German Shepherd

The German Shepherd Dog was the 6th breed to be introduced on Alacrity. 

The German Shepherd Dog (GSD) was established in the 19th century through the mixing of various German sheepdog breeds. Utility and intelligence was emphasized in the breeding program, creating a breed for both farm work and military/police work. The breed to this day is known for its intelligence and loyalty. The breed should be confidant, willing and excited to work. Designed for efficient movement, the breed was originally designed to be able to effortlessly move at a trot all day. 

The ideal size for a GSD is 22-24 inches for females, and 24-26 inches for males. They have a dense double coat in a large variety of colors, though pale colors and dilutes such as blue and liver are faulted. The movement of the German Shepherd is one of the strongest points in conformation judging, due to the dog's original purpose and structure. 

The German Shepherd Dog is an intelligent, loyal, and driven companion, however requires a lot of exercise and strong handling.