Old German shepherd Breed description: Character & Co

What are typical character traits of the Old German Shepherd?

• intelligent
• self-confident
• especially alert
• innate protective instinct
• faithful
• friendly
• balanced
• nerves of steel

Old German Shepherds are described as loyal, alert and nerves of steel. Their character corresponds to a large extent to that of a German shepherd dog. With their reliability and resilience they are also suitable as watchdogs, guard dogs, service dogs and herding dogs. However, the Old German Shepherds are considered to be friendlier and more balanced. They have a higher threshold of irritation and are not easily upset. This makes them popular as companion and family dogs.

What are typical diseases of an Old German Shepherd dog?

These typical diseases can occur in Old German Shepherds:

• Hip joint dysplasia (HD)
• Elbow dysplasia (ED)
• degenerative lumbosacral stenosis (DLSS) or cauda equina syndrome
• degenerative myelopathy (muscle atrophy)
• congenital vestibular syndrome (malformation of the inner ear)
• pancreatic insufficiency
• polyneuropathy
• eye diseases
• allergies

Since Old German Shepherds are one of the large dog breeds, they can typically have diseases that affect the bone structure. One troublesome issue is hip dysplasia (HD). Responsible breeders strive to eliminate this hereditary disease from their breedings. Elbow dysplasia (ED) is also more common. Other diseases that can occur are degenerative lumbosacral stenosis (DLSS), also called cauda equina syndrome, degenerative myelopathy (muscle atrophy), congenital vestibular syndrome, pancreatic insufficiency, polyneuropathy, eye disease, and allergies.

Old German Shepherd Dog breeding - where, how, what?

Some lovers of Old German Shepherds or long haired ones did not like to accept when their dogs were excluded from further breeding in 1930. They organized their own clubs and continued the breeding of longhaired shepherd dogs under the term Altdeutscher Schäferhund. After the re-admission of longhaired dogs in 2010, many breeders continue to hold on to the name Old German Shepherd Dog. In breeding Old German Shepherds, as with the German Shepherd, two lines have formed: performance breeding and high breeding (beauty breeding).

Buying an Old German Shepherd Dog

If you are looking for a family dog, a dog from the high breeding is the best choice.

Dogs from the performance breeding belong only in the hands of experienced dog handlers. They are intended for missions such as police, military or customs and must be trained with expertise. If you want a service and protection dog, you should take your Altdeutsche Schäferhund puppy from the performance breed. If you want to get an Old German Shepherd as a companion and family dog, you have to be aware: From its origin it is a working dog with a great urge to work and to learn. Short walks are much too little for Altdeutsche. If you acquire an Old German Shepherd, you must also be able to offer him the right keeping conditions. An Old German Shepherd costs about 1500Euro.