Often mistaken for a mix between collie and German Shepherd Dog, Chrissy, or rather Crystal vom Olympics CD (NAMBR) TD (CKC), is nonetheless a pure bred German Shepherd Dog.

Long coated German Shepherd pups are born to short coated parents. Thus although long coated dogs are not allowed to be used in breeding in the German Shepherd Dog Club of Germany, they are very much a part of the breed today.

Chrissy CD NAMR TD CKC, my long coat, on the right with Georgie TD (CKC) , my shortcoat, working on their sit stay.

A long coat does take more effort when it comes to keeping the coat clean but that’s it. They do not always have a better health or better temperament than their short coated litter mates, that part is myth; but they are most certainly perceived different than their short coated litter mates. Looks do make a difference in how people react to a dog.

If you are looking to share your life with a German Shepherd Dog, you have to like long walks, enjoy reading about dog training and behaviour and spending your spare time training your dog, and vacuuming.

Feeling really fast, before the storm moves into Port Dalhousie. A close second to the best walk in Niagara (Butlers Barracks!)  Port Dalhousie in St Catharines offers easily accessible ice cream stores and several great areas to introduce your puppy to the features of modern life.

Park at the Timmies and walk past a scary Rower statue: a great puzzle for young German Shepherds. Continue right through the small park towards the half island (nice small wooden bridges) which offers geese as distractions. On your way back cross the road carefully and turn right past the old brick building, then turn left and a fairly high pedestrian bridge with wooden planks that make lots of noise leads the two of you safely across the swiftly moving waters, on the other side you can meet anglers and watch the boats tossing about restlessly.