this out.  He put both pit bull bones and greyhound bones on a machine that would break the bones at a certain pressure.  The results were that greyhound bones were less likely to break than pit-bull bones under pressure.10 On the other hand; the pit bull bones absorbed two times more energy than those of greyhounds.  Those of pit bulls were of greater strength than those of greyhounds, therefore concluding that there were differences in bone structure.  One bone structure was better for fighting and the other better for running.11

 

Conclusion

Are pit bulls friend or foe?  Some believe unfit owners abuse their dogs and this why they attack others.  Other people believe the dog is a boon to society.  They are regarded as a genetic mistake, unable to be readmitted into society, they are euthanized.  Teaching any dog to fight will make them dangerous to others.  But are all pit bulls bred to fight? What about those that are not, and attack anyway?  Pit bulls should then be considered inherently dangerous to people. Noting that the main victims of these attacks are young children, there should indeed be safety specific measures which will prevent these catastrophes from happening.  Should they be euthanized?  This probably goes against the law that deals with domesticated animals and our relationship with them.  Adults with small children should not allow this dog to cohabitate with them.  On the other hand, if a person wants to own one of these dogs, it should be allowed because even tigers and wolves are pets to some.  With strict regulations and humane treatment, these dogs can be a part of our society, but should not be regarded as safe and non-threatening. 

 

 

 

 

References

 

 

 

1″Killer genes ate my dog.” Economist Vol. 319 Issue 7709, p83-83, 2/3p, 1bw (1991) 21 October 2006. Academic Search Elite

 

2George, Lianne.  “Pit Bull, Bum Rap?” Maclean’s 117 no. 46, 112, 114 (2004)

 

3″Fatal Dog Attacks” The Stories Behind the Statistics. Karen Delise. 

 

4″One Bite and Fido’s Out”. State Legislatures, Vol. 32, Issue 5 (2006) 16 October 2006. Academic Search Elite

 

5″Dog Attack, Kansas City Woman Killed”. Jet. 110, no. 6, 13, (2006)

 

6″Breed-specific dog bans”.  American City & County. 120 no. 10, (2005)

 

7Jones, Charisse. “Laws address dogs’ potential for danger”. USA Today, (2006)

Academic Search Elite.  16 October 2006, Pg. 03a.

 

8Wapner, Matt, JD, and Wilson, James F. DVM, JD. “Are laws prohibiting ownership of pit bull-type dogs legally enforceable?” October 2006. JAVMA, Vol. 216, No. 10, (2000): p1552-1554.

 

9″Ruffing It.” People. Vol. 58, Issue 24, p199, 1p, 1c (2002)17 October 2006

 

10Siegal, Mordecai, and Matthew Margolis.  “GRRR!: The Complete Guide to Understanding and Preventing Aggressive Behavior in Dogs”.  Little, Brown and Company, Boston. 2000

 

11″Pit Bull Is Top Dog In A Fight” Journal of Experimental Biology. 208, 0iii, (2005)21 October 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

Danielle Watson is an Animal Science college graduate of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

german shepherd names pets
What is your pet(s) name? What do you think of my pets’ names?

I have:
Golden Retriever- Biscuit
German Shepherd- Reno
White Bunny- Butterfly
Golden Hamster- Jasper
2 Love birds- Danny and Isabelle

2 dogs
Cockapoo- Chip
Jack russell terrier- Lacy

Your pets have cute names

akc german shepherd names
AKC name for German Shepherd?

I have a German shepherd named Tucker. He was named after the Currituck lighthouse. I can’t seem to come up with an akc name for him. His mother’s name was Ritter’s Zoie and his fathers name was Ritter’s Rowdy. If you have any suggestions please let me know.
But my last name is not Ritter
My las t name is Fields

how about Fields’s Tucker?
alternatively -Field’s Currit or Field’s Currituck?

hope this helps

btw, why didn’t you explain about ritter being to do with the last name before?

The 7 Akc Dog Groups Explained

Do you want a new dog? Have you really thought about it? Why are you thinking about adding a new dog companion to your family in the first place? Do you have any idea what you’re looking for in a new dog companion? What are you real needs in a dog? And your wants? There are many things to consider first before bringing home that new bundle of joy.

