View allAll Photos Tagged Musculoskeletal
Active and passionate rest on the water. A little romance on a warm sunny day on the Volga. The city of Konakovo. Russia.
Cyclic, rhythmic rowing on a boat is ideal for strengthening the myocardium. Paddle manipulation trains, in particular, the left ventricle, which is in charge of transporting arterial blood.
The systolic volume of the heart in rowers reaches significant values. Active contraction of the myocardium during the stroke helps to work the "second heart" - all muscle groups that are involved in the return blood circulation and accelerate the outflow of "used" venous blood. At the same time, our "fiery motor" operates in particularly comfortable conditions. He, too, is "swimming" - bathing in oxygen-enriched arterial blood.
Rowing develops the respiratory system, and working lungs strengthen the diaphragm. The pull of the paddle helps the intercostal muscles to expand and increase the volume of the chest, increasing the lung capacity to seven liters!
Those who are engaged in rowing have good muscle tone, a toned figure - an attractive appearance, and fat reserves ... and the appearance is not served. Apparently, they burn out much faster than they allow themselves to be discovered.
The need to keep an effort on the oar, sometimes up to thirty kilograms, including up to 95% of all muscles in the work. But this figure depends on what kind of rowing sport you are doing: family tourism with children and fishing or rowing at the limit of possibilities.
With age, the human musculoskeletal system acquires a lot of irreversible changes. They touch all bones and joints, but are especially noticeable at the level of the spine - our "axis of symmetry". No amount of gymnastics will ever help the skeleton to escape from them. Accumulating, these changes limit the range of motion, radiculitis, osteochondrosis, discosis and other, as one friend of mine says, bodily monsters appear.
Nevertheless, no one forbids an attempt to "swim away" from them. During rowing, the connective tissue elements are stretched and tense. This prevents the deposition of salts in the ligaments and tendons, in the joints of the arms and legs, in all parts of the spine. Rotational movements of the body, right and left, back and forth, "grind" the deposits of "minerals" accumulated in the intervertebral discs.
Anabolic and metabolic processes in the body, activated during rowing, promote the absorption of nutrients and the utilization of toxins. By flicking the paddle, the work of the nervous, endocrine, digestive and excretory systems of the body improves.
It is shown to be engaged in rowing at any age - from pioneers to pensioners - and, I must say, at the same time, grandfather with an oar evokes respect and sympathy no less than a young man with a barbell.
Both the human body and the planet Earth have several connected systems that support life. The respiratory, digestive, reproductive, musculoskeletal, nervous, and immune systems all play important roles in human life. The planet’s stability relies on the balance of its air, water, land, and life systems.
To maintain musculoskeletal balance, juvy Brown Pelican self-adjusts to the opposite side (see previous post) from its perch atop Old Friend on Armand Bayou.
Many of you have wondered why I have been away from Flickr for almost 4 years. This is a photo of me in 2017 doing one of my favorite things..walking. However a year later I came down with an autoimmune musculoskeletal disease and it left me unable to walk for a long time. My first sign was being unable to raise my arm to take a photo !! After years of various medications and plasma exchange, I’m doing a lot better, (although things can change from day to day). It’s great being back on Flickr and seeing all the amazing photos of others I have followed in the past. Thanks to all of you who have built up my spirits with your favs and nice comments 💕. By the way, I AM able to walk now (except for long distances) and can now take photos again. I’m getting stronger every day !!
Hello winter! Time for active recreation in nature. There are many places for skiing in my city, which makes me very happy.
This type of physical activity is suitable for people of any age.
Leisurely skiing has undoubted benefits for the body. Moreover, the positive effect manifests itself in two directions at once - both physical and psycho-emotional condition improves.
Skiing is a great way to boost your immune system and improve your physical health. You can get rid of the tendency to constant colds, strengthen your body, and become more resilient.
Even leisurely skiing entails the consumption of a large number of calories. On average, an hour of riding burns 9 kcal per 1 kg of weight. For example, a person who weighs 70 kg will get rid of 630 kcal in an hour's walk. It is quite possible to lose weight by skiing even slowly. In addition, various muscle groups are strengthened, which gives the body definition.
Any active activity has a positive effect on the respiratory system, and that in the fresh air - especially. But it is important to breathe correctly when skiing - through your nose, then the benefits will be more significant. Skiing perfectly ventilates the lungs and helps remove harmful substances from them. In addition, due to increased blood circulation, the lungs and other organs are better supplied with oxygen.
In the process of walking, bone tissue is strengthened, joints are maintained in working condition, muscles are trained and strengthened. Specific movements, such as pushing and sliding, have a positive effect on the functioning of the entire musculoskeletal system. If a small child skis, he develops correct coordination of movements faster, and his bone tissue and skeleton develop more actively. Skiing is also recommended for people with spinal diseases. Thanks to regular walking, you can get rid of scoliosis, protrusions and other pathologies.
And many other benefits...
Like all professions being a chef has its risks:
Chefs face a multitude of health risks due to the demanding nature of their profession. These risks include physical injuries from slips, trips, and falls, burns, and cuts, as well as musculoskeletal issues like back pain and repetitive strain injuries.
Furthermore, the high-pressure environment can lead to mental health problems such as stress, anxiety, and even depression. Long hours, constant tasting of rich foods, and exposure to various hazards also contribute to other health issues.
Daniel was kind enough to stop work for a moment to let me take this shot - Thanks.
Address:
The Blue Hut
Strand, Teignmouth, Devon, UK.
TQ14 8XZ
Phone: 07453 464037
Bathhouse No.5 was one of the nine thermal baths located within the large central park of Tskaltubo (წყალტუბო), the town located in west-central Georgia designated as an important balneotherapy centre by the government of the former Soviet Union.
Tskaltubo has always been famous for its healing mineral waters and radon bath treatments. The centre focuses on balneotherapy for circulatory, nervous, musculoskeletal, gynaecological and skin diseases.
The first balneological baths were opened around 1870 and in 1925, the first sanatoriums and curative structures were built. Development continued apace and in 1931 the town was designated a balneotherapy and spa centre by the Soviet government. Tskaltubo was one of Stalin's favourite holiday resorts: he had a private swimming pool in Bathhouse No. 9, which is still in use today and not far from the abandoned Bathhouse No. 5.
Bathhouse No.5 was one of the nine thermal baths located within the large central park of Tskaltubo (წყალტუბო), the town located in west-central Georgia designated as an important balneotherapy centre by the government of the former Soviet Union.
Tskaltubo has always been famous for its healing mineral waters and radon bath treatments. The centre focuses on balneotherapy for circulatory, nervous, musculoskeletal, gynaecological and skin diseases.
The first balneological baths were opened around 1870 and in 1925, the first sanatoriums and curative structures were built. Development continued apace and in 1931 the town was designated a balneotherapy and spa centre by the Soviet government. Tskaltubo was one of Stalin's favourite holiday resorts: he had a private swimming pool in Bathhouse No. 9, which is still in use today and not far from the abandoned Bathhouse No. 5.
www.massage-southampton.co.uk/sports-massage-information..... you’re athletic, it is an Ideal aid to recovery from injury as well as helping prevent injuries, Sports Massage promotes faster recovery after competing or training and maintains a healthy musculoskeletal system by supporting not just the muscles but the ligaments, joints and tendons.
Kulthi ( Macrotyloma uniflorum) dal is used in the treatment of inflamed joints, fever, musculoskeletal disorder, breast milk purifier, sinus wounds, tumors, ascites and kidney stone.
A native of Western Australia, most prolific in remote Rottnest Island near Perth.
A quokka weighs 2.5 to 5.0 kg (5.5 to 11 lb) and is 40 to 54 cm (16 to 21 in) long with a 25-to-30 cm-long (9.8-to-12 in) tail, which is quite short for a macropod. It has a stocky build, well developed hind legs, rounded ears, and a short, broad head. Its musculoskeletal system was originally adapted for terrestrial bipedal saltation, but over its evolution, its system has been built for arboreal locomotion. Although looking rather like a very small kangaroo, it can climb small trees and shrubs up to 1.5 metres. Its coarse fur is a grizzled brown colour, fading to buff underneath. The quokka is known to live for an average of 10 years. Quokkas are nocturnal animals; they sleep during the day.
Quokkas are such show-stealers, their entire home is named after them! Dutch captain Willem de Vlanmigh named the island ‘t Eylandt Rottenest (Rat’s Nest Island) in 1696, mistaking the quokkas for giant rats!
I need to say this somewhere, and Facebook would be too public, so here I am.
I just found out there is a name for the painful musculoskeletal issue I have been dealing with for years now. It’s called accessory nerve disorder. It is caused by injury/paralysis of the eleventh cranial nerve, and results in damage to the muscles of the neck and shoulder. One of the common symptoms of it is something called a winged scapula, which I have a very pronounced case of, and suffer great pain from. (It's somewhat visible here -- notice my left shoulder droops lower than my right, even though I was using all my might to keep it aligned for the photo.)
This is in addition to another musculoskeletal disorder called craniocervical instability – basically, my head is unstable on my neck and it causes tearing/pulling of the nerves in the base of my skull, resulting in chronic pain, dizziness, and nausea. ….And the hip on my left side is completely destabilized, though I’m not sure if there’s a specific name for that yet -- maybe Piriformis Syndrome. (That's also somewhat visible here, in how the muscles around my left hip look atrophied as compared to the righthand side.)
These things are likely as a result of a hypermobility disorder (Ehler’s Danlos) and chronic Lyme’s Disease – basically, I had bacteria eating away at my already hyperextensible joints and tendons. (I’d like to think the bacteria has calmed down by now, but the damage is definitely there.)
Over the past few years these disorders have gotten to the point I can’t ignore them. It’s become obvious to me that if I don’t correct these issues, I will have an excruciatingly painful life of progressive physical degeneration. So I’m over here eating my body weight in grams of protein and doing intensive physical therapy. That’s it. That’s the blog. Besides the need to vent, I’m not sure why I’m posting this – except maybe as an incentive to hold myself accountable. If my self portraits don’t reveal someone getting progressively more muscular, I deserve to be questioned.
Todos los derechos reservados - All rights reserved - copyright © Pilar Azaña Talán
El Balneario de Panticosa se encuentra a 1.636 m. de altitud, en pleno Pirineo de Huesca, dentro de un entorno natural privilegiado, rodeado de imponentes montañas y éste maravilloso lago (la cubeta de un circo glaciar), pura belleza y majestuosidad, gran patrimonio para la humanidad.
Cinco manantiales diferentes de aguas nitrogenadas, oligometálicas y sulfurosas (conocidas ya desde tiempos del Emperador romano Tiberio), convierten al Balneario en una auténtica cura de salud. Son aguas especialmente indicadas para el tratamiento de afecciones hepáticas, renales, digestivas, respiratorias, reúmaticas, nerviosas, obesidad y piel.
Contemplar las estrellas desde la Piscina Exterior sumergidos en tan mágicas Aguas Termales, eleva los sentidos hasta creer tocar el cielo...
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The Panticosa Spa is 1636 m. altitude in the Pyrenees of Huesca, in a natural setting, surrounded by imposing mountains and this wonderful lake (the basin of a glacial cirque), sheer beauty and majesty, great heritage for humanity.
Five different water springs nitrogen, and sulfur oligometalic (known since the time of the Roman Emperor Tiberius), make a real spa health treatment. The waters are particularly suitable for the treatment of liver, kidney, digestive, respiratory, musculoskeletal, nervous, obesity and skin.
Contemplating the stars from the outdoor pool so magical submerged in exterior swimming pool, elevates the senses to believe touch the sky...
2021
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NOTE: All works featured here are completely original creations. None are made with the assistance of any form of AI technology in any fashion whatsoever.
Vitamin D is needed to keep muscles and bones healthy (musculoskeletal health). However, we know that dietary sources of vitamin D are limited and that we obtain the majority of our vitamin D from exposure of our skin to the sun during the spring and summer.
Existing advice is for everyone to consider taking a daily dietary supplement of vitamin D between October and March, and for some at risk groups, including people who are not often outdoors such as the frail or housebound, and those with dark skin, to consider taking a dietary supplement throughout the year. However, we know that uptake of dietary supplements is poor and intakes of vitamin D fail to meet recommendations in all age groups.
Target focused, locked and tracked with million calculations running in the brain to coordinate with musculoskeletal system to execute the midair bee kill. Can’t be more intense in the life of Bee-eater.
Green Bee-eater for the final jump and flight.
23 March, 2023
Jhal Thikriwal, Kapurthala, Punjab
OM1, 300f4-MC14
1/4000, f5.6, ISO 1600
ISS047e038968 (04/05/2016) --- ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Tim Peake operates the Muscle Atrophy Research and Exercise System (MARES) equipment inside the Columbus module. MARES is an ESA system that will be used for research on musculoskeletal, biomechanical, and neuromuscular human physiology to better understand the effects of microgravity on the muscular system.
The main source of vitamin D is from direct sunlight exposure on the skin. Between late March and early April to the end of September, most people can make (synthesise) all the vitamin D they need through sunlight exposure on their skin and from a balanced diet. However, during the autumn and winter months, the sun is not strong enough to enable this synthesis to take place. Therefore, current government advice is that everyone should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter months. Current vitamin D recommendations are based on musculoskeletal (muscle and bone) health.
During the summer months, some people have very little or no sunshine exposure and will not make enough vitamin D from sunlight. This may include the elderly, people who are housebound, confined to the indoors for longer periods, or those in care homes or confined indoors in other institutions, and those who usually wear clothes that cover up most of their skin when outdoors.
This is Jenna. Here's the story about her new leg brace.
PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: June 3, 2022
Contact: Gabrielle Jansen | (334) 314-6690
Email: gjansen@montgomeryal.gov
Montgomery Zoo giraffe Jenna debuts new brace, collaboration made with Alabama State University
MONTGOMERY ZOO (Montgomery, AL): The Montgomery Zoo is excited to announce that Jenna the giraffe has a new shoe!
