Tap to Read ➤

German Dog Breeds

Kundan Pandey
Dogs are one of the most faithful pet animals. They have been a valuable part of almost all human settlements. Humans began to intentionally breed dogs for their unique qualities. The breeds that originated in Germany stand out as one of the finest of all time.
Dogs are a subspecies of the gray wolf, a member of the carnivora family. The domestication of the gray wolf began some 15,000 years ago. With proximity to human life and culture, dogs developed an excellent intelligence and social understanding.
From hunting and herd protection to house safety and bomb squads, dogs have evolved as 'Man's most faithful friend'.
The German Spitz, Bavarian Mountain Hound, German Shorthaired pointer, Affenpinscher, and German Shepherd are some of the best-known German breeds. A brief description of these breeds is given below.

German Spitz

The German Spitz is one of the oldest dog breeds. These dogs are generally white, but the smaller ones can be found in various colors such as black, brown, orange, and gray. All these dogs have a fox-like head and thicker head hair, relative to the whole body.
They have very small feet with hair in-between them. Their eyes are small in proportion to the body, especially in the case of the small Spitz dogs. Ears are triangular-shaped and are set high on the head. Their tails curl on the top of their backs. Almost all dogs of this breed have double coats.
The height of taller dogs ranges from 16-17 inches and that of the smaller ones is between 9-15 inches. Their average weight is around 22-40 pounds.
These dogs are suitable for an apartment life. They love long walks and can accompany their owners for a 20 mile walk daily. They are a very elegant, happy, and joyful breed. They are also very observant, alert, and dynamic, which makes them good watchdogs. They expect a lot of human attention and love to respond and please their owners.
They need to be trained for a few days and need to know that the owner is the boss. If they don't get a proper leader in their owner, they may turn aggressive and nervous. If trained properly, they become very good companions and socialize easily. Their life expectancy is usually 12-13 years.

Bavarian Mountain Hound

These are 'scent hounds' as they hunt by the power of smell. They weigh between 45-55 pounds and are 17-20 inches in height.
They have a strong, elongated head. The body structure is athletic and they are less susceptible to diseases. They are brown, dark-coffee, golden, or red in color. Their face color is black, with a black or red nose and very wide nostrils. The tail is long and not curled or twisted to facilitate faster running.
These dogs are very smart, obedient, energetic, and have fast learning capabilities. Generally, they don't fit into the city lifestyle. They need proper space to run and exercise. They need trainers who are very patient and kind.

German Shorthaired Pointer

This breed was developed in the 1800s especially for hunting. A thin, streamlined body, long ears, strong hind legs, and a docked tail help them run fast. Their eyes are dark-brown and they complement their rich-brown body color.
Pointers are very loyal and obedient. They are especially protective of the young children in a family. This breed has very high energy levels and training is a must for them, to avoid experiencing any strange dog behavior. They love activities such as long walks, jogs, or runs.
When it comes to appearance, their height ranges from 21-23 inches for females and 23-25 inches for males. Their weight is between 45-70 pounds. The coat colors can be white and liver, black, dark-brown, or black and white.

German Shepherd

This dog was basically developed for herd guarding, especially sheep. It is a relatively newer dog breed that evolved in the early 1900s.These are 21-25 inches tall and weigh between 44-88 pounds. They are black or red in color with a black face.
They are very aggressive dogs and need to be handled with care. They find work in the military and police services because of their intelligence and strong grasping power. They make excellent guard dogs but can also be loving companions if trained and socialized properly from an early age.

Affenpinscher

The Affenpinscher is also a breed that originated in Germany. These are small dogs that stand between 9-12 inches in height and weigh between 6.5 to 13 pounds. They have a shaggy coat having a rough and wiry texture. Coat colors can be black, black and tan, gray, and red. 
These dogs have high energy levels and are intelligent and curious. They love to play and generally get along with other animals. They are loyal and loving but can be a little stubborn, hence they need gentle but versatile training as they tend to get bored.
They are very loving towards their family but need gentle assertion from their owners. They are fearless and a little possessive about their belongings and are thus not recommended for homes with small children.
Nowadays, many superior dog breeds are available, so you can pick any one of them as per your requirements. Dogs will always be the most trusted and loyal companions of humans.