It is very important, first, to match your new dogs overall personality, exercise requirements and needs to you and your family as closely as possible. With luck you’re choosing an animal that is likely to be with you for 10 years or longer so put forth a little research time in the beginning and you’ll be rewarded for your efforts for years to come.

Were you aware that the common dog comes in more than 400 different breed types world wide? There is much more variation among our friend the family dog than in any other species of mammal known today. The selection of available dog types to choose from is truly amazing. They come in more sizes, shapes, colors, coat types, abilities and personalities than you could shake a bone at.

Your job, should you choose to accept it, is to find the right dog breed to fit your personality as well as your current lifestyle. Dogs, just like people, have many different jobs and most were bred for very specific activities. This is probably one of the most important things you need to know before you get the wrong dog for you. Example: If you are a couch potato you don’t want to bring home a dog breed with extreme energy – and a need to express that – or if you are a triathlete, you don’t want to bring home a new exercise partner with tremendously low exercise requirements.

Here I will list each of the major AKC dog groups, briefly describe their overall purpose and what the dogs were originally bred to do, list many of the jobs dogs in each particular group currently perform, as well listing as a few members of each group.

- The Herding Group

Bred for stamina, these super intelligent herding dog breeds work with their owners all day long out in the fields moving livestock. Overall, these energetic, intelligent herding dog breeds make excellent pets and work extremely well with different kinds of training such as agility, flyball, Schutzhund, search and rescue and obedience. Keep in mind, since these dogs were bred to do a particular job (herding), they do better when they have lots of exercise.

A few members of the AKC herding group are the German Shepherd, Australian Shepherd, Border Collie and Bouvier des Flandres.

- The Working Group

The dogs of the working group were bred to help man in many various jobs – from pulling sleds, guarding a home or tracking, to pulling carts, water rescues, and more. These particular dog breeds have been bred for several generations for very definite purposes and they need jobs to fill their days. They have very active minds, and are very trainable and willing to work – it is also true that these working dog breeds also require a lot of training.

Overall, the larger size, power and strength of many of the members of this group may make them unsuitable for most families, however they thrive with the right companions. Remember, since most were bred to work, they do best with lots of exercise and a specific task to do.

A few members of the AKC working group are the Boxer, Alaskan Malamute, Great Dane, Saint Bernard, and Rottweiler.

- The Hound Group

The members of the AKC hound group were bred to help man while hunting. Divided into 2 separate groups, the hounds track their prey using their wonderful senses of sight (called sight hounds) or smell (called scent hounds). The hound dog group has some of the oldest dog breeds known to man today.

Many of these dogs are quite vocal based on their hunting background so it would be a good idea to hear their vocalizations before you decide to get a hound of your own. Also, it is also a good idea to keep these dogs on a leash at all times since they can easily be led by their nose, or eyes, into situations that may get them into trouble.

A few members of the AKC hound group are the Basset Hound, Beagle, Bloodhound, Greyhound and Rhodesian Ridgeback.

- The Terrier Group

The fiesty and energetic terrier group dog breed members were bred to hunt vermin both above and below ground and are often described as the “pest controllers” of the dog world. Typically these tenacious little dogs have little to no tolerance for any small fast moving animals, the postman, other dogs, etc. They are well known for their tenacious, fiesty and independent nature.

Terriers can make great pets in the right home but need a determined owner who matches their dogs’ spirited personality.

A few members of the AKC terrier group are the Airedale Terrier, Bull Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, Scottish Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier.

- The Toy Group

The toy group dog breeds were developed simply to be our companions. Their main job is to make their owners happy. The only things the members of this dog group have in common really is their petit size. The toy dogs are also called “lap dogs” sometimes because this is where many of these toy breeds prefer to stay, in their masters lap.

It is very true that the name “toy” is very misleading. Many of the toy dogs are as tough as nails. Toy dogs are especially popular with people that live in apartments or people without a lot of living space.

A few members of the AKC toy group are the Pomeranian, Chihuahua, Pug, Yorkshire Terrier and the Havanese.

- Non-sporting Group

The different purebred dog breeds in the non-sporting group are a wide collection of dogs in all different types of shapes, sizes, coat types, jobs types, personalities and overall appearances. Many people call this the AKC “catch-all” dog group. The diverse membership of the non-sporting group contains a little bit of everything – big dogs, little dogs, hairy dogs, bald dog breeds and some of the finest companion dogs you might possibly ever own.