Many of our visitors are familiar with Jenna’s story. Jenna is a 17-year-old reticulated giraffe born here at the Montgomery Zoo. She experienced a traumatic injury 12 years ago that left her with a permanent musculoskeletal abnormality in her left rear leg. Her care team at the time of the injury managed her very well throughout the ordeal. They even developed a brace for her to wear, adding support to her leg. Over the years, the brace did require upkeep- not surprising for a piece of equipment worn daily by a 1,200-pound animal! No design changes were made to the brace during this ten year timespan, however. So when the brace was next in need of repair, we began to wonder if it was time to make adjustments to the design. After all, a lot of scientific advancements are made in a decade! Perhaps there were new ideas or materials out there that would improve upon Jenna’s original brace?
The question was posed, “What adjustments could be made to improve upon the original design ten years later?” After all, a lot of scientific knowledge can be gained in ten years! It is imperative that as time goes on, we update our current medical and husbandry practices to meet the present day’s science.
And so began the partnership between the Montgomery Zoo and Alabama State University’s College of Health Sciences Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics in the summer of 2020. That’s right, it has taken two years to design, build, and apply this new brace to Jenna’s leg. The process took longer than expected because Zoo care staff wished to train Jenna to voluntarily participate in her medical care. With time and a lot of patience, Jenna now voluntarily goes into a chute and allows her care staff to take off and put on the brace as needed. Jenna trusts her care staff, and her training will ensure ongoing participation in the process.
ASU Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics students were at the forefront of the new design and development, with Zoo veterinary and care staff providing insight and suggestions for the new brace. The first step of the process required acquiring a model of Jenna’s leg. The ASU team had a brilliant idea- to use a 3D scanner to generate a digital model of her leg that could then be made into a physical replica for brace fitting/sizing. The 3D scanner was the way to go because we did not have to create a traditional mold by wrapping Jenna’s leg. The following steps of the process included brace design, brace fabrication, and many fittings and adjustments on Jenna’s leg.
A sincere thank you to all Zoo staff involved in this journey, and a special thank you to Alabama State University’s College of Health Sciences Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics team for all they’ve done to help our beloved Jenna. This process has been long and has required a lot of patience from both teams, and even the patient. The result was worth it. Jenna is loving her new brace.
She is noticeably quicker and more stable when wearing her brace. She allows her care staff to remove it and put it back on whenever necessary while she’s in our giraffe chute. She sleeps with it on, too.
Down here in Devon, like all rural communities farming goes on despite the weather and Coronavirus. Farming can be a solitary, lonely occupation at the best of times.
Several issues contribute to depression and anxiety among farmers and their employees. Serious weather events such as snowfall and floods can drastically impact a season’s yield, which can increase worry over finances exponentially. The day-to-day management of these conditions can also weigh heavily on those responsible for handling them.
Agricultural workers are rated as 46 percent more likely than those in other industries to endure illness overall. That means their risk of physical illness, especially lung disease and musculoskeletal disorders, is higher than it is for other workers, which can also contribute to stress and anxiety.
In addition, many farm jobs are incredibly solitary – and those doing them can go for days or even weeks without interacting with other people. This type of isolation is often correlated with depression, and the United Kingdom’s Farm Safety Foundation research suggests that many agricultural workers report struggling with this issue.
A recent survey conducted by the organisation found that over 80 percent of farmers under the age of 40 believe poor mental health is the biggest hidden problem that they and their peers are facing today. In Ireland, a 2019 survey by Empathy Research and AgriLand reported that 57 percent and 46 percent were impacted by anxiety and depression to some degree respectively.
So next time you see a farmer smile or wave, even if he seems like a grumpy old guy.
Down here in Devon, like all rural communities farming goes on despite the weather and Coronavirus. Farming can be a solitary, lonely occupation at the best of times.
Several issues contribute to depression and anxiety among farmers and their employees. Serious weather events such as snowfall and floods can drastically impact a season’s yield, which can increase worry over finances exponentially. The day-to-day management of these conditions can also weigh heavily on those responsible for handling them.
Agricultural workers are rated as 46 percent more likely than those in other industries to endure illness overall. That means their risk of physical illness, especially lung disease and musculoskeletal disorders, is higher than it is for other workers, which can also contribute to stress and anxiety.
In addition, many farm jobs are incredibly solitary – and those doing them can go for days or even weeks without interacting with other people. This type of isolation is often correlated with depression, and the United Kingdom’s Farm Safety Foundation research suggests that many agricultural workers report struggling with this issue.
A recent survey conducted by the organisation found that over 80 percent of farmers under the age of 40 believe poor mental health is the biggest hidden problem that they and their peers are facing today. In Ireland, a 2019 survey by Empathy Research and AgriLand reported that 57 percent and 46 percent were impacted by anxiety and depression to some degree respectively.
So next time you see a farmer smile or wave, even if he seems like a grumpy old guy.
Digital images from rawpixel's own physical collection of antique chromolithographic plates
Free download under CC Attribution (CC BY 4.0). Please credit the artist and rawpixel.com.
Higher resolutions with no attribution required can be downloaded: www.rawpixel.com/board/427285/rawpixel-original-lithographs
iss064e010944 (Dec. 8, 2020) --- NASA astronaut and Expedition 64 Flight Engineer Victor Glover is pictured inside Japan's Kibo laboratory module installing research gear that will develop a biological model to study the effects of spaceflight on musculoskeletal disease. The investigation could lead to drugs that will prevent the progression of the disease.
Home again after two weeks. The duckies are enjoying the ride over the Dartford Crossing Queen Elizabeth II Bridge in much better traffic than when we went.
Unfortunately, a shoulder problem that had been slowly worsening wasn't happy with lifting the 1.4kg drone off a shelf in the van when we were unpacking, and I'm now awaiting a musculoskeletal appointment.
Digital images from rawpixel's own physical collection of antique chromolithographic plates
Free download under CC Attribution (CC BY 4.0). Please credit the artist and rawpixel.com.
Higher resolutions with no attribution required can be downloaded: www.rawpixel.com/board/427285/rawpixel-original-lithographs
iss069e000087 (March 29, 2023) --- UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut and Expedition 69 Flight Engineer Sultan Alneyadi services tissue sample cassettes inside the Columbus laboratory Module's BioFabrication Facility (BFF). The BFF-Meniscus study investigates bioprinting tissues to heal musculoskeletal injuries both in space and on Earth,
Camera Model Name: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Lens: EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Tv (Shutter Speed): 1/250
Av (Aperture Value): 5.0
Metering: Evaluative Metering
ISO Speed: 200
Focal Length: 220.0 mm
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Tibetan nomads known as ndrogba are synonymous with the remote high elevation grasslands. Herding cattle presents them with the very basic opportunity to survive in the harsh environment.
For centuries they have developed and devised a method to live in harmony in the inhospitable terrain by using their herds. During the summer months the herds are moved long distances for grazing, while during winters some of the animals are taken in the market for selling or bartering for other essential goods.
Traditionally nomads were entirely dependent on their herds but in modern times they have become dependent on cash.
By practicing seasonal migration the nomads not only have survived to their best ability for generations but also allowed the fragile soil of the plateau to recover from one year to the other and prevent over grazing.
The yaks and mountain sheep not only provide meat and milk, but their skins are dried and used to insulate tents in which the nomads live. Dung is also dried and used to heat the tents and provide fuel for cooking, wool and fur from the animals are used for clothing.
This unique culture of over four thousand years of the nomads are being seriously challenged and stand at the risk of being wiped away by Chinese policies adopted for economic and political reasons. An estimated two million nomads and semi nomads are being forced into settlement as government is implementing 'Comfortable Housing Project' or 'CHP'. It involves so called improvements on existing plots of land or dwellings.
Many of the nomads have been forced to adapt alternate methods of living after being forced to move from their ancestral and pastoral land. Among other things many have taken up foraging for yarsta gunbu also known as yarsagumba (meaning summer grass, winter worm in Tibetan) or Caterpillar fungus (Cordyceps sinensis) used in Chinese medicines and internationally known as the 'Himalayan Viagra'. The precious fungus (costing over USD 31 per gram) forces to tread dangerous paths - along precipitous slopes, on the brink of abysses, through mountain passes over 5, 000 meters / 16, 404 ft. high, through streams that many times turn into mighty rivers during snow melts causing lose of life every single season.
Incidentally, these half caterpillar and half fungus tells a gruesome story of formation. The Cordyceps Fungal spores enters the the larva of the Ghost Moth or Ghost Swift (Hepialus humuli) and starts to eat the host alive. The vital organs are initially spared so that the caterpillar is active. In the final phase the parasite takes control of the musculoskeletal system and steers it into the desired position before death, that is a few centimeters below ground surface with the head pointing upwards. Then, the rapidly growing fungus sprout breaches the larva's head like a horn and emerges into the daylight.
The Jack Russell Terrier is a British breed of small terrier. It is principally white-bodied and smooth-, rough- or broken-coated, and can be any colour.
It derives from dogs bred and used for fox-hunting in North Devon in the early nineteenth century by a country parson, Jack Russell – for whom the breed is named – and has similar origins to the modern Fox Terrier. Though closely similar, it is a distinct and different breed from the Parson Russell Terrier.[3]
Jack Russells are an energetic breed that rely on a high level of exercise and stimulation. They are relatively free from any serious health complaints. It has gone through several changes over the years, corresponding to different use and breed standards set by kennel clubs. Recognition by kennel clubs for the Jack Russell breed has been opposed by the breed's parent societies – which resulted in the breeding and recognition of the Parson Russell terrier. Jack Russells have appeared many times in film, television, and print – with several historical dogs of note.
History
Sporting parson
"A black and white drawing of a white dog with black markings on the face. The image is in profile with the dog facing left."
A drawing of Trump, the dog purchased by the Rev. John Russell.
