the german shepherd

the primery meaning of the german sheperd was to control the flock and protect the sheperd but today
he is no linger used für these tasks.
90 percent of all dogs who are active for police or duty are sheperd dogs.

because of his ability to browse the snow very fast and easy the sheperd replaced the saint bernhard as avalanche dog in the alps.
he is also used as seeing-eye dog very successfully.

until today he is one of the popularest dog race for these usages.

for private use, the sheperd can be used for any sports and should not be limited for vpg sport.
he is qualified equally for obedience or agility.
to prevent him from getting skeleton disorders like hip dysplasia the dogs are not allowed to make agility or bicyle
in the first year of his life.
a sv veterinarian should give his opinion after a roentgen examination.

beside all these areas the shepherd can be a watch or familydog, but he always should have tasks and enough sport activities.