A few members of the AKC non-sporting group are the Bulldog, Lhasa Apso, Dalmatian, Boston Terrier, French Bulldog, and Keeshond.

- The Sporting Group

Well known for their incredible instincts in both the water and woods, many of the members of this AKC sporting dog group continue to actively participate in hunting and other field trials today, actively retrieving and hunting feathered or furred game for their masters. The sporting dog breeds are well known also for their easy going temperaments.

Included in this group you’ll find the pointers, retrievers, setters and spaniels. Keep in mind that the sporting dogs do need regular exercise, frequently.

A few members of the AKC sporting group are the Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Irish Setter, Pointer and the Cocker Spaniel.

- Miscellaneous Dog Group

The many different dog breeds included in the AKC Miscellaneous Group are awaiting final breed recognition by the AKC. All dog breeds that are in this group can compete and earn titles in AKC Obedience, Tracking and Agility events.

Many of these dog breeds are ones that you may not see everyday but can make great pets in the right homes. Research each of these breeds one by one since they have different working backgrounds such as hunting, herding or guarding.

As of the writing of this article, the current members of the AKC Miscellaneous Group are the Pyrenean Shepherd, Beauceron, Redbone Coonhound, Dogue de Bordeaux, Norwegian Buhund and the Swedish Vallhund.

If you’re like most people you probably have many unanswered questions about dogs in general. Hopefully armed with the information above you will have a better idea of what various dog breeds were originally bred to do and will better understand whether or not they will fit your needs. Finding the right dog breed for you is truly a very important process. The best way to do that is when armed with the knowledge to make a decision based totally on fact, not fiction or hear say.

Copyright 2007. Debbie Ray. All Rights Reserved.

About the Author

Debbie Ray, owner of http://www.pedigreedpups.com and http://www.total-german-shepherd.com, is a lifelong animal lover and dog enthusiast. Interested in more dog information? Training and health tips? Thinking about getting a purebred dog? Interested in the German Shepherd Dog in particular? Need to promote your dog related website and get additional in bound links? Check out pedigreedpups.com , total-german-shepherd.com or http://www.canine-hotline.com (purebred dog store) for more information.

popular german shepherd names
What are some good female dog names?

Well, I recently found out that I’m getting a bitch for my birthday in April, and I’d like some good names. Preferably human names. (Eg, not ‘Whiskers’ or ‘Patch’.)

I’m only asking on here because my folks have such outdated views on popular names that they’re suggesting me things like Mabel and Zen.

Note: Incase it somehow matters, the dog I’m getting is the standard colored black and tan German Shepherd.

Thanks for all your help.

Jared.

Paul
No I’m just playing
Um twinkie or Pixie haha

German Shepherd Origin and History

The German Shepherd dog breed has its origin in the late 1800s when Max von Stephanitz from Germany began developing a breed that would later become the dog we know today as the German Shepherd.Von Stephanitz desired to produce a dog breed that could be utilized as an all-around working dog.

Developed from various farm and herding dogs of his time, von Stephanitz’s original German Shepherd was derived from a herding dog he acquired in 1899, and he and his friend Artur Meyer formed the Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde which was the first club in the German Shepherd dog breed history. This club and von Stephanitz kept tight control over the breed until his death in 1936.

He determined which dogs would be used to breed based on how well they did in various shows and trials that were the precursor to the Schutzhund tests still performed today. His main criteria for judging a dog’s success were both its usefulness coupled with its intelligence. Von Stephanitz also promoted the utility of the breed to the German government for work in both the police and the military as well as other all-purpose uses as a working dog breed.
German Shepherd Breed History

Following the creation of the German Shepherd breed by von Stephanitz in the early 1900s, the breed’s popularity soon soared and became one of Germany’s most popular dogs. Serving in both World War I and II, the German Shepherd was a favorite military dog, primarily in Germany, but American and British soldiers were also impressed by the breed and brought the dog home following both wars.

In fact, one of the most popular German Shepherds dogs was Rin Tin Tin, originally from France, and brought to America by an American GI following the first world war. Rin Tin Tin went on to make 26 movies until his death in 1932 and contributed to the breed’s enormous popularity.