The small white fox-working terriers we know today were first bred by the Reverend John "Jack" Russell, a parson and hunting enthusiast born in 1795,[4] and they can trace their origin to the now extinct English white terrier.[5] Difficulty in differentiating the dog from the creature it was pursuing brought about the need for a mostly white dog,[6] and so in 1819 during his last year of university at Exeter College, Oxford,[7] he purchased a small white and tan terrier female named Trump from a local milkman[8] in the nearby small hamlet of Elsfield[9] or Marston.[10] Trump epitomised his ideal Fox Terrier,[11] which, at the time, was a term used for any terrier which was used to bolt foxes out of their burrows.[5] Her colouring was described as "...white, with just a patch of dark tan over each eye and ear; whilst a similar dot, not larger than a penny piece, marks the root of the tail."[12] Davies, a friend of Russell's, wrote: "Trump was such an animal as Russell had only seen in his dreams".[7] She was the basis for a breeding program to develop a terrier with high stamina for the hunt as well as the courage and formation to chase out foxes that had gone to ground.[13] By the 1850s, these dogs were recognised as a distinct breed.[14]
An important attribute in this dog was a tempered aggressiveness that would provide the necessary drive to pursue and bolt the fox, without resulting in physical harm to the quarry and effectively ending the chase, which was considered unsporting.[15] Russell was said to have prided himself that his terriers never tasted blood.[14] This line of terriers developed by John Russell was well respected for those qualities, and his dogs were often taken on by hunt enthusiasts. It is unlikely, however, that any dogs alive today can be proved to be descendants from Trump, as Russell was forced to sell all his dogs on more than one occasion because of financial difficulty, and had only four aged (and non-breeding) terriers left when he died in 1883.[16]
The Fox terrier and Jack Russell terrier type dogs of today are all descended from dogs of that period. However, documented pedigrees earlier than 1862 have not been found. Several records remain of documented breeding by John Russell between the 1860s and 1880s. The Fox Terrier Club was formed in 1875 with Russell as one of the founder members; its breed standard was aspiration, and not a description of how the breed appeared then. By the start of the 20th century, the Fox Terrier had altered more towards the modern breed, but in some parts of the country the old style of John Russell's terriers remained, and it is from those dogs that the modern Jack Russell type has descended.[7]
Many breeds can claim heritage to the early Fox Terrier of this period, including the Brazilian Terrier, Japanese Terrier, Miniature Fox Terrier, Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz, Rat Terrier, and Tenterfield Terrier.[17]
After John Russell
Carlisle Tack, a Fox terrier born in 1884, who was owned by John Russell.[18]
Following Russell's death, the only people who made serious efforts to continue those strains were two men, one in Chislehurst with the surname of East, and another in Cornwall named Archer. East, at one point, had several couples, all of which were descended from one of Russell's dogs. The type aimed for were not as big as the show Fox Terrier and were usually less than 7 kg (15 lb).[6]
Arthur Blake Heinemann created the first breed standard and, in 1894, he founded the Devon and Somerset Badger Club, the aims of which were to promote badger digging rather than fox hunting, and the breeding of terriers suitable for this purpose. Terriers were acquired from Nicholas Snow of Oare, and they were likely descended from Russell's original dogs, as Russell would probably have hunted at some point with Snow's hunting club and is likely to have provided at least some of their original terriers.[7] By the turn of the 20th century, Russell's name had become associated with this breed of dog.[19]
The club was later renamed the Parson Jack Russell Terrier Club.[7] Badger digging required a different type of dog than fox hunting, and it is likely that Bull Terrier stock was introduced to strengthen the breed, which may have caused the creation of a shorter legged variety of Jack Russell terrier that started to appear around this period. At the same time that a split was appearing between show and working Fox terriers, a further split was occurring between two different types of white terrier, both carrying Jack Russell's name.[6] Heinemann was invited to judge classes for working terriers at Crufts with an aim to bring working terriers back into the show ring and influence those that disregard working qualities in dogs. These classes were continued for several years by various judges, but Charles Cruft dropped the attempt as the classes were never heavily competed. Following Heinemann's death in 1930, the kennel and leadership of the club passed to Annie Harris, but the club itself folded shortly before World War II.[6][7]
Post-World War II
Following World War II, the requirement for hunting dogs drastically declined, and with it the numbers of Jack Russell terriers. The dogs were increasingly used as family and companion dogs.[citation needed]
The Jack Russell Terrier Club of America (JRTCA) was formed in 1976 by Ailsa Crawford, one of the first Jack Russell terrier breeders in the United States. Size ranges for dogs were kept broad, with the ability of working dogs awarded higher than those in conformation shows. An open registry was maintained, with restricted line breeding. Registration for the club is made at adulthood for Jack Russells, rather than at birth, to ensure the breed's qualities remain, given the open registry.[20]
Several breed clubs appeared in the United Kingdom during the 1970s to promote the breed, including the Jack Russell Club of Great Britain (JRTCGB) and the South East Jack Russell Terrier Club (SEJRTC). The JRTCGB promoted the range of sizes that remain in its standards today, whereas the SEJRTC set a minimum height for dogs at 33 cm (13 in). While the JRTCGB sought to ensure that the breed's working ability remained through non-recognition with other breed registries, the SEJRTC activity sought recognition with the UK Kennel club.[21] In 1983, the Parson Jack Russell Club of Great Britain (PJRTCGB) was resurrected to seek Kennel Club recognition for the breed. Although the application was initially rejected, a new standard was created for the PJRTCGB based on the standard of the SEJRTC, and under that standard the breed was recognised by the Kennel Club in 1990 as the Parson Jack Russell terrier.[22] Jack was dropped from the official name in 1999, and the recognised name of the breed became the Parson Russell Terrier.[23]
In the late 1990s, the American Kennel Club explored the possibility of recognising the Jack Russell Terrier.[24] This move was opposed by the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America as they did not want the breed to lose its essential working characteristics.[25] The Jack Russell Terrier Breeders Association formed and petitioned the AKC; the breed's admission was granted in 2001. Under the AKC-recognised standard, the size of the breed was narrowed from the previous club's standard, and the name of the AKC-recognised Jack Russell Terrier was changed to Parson Russell Terrier,[26] with the Jack Russell Terrier Breeders Association renamed to the Parson Russell Terrier Association of America.[24]
The Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) and the New Zealand Kennel Club (NZCK) are some of national kennel associations that register both the Jack Russell terrier and the Parson Russell terrier;[27] however, the size requirements for the Jack Russell terrier under both those standards would classify a dog as a Russell terrier in the United States.[28] In 2009, there were 1073 Jack Russells registered with the ANKC, compared to 18 for the Parson Russell terrier.[29] Other modern breeds are often mistaken for modern Jack Russell terriers, including their cousin the Parson Russell terrier,[30] the Tenterfield terrier,[31] and the Rat Terrier.[32] Several other modern breeds exist that descended from the early Fox Terrier breed, including the Brazilian Terrier, Japanese Terrier, Miniature Fox Terrier, Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz, Rat Terrier, and Tenterfield Terrier.[33]
A Jack Russell terrier wearing a dog harness
A Jack Russell terrier wearing a dog harness
A working Jack Russell terrier exits a den pipe
A working Jack Russell terrier exits a den pipe
Jack Russell Terriers playing with a ball
Jack Russell Terriers playing with a ball
A Jack Russell Terrier brings a stick
A Jack Russell Terrier brings a stick
Description
"Three mostly white terriers with different markings stand up over a log"
Jack Russell terriers come in a variety of coat types, and with a range of markings
An example of a broken coated Jack Russell terrier
Due to their working nature, Jack Russell terriers remain much as they were some 200 years ago.[34] They are sturdy, tough, and tenacious, measuring between 25–38 cm (10–15 in) at the withers,[35] and weigh 6–8 kg (14–18 lb).[citation needed] The body length must be in proportion to the height, and the dog should present a compact, balanced image. Predominantly white in coloration (more than 51%) with black and/or brown and/or tan markings,[35] they exhibit either a smooth, rough or a combination of both which is known as a broken coat. A broken-coated dog may have longer hair on the tail or face than that which is seen on a smooth-coated dog.[36]
An example of a rough-coated Jack Russell terrier
The head should be of moderate width at the ears, narrowing to the eyes, and slightly flat between the ears. There should be a defined but not overpronounced stop at the end of the muzzle where it meets the head, and a black nose. The jaw should be powerful and well boned with a scissor bite and straight teeth. The eyes are almond shaped and dark coloured and should be full of life and intelligence. Small V-shaped ears of moderate thickness are carried forward on the head.[citation needed] When the dog is alert, the tip of the V should not extend past the outer corner of the eyes. The tail is set high and in the past was docked to approximately 10 cm (5 in) in order to provide a sufficient hand-hold for gripping the terrier.[citation needed]
The Jack Russell should always appear balanced and alert.[35] The red fox is the traditional quarry of the Jack Russell terrier, so the working Jack Russell must be small enough to pursue it. Red foxes vary in size, but across the world, they average from 6–8 kg (13–17 lb) in weight and have an average chest size of 30–36 cm (12–14 in) at the widest part.[37]
Differences from related breeds
The Parson Russell terrier (pictured) shares a common ancestry with the Jack Russell terrier.
The Jack Russell terrier and Parson Russell Terrier breeds are similar, sharing a common origin, but have several marked differences – the most notable being the range of acceptable heights.[38] Other differences in the Parson Russell can include a longer head and larger chest as well as overall a larger body size.[39] The height of a Parson Russell at the withers according to the breed standard is 30–36 cm (12–14 in) which places it within the range of the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America's standard size for a Jack Russell of 25–38 cm (10–15 in). However, the Parson Russell is a conformation show standard whereas the Jack Russell standard is a more general working standard.[40]
The Russell Terrier, which is also sometimes called the English Jack Russell terrier or the Short Jack Russell terrier is a generally smaller related breed.[41] Both the breed standards of the American Russell Terrier Club and the English Jack Russell Terrier Club Alliance states that at the withers it should be an ideal height of 20–30 cm (8–12 in).[42][43] Although sometimes called the English or Irish Jack Russell terrier,[44] this is not the recognised height of Jack Russells in the United Kingdom. According to the Jack Russell Club of Great Britain's breed standard, it is the same size as the standard for Jack Russells in the United States, 25–38 cm (10–15 in).[45] Compared to the Parson Russell Terrier, the Russell Terrier should always be longer than tall at the withers, whereas the Parson Russell's points should be of equal distance.[46] The Fédération Cynologique Internationale standard for the Jack Russell terrier has this smaller size listed as a requirement.[47] Terrierman Eddie Chapman, who has hunted in Devon for more than 30 years, the same area that John Russell himself hunted, notes that, "I can state categorically that if given the choice, ninety-nine percent of hunt terrier men would buy an under 12 in (30 cm) worker, if it was available, over a 14 in (36 cm) one."[48]
Temperament
Jack Russell terriers have a high energy level.
Jack Russells are first and foremost a working terrier.[49] Originally bred to bolt foxes from their dens during hunts, they are used on numerous ground-dwelling quarry such as groundhog, badger, otter, and red and grey fox.[50] The working Jack Russell terrier is required to locate quarry in the earth, and then either bolt it or hold it in place until they are dug to.[51] To accomplish this, the dog will not bark but will expect attention to the quarry continuously. Because the preservation of this working ability is of highest importance to most registered JRTCA/JRTCGB breeders, Jack Russells tend to be extremely intelligent, athletic, fearless, and vocal dogs.[13] It is not uncommon for these dogs to become moody or destructive if not properly stimulated and exercised, as they have a tendency to bore easily and will often create their own fun when left alone to entertain themselves, leading to the semi-affectionate nickname among suburban pet dogs of "Jack Russell Terrorist".[52]
Their high energy and drive make these dogs ideally suited to a number of different dog sports such as flyball or agility.[53] Obedience classes are also recommended to potential owners,[50] as Jack Russells can be stubborn at times and aggressive towards other animals and humans if not properly socialized.[13] Despite their small size, these dogs are not recommended for the condominium or apartment dweller unless the owner is ready to take on the daunting task of providing the dog with the necessary amount of exercise and stimulation. They have a tremendous amount of energy for their size,[52] a fact which can sometimes lead to trouble involving larger animals.[54]
Health
Jack Russell running
Trump, 2002 USDAA National/World Agility Champion – 12" division
The breed has a reputation for being healthy with a long lifespan.[citation needed] Breeders have protected the gene pool, and direct in-line breeding has been prevented. Jack Russells can live from 13 to 16 years given proper care.[44] However, certain lines have been noted for having specific health concerns and, therefore, could occur in any line or generation because of recessive genes. These issues can include hereditary cataracts, ectopia lentis, congenital deafness, patellar luxation, ataxia, myasthenia gravis, Legg–Calvé–Perthes syndrome, and von Willebrand disease.[44]
Being a hunt-driven dog, the Jack Russell will usually pursue most creatures that it encounters. This includes the skunk, and the breed is prone to skunk toxic shock syndrome.[55] The chemical in the skunk spray is absorbed by the dog and causes the red blood cells to undergo haemolysis, which can occasionally lead to fatal anaemia and kidney failure. If sprayed underground, it can also cause chemical burning of the cornea. Treatments are available to flush the toxin out of the dog's system.[56]
Eye disorders
Lens luxation, also known as ectopia lentis is the most common hereditary disorder in Jack Russell terriers. Even so, this condition is not a common occurrence in the breed. Most frequently appearing in dogs between the ages of 3 and 8 years old, it is where the lens in one or both eyes becomes displaced. There are two types, posterior luxation (where the lens slips to the back of the eye) and anterior luxation (where the lens slips forward). Posterior luxation is the less severe of the two types, as the eye can appear normal although the dog's eyesight will be affected. In anterior luxation, the lens can slip forward and rub against the cornea, damaging it. Anterior luxation also has a high probability of causing glaucoma which can lead to partial or complete blindness. Treatment is available and may include both medical and surgical options. Secondary lens luxation is caused by trauma to the eye and is not hereditary.[57] The condition appears in a number of terrier breeds as well as the Border collie, Brittany and Cardigan Welsh corgi.[58]
Cataracts can affect any breed of dog and is the same condition as seen in humans. Here the lens of the eye hardens and is characterised by cloudiness in the eye.[58][59] Cataracts will blur the dog's vision and can lead to permanent blindness if left untreated. While considered mainly a hereditary disease, it can also be caused by diabetes, old age, radiation, eye injury or exposure to high temperatures.[59]
Musculoskeletal conditions
Patellar luxation, also known as luxating patella, is a hereditary disorder affecting the knees. It is where the kneecap slips off the groove on which it normally sits. The effects can be temporary with the dog running while holding its hind leg in the air before running on it again once the kneecap slipped back into place as if nothing has happened. Dogs can have a problem with both rear knees, and complications can include arthritis or torn knee ligaments. Severe cases can require surgery.[60] Some are prone to dislocation of the kneecaps, inherited eye diseases, deafness and Legg Perthes—a disease of the hip joints of small dog breeds. Prone to mast cell tumors. Legg–Calvé–Perthes syndrome, also called Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head, is where the ball section of the femur in the hip joint deteriorates following interruption of the blood flow and is the same condition as in humans.[61] In dogs, this causes lameness of the hind-legs, the thigh muscles to atrophy and pain in the joint.[62] It usually occurs between 6–12 months of age and has been documented in a variety of other terrier breeds including the Border terrier, Lakeland terrier, and Wheaten terrier.[61]
Well-known Jack Russell terriers
His Master's Voice (1898) by Francis Barraud
Nipper was a dog born in 1884 who was thought to be a dog of the Jack Russell terrier type.[63] He was the inspiration for the painting Dog looking at and listening to a Phonograph, later renamed His Master's Voice. The painting was used by a variety of music related companies including The Gramophone Company, EMI, the Victor Talking Machine Company, and RCA. Today it remains in use incorporated into the logo for HMV in the UK and Europe.[64]
A Jack Russell named Bothie made history in 1982 as part of the Transglobe Expedition. Owned by explorers Ranulph and Ginny Fiennes, he became the first dog to travel to both the North and South Poles.[65][66] This feat is unlikely to be repeated, as all dogs have been banned from Antarctica by the Antarctic Treaty nations since 1994, due to fears that they could transmit diseases to the native seal population.[67] Ranulph Fiennes and Charles Burton actually made the trip to the north pole by powered sledges before signalling to the base camp that they had arrived. To celebrate their achievement, a plane was sent out to take the two men champagne, along with Bothie.[68]
On 29 April 2007, a Jack Russell named George saved five children at a carnival in New Zealand from an attack by two pit bulls. He was reported to have charged at them and held them at bay long enough for the children to get away. Killed by the pit bulls, he was posthumously awarded the PDSA Gold Medal in 2009, the animal equivalent of the George Cross. A statue has been erected in Manaia, New Zealand, in his memory.[69] A former US Marine also donated to George's owner a Purple Heart award he had received for service in Vietnam.[70]
In 2019, Boris Johnson and his partner Carrie Symonds took a Jack Russell cross from an animal rescue charity in Wales.[71] The dog's name is Dilyn and he became a famous dog at a polling station in the general election.[72][73]
During the ongoing 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, a 2-year old Jack Russell named Patron has been working with the State Emergency Service of Ukraine to sniff out Russian explosives. As of April 20, 2022, the Ukrainian Government announced that he had located nearly 90 explosives.[74]
On screen and in literature
In the UK, one of the more recognisable canine stars was restaurateur and chef Rick Stein's irrepressible terrier Chalky,[75] who frequently upstaged his owner on his various cookery series.[76] He had his own line of merchandise, including plushes, tea towels, art prints, art paw prints and two real ales – Chalky's Bite and Chalky's Bark,[77] which won gold in the Quality Drink Awards 2009.[78] Chalky was given a BBC obituary when he died in 2007.[79]
Moose and his son Enzo played the role of Eddie on the long-running American TV sitcom Frasier.[75] Eddie belonged to lead character Frasier's father Martin Crane, and constantly "stole the show" with his deadpan antics, receiving more fan mail than any other Frasier character.[80] Moose and Enzo also starred as Skip in the 2000 film My Dog Skip.
