German Shepherds are strikingly good-looking dogs, waveringly loyal, and remarkably versatile. These are some reasons they have rightfully earned their place as one of the world’s most popular dog breeds. This breed is renowned for intelligence, strength, and their protective nature. Having excelled in various roles, from working alongside law enforcement to being cherished family pets, German Shepherds clearly have much to offer. Join me as we delve into the captivating world of the amazing German Shepherd breed and uncover the qualities that make them such extraordinary companions.
Intelligence and Trainability:
Renowned for their exceptional intelligence and trainability, German Shepherds rank among the most highly sought-after breeds. They are very quick learners and so eager to please their owners. This breed excels in multidisciplinary training from obedience to agility, and various dog sports. They have sharp minds and their ability to retain commands makes them versatile working dogs. As you can imagine, German Shepherds are remarkable companions for people on the look out for a highly trainable breed.
Loyal and Protective:
As mentioned earlier, German Shepherds are known for their unwavering loyalty and protective nature. Able to form deep bonds with their owners, these dogs are fiercely dedicated to their families.
Described as excellent watchdogs, their protective instincts and keen sense of their environments make them innately able and inclined to guard their human loved ones. This is a highly reliable breed and they will go to great lengths to protect and defend their families when necessary.
Owners of German Shepherds need to be confident with their dog, training the owner is as important as training the dog. Please ensure you attend training with your German Shepherd from when the dog is a puppy. Regular and ongoing training is very important for both dog and owner.
If you are specifically looking for a guard dog, we have written an article entitled the best guard dog breeds, the German Shepherd is definitely one of them. Please take the time to read this article which will assist you in making the best decision for your needs.
Versatile Working Dogs:
All the qualities and skill sets of a German Shepherd make them exceptionally capable and versatile working dogs. They boast a long history of serving in the police and military in addition to becoming search and rescue companions. They are not all brawn without brains though, German Shepherds are also great therapy dogs. Due to their intelligence, strength, and agility, they are able to truly excel in these roles. These dogs thrive when given a purpose and a job to do, and this makes them an ideal choice for folks seeking a dog with a strong work ethic.
Active and Energetic:
Due to their high-energy nature, German Shepherds do require regular exercise and mental stimulation. You can be sure they will enjoy engaging in activities such as long walks, runs, and interactive games with you. Being athletic coupled with excellent endurance abilities, they are ideal companions for individuals with an active lifestyle. It is crucial to the overall well-being of the German Shepherd to have a job to do, so providing them with opportunities for physical and mental exercise non-negotiable.
Being active dogs, German Shepherds often love water. Engage your German Shepherd in water activities from a young age and they are sure to enjoy fun in the water in their twilight years.
Is A German Shepherd a Good Pet?
Despite their strong and confident demeanor, the German Shepherd can also be an incredibly gentle and loving member of the family. Known to form strong bonds with their owners, German Shepherds more often than not are excellent family pets. Patient and tolerant make them great companions for children. Affectionate by nature, this breed seeks to be close to their loved humans, providing comfort and companionship.
Are German Shepherds Good Guard Dogs?
Absolutely, yes! We have included this breed in our Best Guard Dogs article, you are welcome to have a read of it.
Strikingly Beautiful in Appearance:
German Shepherds are easily recognizable by their majestic appearance. Their bodies are strong and well-muscled and their expression confident and alert. They have a double coat, normally black and tan or sable, adding to their beautiful appearance. Not only intelligent and loyal, German Shepherds are also captivating to look at and they draw attention wherever they go.
Do German Shepherds Shed A Lot?
With their magnificent double coat, this is a very good question. They do shed a lot of hair, so prepare yourself for the addition of furry tumbleweeds in your house. Knowing how many attributes a German Shepherd has to offer, regular vacuuming will be a small price to pay. You could consider buying one of those little vacuum cleaners that does the cleaning all on its own. You won’t even need to break a sweat.
How Often Should You Wash A German Shepherd?
Despite their magnificent coat, the German Shepherd does not require monthly visits to the grooming parlour. What they do need, unlike many other breeds, is to only be bathed every 3 to 4 months. They have a double coat, a topcoat, and an undercoat. The topcoat’s function is to protect them from the sun, dust, and other particles.
Where Should a German Shepherd Sleep at Night?
We believe that our dogs are part of the family, and this means they should sleep inside with everyone else. When it comes to where they should sleep within the house, so long as they are provided with a warm and comfortable bed, they will be happy and protected..