In addition to its use in the police and military arenas, German Shepherds have a history of usefulness in other areas, is known as a successful show dog and has been a popular family pet. German Shepherds were the first dogs used as seeing eye dogs in the late 1920s and Helen Keller, an avid dog lover, owned a couple of German Shepherds.

The first German Shepherd Club in America was formed in 1913 and the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908. Instantly recognizable, the German Shepherd continues to be a popular dog breed, and the German Shepherd is continually in the top five most popular registered breeds as determined by the AKC.

About the Author

German Shepard Breed
information, history, origins, pictures and demographics.

cool german shepherd names
What kind of dog do you have and what’s their personality?

I love hearing about everyone’s animals… I just adopted a puppy, believed to be a Siberian Husky/German Shepherd mix..named her Marley! http://img517.imageshack.us/my.php?image=20081215pup0089cw6.jpg
She’s a grunter when you pick her up to take her somewhere, or when you bug her when she’s sleeping… What about you? What kind of dog do you have? Any weird quirks they have? Any cool stories of the ways you came to have your dog?

We have a nine year old AmStaff terrier. We got him when our neighbors moved away and abandoned him when he was two years old. Moved off and left him in their apartment for three days, no food or water. He had no training at all, not house trained, no obedience training, nothing. He did not know how to play. He was thin, a dull coat and itching all the time. Today he is a good weight, trained, a coat that looks like satin. Boy oh boy he can play all day! We have a long hallway in our house and he will run down the hall bucking like a young horse. He knows his left from his right and will give you the requested paw. He is a real sweetheart and we have been fortunate to have him.

Cool Pets In sims

Do you know that Jessica Simpson has a Maltese Poodle Cross and Paris Hilton always goes with her Chihuahua Tinkerbell?  Winston Churchill owned a cat who always attended the Cabinet Meeting.  Do you know that there is a rumor that Churchill loves his cat so much that he even shares his meal with the cat.  Nostradamus, the man who saw tomorrow, has a pet cat, the name was Grimalkin.  Do you know Tabby?   He is the cat accompany the US President Abraham Lincoln.  

Who would forget the classic German Shepherd Dog Rintintin.  He was the most recognized name in the German Shepherd Dog line and perhaps the oldest bloodline in the 107-breed history.  You might be like Carol Riggins and be an ultimate star among your Sims friend.  Carol is the owner of Lassie the tri-colored collie who is “The World’s Most Famous Dog!”.  No matter whom you are and what you are, it is always cool to have a pet.  

As the People Simulator Game-The Sims has an expansion pack- Fun with Pets!  You can be what you are and have the pets you most wanted.  You can adopt the most adorable cat, the most wonderful dogs and many more.  You can even choose their breed.  These pets have unique personalities to match the character of your Sims.  

Train them to do some tricks, teach them to do the handshake, to follow simple commands such as sit, walk, stand and even play dead to entertain visitors.  And just like any other pets, they can sometime be unruly, so you need to take some time to discipline them.

There are a lot of the Sims Free Download available in the internet but do not forget to get these exciting Fun with Pets Expansion Pack.  It is a must have for the Entire Family of Sims.

About the Author

german shepherd names german shepherd male
What are good names for a male German Shepherd?

I want an uncomman name. A name with a good meaning, like from 1800’s or something.

sherlock or julius

Getting a New Puppy? Consider the Super Intelligent German Shepherd

If you are considering getting a new puppy or a dog, especially one of the larger dog breeds, you may want to consider getting a German Shepherd. They are one of the most popular breeds in the world, beautiful, highly intelligent, and easy to train. They are best known to many as working dogs, working with the police department, military, and as service dogs to the blind.

The average life span of a German Shepherd is about twelve years, with middle age around seven or eight years old. Generally, a puppy will be close to its adult height around ten to eighteen months of age, but it can take up to three years for a male, or two for a female, to be completely mature.

Once you have decided specifically what type of dog (such as age, sex, etc.) you are looking for and have prepared your home for the arrival of your new companion, now its time to start your search. There are many places you can find your German Shepherd puppy or dog but probably the best place to start your search is through rescue organizations.

There are a wide variety of sources on the internet and in your local area that rescue German Shepherds from numerous situations and they are always seeking to place these dogs in good homes. Even if the type of dog you are seeking is not immediately available, dogs become available everyday so just give it a little time before you move on to the next option.