Soccer was a Jack Russell who became the star of the American TV series Wishbone, which aired from 1995 to 2001.[21] In the 2009 movie Hotel for Dogs, Friday, one of the main characters is a Jack Russell, played by the dog actor Cosmo.[81] Cosmo went on to appear in the films Paul Blart: Mall Cop and Beginners.[82]
Uggie (2002–2015) was an animal actor, appearing in commercials starting in 2005 and in the films Water for Elephants and The Artist, both in 2011.[83] In the same year, based on interest following The Artist, the "Consider Uggie" campaign was launched, which attempted to gain the dog a nomination for an Academy Award.[84] In 2012, Uggie was named Nintendo's first-ever spokesdog.[85]
Sykes (est. 2001 - 2019) was a dog actor from Clifton, Oxfordshire, England. He was best known in the UK for his appearance as "Harvey" in Thinkbox's three television commercials, and, under his real name in five seasons of Midsomer Murders. He also appeared in several Hollywood blockbusters, as well as in a UK TV movie, several series and miniseries. He retired in 2016 after a long career on the big and small screen. Sykes was also a champion agility competitor.
A clever Jack Russel Terrier, named Jack, played a central role in the 1980s TV adventure series Tales of the Gold Monkey.
K.K. Slider is a Jack Russell who is a main character in the Animal Crossing series developed by Nintendo. K.K. is a musician who performs to the townsfolk. He has appeared in every Animal Crossing game to date since the original Animal Crossing game in 2001 to Animal Crossing: New Horizons in 2020.
This image is excerpted from a U.S. GAO report:
www.gao.gov/products/GAO-16-337
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH: Additional Data Needed to Address Continued Hazards in the Meat and Poultry Industry
Time to get back into the swing of things! Something tells me Musculoskeletal Anatomy will be the death of me this semester... heaven help me - don't even get me started on Neuroanatomy, ouch. Thankfully, I'm studying none of that dreaded subject, Pharmacology this semester!
Founded in 1850, the University of Sydney is Australia's first university and is regarded as one of its most prestigious, ranked as the 24th most reputable university in the world. In 2014, it was ranked 37th and in the top 0.3% in the QS World University Rankings. Seven Nobel or Crafoord laureates have been affiliated with the university as graduates and faculty. The University is colloquially known as one of Australia's prestigious "Sandstones", a status similar to that of the "Ivy League" in the United States and the "Russell Group" in the United Kingdom.
The university's Coat of Arms, granted by the College of Arms by order of Queen Victoria, are an amalgamation of the arms of the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and important figures, heraldry and other references to the two ancient universities are sprawled throughout the university in its architecture and character. Its motto, "Sidere mens eadem mutato" translated literally gives "Though the stars change, the mind is the same", but has been more liberally translated to give, "Sydney University is really just Oxford or Cambridge laterally displaced approximately 12,000 miles".
The 2013 QS World University Rankings placed Sydney in the top 20 in the world in 11 subjects; more than a third of the 30 measured. The University of Sydney was ranked 8th in the world for Education, 9th in Accounting and Finance and 10th in Law. Additionally, Sydney was placed 12th in English Language and Literature, History and Archaeology, Linguistics and Civil Engineering and Structural Engineering, the highest in Australia of those subjects. Psychology at Sydney was ranked 14th, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, and Communication and Media were ranked 16th, and the Sydney Medical School was ranked 17th.
Its main campus has been ranked in the top 10 of the world's most beautiful universities by the British Daily Telegraph, The Huffington Post and Disney Pixar, among others such as Oxford and Cambridge and is spread across the inner-city suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington.
The Main Quadrangle's Great Tower houses the largest and oldest of Australia's two carillons, a performance may be viewed here: youtu.be/6xLslgpOVho
I was in midtown Toronto getting my bicycle serviced and was told I could go somewhere for a cup of coffee and return in an hour or so. I crossed the street, got a coffee, and began walking. I passed her as she was using her smart phone and I was struck by her hair but couldn’t see her face. I walked past and by the time I realized I would like to meet her for my project, she had begun walking and crossed the street. Another opportunity lost to that dreaded foe: hesitation. Wait a minute, she paused and sat down on a doorstep. Hope is renewed. Oh no, a friend of hers appeared and they engaged in conversation. Throwing caution to the wind I approached and apologized for interrupting. I introduced myself and told her why I would like to photograph her. She laughed and said “We were just talking about my hair!” Her friend excused herself and said she should be on her way. A handshake later and Julia was no longer a stranger.
Julia told me she was just on break from her work and was waiting for her boyfriend to come by so she could hand him his lunch. “I only have a couple of minutes and we might get interrupted” she said. Beggars can’t be choosers and I was happy to have the few minutes. We were near a wood fence and I explained how I wanted to position her to use the unpainted wood as a background. Julia said “I’m afraid I’m not at all photogenic and never take a good photo.” I said “If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard that, I’d be rich by now.” We made a few portraits and checked them on my camera display and were both pleased. Julia gave me the credit. Can you believe that? I asked to take one more with Julia turned partly away from the camera and looking over her shoulder. I’m glad I did. Both poses worked great.
Just then her boyfriend pulled up in a delivery truck and I joked that he was in the middle of a “big time photo shoot.” He laughed. I explained Julia was graciously helping me with my photography project. She handed him his lunch, they exchanged a kiss and he said he had to be on his way.
Julia and I chatted for a few more minutes. She told me she was born in St. Catherines not far from Niagara Falls but has lived all her life in Toronto. She is 36 which she said with a groan. I told her I will be 70 in a week and when she reaches my age she will be entitled to a groan. Her greatest challenge so far in life? “I’ve actually been pretty lucky. My biggest challenge has probably been health. I worked for several years as an editor and using a computer for hours on end really messed me up with musculoskeletal issues. I wound up leaving that world and got my current job which is in a health food shop just down the street. Now I couldn’t be healthier.” She sure looked healthy.
Her message to the world? “It’s all about thriving, not just surviving.”
Julia told me how much she liked the concept of The Human Family photo project. That’s this second time I heard that comment today.
Thank you Julia for sharing part of your break with me and for participating in The Human Family photography project. Keep on thriving.
This is my 129th submission to The Human Family Group on Flickr.
You can view more street portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family.
The German Shepherd, also known in Britain as an Alsatian, is a German breed of working dog of medium to large size. The breed was developed by Max von Stephanitz using various traditional German herding dogs from 1899.
It was originally bred as a herding dog, for herding sheep. It has since been used in many other types of work, including disability assistance, search-and-rescue, police work, and warfare. It is commonly kept as a companion dog, and according to the Fédération Cynologique Internationale had the second-highest number of annual registrations in 2013.
History
During the 1890s, attempts were being made to standardise dog breeds. Dogs were being bred to preserve traits that assisted in their job of herding sheep and protecting their flocks from predators. In Germany this was practised within local communities, where shepherds selected and bred dogs. It was recognised that the breed had the necessary skills for herding sheep, such as intelligence, speed, strength and keen senses of smell. The results were dogs that were able to do such things, but that differed significantly, both in appearance and ability, from one locality to another.
To combat these differences, the Phylax Society was formed in 1891 with the intention of creating standardised development plans for native dog breeds in Germany. The society disbanded after only three years due to ongoing internal conflicts regarding the traits in dogs that the society should promote; some members believed dogs should be bred solely for working purposes, while others believed dogs should be bred also for appearance. While unsuccessful in their goal, the Phylax Society had inspired people to pursue standardising dog breeds independently.
With the rise of large, industrialised cities in Germany, the predator population began to decline, rendering sheepdogs unnecessary. At the same time, the awareness of sheepdogs as a versatile, intelligent class of canine began to rise. Max von Stephanitz, an ex-cavalry captain and former student of the Berlin Veterinary College, was an ex-member of the Phylax Society who firmly believed dogs should be bred for working. He admired the intelligence, strength and ability of Germany's native sheepdogs, but could not find any one single breed that satisfied him as the perfect working dog.
In 1899, von Stephanitz was attending a dog show when he was shown a dog named Hektor Linksrhein. Hektor was the product of few generations of selective breeding and completely fulfilled what von Stephanitz believed a working dog should be. He was pleased with the strength of the dog and was so taken by the animal's intelligence, loyalty, and beauty, that he purchased him immediately. After purchasing the dog he changed his name to Horand von Grafrath and von Stephanitz founded the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (Society for German Shepherd Dogs). Horand was declared to be the first German Shepherd Dog, and was the first dog added to the society's breed register. In just a few decades of the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde's establishment, the breed became one of the world's most popular and numerous, a position it has maintained to this day. By 1923, the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde claimed 50,000 dues-paying members in more than 500 branches in Germany alone.
Horand became the center-point of the breeding programs and was bred with dogs belonging to other society members that displayed desirable traits and with dogs from Thuringia, Franconia, and Württemberg. Fathering many pups, Horand's most prolific was Hektor von Schwaben. Hektor was inbred with another of Horand's offspring and produced Heinz von Starkenburg, Beowulf, and Pilot, who later sired a total of 84 pups, mostly through being inbred with Hektor's other offspring. This inbreeding was deemed necessary in order to fix the traits being sought in the breed. Beowulf's progeny also were inbred and it is from these pups that all German Shepherds draw a genetic link. It is believed the society accomplished its goal mostly due to von Stephanitz's strong, uncompromising leadership and he is therefore credited with being the creator of the German Shepherd Dog.
During the first half of the twentieth century, the breed came to be strongly identified with Imperial and Nazi Germany, because of its association with purity and militarism. German Shepherds were coveted as "germanische Urhunde", being close to the wolf, and became very fashionable during the Nazi era. Adolf Hitler acquired a German Shepherd named "Prinz" in 1921, during his years of poverty, but he had been forced to lodge the dog elsewhere. However, she managed to escape and return to him. Hitler, who adored the loyalty and obedience of the dog, thereafter developed a great liking for the breed. Hitler kept several more of the breed, including Blondi, who was among several dogs in the 'Führerbunker' during the Battle of Berlin at the end of the Second World War. Dogs played a role in Nazi propaganda by portraying Hitler as an animal lover. Preparing for his suicide, Hitler ordered Dr. Werner Haase to test a cyanide capsule on Blondi, and the dog died as a result. Erna Flegel, a nurse who worked at the emergency casualty station in the Reich Chancellery stated in 2005 that Blondi's death had affected the people in the bunker more than Eva Braun's suicide. German Shepherds were also used widely as guard dogs at Nazi concentration camps during the Holocaust.
When the German Shepherd was introduced to the United States it was initially a popular dog. But as the dogs' popularity grew, it became associated as a dangerous breed owned by gangsters and bootleggers. The reputation of the German Shepherds as a dangerous breed had grown to such an extent that it was briefly banned to import them in Australia in 1929. Potential legislation was even considered to require that all German shepherds in South Australia be sterilised.
Naming
The breed was named Deutscher Schäferhund, by von Stephanitz, literally translating to "German Shepherd Dog". At the time, all other herding dogs in Germany were referred to by this name; they thus became known as Altdeutsche Schäferhunde, or old German herding dogs.
The direct translation of the name was adopted for use in the stud-book; however, at the end of the First World War, it was believed that the inclusion of the word "German" would harm the breed's popularity, due to the anti-German sentiment of the era. The breed was officially renamed by the UK Kennel Club to "Alsatian Wolf Dog", after the French region of Alsace bordering Germany.
Eventually, the appendage "wolf dog" was dropped, after numerous campaigns by breeders who were worried that becoming known as a wolf-dog hybrid would affect the breed's popularity and legality. The name Alsatian remained for five decades, until 1977, when successful campaigns by dog enthusiasts pressured the British kennel clubs to allow the breed to be registered again as German Shepherds. The word "Alsatian" once appeared in parentheses as part of the formal breed name of the American Kennel Club and was removed in 2010.
Description
German Shepherds are medium to large-sized dogs. The breed standard height at the withers is 60–65 cm (24–26 in) for males, and 55–60 cm (22–24 in) for females. German Shepherds can reach sprinting speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. Shepherds are longer than they are tall, with an ideal proportion of 10 to 8+1⁄2. The AKC official breed standard does not set a standard weight range. They have a domed forehead, a long square-cut muzzle with strong jaws and a black nose. The eyes are medium-sized and brown. The ears are large and stand erect, open at the front and parallel, but they often are pulled back during movement. A German Shepherd has a long neck, which is raised when excited and lowered when moving at a fast pace as well as stalking. The tail is bushy and reaches to the hock.
German Shepherds have a double coat which is close and dense with a thick undercoat. The coat is accepted in two variants: medium and long. The gene for long hair is recessive, and therefore the long-haired variety is rarer. Treatment of the long-haired variation differs across standards; it is accepted but does not compete against standard-coated dogs under the German and UK Kennel Clubs while it can compete with standard-coated dogs, but is considered a fault, in the American Kennel Club. The FCI accepted the long-haired type in 2010, listing it as the variety b, while the short-haired type is listed as the variety a.
Most commonly, German Shepherds are either tan/black or red/black. Most colour varieties have black masks and black body markings which can range from a classic "saddle" to an overall "blanket". Rarer colour variations include sable, pure-black, pure-white, liver, silver, blue, and panda varieties. The all-black and sable varieties are acceptable according to most standards; however, the blue and liver are considered to be serious faults and the all-white is grounds for instant disqualification from showing in conformation at All Breed and Specialty Shows.
