In the last two years, many of us have welcomed a new four-legged friend into our homes as the Kennel Club has seen a nearly eight percent increase in dog ownership.
But with 221 different pedigree dog breeds to choose from, there’s a lot to think about before choosing your perfect pup.
There’s even scientific guidance to seek out, with psychologist Stanley Coren’s book, The Intelligence of Dogs, which ranks breeds on instinct, obedience, and adaptability.
One dog that often tops people’s canine wish list is the German Shepherd – they were rated in the top 10 most popular dog breeds in the UK for 2020 and have a number of positive traits that make them a great family pet.
Here are 10 fun and interesting facts about the breed.
Join our Scotsdog Facebook group here for the latest dog news, chat, advice and information
A message from the editor:
Thank you for reading this article. We need your support more than ever as the change in consumer habits caused by the coronavirus impacts our advertisers.
If you haven’t already, you can support our trusted, fact-checked journalism by subscribing to a digital subscription.
German shepherds earned their name because of their talent for herding sheep. However, you’re unlikely to see one as a sheepdog now – these days his talents are more commonly used as police and military dogs due to his strength and intelligence.
Photo: Canva/Getty Images
German shepherds are among the three smartest dog breeds. To be included in this pinnacle of canine bright sparks, a breed must understand a new command after only five repetitions and follow the first command it is given 95 percent of the time.
Photo: Canva/Getty Images
A Mexican German shepherd named Zuyaqui is credited with being the most drug catching dog in Mexican history. His body is now on display at the Narco-Museum of the Mexican Secretariat of National Defense in Mexico City.
Photo: Canva/Getty Images
In the 1980s in Holland, theater director Whim Schipper staged a play involving six German shepherds, sending the dogs to acting classes and giving them treats for good acting. Unfortunately, the play, a domestic drama about a girl who brings a new boyfriend to meet her family, was a flop.
Photo: Canva/Getty Images