You can also use the internet to seek out local breeders in your area. When purchasing from a breeder, be sure to observe the conditions of the kennel and the temperament of the dog. The average litter of German Shepherds is eight puppies, so you should have several to select from if a litter is close to the age of being able to be sold.

Wherever you find the German Shepherd you are seeking, be sure to spend some time with your dog before you bring him/her home, you need to be sure that the temperament of your dog will fit well with your own particular living situation. Good luck with your new companion and friend!

About the Author

Debbie Ray, owner of http://www.pedigreedpups.com , http://www.the-website-doctor.com and http://www.total-german-shepherd.com, is a lifelong animal lover, dog enthusiast and internet business owner. Interested in more dog information? Training and health tips? Thinking about getting a purebred dog? Interested in the German Shepherd Dog in particular? Check out pedigreedpups.com , total-german-shepherd.com or canine-hotline.com for more dog information.

white german shepherd names
Good names for a long-haired german shepherd?

We are adopting a german shepherd and we want the best name for him. He has a black face and is more white/black than gold/black or orange-red/black. We are also thinking a word/name in a different language or culture that means something inspiring, like freedom or love. Thanks for your help. I will choose best answer…

I checked out freedom, nothing but a load of babble.
Love in Italian is amore, in Czech its Laska, which I really like!

German Shepherd – the Facts Every Owner of This Dog Breed Should Know

Also known as the Alsatian, the German Shepherd is a ‘young’ breed, having only been recognized as a distinct breed in the last 90 years. The German Shepard can trace its roots back to a range of shepherding dogs in Germany, and some groups tried to informally breed this dog. This effort failed but in 1899, a new group formed. Der Verein fur Deutsche Schaeferhunde was founded by Max von Stephanitz, who wanted to breed an all purpose working dog.

The German Shepherd came to the United Sates in 1908 with soldiers impressed by the courage and abilities of this dog. German Shepherds will reach an average height of 22 to 26 inches, weight of 77 to 85 pounds and live an average of 13 years. There are a wide variety of coats in this breed. Some German Shepherds are longhaired and some are shorthaired. The color is most often black and tan, but can also be sable, all black, blue and liver and white.

The one thing all German Shepard coats have in common is that they shed profusely, and shed worse during their shedding season. Daily brushing usually helps combat the shedding, and German Shepherds should only be bathed occasionally. Almost all German Shepherds are described as self-confident and loyal.

German Shepherds are highly intelligent and often times used as police dogs, rescue dogs and guide dogs. German Shepherds make excellent guard dogs and are very loyal to their family. They make excellent protectors, barking when someone unfamiliar is approaching. German Shepherds do make good family pets and will guard the children of ‘their’ family. They will tolerate the poking and prodding children are prone to do. However, they are sometimes unaware of their size and power relative to a small child and may indiscriminately knock them over.

A German Shepherd and child should always be watched to avoid this. German Shepherds can survive apartment living if given enough exercise regularly and given enough activities. If left alone too long or not stimulated enough, German Shepherds will become bored and destructive. They enjoy being in the company of their human family but not other pets. As a working dog that likes to please, a German Shepherd will do very well with obedience training. German Shepherds are prone to some genetic disorders including hip and elbow dysplasia, blood disorders, digestive problems, epilepsy, chronic eczema, keratitis (inflammation of the cornea), dwarfism and flea allergies.

There is a website that has great information on German Shepherds and most other breeds of dogs. It has details that pertain to a dog breeds health, grooming, living conditions, best food choices and more, the website is called: Dog And Cat Facts, and can be found at this url:

http://www.dogandcatfacts.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2007

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter, or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

About the Author

Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software business on the internet for over 5 years, and has been producing low-cost software for the past 25+ years. He first released products on the AMIGA and C64 computer systems in the late 1970’s-80’s.

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german shepherd names german
Female German Shepherd Names….will give Best Answer?

We just got a new Female German Shepherd and can’t figure out what to name her. She’s going to be a BIG dog. She’s black and tan and looks like a little bear. Can anyone help me out here?