Intelligence
German Shepherds were bred specifically for their intelligence. In a list of breeds most likely to bark as watchdogs, Stanley Coren ranked the breed in second place. Coupled with their strength, this trait makes the breed desirable as police, guard and search and rescue dogs, as they are able to quickly learn various tasks and interpret instructions better than other breeds.
Temperament
German Shepherds are moderately active dogs and are described in breed standards as self assured. The breed is marked by a willingness to learn and an eagerness to have a purpose. They are curious, which makes them excellent guard dogs and suitable for search missions. They can become overprotective of their family and territory, especially if not socialised correctly. They are not inclined to become immediate friends with strangers. German Shepherds are highly intelligent and obedient, as well as protective of their owners.
Aggression and biting
Further information: Dog bite prevention
A 2020 literature review in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that from 1971 to 2018, of all pure breed dogs in the United States, the German Shepherd was responsible for the most bites severe enough to require hospital treatment.
While an Australian report from 1999 provides statistics showing that German Shepherds are the breed third most likely to attack a person in some Australian locales, once their popularity is taken into account, the percentages of attacks by German Shepherds drops to 38th.
According to the National Geographic Channel television show Dangerous Encounters, the bite of a German Shepherd has a force of over 1,060 newtons (238 lbf) (compared with that of a Rottweiler, over 1,180–1,460 newtons (265–328 lbf), a Pit bull, 1,050 newtons (235 lbf), a Labrador Retriever, of approximately 1,000 newtons (230 lbf), or a human, of approximately 380 newtons (86 lbf)).
Modern breed
The modern German Shepherd breed is criticised by experts for straying away from Max von Stephanitz's original ideology that German Shepherds should be bred primarily as working dogs and that breeding should be strictly controlled to eliminate defects quickly. He believed that, above all else, German Shepherds should be bred for intelligence and working ability.
Controversy
The Kennel Club, in the United Kingdom, is involved in a dispute with German Shepherd breed clubs about the issue of soundness in the show strain of the breed. Some show strains have been bred with an extremely roached topline (back) that causes poor gait in the hind legs.
The issue was raised in the BBC documentary, Pedigree Dogs Exposed, which said that critics of the breed describe it as "half dog, half frog". An orthopaedic vet remarked on footage of dogs in a show ring that they were "not normal".
The Kennel Club's position is that "this issue of soundness is not a simple difference of opinion, it is the fundamental issue of the breed's essential conformation and movement."[46] The Kennel Club has decided to retrain judges to penalise dogs with these problems.
The Kennel Club also recommends testing for haemophilia and hip dysplasia, other common problems with the breed.
Main article: East-European Shepherd
The East-European Shepherd is a variety of the German Shepherd bred in the former Soviet Union with the purpose of creating a larger, more cold-resistant version of the German Shepherd. It lacks the physical deformities bred into western show lines of German Shepherds and has become one of Russia's most popular dog types.
King Shepherd
The King Shepherd is a variety of the German Shepherd bred in the United States, its breeders hoping to rectify the physical deformities that have been bred into the original breed.
Shiloh Shepherd
The Shiloh Shepherd is a variety of the German Shepherd bred in the United States. It was developed in the 1970s and 1980s to correct behavioural and conformational issues that have been bred into modern German Shepherds, and was bred for its large size, length of back, temperament and soundness of hips. It has been recognised since 1990 by the American Rare Breed Association.
Main article: White Shepherd
The White Shepherd is a variety of the German Shepherd bred in the United States. White-coated German Shepherds were once banned from registration in their native Germany, but in the United States and Canada the coloration gained a following and a breed club was formed specifically for white German Shepherds, calling their variety the White Shepherd. The variety is recognised as a separate breed by the United Kennel Club.
Main article: White Swiss Shepherd Dog
The White Swiss Shepherd Dog (French: Berger Blanc Suisse, German: Weisser Schweizer Schäferhund, Italian: Pastore Svizzero Bianco) is a variety of the German Shepherd bred in Switzerland. It descends from the American White Shepherds; the first stud dog of what was to become the breed was an American dog born in 1966 and imported to Switzerland. The variety was recognised by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale as a separate breed in 2003, and it is now recognised by a number of national kennel clubs.
Use as a working dog
German Shepherds are a popular selection for use as working dogs. They are known for being easy to train and good for performing tasks and following instructions. They are especially well known for their police work, being used for tracking criminals, patrolling troubled areas and detection and holding of suspects. Additionally, thousands of German Shepherds have been used by the military. These military working dogs (MWD) are usually trained for scout duty, and they are used to warn soldiers to the presence of enemies or of booby traps or other hazards. German Shepherds have also been trained by military groups to parachute from aircraft or as anti-tank weapons. They were used in World War II as messenger dogs, rescue dogs and personal guard dogs. A number of these dogs were taken home by foreign servicemen, who were impressed by their intelligence.
The German Shepherd is one of the most widely used breeds in a wide variety of scent-work roles. These include search and rescue, cadaver searching, narcotics detection, explosives detection, accelerant detection and mine detection dog, among others. They are suited for these lines of work because of their keen sense of smell and their ability to work regardless of distractions. At one time the German Shepherd was the breed chosen almost exclusively to be used as a guide dog for the visually impaired. When formal guide dog training began in Switzerland in the 1920s under the leadership of Dorothy Eustis, all of the dogs trained were German Shepherd females. An experiment in temperament testing of a group of Labrador Retrievers and German Shepherds showed that the Retrievers scored higher on average in emotional stability, ability to recover promptly from frightening situations, cooperative behaviour and friendliness; while the German Shepherds were superior in aggression and defensive behaviour. These results suggested that Labrador Retrievers were more suited to guide dog work while German Shepherds were more suited to police work.
Currently, Labradors and Golden Retrievers are more widely used for this work, although there are still German Shepherds being trained. In 2013, about 15% of the dogs trained by Guide Dogs of America were German Shepherds, while the remainder are Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers. The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association in the United Kingdom trains some German Shepherds, while the comparable organisation in the US only trains Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and crosses between these breeds.
German Shepherds are still used for herding and tending sheep grazing in meadows next to gardens and crop fields. They are expected to patrol the boundaries to keep sheep from trespassing and damaging the crops. In Germany and other places these skills are tested in utility dog trials also known as Herdengebrauchshund (HGH) herding utility dog trials.
One Mexican German Shepherd, Zuyaqui, was dissected and his body put on display at the Sedena's "Narco Museum" in Mexico. He is regarded to be the dog who has captured the most drugs in Mexican police and military history.
A nine-week-old puppy
When the UK Kennel accepted registrations in 1919, 54 German Shepherds were registered. By 1926 this number had grown to over 8000. The breed gained international recognition after the end of World War I. Returning soldiers spoke highly of the breed and animal actors Rin Tin Tin and Strongheart popularised the breed further. The first German Shepherd Dog registered in the United States was Queen of Switzerland. Her offspring had defects as the result of poor breeding, which caused the breed to decline in popularity during the late 1920s.
Popularity increased again after Sieger Pfeffer von Bern became the 1937 and 1938 Grand Victor in American Kennel club dog shows, only to have another decline at the conclusion of World War II, due to anti-German sentiment. Popularity increased gradually until 1993, when they became the third most popular breed in the United States. As of 2016, the German Shepherd is the second most popular breed in the US. It is typically among the most frequently registered breeds in other countries. It was the third-most registered breed by the American Kennel Club in 2020, and seventh-most registered breed by The Kennel Club in the United Kingdom in 2016.
Health
Many common ailments of the German Shepherd are a result of the inbreeding practised early in the breed's life. One such common ailment is hip and elbow dysplasia which may cause the dog to experience pain later on in life and may cause arthritis. A study conducted by the University of Zurich found that 45% of the police working dogs were affected by degenerative spinal stenosis, although a small sample size was used. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals found that 19.1% of German Shepherd are affected by hip dysplasia. There are, however, ways to help prevent hip dysplasia, including getting a pup from a good breeder, keeping it on a healthy diet, and limiting the amount of jumping or rough play. German Shepherds have low frequency of ear infections, since this breed is well known for hyperactivity of its cerumen-producing glands. According to a recent survey in the UK, the median life span of German Shepherds is 10.95 years, which is normal for a dog of their size.
Degenerative myelopathy, a neurological disease, occurs with enough regularity specifically in the breed to suggest that the breed is predisposed to it. A very inexpensive DNA saliva test is now available to screen for degenerative myelopathy. The test screens for the mutated gene that has been seen in dogs with degenerative myelopathy. A small study in the UK showed 16% of young asymptomatic German Shepherds to be homozygous for the mutation, with a further 38% being carriers. Now that a test is available the disease can be bred out of breeds with a high preponderance. The test is only recommended for predisposed breeds, but can be performed on DNA samples from any dog, collected through swabbing the inside of the animal's cheek with a sterile cotton swab. Prospective German Shepherd buyers can now request the test from the breeder or buy from a breeder who is known to test their dogs.
German Shepherds have a higher-than-normal incidence of Von Willebrand disease, a common inherited bleeding disorder, and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), a degenerative disease of the pancreas. It is estimated that 1% of the UK population of German Shepherds has this disease. Treatment is usually provided in the form of pancreatic supplements taken with food.
Skeletal health and supplementation
Musculoskeletal disorders are debilitating conditions that are often associated with genetic makeup, malnutrition, and stress-related events. Some breeds like the German Shepherd, are predisposed to a variety of different skeletal disorders, including but not limited to: canine hip dysplasia, Cauda equina syndrome, and osteoarthritis. These conditions can be a result of poor breeding or induced by intense exercise and poor diet.
Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is an orthopaedic condition resulting from abnormal development of the hip joint and surrounding tissue causing the instability and partial dislocation of the hip joint, resulting in pain, inflammation, lameness, and potentially osteoarthritis of the joint. German Shepherds are genetically predisposed to CHD and the University of Veterinary Medicine in Germany found its prevalence estimated to be approximately 35% of veterinary cases associated with the disorder.
Osteoarthritis is one of the main contributors of musculoskeletal pain and disabilities that commonly affect German Shepherds. Mechanical stress, oxidative damage and inflammatory mediators combine to induce the gradual degeneration of the articular cartilage in the joint, resulting in reduced muscle mass, pain, and locomotion.
Feeding a well-balanced diet designed for large breeds like the German Shepherd to ensure adequate growth rates and proper maintenance of musculoskeletal health is essential. Dietary energy levels should be monitored and controlled throughout all life stages and activity levels of the German Shepherd to assist in the prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal disorder symptoms. Several dietary factors play a crucial role in maintaining skeletal health and are described as follows:
Appropriate calcium levels are vital in developing a strong skeletal system and aid in preventing orthopaedic diseases like Canine Hip Dysplasia. Furthermore, the ratio of calcium and phosphorus must be balanced and at a recommended ratio of 1.2:1 to ensure proper bone development and structure. Imbalances in calcium and phosphorus levels can result in various skeletal complications. Excess phosphorus can produce lesions in bones whereas excessive calcium can lead to hypocalcaemia and result in excess bone deposition, interfering with normal bone development. In extreme circumstances of insufficient calcium intake, bone resorption can occur due to the body withdrawing calcium deposits from the skeletal frame as a last resort to fulfill dietary needs.
Omega-3 fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have been shown to be highly effective in the prevention of cartilage catabolism in in vitro models, suggesting that its supplementation in food could aid in decreasing the symptoms of osteoarthritis in German Shepherds. Furthermore, EPA and DHA inhibit key regulators of the inflammatory process and suppress their activation which can help alleviate pain and reduce inflamed joints associated with many skeletal disorders. Ensuring an appropriate ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids of approximately 5:1 is very important for inflammation processes. Animals source, specifically marine life such as fish, krill, and mussels, and plant sources such as flaxseed, soybean and canola oil, are particularly rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Glucosamine is an amino-monosaccharide that naturally occurs in all tissues, particularly in articular cartilage of joints and from the biosynthesis of glucose. Natural synthesis of glucosamine occurs in the extracellular matrix of articular cartilage in joints. However, as a result of damage to the joint or cartilage, there is decreased ability to synthesize glucosamine resulting in the deterioration of the joint, and supplementation is required. Clinical trials of long term administration of glucosamine in German Shepherds have reduced symptoms of degenerative joint disease and accelerated cartilage healing. Anti-inflammatory effects of glucosamine are believed to contribute to the reduction of pain, promote joint recovery and mobility, and prevent further cartilage degradation. Similarly, chondroitin supplementation is proposed to have comparable results in inhibiting degradative enzymes within the cartilage matrix to reduce the effects of osteoarthritis, but further research is required to assess long term benefits.
Vitamins such as A and D also have crucial roles in bone development and maintenance by regulating bone and calcium metabolism. Adequate levels should be incorporated into a German Shepherd diet to promote a healthy musculoskeletal system.
In popular culture
German Shepherds have been featured in a wide range of media. In 1921 Strongheart became one of the earliest canine film stars, and was followed in 1922 by Rin Tin Tin, who is considered the most famous German Shepherd. Both have stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Batman's dog Ace the Bat-Hound appeared in the Batman comic books, initially in 1955, through 1964. From 1964 onwards, his appearances have been sporadic.
A German Shepherd named Inspector Rex is the star of an Austrian Police procedural drama program of the same name, which won many awards, where German Shepherd Rex assists the Vienna Kriminalpolizei homicide unit. The show was aired in many languages.
Kántor [hu] was a famous and very successful police dog in Hungary in the 1950s and early 1960s. After his death his story was fictionalised by two crime novels by Rudolf Szamos [hu], titled Kántor Investigates [hu] and Kántor in the Big City. A five-part thriller series for television titled Kántor was produced in 1975, which was loosely based on the actual dog's story, setting the events more than a decade after the real Kántor died. It became one of the staple productions of Hungarian television history, making German Shepherds the most popular dog breed in the country ever since. The taxidermy mount of Kántor's body is on display at the Police Museum in Budapest.
