The German Shepherd...King of Dogs
The German Shepherd is direct, fearless and confident. When he comes from parents who have good temperaments and he has been socialized to become familiar with many different people, sights and sounds, he is an intelligent, easy to train, devoted, protective and fun-loving dog.
The German Shepherd is a shepherd by nature and is naturally protective of his home and property and will always alert you to strangers or intruders, but if you welcome someone into your home, your German Shepherd will accept them, too. He will get along with other pets, if properly introduced.
German Shepherds are working dogs who have demanding and interesting tasks to do that give them the needed exercise and mental stimulation. Their genes tell them to be a guardian, a police dog, a guide dog, a search and rescue dog – almost anything other than a couch potato. If you aren't ready for that level of commitment, find another breed.
Your Shepherd is a family companion and people oriented. He needs to live indoors with your family and receive opportunities to exercise his brain such as learning tricks, playing games, helping you around the house by picking things up and bringing them to you or serving the community as a therapy dog.
He will enjoy going for walks or hikes, chasing a ball, or getting involved in a dog sport. He doesn’t need to live in a large house with a yard, but if you live in an apartment or condo, you must be able to give him plenty of walks or other daily exercise and opportunities to relieve himself during the day. Otherwise, he'll be lonely, bored and perhaps destructive.
You should consider the following recommendations as your basic commitment if you are to add a GSD to your family:
You need to realize that a GSD is a very social animal and should not be left alone for long periods of time, they will not tolerate it. Like any dog, the German Shepherd is a social animal and needs to be part of a family. The loyalty that endears this breed to many requires that it not be banished to the backyard.
German Shepherds are large dogs. The number one reason given by people surrendering German Shepherds is moving. Usually apartments do not welcome these dogs. If you don't know where you will be a few years down the line it is not the right time to adopt.
The German Shepherd is a shepherd by nature and is naturally protective of his home and property and will always alert you to strangers or intruders, but if you welcome someone into your home, your German Shepherd will accept them, too. He will get along with other pets, if properly introduced.
German Shepherds are working dogs who have demanding and interesting tasks to do that give them the needed exercise and mental stimulation. Their genes tell them to be a guardian, a police dog, a guide dog, a search and rescue dog – almost anything other than a couch potato. If you aren't ready for that level of commitment, find another breed.
Your Shepherd is a family companion and people oriented. He needs to live indoors with your family and receive opportunities to exercise his brain such as learning tricks, playing games, helping you around the house by picking things up and bringing them to you or serving the community as a therapy dog.
He will enjoy going for walks or hikes, chasing a ball, or getting involved in a dog sport. He doesn’t need to live in a large house with a yard, but if you live in an apartment or condo, you must be able to give him plenty of walks or other daily exercise and opportunities to relieve himself during the day. Otherwise, he'll be lonely, bored and perhaps destructive.
You should consider the following recommendations as your basic commitment if you are to add a GSD to your family:
- Taking an 8 week obedience course to assure that you are the dog's leader is a must.
- Socialize your dog by exposing them to as many people and situations as possible to develop their confidence throughout their lives.
- Exercising your GSD at least 30 minutes daily is essential.
- Brushing their coat a couple times a week is extremely important. Trimming their nails and cleaning their ears regularly is a must. You will need to own a good vacuum cleaner and not be shocked when there are clumps of hair about during shedding seasons.
- If a change of residence is required, make sure that your GSD is welcome at the new address.
You need to realize that a GSD is a very social animal and should not be left alone for long periods of time, they will not tolerate it. Like any dog, the German Shepherd is a social animal and needs to be part of a family. The loyalty that endears this breed to many requires that it not be banished to the backyard.
German Shepherds are large dogs. The number one reason given by people surrendering German Shepherds is moving. Usually apartments do not welcome these dogs. If you don't know where you will be a few years down the line it is not the right time to adopt.