Congratulations on your new baby! Here are some names you may like for her:
Angel, Lucy, Gigi, Bear, Ruby, Daisy, Jasmine, Gracie, Heidi, Kiara, Kiana, Kira, Hannah, Ginger, Sunny, Zoe, Joy, Gypsy, Willow, Breezy, Jewel, Fawn, Beauty, Bailey, Cricket, Gucci, Rosy, Tasha, Dusty, Haley, Josie, Abby, Trinity, Leah, Hope, Faith, Shiloh, Miley, Dior, Maisy, Mitzi, Amber, Chanel, Jazz or Jazzy, Rosie, Mia, Destiny, Bella, Joy, Shimmer, Chloe, Keisha, Lacy, Lexi, Lilly, Dixie, Sage, Molly, Sable, Zena, Callie, Sasha, Dazzle, Brandy, Sierra, Sadie, Shelby, Shasta, Chelsea, Dutchess, Kizzy, Shadow, Tilly, Sissy, Mia, Addie, Tia, Sammy, Tessa, Misha, Cheyenne, Trixie, Lady. Sorry if I repeated any names! Hope this helps! Have fun and enjoy her!

Proper Care And Grooming Tips For German Shepherd Dog!

The first look at the German shepherd dog can make you understand that the dog is strong, agile, alert, and full of life and well muscled animal.

This is the most versatile breed of all dog species. The German shepherd dogs are well known for their intelligence, energy, stability, undying loyalty, versatility and strength. These can be trained very easily [More about dog breeds].

Basic things to know before getting the German shepherd dog:

These are the most important things to remember while you are breeding German shepherd dog.

• German shepherd dog is not a backyard dog or a kennel dog
• Not at all sociable with strangers
• Have high energy levels and expects the same from its owner
• Not at all submissive with other dogs
• Should not be left alone for long hours, always need time-to-time attention
• Dog training is the most important task
• Always demands attention from the owner and should not be neglected

The positive sides of breeding a German shepherd dog are:

• These are family dogs and get along with every one in the family
• These are the best companions for alone persons
• These are working dogs and need proper exercise.
• These are very much protective towards their owner and fierce towards strangers
• Sociable with children and do not tend to hurt them

If you can fulfill all these requirements to your dog, then you can breed a German shepherd dog.

German shepherd dog care and grooming:

As other dog species, German shepherd dog also needs special care and grooming [Dog care guidelines].

Dog grooming: The German shepherd dogs are double-coated breeds. It has two coats- down type under coat and a longer hair course as an external course. If the dog’s active levels are normal, the dog needs regular brushing. If the German shepherd dog is extremely active, it requires daily brushing and once in a week bathing.

Exercise: German shepherd dogs are highly active dogs with full of energy. Therefore, these dogs need exercise. Proper exercise and training are necessary for a happy dog and owner. The exercise should include both physical and mental exercise. The physical exercise depends on the German shepherd dog age and activity level.

Mental exercise is necessary for creating a well-balanced and mannered German shepherd dog. Obedience sessions are very important for mental exercise.

Brushing : The German shepherd dogs love brushing and loved to be cuddled very often. 3-4 times brushing per week is generally prescribed for normal dogs. The dogs with long coats require much concern. Use a ‘slicker’ brush once in a week while brushing the coat of the dog. Regular brushing can make your shepherd stand still and enjoy the session.

Ears : The ears of the German shepherd dogs are very fluffy and thick with hair. Mites love to hide in these places. Regular check up is suggested for dogs with longer coats. Wax is formed in the ears, so consult your vet and ask for authorized German shepherd dog products to clean the wax in the ears. While bathing, avoid water dripping into the ears as the water accumulated in the ear canal can develop infection.

Toenails : Always be cautious about the nail growth. German shepherd dogs are very fierce dogs and need special care when meeting with strangers. Check the nails in weekly basis and make sure the nails do not grow extensively. Cut them from time-to-time; if you fear to cut the nails then at least trim the nails.

Brushing : Check the teeth once in a month and have dental check up once in a year. Brush your dog’s teeth at least thrice in a week for strong teeth. Teeth will accumulate tartar if proper care is not taken. Never use human tooth pastes for dogs. Always check the paste you are using for your dog is edible or not.

About the Author

Neelima Reddy, author of this article writes for ThePetsCentral.com The Pets Central blog helps you learn everything you need to know about pets. Know more about various tips for raising pets like dogs, cats, birds, fish, and other pets like rabbit, monkey, etc. Visit Pets Blog