Notable individual German Shepherds
The dog on which the breed was founded
Horand von Grafrath (January 1, 1895 – after 1899), considered the first German Shepherd and the genetic basis for modern German Shepherds
In film, television and fiction
Strongheart (1 October 1917 – 24 June 1929), featured in Hollywood films of 1921–1927
Rin Tin Tin (September 1918 – 10 August 1932), Rin Tin Tin Jr., and Rin Tin Tin III, featured in Hollywood films of 1922–1947
Thunder the Dog (7 September 1921 – after October 1928), featured in Hollywood films of 1923–1927
Silver Streak (born 1924), featured in Hollywood films of 1924–1928
Lightning, grandson of Strongheart, featured in Hollywood films of 1934–1938
Ace the Wonder Dog, featured in Hollywood films and serials of 1938–1946
Rex the Wonder Dog, fictional superhero in the DC Comics universe 1952–present
Ace the Bat-Hound, fictional partner of Batman in DC Comics 1955–present
Joe, protagonist in the NBC television series Run, Joe, Run in 1974–1975
Won Ton Ton, protagonist of the 1976 comedy film Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood, a spoof of Rin Tin Tin
Koton, sometimes identified as Rando, police dog later featured in the 1989 film K-9 with James Belushi
Rex, protagonist of the Austrian-Italian comedy-drama television series Inspector Rex of 1994–2015, and remakes in other countries
Pets of political figures
Blondi (1941 – 29 April 1945), Hitler's pet on which he tested the cyanide capsules he later consumed to commit suicide, killing her
Champ (11 November 2008 – 19 June 2021), Commander (born 1 September 2021), and Major (born 17 January 2018), pets of US President Joe Biden
Major, police dog later kept as a pet of United States president Franklin D. Roosevelt while he was in office, which bit a United States senator and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1933 while living at the White House
PDSA Dickin Medal recipients (for military and civil defence service dogs)
Awards in the original 1943–1949 series for service in the Second World War
Antis (1939–1953), 28 January 1949 for war service in North Africa and England and post-war assistance in an escape from communist Czechoslovakia
Bing, a.k.a. Brian (c. 1943 – October 1955), 29 March 1947 for service with the 13th (Lancashire) Parachute Battalion paratroopers
Irma, 12 January 1945 for rescuing people trapped under destroyed buildings in civil defence service in the London Blitz
Jet (21 July 1942 – 18 October 1949), 12 January 1945 for rescuing people trapped under destroyed buildings in civil defence service in the London Blitz
Rex, April 1945 for locating casualties in thick smoke in burning buildings in civil service in England
Rifleman Khan, 27 March 1945 for rescuing a drowning soldier in November 1944 in the Netherlands in the Battle of Walcheren Causeway, an engagement of the Battle of the Scheldt
Thorn, 2 March 1945 for locating air-raid casualties in thick smoke in a burning building in civil service
After revival of the medal in 2000
Apollo (c. 1992 – 2006), 5 March 2002 on behalf of all search and rescue dogs that served at the World Trade Center site and the Pentagon in the aftermath of the 11 September 2001 attacks in New York City, United States
Lucca (c. 2003 – 20 January 2018), 5 April 2016 for service with the United States Marine Corps of 2006–2012 in two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan for explosives and insurgent detection until injured by an IED
Lucky (service c. 1950), 6 February 2007 for anti-insurgency service with the Royal Air Force against the Malayan National Liberation Army in the Malayan Emergency in 1949–1952 (the only surviving dog of a four-dog team)
Sam (died 2000), 14 January 2003 for service in April 1998 in apprehending a gunman and in crowd control during protection of refugees in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps of the British Army in the Bosnia and Herzegovina conflict
PDSA Gold Medal recipients (for non-military dogs)
Ajax, 11 June 2013 for service in the civil guard that saved lives by detection of an ETA bomb near a guard barracks site on the Spanish island of Majorca in 2009 under dangerous circumstances
Anya, 6 July 2010 for service as a British police dog in defending an officer from a knife attack in January 2008
Ellie and Jones (Shepherd mixes), 22 August 2013 for saving their owner who collapsed and lost consciousness due to diabetic shock in November 2010
Finn (born March 2009), 6 May 2018 for service as a police dog in a knife attack on a police officer in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England, on 5 October 2016
Gage (died 13 July 2010), 22 August 2013 (posthumously) for service as a police dog in a suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand, defending an officer in an attack by a man with a rifle (in which the dog was killed)
Other military, police, search-and-rescue, and institutional guard dogs
Gabi, 1980s guard dog at the Belgrade Zoo that protected a security guard and the public by fighting with an escaped jaguar
Kántor [hu], police dog in Hungary in the 1950s and early 1960s, later portrayed in fictionalized versions for novels and television
Lex (1999 – March 25, 2012), used by the United States Marine Corps in Iraq and later adopted by the family of a soldier who died in a rocket attack while serving as his handler
Mancs (1994–2006), earthquake search and rescue dog of Miskolc, Hungary, that helped rescue a 3-year-old girl who had spent 82 hours under ruins of a 1999 earthquake in Turkey
Nemo A534 (died December 1972), served in battle in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War
Rajah, performing and unofficial police dog in New Zealand, suggested as a candidate replacement for Rin Tin Tin in films
Trakr (c. 1994 – April 2009), Canadian police dog that discovered the last survivor of the 11 September 2001 attacks in New York City, United States
Zuyaqui (died 2000s), used by Mexican military and police forces for detection of illegal drugs
This image is excerpted from a U.S. GAO report:
www.gao.gov/products/GAO-16-337
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH: Additional Data Needed to Address Continued Hazards in the Meat and Poultry Industry
The overarching mission of the Physical Activity Energetics/Mechanics Laboratory at Colorado State University is to get more people to move more often; typically the more active you are, the healthier you are.
The lab itself seems to take this same mental attitude to heart in the enormous and diverse amount of research conducted by the lab, which is composed of faculty, undergraduate students, graduate students, and research assistants. Involved in everything from musculoskeletal biomechanics to physical activity monitoring, the lab is constantly producing interesting and widely applicable data and knowledge.
The Physical Activity Energetics/Mechanics Laboratory is associated with the Department of Health and Exercise Science, in the College of Health and Human Sciences at Colorado State University.
This is a microscopic view of lab-grown human muscle bundles stained to show patterns made by basic muscle units and their associated proteins (red), which are a hallmark of human muscle. These lab-grown human muscle tissues will allow researchers to test new drugs and study diseases in muscle tissues outside of the human body.
Credit: Nenad Bursac, Ph.D., Duke University
This image is not owned by the NIH. It is shared with the public under license. If you have a question about using or reproducing this image, please contact the creator listed in the credits. All rights to the work remain with the original creator.
NIH funding from: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Also known as Blue Krait.
Location: Kedah, Malaysia
Local name: Ular Katam Tebu
Thai: Ngoo tap saming kla, or ngoo kan plong
Length: 1.2m, max 1.6m
Toxicity: Very venomous (fatal)
Malayan krait or blue krait, is a species of krait, a venomous elapid snake.
Distribution: Entire southeast Asia from south Indochina south to Java and Bali in Indonesia.
Venom: In mice, the IV LD50 for this species is 0.1 mg/kg (Tan, N. H., 2013). It has caused an untreated mortality rate of 60-70% on humans. Blue Krait’s venom consists of extremely powerful neurotoxins (presynaptic and postsynaptic toxins). This "venom cocktail" directly impair the victim's capacity for thought or speech and have the power to immobilize the musculoskeletal system. Secondly, it also attacks victim’s respiratory system, causing suffocation within hours. However, if left untreated, death can come within four hours. The most horrifying fact is that the bite causes no pain, hence giving the victim false reassurance.
Pappas Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, PLLC is a new practice in Astoria specializing in the non-surgical treatment of neck, back and extremity pain due to auto/work related trauma and sports injuries, as well as post-operative therapeutic management.
Pappas Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, PLLC
31-35 31st Street
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painandinjury.com/mike-pappas.html
Call: 800-949-6100 to set-up an appointment
This image is excerpted from a U.S. GAO report:
www.gao.gov/products/GAO-16-337
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH: Additional Data Needed to Address Continued Hazards in the Meat and Poultry Industry
Note: USDA defines large plants as establishments that have 500 or more employees.
This image shows mouse muscle cells viewed under a microscope. The cells have fused together to form myotubes that have many nuclei (stained blue). The cells are from mouse skeletal muscle stem cells treated with a harmless virus that caused them to glow green. The green color remained when the stem cells fused into myotubes. Some myotubes are stained red for a protein involved in muscle contraction (myosin heavy chain), a characteristic of mature muscle fibers. The researchers plan to use the same viral delivery system to genetically modify the cells and assess how impairing cell fusion alters myotube growth. This image was a 2017 winner in the BioArt competition of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB).
Credit: Kevin A. Murach, Ph.D., University of Kentucky
NIH support from: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases; National Institute on Aging
'I have learned a lot from the masterclass. It was great to interact with peers and learn what shooting technics they use. Engaging with the tutors was super helpful in terms of getting ideas and inspirations for creating new photo stories. It was also great to receive a feedback on how to create a portfolio and what it means to build a real story (spend enough time with the subject, be patient, wait for the right moment, etc.).' Nazik Muradova, Turkmenistan.
See her blog: morepeacenowar.wordpress.com/the-peace-lines/
Nazik Muradova is from Turkmenistan and started doing photography in 2014. She works as communications associate and aspires to become a documentary photographer depicting the issues of human rights in conflict-affected areas. Nazik holds a degree in security studies and regularly contributes articles on Central Asia’s developments. In 2013, Nazik started an online magazine the PULS of Central Asia. Her main interests lay in the sphere of security issues in Eurasia.
THE POWER OF ACCEPTING CHALLENGE
15% of the world population has a disability. By the age of 65, 40% of us will have a disability. By age of 80 almost everyone has a disability.
Due to the lack of employment and educational opportunities, social stigma and a failure to integrate PWDs into the society, a country’s annual GDP loss can account to 7%. PWDs face social and economic discrimination 50% more often than healthy, i.e. explicit refusal of employment due to medical condition, lack of adequate medical help and lack of education.
However, there are families who do not treat disability as a social condition. Disability is only a medical condition that challenges people, but should not make them suffer.
This is a story of Ahmed (who has cerebral palsy) and Bahar (with infraction of musculoskeletal system) and their family. Ahmed works for a printing and packaging company, Bahar is a housewife. They have two healthy kids.
I always think it a little strange when I pass this place when shopping in Inverness but it's a part of the scenery now.
Situated inside Eastgate Shopping Centre in Inverness City Centre is the Vaccination Clinic operated by the Highland arm of NHS Scotland.
It was originally opened as a temporary Musculoskeletal physiotherapy unit but also saw use as a COVID vaccination centre during the pandemic.
When the physiotherapy unit moved to its new home in one of the local hospitals this particular site was kept on as a vaccination clinic, now offering anything from COVID booster shots to the humble flu jab.
I've never been sure whether it's a good or a bad idea to have any sort of health facility in the middle of a shopping centre but, being relatively easy to get to and central to most things, I suppose it has some merit.
From the look of that shutter over the door it seems patients had to limbo their way inside!
Dr. Lindsey Criswell joined NIH as Director of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) in February 2021.
www.niams.nih.gov/about/directory/lindsey-criswell-md-mph...
Credit: NIH
Pompe disease is a rare, inherited disorder characterized by the deficiency of an enzyme called acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA). One of the primary features of Pompe disease is the progressive break down in communications between nerve and muscle cells. This image is of a leg muscle (tibialis anterior) from an adult mouse model of Pompe disease. The nerve cells (green) and the sites of nerve-muscle cell communication, called neuromuscular junctions, (red) are fluorescently labeled to observe the continued deterioration of neuromuscular junctions. This research program is advancing the use of gene therapy to improve neural and cardiorespiratory function in patients with Pompe disease. This image was a winner in the 2015 BioArt contest of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB).
Credit: Darin J. Falk, Adrian Gary Todd, Robin Yoon, Barry J. Byrne, University of Florida
This image is not owned by the NIH. It is shared with the public under license. If you have a question about using or reproducing this image, please contact the creator listed in the credits. All rights to the work remain with the original creator.
NIH funding from: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
The image on the left is the procapsid (outer protein shell) of the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1), the virus that causes cold sores. The image on the right is the mature capsid of the same virus. The major capsid proteins form hexons (lighter blue) and pentons (darker blue) connected by triplexes (green). As the virus matures, the holes in the procapsid close to stabilize the mature capsid. Understanding this process can help researchers determine how the virus infects cells and may lead to new treatments.
Credit: Bernard Heymann, Ph.D., NIAMS Laboratory of Structural Biology Research, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health
This image shows the restoration of dystrophin (stained green) in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) muscle cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells. DMD is caused by mutations in the DMD gene that affect the production of dystrophin, a protein involved in muscle cell membrane structure. Researchers used CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology to correct a mutation, resulting in dystrophin restoration. This technology could be therapeutic in up to 60% of DMD patient mutations. Nuclei in the muscle cells are stained blue and the contractile protein myosin is stained red.
Credit: Courtney Young, M.S., Melissa Spencer lab, University of California, Los Angeles.
NIH support from: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
The bacteriophage Phi-6, which serves as a model system for rotavirus, the most common cause of diarrheal disease among infants and young children. An understanding of how the bacteriophage assembles may help scientists develop new ways of treating rotavirus infections. Shown here, a cryo-electron microscopy image of Phi-6‘s protein shell, or procapsid, cut open to show the different types of protein: P1 (blue), P4 (red), P7, yellow, and P2 (purple).
