Johnson's Family Shepherds
Raising Champions, Protectors, and Family
THE EASTERN SHEPHERD
Deutsche Demokratische Republik (DDR)
​​​The German Shepherd was used by the military for their profound abilities, loyalty, and trainability, and their dedication to their owners and handlers. During the Wars the dogs began to be breed for particular tasks other than herding. They were breed to assist and sacrifice for the soldiers and civilians during the wars. Strong bones were needed for the great distances of walking they would endure, exposure to the most ruthless of harsh elements also played part in the development of structure. Thus they were very athletic with straight lines and large intimidating look with large heads, broad shoulders and large chests.
The appearance of the DDR shepherd is with dark pigmentation, a large blocky head, big bone structure, and a lean built. Backs appear to be straight and strong. The DDR dog is a working dog and therefore is normally not considered a dog to lie around the house and watch television with a companion. The working DDR dog needs to be worked. They are best suited with a high active individual that can work with the dog often rather it be professional (police, guard, search, etc.) or personal (running, swimming, playing, etc.). The working dog does everything to please and only lives to do a job and make his or her owner/handler happy.
The East German residence also found a high use of the DDR dogs in border patrol. They were in charge of guarding 1,378 kilometers of East German Border and also responsible for patrolling 165 kilometers of the Berlin Wall. The Grenztruppen and their dogs watched over minefields and border fences. Dogs numbering between 200-250 were in runs and fences outlining the border. These dogs were only feed once every ten days to keep them eager and aggressive.
