Shepherd
The Shepherd dog is a distinctive type of herding dog. It is a medium sized and very agile breed with a pointed snout. They can be very fox-like appearance. They can have both long and short-haired coats that come in a range of colors. Bred for the physical characteristics that help them with their work, Shepherd dogs are highly active and are full of energy. Many Shepherd dogs do not have the term Shepherd in their name. Some of the more famous Shepherd breeds of dog are the Shetland Sheepdog and the Border Collie.
Temperament
Highly intelligent and often considered very attractive dogs, the Shepherd dog is easy to train and eager to please. They are intensely loyal to their owners and family and are never happier than when they have a job to do. They require a lot of attention from their owners and are not suitable pets for a lot of people. They require a huge amount of daily exercise and mental stimulation to stop them from displaying bad behaviour. These dogs are loving and affectionate towards their owners but do need socialization to accept strangers and other dogs.
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Height, Weight
Height: Varies with breed, typically small to medium build
Weight: Varies with breed, typically small to medium build
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Health Problems
Shepherd dogs are very hardy dogs with few health issues. The issues do vary from breed to breed.
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Living Conditions
Shepherd dogs are okay inside if sufficiently exercised. They do better in larger households with a medium to large sized yard.
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Exercise
Shepherds are highly active and full of energy, they need a lot of exercise and do best with owners who are very active themselves. They need several daily walks along with plenty of play to stimulate them mentally as well as physically.
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Life Expectancy
Usually up to 15 years or more
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Litter Size
Varies depending on breed
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Grooming
Varies depending on breed
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Group
Herding, AKC Herding
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Recognition
CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, CCR, APRI, ACR, DRA