Credit: Daniel Nemecek, Bernard Heymann, Alasdair Steven, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, NIH
Here you see the bladder (blue) of a laboratory mouse that was re-infected 24 hours earlier with the bacterium Escherichia coli (pink), a common cause of UTIs. White blood cells (yellow) reach out with what appear to be stringy extracellular traps to immobilize and kill the bacteria.
Valerie O’Brien, a graduate student in Scott Hultgren’s lab at Washington University, St. Louis, snapped this battle of microbes and white blood cells using a scanning electron microscope and then colorized it to draw out the striking details. It was one of the winners in the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology’s 2016 BioArt competition.
More information: directorsblog.nih.gov/2017/05/25/snapshots-of-life-fighti...
Credit: Valerie O’Brien, Matthew Joens, Scott J. Hultgren, James A.J. Fitzpatrick, Washington University, St. Louis
This image is not owned by the NIH. It is shared with the public under license. If you have a question about using or reproducing this image, please contact the creator listed in the credits. All rights to the work remain with the original creator.
NIH support from: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; and Office of Research on Women’s Health; National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases; National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
The German Shepherd, also known in Britain as an Alsatian, is a German breed of working dog of medium to large size. The breed was developed by Max von Stephanitz using various traditional German herding dogs from 1899.
It was originally bred as a herding dog, for herding sheep. It has since been used in many other types of work, including disability assistance, search-and-rescue, police work, and warfare. It is commonly kept as a companion dog, and according to the Fédération Cynologique Internationale had the second-highest number of annual registrations in 2013.
History
During the 1890s, attempts were being made to standardise dog breeds. Dogs were being bred to preserve traits that assisted in their job of herding sheep and protecting their flocks from predators. In Germany this was practised within local communities, where shepherds selected and bred dogs. It was recognised that the breed had the necessary skills for herding sheep, such as intelligence, speed, strength and keen senses of smell. The results were dogs that were able to do such things, but that differed significantly, both in appearance and ability, from one locality to another.
To combat these differences, the Phylax Society was formed in 1891 with the intention of creating standardised development plans for native dog breeds in Germany. The society disbanded after only three years due to ongoing internal conflicts regarding the traits in dogs that the society should promote; some members believed dogs should be bred solely for working purposes, while others believed dogs should be bred also for appearance. While unsuccessful in their goal, the Phylax Society had inspired people to pursue standardising dog breeds independently.
With the rise of large, industrialised cities in Germany, the predator population began to decline, rendering sheepdogs unnecessary. At the same time, the awareness of sheepdogs as a versatile, intelligent class of canine began to rise. Max von Stephanitz, an ex-cavalry captain and former student of the Berlin Veterinary College, was an ex-member of the Phylax Society who firmly believed dogs should be bred for working. He admired the intelligence, strength and ability of Germany's native sheepdogs, but could not find any one single breed that satisfied him as the perfect working dog.
In 1899, von Stephanitz was attending a dog show when he was shown a dog named Hektor Linksrhein. Hektor was the product of few generations of selective breeding and completely fulfilled what von Stephanitz believed a working dog should be. He was pleased with the strength of the dog and was so taken by the animal's intelligence, loyalty, and beauty, that he purchased him immediately. After purchasing the dog he changed his name to Horand von Grafrath and von Stephanitz founded the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (Society for German Shepherd Dogs). Horand was declared to be the first German Shepherd Dog, and was the first dog added to the society's breed register. In just a few decades of the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde's establishment, the breed became one of the world's most popular and numerous, a position it has maintained to this day. By 1923, the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde claimed 50,000 dues-paying members in more than 500 branches in Germany alone.
Horand became the center-point of the breeding programs and was bred with dogs belonging to other society members that displayed desirable traits and with dogs from Thuringia, Franconia, and Württemberg. Fathering many pups, Horand's most prolific was Hektor von Schwaben. Hektor was inbred with another of Horand's offspring and produced Heinz von Starkenburg, Beowulf, and Pilot, who later sired a total of 84 pups, mostly through being inbred with Hektor's other offspring. This inbreeding was deemed necessary in order to fix the traits being sought in the breed. Beowulf's progeny also were inbred and it is from these pups that all German Shepherds draw a genetic link. It is believed the society accomplished its goal mostly due to von Stephanitz's strong, uncompromising leadership and he is therefore credited with being the creator of the German Shepherd Dog.
During the first half of the twentieth century, the breed came to be strongly identified with Imperial and Nazi Germany, because of its association with purity and militarism. German Shepherds were coveted as "germanische Urhunde", being close to the wolf, and became very fashionable during the Nazi era. Adolf Hitler acquired a German Shepherd named "Prinz" in 1921, during his years of poverty, but he had been forced to lodge the dog elsewhere. However, she managed to escape and return to him. Hitler, who adored the loyalty and obedience of the dog, thereafter developed a great liking for the breed. Hitler kept several more of the breed, including Blondi, who was among several dogs in the 'Führerbunker' during the Battle of Berlin at the end of the Second World War. Dogs played a role in Nazi propaganda by portraying Hitler as an animal lover. Preparing for his suicide, Hitler ordered Dr. Werner Haase to test a cyanide capsule on Blondi, and the dog died as a result. Erna Flegel, a nurse who worked at the emergency casualty station in the Reich Chancellery stated in 2005 that Blondi's death had affected the people in the bunker more than Eva Braun's suicide. German Shepherds were also used widely as guard dogs at Nazi concentration camps during the Holocaust.
When the German Shepherd was introduced to the United States it was initially a popular dog. But as the dogs' popularity grew, it became associated as a dangerous breed owned by gangsters and bootleggers. The reputation of the German Shepherds as a dangerous breed had grown to such an extent that it was briefly banned to import them in Australia in 1929. Potential legislation was even considered to require that all German shepherds in South Australia be sterilised.
Naming
The breed was named Deutscher Schäferhund, by von Stephanitz, literally translating to "German Shepherd Dog". At the time, all other herding dogs in Germany were referred to by this name; they thus became known as Altdeutsche Schäferhunde, or old German herding dogs.
The direct translation of the name was adopted for use in the stud-book; however, at the end of the First World War, it was believed that the inclusion of the word "German" would harm the breed's popularity, due to the anti-German sentiment of the era. The breed was officially renamed by the UK Kennel Club to "Alsatian Wolf Dog", after the French region of Alsace bordering Germany.
Eventually, the appendage "wolf dog" was dropped, after numerous campaigns by breeders who were worried that becoming known as a wolf-dog hybrid would affect the breed's popularity and legality. The name Alsatian remained for five decades, until 1977, when successful campaigns by dog enthusiasts pressured the British kennel clubs to allow the breed to be registered again as German Shepherds. The word "Alsatian" once appeared in parentheses as part of the formal breed name of the American Kennel Club and was removed in 2010.
Description
German Shepherds are medium to large-sized dogs. The breed standard height at the withers is 60–65 cm (24–26 in) for males, and 55–60 cm (22–24 in) for females. German Shepherds can reach sprinting speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. Shepherds are longer than they are tall, with an ideal proportion of 10 to 8+1⁄2. The AKC official breed standard does not set a standard weight range. They have a domed forehead, a long square-cut muzzle with strong jaws and a black nose. The eyes are medium-sized and brown. The ears are large and stand erect, open at the front and parallel, but they often are pulled back during movement. A German Shepherd has a long neck, which is raised when excited and lowered when moving at a fast pace as well as stalking. The tail is bushy and reaches to the hock.
German Shepherds have a double coat which is close and dense with a thick undercoat. The coat is accepted in two variants: medium and long. The gene for long hair is recessive, and therefore the long-haired variety is rarer. Treatment of the long-haired variation differs across standards; it is accepted but does not compete against standard-coated dogs under the German and UK Kennel Clubs while it can compete with standard-coated dogs, but is considered a fault, in the American Kennel Club. The FCI accepted the long-haired type in 2010, listing it as the variety b, while the short-haired type is listed as the variety a.
Most commonly, German Shepherds are either tan/black or red/black. Most colour varieties have black masks and black body markings which can range from a classic "saddle" to an overall "blanket". Rarer colour variations include sable, pure-black, pure-white, liver, silver, blue, and panda varieties. The all-black and sable varieties are acceptable according to most standards; however, the blue and liver are considered to be serious faults and the all-white is grounds for instant disqualification from showing in conformation at All Breed and Specialty Shows.
Intelligence
German Shepherds were bred specifically for their intelligence. In a list of breeds most likely to bark as watchdogs, Stanley Coren ranked the breed in second place. Coupled with their strength, this trait makes the breed desirable as police, guard and search and rescue dogs, as they are able to quickly learn various tasks and interpret instructions better than other breeds.
Temperament
German Shepherds are moderately active dogs and are described in breed standards as self assured. The breed is marked by a willingness to learn and an eagerness to have a purpose. They are curious, which makes them excellent guard dogs and suitable for search missions. They can become overprotective of their family and territory, especially if not socialised correctly. They are not inclined to become immediate friends with strangers. German Shepherds are highly intelligent and obedient, as well as protective of their owners.
Aggression and biting
Further information: Dog bite prevention
A 2020 literature review in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that from 1971 to 2018, of all pure breed dogs in the United States, the German Shepherd was responsible for the most bites severe enough to require hospital treatment.
While an Australian report from 1999 provides statistics showing that German Shepherds are the breed third most likely to attack a person in some Australian locales, once their popularity is taken into account, the percentages of attacks by German Shepherds drops to 38th.
According to the National Geographic Channel television show Dangerous Encounters, the bite of a German Shepherd has a force of over 1,060 newtons (238 lbf) (compared with that of a Rottweiler, over 1,180–1,460 newtons (265–328 lbf), a Pit bull, 1,050 newtons (235 lbf), a Labrador Retriever, of approximately 1,000 newtons (230 lbf), or a human, of approximately 380 newtons (86 lbf)).
Modern breed
The modern German Shepherd breed is criticised by experts for straying away from Max von Stephanitz's original ideology that German Shepherds should be bred primarily as working dogs and that breeding should be strictly controlled to eliminate defects quickly. He believed that, above all else, German Shepherds should be bred for intelligence and working ability.
Controversy
The Kennel Club, in the United Kingdom, is involved in a dispute with German Shepherd breed clubs about the issue of soundness in the show strain of the breed. Some show strains have been bred with an extremely roached topline (back) that causes poor gait in the hind legs.
The issue was raised in the BBC documentary, Pedigree Dogs Exposed, which said that critics of the breed describe it as "half dog, half frog". An orthopaedic vet remarked on footage of dogs in a show ring that they were "not normal".
The Kennel Club's position is that "this issue of soundness is not a simple difference of opinion, it is the fundamental issue of the breed's essential conformation and movement."[46] The Kennel Club has decided to retrain judges to penalise dogs with these problems.
The Kennel Club also recommends testing for haemophilia and hip dysplasia, other common problems with the breed.
Main article: East-European Shepherd
The East-European Shepherd is a variety of the German Shepherd bred in the former Soviet Union with the purpose of creating a larger, more cold-resistant version of the German Shepherd. It lacks the physical deformities bred into western show lines of German Shepherds and has become one of Russia's most popular dog types.
King Shepherd
The King Shepherd is a variety of the German Shepherd bred in the United States, its breeders hoping to rectify the physical deformities that have been bred into the original breed.
Shiloh Shepherd
The Shiloh Shepherd is a variety of the German Shepherd bred in the United States. It was developed in the 1970s and 1980s to correct behavioural and conformational issues that have been bred into modern German Shepherds, and was bred for its large size, length of back, temperament and soundness of hips. It has been recognised since 1990 by the American Rare Breed Association.
Main article: White Shepherd
The White Shepherd is a variety of the German Shepherd bred in the United States. White-coated German Shepherds were once banned from registration in their native Germany, but in the United States and Canada the coloration gained a following and a breed club was formed specifically for white German Shepherds, calling their variety the White Shepherd. The variety is recognised as a separate breed by the United Kennel Club.
Main article: White Swiss Shepherd Dog
The White Swiss Shepherd Dog (French: Berger Blanc Suisse, German: Weisser Schweizer Schäferhund, Italian: Pastore Svizzero Bianco) is a variety of the German Shepherd bred in Switzerland. It descends from the American White Shepherds; the first stud dog of what was to become the breed was an American dog born in 1966 and imported to Switzerland. The variety was recognised by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale as a separate breed in 2003, and it is now recognised by a number of national kennel clubs.
Use as a working dog
German Shepherds are a popular selection for use as working dogs. They are known for being easy to train and good for performing tasks and following instructions. They are especially well known for their police work, being used for tracking criminals, patrolling troubled areas and detection and holding of suspects. Additionally, thousands of German Shepherds have been used by the military. These military working dogs (MWD) are usually trained for scout duty, and they are used to warn soldiers to the presence of enemies or of booby traps or other hazards. German Shepherds have also been trained by military groups to parachute from aircraft or as anti-tank weapons. They were used in World War II as messenger dogs, rescue dogs and personal guard dogs. A number of these dogs were taken home by foreign servicemen, who were impressed by their intelligence.
The German Shepherd is one of the most widely used breeds in a wide variety of scent-work roles. These include search and rescue, cadaver searching, narcotics detection, explosives detection, accelerant detection and mine detection dog, among others. They are suited for these lines of work because of their keen sense of smell and their ability to work regardless of distractions. At one time the German Shepherd was the breed chosen almost exclusively to be used as a guide dog for the visually impaired. When formal guide dog training began in Switzerland in the 1920s under the leadership of Dorothy Eustis, all of the dogs trained were German Shepherd females. An experiment in temperament testing of a group of Labrador Retrievers and German Shepherds showed that the Retrievers scored higher on average in emotional stability, ability to recover promptly from frightening situations, cooperative behaviour and friendliness; while the German Shepherds were superior in aggression and defensive behaviour. These results suggested that Labrador Retrievers were more suited to guide dog work while German Shepherds were more suited to police work.
