German Shepherd

The German Shepherd Dog is a large, strong animal often used for guarding or police work. The GSD can be a good family dog if trained properly but needs experienced handling. He relishes training and needs a firm and consistent hand. Some GSDs have a very high working drive and should be avoided when choosing a family pet.  Aggression due to fearfulness has also been reported in the breed, therefore great care needs to be taken to ensure sound temperament.   The GSD has a thick double coat which sheds fur, so it should be groomed at least twice a week. He needs more than two hours of exercise every day. Average life-span 10.3 years.