Considered an extremely capable dog, the German Shepherd Dog owes its existence to the vision of Captain Max von Stephanitz. In the 1890s, the German Cavalry officer set out to create a dog with excellent herding and guarding capabilities. This work required a breed with intelligence, loyalty, endurance, strength and a willingness to be trained and worked; and so, it was developed with German herding and farm dogs. By 1899, The Society for German Shepherd Dogs had created and laid out the breed standard, set up a system for breed registration and issued strict breeding regulations. The German Shepherd Dog is now extremely popular throughout the world. It has excelled at more jobs than any other breed, including use as a war dog, sentry dog, tracker, herder, drug dog, and search-and-rescue dog, guide for the blind, to name a few. The German Shepherd Dog requires plenty of room for exercise and activity; obedience training is also recommended.

Appearance
The German Shepherd Dog is a large and strong dog. The fur is a double-coat and can be either short or long haired. Different kennel clubs have different standards for the breed according to size, weight, coat color, and structure. German Shepherds that compete in dog shows, must have an appearance that conforms with the guidelines of the individual kennel club. Some common disqualifying faults include ears that are not completely erect, or a muzzle that is not predominantly black. Ear faults can be caused by weak cartilage in the ears which allow them to flop (also called "friendly-tipped"). The German Shepherd Dog is often possible for a veterinarian to correct this problem by taping up the ears.

Character
Well-bred German Shepherd Dogs have powerful jaws and strong teeth, can develop a strong sense of loyalty and obedience, and can be trained to attack and release on command. Poorly bred German Shepherd Dogs such as those from puppy mills can be fearful, overly aggressive, or both. German Shepherd Dogs, along with Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and Dobermans, are often perceived as inherently dangerous, and are the target of Breed Specific Legislation in several countries. If a German Shepherd Dog is violent or aggressive, it is often due to the combination of poor breeding and the owner's lack of control, training, and socialization. German Shepherd Dogs are often used as guard, seeing eye, and police dogs and more specifically search and rescue, narcotics dogs, and bomb scenting dogs which further contributes to the perception of their being a dangerous breed. However, many German Shepherd Dogs function perfectly well as search dogs and family pets - roles where aggressive behavior is unsuitable.

German Shepherd Dogs' sense of loyalty and emotional bond with their owners is almost impossible to describe. They have a keen intuition or bond which is highly in tune with their owner/handler. Separation trauma is one reason they are now used less often in guide dog roles, since guide dogs are typically trained from puppyhood by one owner/handler prior to final placement with their employer, i.e, new owner. This is simply avoidable by proper socialization, continuing stimulation to all types of situations, with people, in and out of traffic, and better guiding of their new handler/owner into the relationship with their new dog. The German Shepherd Dog can live outside in temperate to cool climates, but it is family-oriented and does equally well as a house dog.
 

Temperament
The German Shepherd is a loyal protector to its family and home. They are confident, intelligent, fearless, and poised yet eager and willing upon invitation. While the German Shepherd should be approachable and friendly, he does not make immediate friendships with strangers. You can and should begin obedience training with a German Shepherd while it is still young.

Exercise/Training
The German Shepherd Dog needs daily mental and physical challenges. It enjoys a good exercise session as well as learning session. Playing and obedience are very good types of mental exercise. 20 minutes obedience and playing with your German Shepherd will be more useful for the dogs exercise then an hour walk on the leash can provide.

Color
Although the black and tan saddle may be most recognizable, German Shepherds come in a variety of colors and patterns though not all are accepted by the various breed clubs or FCI. Two toned German Shepherds can be black and tan, black and red, black and brown, black and silver, black and cream, blue and tan, or liver and tan. Solid colors may be black and solid white or any of the dilutes (liver, blue, or cream). German Shepherd Dogs with coats that have tricolored hair (black and white with either brown or red) are called sable or agouti. Sables can come in a variety of mixtures as well including black and silver, black and red, black and cream, and black and tan. Some various markings are referred to as 'striping' (black stripe markings on the legs found in some sables), 'pencilling' (also often found on the sable as black lines on the top of the dog's toes), 'tar heels' (black that runs down the back of the dog's legs), and the bitch stripe (grey hairs along the back of a female or a neutered male.)

Grooming
The coat of the German Shepherd needs brushing one or two times weekly. A good nutrition and regular brushing keeps the proper coat shine and the skin healthy. Bathing doesn’t harm the coat of the German Shepherd as long as you use a good quality shampoo that doesn't dry the skin and coat and is formulated for a canine coat. The ears of the German Shepherd should be kept clean and regularly inspected as well.

Any breed described as "good with children", the dog must be accustomed to children. Any dog that is not well socialized with children will not behave predictably around them. As with all dogs, they should never be left alone with young children.