Currently, Labradors and Golden Retrievers are more widely used for this work, although there are still German Shepherds being trained. In 2013, about 15% of the dogs trained by Guide Dogs of America were German Shepherds, while the remainder are Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers. The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association in the United Kingdom trains some German Shepherds, while the comparable organisation in the US only trains Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and crosses between these breeds.
German Shepherds are still used for herding and tending sheep grazing in meadows next to gardens and crop fields. They are expected to patrol the boundaries to keep sheep from trespassing and damaging the crops. In Germany and other places these skills are tested in utility dog trials also known as Herdengebrauchshund (HGH) herding utility dog trials.
One Mexican German Shepherd, Zuyaqui, was dissected and his body put on display at the Sedena's "Narco Museum" in Mexico. He is regarded to be the dog who has captured the most drugs in Mexican police and military history.
A nine-week-old puppy
When the UK Kennel accepted registrations in 1919, 54 German Shepherds were registered. By 1926 this number had grown to over 8000. The breed gained international recognition after the end of World War I. Returning soldiers spoke highly of the breed and animal actors Rin Tin Tin and Strongheart popularised the breed further. The first German Shepherd Dog registered in the United States was Queen of Switzerland. Her offspring had defects as the result of poor breeding, which caused the breed to decline in popularity during the late 1920s.
Popularity increased again after Sieger Pfeffer von Bern became the 1937 and 1938 Grand Victor in American Kennel club dog shows, only to have another decline at the conclusion of World War II, due to anti-German sentiment. Popularity increased gradually until 1993, when they became the third most popular breed in the United States. As of 2016, the German Shepherd is the second most popular breed in the US. It is typically among the most frequently registered breeds in other countries. It was the third-most registered breed by the American Kennel Club in 2020, and seventh-most registered breed by The Kennel Club in the United Kingdom in 2016.
Health
Many common ailments of the German Shepherd are a result of the inbreeding practised early in the breed's life. One such common ailment is hip and elbow dysplasia which may cause the dog to experience pain later on in life and may cause arthritis. A study conducted by the University of Zurich found that 45% of the police working dogs were affected by degenerative spinal stenosis, although a small sample size was used. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals found that 19.1% of German Shepherd are affected by hip dysplasia. There are, however, ways to help prevent hip dysplasia, including getting a pup from a good breeder, keeping it on a healthy diet, and limiting the amount of jumping or rough play. German Shepherds have low frequency of ear infections, since this breed is well known for hyperactivity of its cerumen-producing glands. According to a recent survey in the UK, the median life span of German Shepherds is 10.95 years, which is normal for a dog of their size.
Degenerative myelopathy, a neurological disease, occurs with enough regularity specifically in the breed to suggest that the breed is predisposed to it. A very inexpensive DNA saliva test is now available to screen for degenerative myelopathy. The test screens for the mutated gene that has been seen in dogs with degenerative myelopathy. A small study in the UK showed 16% of young asymptomatic German Shepherds to be homozygous for the mutation, with a further 38% being carriers. Now that a test is available the disease can be bred out of breeds with a high preponderance. The test is only recommended for predisposed breeds, but can be performed on DNA samples from any dog, collected through swabbing the inside of the animal's cheek with a sterile cotton swab. Prospective German Shepherd buyers can now request the test from the breeder or buy from a breeder who is known to test their dogs.
German Shepherds have a higher-than-normal incidence of Von Willebrand disease, a common inherited bleeding disorder, and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), a degenerative disease of the pancreas. It is estimated that 1% of the UK population of German Shepherds has this disease. Treatment is usually provided in the form of pancreatic supplements taken with food.
Skeletal health and supplementation
Musculoskeletal disorders are debilitating conditions that are often associated with genetic makeup, malnutrition, and stress-related events. Some breeds like the German Shepherd, are predisposed to a variety of different skeletal disorders, including but not limited to: canine hip dysplasia, Cauda equina syndrome, and osteoarthritis. These conditions can be a result of poor breeding or induced by intense exercise and poor diet.
Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is an orthopaedic condition resulting from abnormal development of the hip joint and surrounding tissue causing the instability and partial dislocation of the hip joint, resulting in pain, inflammation, lameness, and potentially osteoarthritis of the joint. German Shepherds are genetically predisposed to CHD and the University of Veterinary Medicine in Germany found its prevalence estimated to be approximately 35% of veterinary cases associated with the disorder.
Osteoarthritis is one of the main contributors of musculoskeletal pain and disabilities that commonly affect German Shepherds. Mechanical stress, oxidative damage and inflammatory mediators combine to induce the gradual degeneration of the articular cartilage in the joint, resulting in reduced muscle mass, pain, and locomotion.
Feeding a well-balanced diet designed for large breeds like the German Shepherd to ensure adequate growth rates and proper maintenance of musculoskeletal health is essential. Dietary energy levels should be monitored and controlled throughout all life stages and activity levels of the German Shepherd to assist in the prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal disorder symptoms. Several dietary factors play a crucial role in maintaining skeletal health and are described as follows:
Appropriate calcium levels are vital in developing a strong skeletal system and aid in preventing orthopaedic diseases like Canine Hip Dysplasia. Furthermore, the ratio of calcium and phosphorus must be balanced and at a recommended ratio of 1.2:1 to ensure proper bone development and structure. Imbalances in calcium and phosphorus levels can result in various skeletal complications. Excess phosphorus can produce lesions in bones whereas excessive calcium can lead to hypocalcaemia and result in excess bone deposition, interfering with normal bone development. In extreme circumstances of insufficient calcium intake, bone resorption can occur due to the body withdrawing calcium deposits from the skeletal frame as a last resort to fulfill dietary needs.
Omega-3 fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have been shown to be highly effective in the prevention of cartilage catabolism in in vitro models, suggesting that its supplementation in food could aid in decreasing the symptoms of osteoarthritis in German Shepherds. Furthermore, EPA and DHA inhibit key regulators of the inflammatory process and suppress their activation which can help alleviate pain and reduce inflamed joints associated with many skeletal disorders. Ensuring an appropriate ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids of approximately 5:1 is very important for inflammation processes. Animals source, specifically marine life such as fish, krill, and mussels, and plant sources such as flaxseed, soybean and canola oil, are particularly rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Glucosamine is an amino-monosaccharide that naturally occurs in all tissues, particularly in articular cartilage of joints and from the biosynthesis of glucose. Natural synthesis of glucosamine occurs in the extracellular matrix of articular cartilage in joints. However, as a result of damage to the joint or cartilage, there is decreased ability to synthesize glucosamine resulting in the deterioration of the joint, and supplementation is required. Clinical trials of long term administration of glucosamine in German Shepherds have reduced symptoms of degenerative joint disease and accelerated cartilage healing. Anti-inflammatory effects of glucosamine are believed to contribute to the reduction of pain, promote joint recovery and mobility, and prevent further cartilage degradation. Similarly, chondroitin supplementation is proposed to have comparable results in inhibiting degradative enzymes within the cartilage matrix to reduce the effects of osteoarthritis, but further research is required to assess long term benefits.
Vitamins such as A and D also have crucial roles in bone development and maintenance by regulating bone and calcium metabolism. Adequate levels should be incorporated into a German Shepherd diet to promote a healthy musculoskeletal system.
In popular culture
German Shepherds have been featured in a wide range of media. In 1921 Strongheart became one of the earliest canine film stars, and was followed in 1922 by Rin Tin Tin, who is considered the most famous German Shepherd. Both have stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Batman's dog Ace the Bat-Hound appeared in the Batman comic books, initially in 1955, through 1964. From 1964 onwards, his appearances have been sporadic.
A German Shepherd named Inspector Rex is the star of an Austrian Police procedural drama program of the same name, which won many awards, where German Shepherd Rex assists the Vienna Kriminalpolizei homicide unit. The show was aired in many languages.
Kántor [hu] was a famous and very successful police dog in Hungary in the 1950s and early 1960s. After his death his story was fictionalised by two crime novels by Rudolf Szamos [hu], titled Kántor Investigates [hu] and Kántor in the Big City. A five-part thriller series for television titled Kántor was produced in 1975, which was loosely based on the actual dog's story, setting the events more than a decade after the real Kántor died. It became one of the staple productions of Hungarian television history, making German Shepherds the most popular dog breed in the country ever since. The taxidermy mount of Kántor's body is on display at the Police Museum in Budapest.
Notable individual German Shepherds
The dog on which the breed was founded
Horand von Grafrath (January 1, 1895 – after 1899), considered the first German Shepherd and the genetic basis for modern German Shepherds
In film, television and fiction
Strongheart (1 October 1917 – 24 June 1929), featured in Hollywood films of 1921–1927
Rin Tin Tin (September 1918 – 10 August 1932), Rin Tin Tin Jr., and Rin Tin Tin III, featured in Hollywood films of 1922–1947
Thunder the Dog (7 September 1921 – after October 1928), featured in Hollywood films of 1923–1927
Silver Streak (born 1924), featured in Hollywood films of 1924–1928
Lightning, grandson of Strongheart, featured in Hollywood films of 1934–1938
Ace the Wonder Dog, featured in Hollywood films and serials of 1938–1946
Rex the Wonder Dog, fictional superhero in the DC Comics universe 1952–present
Ace the Bat-Hound, fictional partner of Batman in DC Comics 1955–present
Joe, protagonist in the NBC television series Run, Joe, Run in 1974–1975
Won Ton Ton, protagonist of the 1976 comedy film Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood, a spoof of Rin Tin Tin
Koton, sometimes identified as Rando, police dog later featured in the 1989 film K-9 with James Belushi
Rex, protagonist of the Austrian-Italian comedy-drama television series Inspector Rex of 1994–2015, and remakes in other countries
Pets of political figures
Blondi (1941 – 29 April 1945), Hitler's pet on which he tested the cyanide capsules he later consumed to commit suicide, killing her
Champ (11 November 2008 – 19 June 2021), Commander (born 1 September 2021), and Major (born 17 January 2018), pets of US President Joe Biden
Major, police dog later kept as a pet of United States president Franklin D. Roosevelt while he was in office, which bit a United States senator and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1933 while living at the White House
PDSA Dickin Medal recipients (for military and civil defence service dogs)
Awards in the original 1943–1949 series for service in the Second World War
Antis (1939–1953), 28 January 1949 for war service in North Africa and England and post-war assistance in an escape from communist Czechoslovakia
Bing, a.k.a. Brian (c. 1943 – October 1955), 29 March 1947 for service with the 13th (Lancashire) Parachute Battalion paratroopers
Irma, 12 January 1945 for rescuing people trapped under destroyed buildings in civil defence service in the London Blitz
Jet (21 July 1942 – 18 October 1949), 12 January 1945 for rescuing people trapped under destroyed buildings in civil defence service in the London Blitz
Rex, April 1945 for locating casualties in thick smoke in burning buildings in civil service in England
Rifleman Khan, 27 March 1945 for rescuing a drowning soldier in November 1944 in the Netherlands in the Battle of Walcheren Causeway, an engagement of the Battle of the Scheldt
Thorn, 2 March 1945 for locating air-raid casualties in thick smoke in a burning building in civil service
After revival of the medal in 2000
Apollo (c. 1992 – 2006), 5 March 2002 on behalf of all search and rescue dogs that served at the World Trade Center site and the Pentagon in the aftermath of the 11 September 2001 attacks in New York City, United States
Lucca (c. 2003 – 20 January 2018), 5 April 2016 for service with the United States Marine Corps of 2006–2012 in two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan for explosives and insurgent detection until injured by an IED
Lucky (service c. 1950), 6 February 2007 for anti-insurgency service with the Royal Air Force against the Malayan National Liberation Army in the Malayan Emergency in 1949–1952 (the only surviving dog of a four-dog team)
Sam (died 2000), 14 January 2003 for service in April 1998 in apprehending a gunman and in crowd control during protection of refugees in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps of the British Army in the Bosnia and Herzegovina conflict
PDSA Gold Medal recipients (for non-military dogs)
Ajax, 11 June 2013 for service in the civil guard that saved lives by detection of an ETA bomb near a guard barracks site on the Spanish island of Majorca in 2009 under dangerous circumstances
Anya, 6 July 2010 for service as a British police dog in defending an officer from a knife attack in January 2008
Ellie and Jones (Shepherd mixes), 22 August 2013 for saving their owner who collapsed and lost consciousness due to diabetic shock in November 2010
Finn (born March 2009), 6 May 2018 for service as a police dog in a knife attack on a police officer in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England, on 5 October 2016
Gage (died 13 July 2010), 22 August 2013 (posthumously) for service as a police dog in a suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand, defending an officer in an attack by a man with a rifle (in which the dog was killed)
Other military, police, search-and-rescue, and institutional guard dogs
Gabi, 1980s guard dog at the Belgrade Zoo that protected a security guard and the public by fighting with an escaped jaguar
Kántor [hu], police dog in Hungary in the 1950s and early 1960s, later portrayed in fictionalized versions for novels and television
Lex (1999 – March 25, 2012), used by the United States Marine Corps in Iraq and later adopted by the family of a soldier who died in a rocket attack while serving as his handler
Mancs (1994–2006), earthquake search and rescue dog of Miskolc, Hungary, that helped rescue a 3-year-old girl who had spent 82 hours under ruins of a 1999 earthquake in Turkey
Nemo A534 (died December 1972), served in battle in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War
Rajah, performing and unofficial police dog in New Zealand, suggested as a candidate replacement for Rin Tin Tin in films
Trakr (c. 1994 – April 2009), Canadian police dog that discovered the last survivor of the 11 September 2001 attacks in New York City, United States
Zuyaqui (died 2000s), used by Mexican military and police forces for detection of illegal drugs