German Shepherds are among the world’s most popular and recognized dog breeds. Max Von Stephanitz developed this dog breed in Germany in 1899 as herding dogs for herding sheep.
German Shepherds are also known as an Alsatian. During the world war, GSDs were called Alsatians after the German-French border area of Alsace-Lorraine. The German Shepherds are strong, athletic and intelligent. Hence, they are working dogs.
The working and show lines are the two famous lines of German Shepherd dogs. Although all German Shepherds descend from the original German Shepherd line, they have now developed into two different dog types based on appearance and temperament. So should you own a German shepherd showline?
Well, you should if you are a dog lover. This is because the German Showline is a perfect breed for a home setting. They are intelligent, active, and loyal companions. They are even perfcet for single ones and can be cared for even on busy schedule. If you do decide to get one, what can you expect?
This article focuses on the German Shepherd show line, the health and temperament of this dog, how to care for it and the ups and downs side of the German Shepherd show line. After considering all these, you can decide whether to get a show line GSD.
What is a show-line German Shepherd dog?
Show line German Shepherd dogs are a type of German Shepherd bred specifically for showing instead of working or guarding. The breeders of the show-line focus on their looks—no wonder they are physically appealing as they are beautiful, well-structured dogs.
Although show lines and working lines have similar temperaments, show line GSDs are a better choice for children and the family environment because they are stable, calm, trainable, and easy to live within the home. Yet, they have enough drive to protect the family.
For a German Shepherd to gain recognition as a show line, it must meet specific requirements. Some of these are:
Colour
Black and lush colours like black, black and tan, and black and red are the commonly preferred colours for show line German Shepherds in the show ring.
Body Structure
Show line German Shepherds have a broader body with sloped back and angled hindquarters. So, they give the appearance of longer front legs and shorter back legs.
Coat
The German Shepherd show line dogs have medium or thick coats, slightly longer than the coats found on the German Shepherd working line.
Ears
Show line dogs must have straight, erect and triangular ears instead of cropped or hanging ears.
Tail
A German Shepherd show line dog must also not have a docked tail.
The temperament of a show line German Shepherd.
The show line GSD have great temperaments and are calmer and more easygoing than the other German Shepherds. Show line GSDs are loving dogs and quickly bond with their owners. Because they are originally herding dogs, they are highly protective of their family members. Showline GSDs are also aloof with strangers.
The temperament of the show line German Shepherd is prone to change and can be affected by external factors. Please do not keep them chained for long, as it can disrupt their normal behaviour.
Show line GSDs have high energy, so lots of mental and physical activities are essential to train their energy level and avoid destructive behaviours.
To regulate their temperament, engage them in exercises such as tracking, dock diving (doing this helps to engage the dog physically and mentally), and herding.
Above all, the show line German Shepherds are fearless, intelligent and very loving dogs. So, you can get a working line GSD as a family pet but ensure to engage it in daily activities.
Health.
Because of their excessively sloped backs and shorter hind legs, show-line German Shepherds are one of the dogs that require monitoring and additional support. Unfortunately, this dog breed is prone to hip and elbow problems because of its body structure.
How to care for the show line GSD.
To care for your show line German Shepherd, you must do the following to keep your dog looking physically appealing and healthy.
Teeth.
Frequent teeth cleaning with the right brush is essential to prevent the build-up of plaque and tartar on the dog’s teeth. Use dog-friendly toothpaste and try not to brush too hard so as not to cause damage.
Ears.
Frequently check your dog’s ears and clean its ears weekly. Use ear drops and avoid using water to clean your dog’s ears. Using water to wash your dog’s ear can cause an infection.
Coat.
Frequent bathing is unnecessary for show line GSDs, so you can bathe this breed two to three times yearly or when it becomes highly muddy, perhaps after long hours of exercise.
This breed also has dense furs and two coats and often sheds hair. So, brush at least three to four times weekly to keep the coats free of loose hair. During spring, when this breed heavily sheds, brush its coat daily.
Nails.
Trim the toenails of the German Shepherd, as long nails can cause injuries.
Pros/Cons of owning a showline German shepherd.
You are probably wondering if it is wise to get the show-line German Shepherd dogs. Admittedly, they are great dogs; having them in the family would be great. However, to own this breed is not a bed of roses. Here are the pros of getting a show line German Shepherd and its setbacks.
Pros.
They are beautiful and can participate in show rings and competitions if they meet the health and appearance requirements. They are also highly trainable, hence, can be trained to perform show-line routines. German Shepherd show lines are also loving and loyal and show affection to their owners without being too clingy. They can be excellent guard dogs and family pets because they are intelligent, active and have a more relaxed energy level.
Cons.
Their sloped back and shorter hind legs pose severe hip and elbow health problems and affect their movement ability.
If you are not the cleaning type or are allergic to fur, this might not be a good option for you because this breed sheds all year. They also have grooming requirements to make them eligible for dog shows.
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