German Shepherds Pictures - Description
German Shepherds are strong and heavily muscled. They have an elongated body, and the length should exceed the height at the withers. The chest is deep, the legs are straight and they are set close to the body. German Shepherds run in a light and effortless manner. When trotting, the back seems firm and immobile. That makes a running German Shepherd look like a well-lubricated vehicle.
German shepherds measure 24-26 inches high at the withers (dogs) and 22-24 inches (bitches). The American Kennel Club defines the dog's body as volumetric and balanced, neither clumsy nor feeble, so that there is enough room for life and power inside. The ribcage is proportionate, neither thin nor barrel-shaped.
German Shepherds have strong and springy forequarters. The strength is achieved through well-developed muscles in legs and long shoulder blades. Legs are straight; they have oval bone. The pasterns are springy and muscular, and they rest at a 25-degree angle in relation to the vertical. German Shepherds have well arched toes and short nails.
The clearly cut head expresses dignity and nobility. The skull is wedge shaped, and it thins out toward the nose without prominent stops. The nose is black. German Shepherds have 42 teeth, 22 lower and 20 upper ones, closing in a scissors bite. The eyes are oblique, dark and almond-shaped. Ears are erect; their inner sides turns forward.
The neck is long. It moves smoothly down to the withers and further to the straight top line, which in turn runs to a sloping croup. The hindquarters are strong and muscular. Proper transmission of power by way of coordinated action of front- and hindquarters achieves the lightness of gait, which is only possible when there is a perfect proportion between the front and the rear. The tail is bushy and long, it is never carried high (a slight curve is permissible). The belly tucks up at the loin.
Hindquarters play a crucial role in jumping and running abilities, and any deviation from the standard has an immediate effect on these capabilities. For that reason, judges always place great emphasis on proper structure of hindquarters at conformation shows.
Coat is dense and medium long. There are long coated species, but they are no longer preferable. The coat is coarser on the neck and the backside of the legs. Pure breeds have double coat. German Shepherds vary in color. Standard colors include solid black, black and beige, black and tan, black and red, black and gray and sable. White German Shepherds are disqualifiers.
