In our previous post, we covered to a great extent everything there is to know about the East working Line German Shepherd. Today, we will look at the West Working Line, which came from the opposite side of Germany. So, what is the West Working Line German Shepherd?
Well, the West Working Line German Shepherd is a working GSD breed originating from West Germany during the second war. Unlike the East German Shepherd, who went through strict breeding to be good and powerful working dogs, the German Shepherds in West Germany were bred for two purposes, show and work. That’s why we have the West German Show Line and Working Line.
This post will focus on the West German Working Line, its history and breeding over the years, and some training and care tips for building a calm and balanced obedient pet that you could later convert to a great protection dog.
But first, what are the various color combinations in the West German Working Line? And what features make up this amazing breed? Let’s find out next.
Colors and Features of the West Working Line GSD.
- COLOR.
The West Working Line German Shepherd can come in various colors from Black, Black, and Tan, and Sable Black and Gold, Grey and Black, Black and Silver, and Solid Black.
You may wonder why the West German Working Line Shepherd comes with many different color combinations. This is because the West German Shepherd was the original GSD from which all other breed variations came.
But what features make the West German Working Line distinct from the other Working Lines? Let’s find out.
- FEATURES.
The West Working Line German Shepherd has many physical and behavioral features and traits that set it apart from the other Lines. We will highlight their traits and features in bullet points below.
- The West German Working Line is the smallest of the three Working Lines.
- They have small heads and Legs.
- They are high-energy dogs with a lot of prey drive.
- They are pain tolerant, which helps them excel in many demanding working activities.
- They are fearless and loyal.
- They are very intelligent dog breeds.
- They are very good bomb detectors.
All these traits make the West Working excel in the police and Military, where you often find them engaging in extreme service work. Now, what is the history of the West Working Line German Shepherd?
History of the West Working Line German Shepherd.
The history of the West Working Line German Shepherd goes back to the origin of the German Shepherd breed. The German Shepherd was originally bred in Germany, but when world war two started and East and West Germany Split, they decided to start their different Lines of the breed.
The East Germans focused on breeding a German Shepherd working Line that would serve while able to withstand their harsh cold weather.
In West Germany, though, two Lines of the German Shepherd were born. The West Working and Show Line GSD.
And unlike East Germany, which put strict laws on how their German Shepherds were bred, the West Germans were very lenient in the breeding standards that needed to be met for their Working Lines to be approved and focused more on the character and temperament of the breed.
Unfortunately, the West Working Line German Shepherd will encounter more health issues because of the less strict breeding standards than the other Working Lines.
The West German Working Lines and Show Lines later found their way to the United States and have become the picture on everyone’s mind when you think of a German Shepherd.
Tips for Caring for a West Working Line German Shepherd.
The West Working Line could be very hard to maintain in a house setting and require great effort if you want to get the most out of your dog. Because of this, we have written a whole post covering how to care for a German Shepherd with a busy schedule.
The information in that post would benefit you if you work a nine-to-five, lead a busy life, and own or are planning to get a German Shepherd.
But for those wanting to get the Working Line German Shepherd, we recommend you have enough time to care for this breed. Why? Because they are high-energy dogs and need to be mentally stimulated to stay happy. So what are some helpful tips to get you on the right track? Here are five of them.
- Make sure to give your GSD some basic obedience training.
- Take your German Shepherd on long walks in the mornings and evenings.
- Take your GSD to the park as often as possible.
- Engage your GSD in fun, mentally stimulating games as often as possible.
- Make sure to socialize your German Shepherd with humans and other dogs properly.
Following these five steps can raise a fine and obedient West Working Line German Shepherd. It is also important to note that you must use high-value treats to get the most out of your training sessions with your West Working Line German Shepherd.
When followed religiously, these five tips listed above would help build a calm and balanced Working Dog that is fearless and has a great temperament.
CONCLUSION.
In conclusion, the West Working Line German Shepherd is a dog with a balanced temperament, small stature, and a very active and loyal companion. It is a dog breed to be the perfect working dog, but it can also excel in the home if well-trained and exercised.
