German shepherd

German shepherd
one of a breed of large shepherd dogs having a coat ranging in color from gray to brindled, black-and-tan, or black, used esp. in police work and as a guide for the blind. Also called German shepherd dog, German police dog.
[1930-35; shepherd prob. as trans. of G Schäferhund]

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Breed of working dog developed in Germany from traditional herding and farm dogs.

A strongly built, long-bodied dog, it stands 23–25 in. (58–64 cm) high and weighs 75–95 lbs (34–43 kg). Its coat is of coarse, medium-long outer hair and shorter, dense inner hair and ranges from white or pale gray to black; often it is gray and black or black and tan. Noted for intelligence, alertness, and loyalty, it is used as a guide for the blind, as a watchdog, and in police and military work.

German shepherd

Sally Anne Thompson/EB Inc.

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▪ breed of dog
 breed of working dog developed in Germany from traditional herding and farm dogs. Until the 1970s the breed was known as the Alsatian in the United Kingdom. A strongly built, relatively long-bodied dog, the German shepherd stands 22 to 26 inches (56 to 66 cm) and weighs 75 to 95 pounds (34 to 43 kg). Its coat is of coarse, medium-long outer hair and shorter, dense inner hair and ranges from white or pale gray to black and is often gray and black or black and tan. Noted for intelligence, alertness, and loyalty, the German shepherd is used as a guide for the blind and as a watchdog and also serves in police and military work.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • German shepherd — noun count a large dog with thick dark fur, pointed ears, and a long narrow nose and jaw. German shepherds are often used by the police …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • German shepherd — n a large dog rather like a ↑wolf that is often used by the police, for guarding property etc British Equivalent: Alsatian …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • German shepherd — ► NOUN ▪ a large breed of dog often used as guard dogs or for police work; an Alsatian …   English terms dictionary

  • German shepherd — n. any of a breed of large dog somewhat resembling a wolf, with a bushy tail and erect ears, developed in Germany to herd sheep, now often used as a guard dog, a police dog, and a guide for the blind …   English World dictionary

  • German Shepherd — Deutscher Schäferhund FCI Standard Nr. 166 Gruppe 1: Hütehunde und Treibhunde (ohne Schweizer Sennenhunde) Sektion 1: Schäferhunde …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • German shepherd — noun breed of large shepherd dogs used in police work and as a guide for the blind • Syn: ↑German shepherd dog, ↑German police dog, ↑alsatian • Hypernyms: ↑shepherd dog, ↑sheepdog, ↑sheep dog …   Useful english dictionary

  • German shepherd — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms German shepherd : singular German shepherd plural German shepherds an Alsatian …   English dictionary

  • German shepherd — Dog Dog (d[o^]g), n. [AS. docga; akin to D. dog mastiff, Dan. dogge, Sw. dogg.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) A quadruped of the genus {Canis}, esp. the domestic dog ({Canis familiaris}). Note: The dog is distinguished above all others of the inferior animals… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • German Shepherd — noun A medium sized breed of dog often used as a guard dog or police dog. Syn: Alsatian, alsatian, German Shepherd Dog …   Wiktionary

  • German Shepherd Dog — Other names Alsatian Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund GSD Schäferhund Country of origin Germany Traits …   Wikipedia

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