Hey Dog Lovers,
Today we jump into the word of German Shepherds and share something’s you may not know about them.
Name Change
The only breed that uses Dog in there name because people would confuse the “German Shepherds” tending to a flock of sheep with a dog breed of the same name developed during the 1800s.
1914 GSD has become so popular there was talk of dropping the German attribute and changing the name to “shepherd dog” or “Sheepdog” as a result the AKC removed German from the breeds name in 1917. It was voted back to German Shepherd Dog in 1930.
Popular War Dog
Was trained to work for the German Military in the early 1900s; carrying ammunition, guarding, actin a messenger and conducting search and rescue.
Heroism in WWI impressed American Soldiers who brought some of the dogs back home, at which time the breeds popularity began to soar
Fliax of Lewanno, served more than one year in Allied trenches. He was honored at the 1917 Westminster dog show for rescuing 54 wounded soldiers.
Cinema Stars
“Strong heart” the former German police dog was one of the earliest canine film stars who starred in 6 films including ‘White Fang’ he also has a Hollywood Star on the walk of fame. He paved the way for other canine stars such as ‘Rin-Tin-Tin’
Pioneers in Assistance
In 1927 Dorothy Harrison Eutis, an American dog trainer living in Switzerland, was training German Shepherd dogs as guide dogs for the blind. The first recipients of these GSD guide dogs were WWI veterans blinded battlefield. Seeing eye day is celebrated every year on January 29th.
Common Health Problems
Ear Infections
Skin Allergies
Pyoderma/hot spots
Osteoarthritis
Degenerative arthritis
Thanks for reading, and make sure you check back next week for more fun dog topics to explore.
Thank you for reading dog lovers!
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