We are not big proponents of dogs sleeping on the bed with you. This of course is an individual choice, many of our pet-sitting clients’ dogs sleep in the bed.
Being such highly trainable dogs, you can tell them where you would prefer they sleep. Just be consistent please, train them from puppy age and don’t divert from that.
In addition to the human comfort factor, being a family protector, it is also important to us that your German Shepherd sleeps inside the house. They can alert you to an intruder from within the house which ensures they are unharmed by the intruder. In South Africa, Johannesburg in particular, poisoning of dogs is not uncommon, unfortunately. For this reason, we believe it is important to keep your beloved German Shepherd inside, regardless of whether the role of your dog is family protector or purely family cuddler.
How Long Do German Shepherds Live?
The lifespan of a German Shepherd is between 9 and 13 years. Regular check-ups at the vet and a good healthy diet will keep your German Shepherd in peak health.
Do German Shepherds Get Along With Other Dogs?
This breed can and should be socialized with other dogs and even cats. It is always best to start socializing as young as possible, typically within the first three months of life.
They can develop tendencies to become aloof into adulthood. For this reason, it is important to keep working at socializing them, whether it is in your home, at socializing training and/or in social activities with other dogs such as hiking.
If you find your German Shepherd is becoming unsociable as an adult dog, rather do the responsible thing in public and always keep your dog on a leash. If need be, get an animal behaviorist in to assist you with socialization.
Conclusion:
The German Shepherd breed encompasses the perfect blend of intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. They are consistent in proving their exceptional qualities whether working in law enforcement, serving as search and rescue dogs, or as much loved family pets. Intelligent, loyal, and protective by nature, German Shepherds offer immeasurable joy, security, and companionship to their owners’ lives. If it is a highly trainable and devoted companion you seek, the incredible German Shepherd is without a doubt, an excellent choice. Prepare yourself for a lifelong bond filled with adventure, loyalty, and unconditional love when you choose the German Shepherd as your family pet.
We hope you have enjoyed reading this article about German Shepherds. We certainly have enjoyed researching and writing it for you. if there are any questions you would like answered, please leave a message in the comments section below, we will help with pleasure.
Love always
Louise and Beth
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Personally, I feel German Shepards are the most loyal dogs on the planet. A lot of people might think that they are intimidating dogs since the police use them and they are very strong. But, the truth is they are the nicest and easiest-going dogs in the world.
My neighbor is a police officer and her huge German Shepard plays with my little girl who is 4 years old. This German Shepard seriously would never hurt her at all. She even tries to ride the dog and is kind of rough with him at times. But, German Shepards are so mild-tempered. It’s actually quite amazing to watch!
Hi Garen
Yes, their size can be disconcerting and the fact that they are trained to assist in fighting crime can be intimidating. In the right hands with the right training, German Shepherds really can be the most adorable family companions too.
If I knew your neighbour, I would recommend that she does not allow her daughter to be rough with their German Shephard. This could be a recipe for a disaster, even though the dog has a mild temperament. All it takes is one nip to the face (which could be a quick reaction to pain of fur pulling) and the future of that little girl and the dog will change forever. We will write an article about children and dogs soon, please be on the look out for it and share it with your neighbour.
Thank you so much to taking the time to visit and leave your comment.
This is a wonderfully comprehensive article on German Shepherds. I had one growing up. She was a smart, obedient, gentle dog. Unfortunately, I think German Shepherds get a bad reputation because people seem as canine officers and as vicious often in movies. I had not idea that they loved water. Ours was always happiest carrying around a stick that I could not even life as a kid. I hope your article dispels a lot of the negative attitudes about German Shepherds.
Thank you so much, James. We enjoyed researching this gorgeous breed. As you say, German Shepherds’ reputation often precedes them, but the reality is that they are so highly intelligent and eager to please that they more often very gentle. It may be a good thing that people keep their distance from the working canines, this in itself will protect the officers and the dogs themselves.
Thanks so much, Louise for these insights. My day had a German Sheppard named Ranger and he was his constant companion. Currently, I have a kitty but will be bringing a dog into our family soon and this information is much appreciated. Joseph
Hi Joseph
Great to see you here – thank you very much for sharing a bit about your pets too.
We’re sure you’ll have great success introducing a new dog family member to your kitty. Just remember, slow and steady wins the race for the introduction.
Pop back if you need any guidance with the intro, Beth is an animal behaviorist in training and is knowledgeable enough to advise.
Many thanks again
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