Dog Breeds - German Shepherd 6/30

German Shepherds are highly intelligent and agile dogs who are well suited to active working environments. They are also know for their loyalty and patience through hardships. Often a German Shepherd will be deployed in various roles such as police work, guarding, search and rescue, drug finds, therapy, in the military, as well as guide dogs for the blind. Despite their suitability for such work, German Shepherds can also make loyal and loving pets, as they enjoy being around people and other animals.

This breed of dog has even been known to aid suffers with reading disabilities and has recently been used by organizations to help youth to read more comfortably. For children with low self-esteem, or for those who struggle with academic performance, the presence of a friendly, nonjudgmental friend can help immensely. Thirty minutes reading to a German Shepherd has aided many people to read more comfortably and without the fear of failure.

The breed is thought to have originated by Captain Max von Stephanitz in 1899. It is said that he admired the German landrace herding dogs and, aware of the declining need for them, believed they had the potential to be all-purpose working dogs. He was clearly correct as the German Shepherd remains one of the world's most popular breeds.