A beautiful bark

Up close with the German shepherd dog

Text by Sunshine Gelbolingo, USJ-R Intern
Photos by Charlyn Pepito, USJ-R Intern

BEAUTY and brains, gentleness and strength. These are traits that man’s best friend possesses. One breed in particular, the German shepherd dog, is all that and more. Originally a herding dog, the German shepherd has a reputation for being a good helper to the disabled, a brave guardian of homes, a best buddy to children, a trusted protector to livestock, and an excellent partner in crime fighting.

We got a closer look at such an elegant animal during a series of dog shows that the Central Visayas German Shepherd Dog Association headed by Romulo Manapsal Jr. organized last month.

“GSDs are the most flexible dog that can be trained to do any job,” said Craig Groh, a judge during the Aug. 23 conformation show, the country’s first. It was followed by the 36th Landesgruppen Sieger Show the next day at IT Park in Lahug.

Groh said GSDs can be trained to perform police, search, military assistance, and guide works. And if there is a dog worthy to be called noble, it is the German shepherd, as they thrive in a life of service.

But while they could be as cuddly and tame as a teddy bear to their owners, GSDs could get just as grumpy in the presence of bad guys. Loyal, bold and courageous, German shepherds won’t back down when threatened.

Say hello to the German shepherd

BRIGHT DOGGIES. German shepherds are known to be the most intelligent and easiest to train of all dog breeds. They learn new commands quicker than any other breeds.

NASTY BITE. The GSD has the second strongest bite among dogs. Groh said that biting can be avoided with proper training while they are puppies. One way is to avoid playing games that would encourage them to bite, such as holding a toy just out of reach and teaching them to grab at it, tug of war games, or any kind of wrestling and taunting games.

PICTURE PERFECT. The medium-sized GSD is a perfect picture of firmness with its strong and well-muscled appearance. It has a long, strong and well-muscled neck that it raises when excited and lowers when running.

PROLIFIC SHEDDERS. GSDs shed a lot! Brushing them every day would be helpful, but expect to see lots of hair in the house. Buying a good vacuum would be smart. Despite all that shedding, GSDs have beautiful coats mostly with a shade of yellow, tan, brown or gray, while some have black or white coats.