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German shepherd at home beside its food bowl and blanket, with flowers and a fence behind. A detailed printable for dog fans; get the free PDF.
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Download PDFPrintAn adult German shepherd lying on the grass with upright ears, a food bowl, a blanket, flowers and a fence.
Build depth in the fur with several browns and keep the back darkest.
Draw a map of the yard showing where the dog eats, sleeps and plays.
A German shepherd named Rin Tin Tin starred in Hollywood movies in the 1920s.
This German shepherd at home seems to be calmly watching over its territory, and that is no accident: the breed was made to work. In the late 1800s, a German cavalry officer named Max von Stephanitz set out to create the perfect herding dog, one that was smart, obedient and tough.
In 1899 he registered the first dog of the breed and began combining shepherd dogs from different parts of Germany. The result was so versatile that it soon did much more than herd sheep. During World War I, German shepherds carried messages, found wounded soldiers and took on many other jobs.
Today they are among the most common police dogs in the world. Their skills make them ideal for finding missing people, sniffing out dangerous substances, protecting officers and helping after earthquakes. German shepherds were also some of the very first guide dogs for blind people in the United States.
At home, a German shepherd is loyal, protective and very affectionate with its family. It needs daily exercise, brain games and regular brushing, because it sheds a lot. A spot of its own in the yard, with a blanket and a food bowl, helps it feel calm and safe.
