The first official publication endorsed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) to celebrate this remarkably talented and multi-faceted breed, Meet the German Shepherd is the ideal introduction for new owners. German Shepherds have served humankind in various capacities over the years, including work as a police dog, military dog, search and rescue dog, herding dog, competition dog, guard dog and companion dog. Few breeds can boast as many devoted fans at the GSD. This colorful and useful owner's guide is divided into eleven chapters, which offer authoritative and accurate information on the breed's history as a working dog, characteristics, and special requirements for owning a dog as active and intelligent as the GSD. All titles in the American Kennel Club's Meet the Breed series are heavily illustrated with beautiful color images of well-bred puppies and handsome adults, a true feast for the eyes of any lover of this breed. A chapter devoted to the purchase and selection of the GSD puppy gives the reader specific guidance on how to locate a qualified breeder and to recognize a healthy, sound puppy. Individual chapters on house-training and basic obedience serve as a crash course in positive-training techniques, the AKC's only recommended way of training dogs. Chapters on exercise, grooming, feeding, and healthcare present indispensable information for new dog owners. As an official publication of the AKC produced in conjunction with the German Shepherd Dog Club of America, Meet the German Shepherd also explains the many vital programs offered by the country's leading canine organization to all pet dog owners, including the S.T.A.R. Puppy and the Canine Good Citizen programs, as well as descriptions of various dog sports such as conformation showing, agility, herding, obedience and more. A detailed resources section offers recommendations for websites, books, periodicals, and club affiliate programs, all of great interest to responsible new dog owners.

The first official publication endorsed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) to celebrate this remarkably talented and multi-faceted breed, Meet the German Shepherd is the ideal introduction for new owners. German Shepherds have served humankind in various capacities over the years, including work as a police dog, military dog, search and rescue dog, herding dog, competition dog, guard dog and companion dog. Few breeds can boast as many devoted fans at the GSD. This colorful and useful owner’s guide is divided into eleven chapters, which offer authoritative and accurate information on the breed’s history as a working dog, characteristics, and special requirements for owning a dog as active and intelligent as the GSD. All titles in the American Kennel Club’s Meet the Breed series are heavily illustrated with beautiful color images of well-bred puppies and handsome adults, a true feast for the eyes of any lover of this breed. A chapter devoted to the purchase and selection of the GSD puppy gives the reader specific guidance on how to locate a qualified breeder and to recognize a healthy, sound puppy. Individual chapters on house-training and basic obedience serve as a crash course in positive-training techniques, the AKC’s only recommended way of training dogs. Chapters on exercise, grooming, feeding, and healthcare present indispensable information for new dog owners. As an official publication of the AKC produced in conjunction with the German Shepherd Dog Club of America, Meet the German Shepherd also explains the many vital programs offered by the country’s leading canine organization to all pet dog owners, including the S.T.A.R. Puppy and the Canine Good Citizen programs, as well as descriptions of various dog sports such as conformation showing, agility, herding, obedience and more. A detailed resources section offers recommendations for websites, books, periodicals, and club affiliate programs, all of great interest to responsible new dog owners.

“Based on the latest findings in the field of canine cognition and behavior, this book is an invaluable resource.” —Hal Herzog, author of Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat: Why It's So Hard To Think Straight About Animals Every dog owner knows that along with the joy can come the stress and frustration of behavioral problems, which are expensive to diagnose and treat. Enter Kim Brophey, award-winning canine behavior consultant. Using cutting-edge research, Brophey has developed a groundbreaking system that allows owners to identify what their dog is struggling with, why, and how they can fix it. Brophey’s approach is unlike anything that has been published before and will give dog owners a new understanding of what motivates and affects their dog’s behavior. This innovative technique rethinks the way we categorize dogs, and distills information from over twenty scientific disciplines into four comprehensive elements: learning, environment, genetics, and self. With revolutionary tips for specific dog breeds, this book will change dog owners’ lives—and lead to happier human-canine relationships. “It’s refreshing to finally find a book that takes into consideration the many predispositions to behavior problems in dogs . . . teaches us to really see the dog in its entirety.” —Alexandre Rossi, author of A Dog at the Keyboard

This book briefly describes the history, characteristics, and behavior of the German Shepherd.

Introduces readers to the history, behavior, and physical description of German Shepherds. Colorful spreads, fun facts, and a special reading feature make this an exciting read for animal lovers and report writers alike.

Learn the traits of these wonderful dogs and see how they have help people.

Published in hardcover as What the dog knows: the science and wonder of working dogs by Simon & Schuster, New York, c2013.