• Fact 2 - Description and Definition of German Shepherd Dogs: This breed of large shepherd dogs used in police work and as a guide for the blind. It originated in Germany from the Alsatia or Alsace region from where its name is derived. Less commonly referred to as Alsatians
• Fact 3 - Size: The weight of German Shepherd Dogs range from 75 - 95 pounds
• Fact 4 - Size: The height of the German Shepherd ranges from 24 - 26 inches, up to the shoulder
• Fact 5 - Alternative Names of German Shepherd Dogs and Nicknames:
  • German Shepherd Dog, Alsatian Wolf Dog and the Deutscher Schaferhund
  • The association with Germany was unpopular following the World wars and the breed was therefore given the name of the Alsatian Wolf Dog after the German-French border area of Alsace-Lorraine
• Fact 6 - Coat and colors of German Shepherd Dogs: The coat is normally medium, straight and hard and comes in a range of colors including black, grey, tan, gold and white
• Fact 7 - Life of German Shepherd Dogs: the life expectancy of the German Shepherd is between 12 - 14 years
• Fact 8 - The names of dog breeds are separated into different dog types which are referred to as Dog Groups. The name of the dog group for German Shepherd Dogs is the Herding dog breed
• Fact 9 - After the first year of life, dogs are considered to be adults - they equivalent to 16 human years!
• Fact 10 - Choosing German Shepherd Dogs as pets! The following considerations should be taken into account when choosing this particular breed of dog as a pet:
  • How much it will cost to feed and train a German Shepherd?
  • How much time will it take to groom the dog?
  • How much time will it take to exercise a German Shepherd on a daily basis?
  • Are German Shepherd Dogs suitable for children?
  • How much will it cost for vet bills, pet or dog health insurance, medication and vaccinations?
• Fact 11 - Every breed of dog is susceptible to certain health problems and illnesses. German Shepherd Dogs are prone to health problems and illnesses such as:
  • - Congenital heart disease
  • - Skin diseases
  • - Hip dysplasia (abnormal development of hip joints)
  • - Panosteitis (an inflammation of long bones in the legs)
  • - Bloat
• Fact 12 - German Shepherd Dogs are among the top five most popular dogs in the United States
• Fact 13 - Breeding German Shepherd Dogs for appearance was only introduced in the 19th Century
• Fact 14 - It is estimated that 85% of dogs visit a vet in a year
• Fact 15 - The average cost of owning a medium sized dog, over a 10 year period, is estimated as over $13,000! This provides a good idea of how much it costs to raise German Shepherd Dogs

For in depth information we highly recommend Dog Names and Breeds.