The German shepherd is one of the most popular dogs in the world - and with good reason. They are beautiful with their ears erect like a soldier standing at attention. They are loyal, intelligent, and courageous and have a great desire to please and protect their family.
There are many facts about the German shepherd dog that people may not be aware of, quite apart from their excellence as a family pet and watchdog. The German shepherd is the third most popular dog in the United States with over 43,000 registrations of the breed. The German Shepherd Dog is also known as GSD.
German shepherds have been on television and in the movies for many years. Rin-Tin-Tin was a German shepherd that was on a popular show many years ago and was one of the top stars in Hollywood in the 1920s and 1930s. At one point in his career, Rin-Tin-Tin was getting at least 10,000 fan letters each week and made 26 shows for Warner Brothers. He was a lost lonely puppy when a soldier adopted him and trained him. He was so athletic and agile that he could jump over 11 feet. At the peak of his career, when he was shown on television, he was the hero of every young child.
In the 1980s in Canada, there was a television show called "The Littlest Hobo". It starred a German shepherd named London and was about a German shepherd dog that traveled from town to town helping people and then moving on. The show was similar to Lassie, but this dog didn't have any real owners. Although one German shepherd starred in the show originally, there were actually a few different German shepherds that played the role. It started as a movie, but was so successful they made it into a television show.
German shepherds are known for more than just being in the movies. In real life, they have made names for themselves as a result of their intelligence and loyalty. In 1994, a man named Ken Emerson from Vienna, Ontario was rescued by his German shepherd Nellie when his tractor turned over and trapped him. Ken ripped a piece of his shirt, tied an S.O.S. message to it, tied it to Nellie's neck, and sent him home. Nellie traveled three kilometers to his home to give the message to Ken's wife, who sent for help, which ultimately saved Ken's life.
Bruno, a nine-month-old German shepherd saved the life of Donnie Skiffington, an eleven-year-old from Brooklyn, Newfoundland. The boy was thrown from his bicycle into a ditch and laid there unconscious and bleeding badly. The dog repeatedly licked Donnie's face until he woke up and then started pulling Donnie by the shirt in the direction of home.
The German shepherd continues to amaze the world with all their attributes that make them the favorite of many.
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