The appearance of a German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is a medium to large-sized breed with a strong, muscular build and a powerful, athletic appearance. They are known for their intelligence, strength, and loyalty, and are often used as working dogs in fields such as police work, search and rescue, and personal protection.

German Shepherds have a wedge-shaped head with a straight nasal bridge and a black nose, and their ears are upright and forward-standing. They have black, slightly slanted eyes that give them an alert and attentive expression. They have a full scissor bite with 42 teeth.

Male German Shepherds typically have a shoulder height of 60 to 65 cm, while females are slightly smaller, with a shoulder height of 55 to 60 cm. They are well-balanced and agile, and are known for their stamina and endurance. They have a wide, muscular gait and are known for their athleticism.

The German Shepherd is a strong and capable breed that is well-suited for a variety of roles, including work, competition, and as a family pet. They require regular exercise, training, and socialization to thrive and be well-behaved.

Variations in coat and color

According to the breed standard set by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), German Shepherds should have a straight, dense coat with a deep undercoat that protects them from the elements. The breed standard recognized two types of coat: the short, "stock" coat and the longer, "long stock" coat.

The short, stock coat is straight and close-lying, and is characterized by a deep undercoat that provides protection from the elements. The long stock coat is longer and softer, with a distinctive mane on the neck and longer hair on the ears, legs, and tail.

German Shepherds can be black with brown, yellow, or light grey markings, black or wolf grey solid, or grey with brown patterns. The breed standard allows for both the short and long stock coat varieties. It's important to note that coat length and color do not affect the breed's working ability or suitability as a pet.

The long stockhaired type was not included in the FCI standard until 2008. The bushy flags and breeches on the ears, legs, and tail are formed by the long, soft outer coat, which does not lie close in this coat type. Black with brown, yellow, or light grey markings, black or wolf grey solid, or grey with brown patterns are the colors of the stock coat or long stock coat.

White German Shepherds

White German Shepherds, also known as White Shepherds, are a variation of the German Shepherd breed that are characterized by their white coat color. While white coat color is not recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) or the American Kennel Club (AKC) as a standard coat color for the German Shepherd breed, the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) does recognize white as a valid coat color for the breed.

White German Shepherds are not a separate breed from the standard German Shepherd, and they are not recognized as such by the FCI. However, the FCI does recognize a separate breed called the Berger Blanc Suisse, also known as the White Swiss Shepherd, which is similar to the German Shepherd but is bred specifically for its white coat color. White German Shepherd puppies cannot be bred with White Swiss Shepherd dogs and are therefore not recognized as Berger Blanc Suisse.

It's important to note that coat color does not affect a dog's temperament, intelligence, or suitability as a pet. It is important to choose a reputable breeder and to follow responsible breeding practices, regardless of the coat color of the breeding dogs.