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One of the most easily recognised breeds in the world, the German Shepherd Dog is a muscular, alert dog with a noble, regal attitude. They will win you over for sure with their charm but one thing’s clear - you’ll have to put in the work and time to gain their love as they don’t befriend strangers that easily.
Popular for their intelligence and athleticism, they enjoy playing games and spending time with their owners. If you want a German Shepherd as a companion, be prepared for abundant loyalty, fearlessness, intelligence, and definitely cuddles.
The German Shepherd dog is predisposed to a number of problems including:
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Gastric dilatation volvulus
- Degenerative myelopathy which is a condition which causes progressive paralysis in a dog's hindlimbs
- Anal furunculosis which is a painful problem that causes ulceration around a dog's anus
- Hereditary cataracts which is a condition where the lens in the eye becomes cloudy and this can result in blindness
- Epilepsy which is a condition where abnormal brain function can lead to seizures which damage the brain
- Pituitary dwarfism which is a serious hormonal problem that affects growth
- Haemophilia, which is a condition which can prevent or impair clotting, a process which is needed to stop bleeding
- Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency which is a problem where a dog's body is not able to produce the normal amount of enzymes needed to digest their food properly.
Priority Kennel Club health schemes and testing:
- Hip dysplasia screening scheme
Agile, well balanced and carrying themselves with pride, the ‘GSD’ is a big dog with a big presence. Coats may be short or long but should not be excessively fluffy. And, as for the German Shepherd colours, they can be black, sable, tan, gold, or any combination of them.
Renowned as a ‘one man (or woman) dog’, the GSD forms a strong, affectionate, and close bond with their handler and will want to be with them as much as possible. Their loyalty is undeniable, however unfortunately over the last few decades, many breeders seeking to promote their natural guarding tendencies have opted for nervous animals who alert faster out of a lack of confidence and who are willing to use aggression first rather than last.
A well-bred, well-reared German Shepherd should be bold, confident, swift and intelligent, and always calm and steady enough to be able to listen to their owner or handler whatever the circumstances. They are eager to learn and easy to train with the right approach, using kindness, positive reinforcement, and patience.
| Family-friendly: | 5/5 |
| Exercise needs: | 5/5 |
| Easy to train: | 5/5 |
| Tolerates being alone: | 2/5 |
| Likes other pets: | 2/5 |
| Energy level: | 5/5 |
| Grooming needs: | 4/5 |
| Shedding: | 5/5 |
Originally a herding dog, although not in the way you may think, the German Shepherd works as a living fence, walking or running an invisible boundary between sheep and land they need to be kept from, keeping livestock where they are meant to be. If they spotted a sheep straying from the flock, they would silently move them back into the fold without barking — which would alarm the whole flock. Formed from a variety of different sheep-herding dogs, they can trace their origins back to the 7th Century.
First shown in 1882, the Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde, the German breed club for GSDs was formed in 1899. Through this club, GSDs were developed for use with the police and armed forces, thus saving them from extinction during the difficult times. During the first World War, GSDs lost favour outside of Germany and allied countries when all things German became unpopular. At this time, the breed name was changed to the Alsatian in England and France to avoid this discrimination. Thankfully, this is far in the past and the German Shepherd Dog has regained their original name.
You’ll need to enjoy long walks and training, but you’ll also need to understand that the GSD is a bit of a big softy and needs your protection rather than the other way around. With positive reward-based training, an expectation that this breed will take two to three years to fully mature, and the time, skill and patience to cope with that, the GSD can make a brilliant family dog. You’ll need to be fond of vacuuming as they do shed copiously all year round!
Two hours or more exercise with plenty of variety in route and location should meet the adult GSD’s needs. Puppies require careful exercise to avoid damaging still developing joints. Lots of training and puzzle solving games will keep that sharp mind engaged productively. A bored or lonely German Shepherd is likely to be reactive, vocal, and destructive!
Given the German Shepherd size, they are not suited to flats accessed by stairs or homes without access to a secure garden. Town or country will be fine, but plenty of space to walk, train and run freely is advisable. They will guard and so a busy urban environment can be too stimulating for them.
Large breed dogs, as well as having large appetites, benefit from a different balance of nutrients including minerals and vitamins compared to smaller-breed dogs. The German Shepherd dog can be prone to bloating and stomach problems; smaller, more frequent meals can help minimise this risk. With proper care and nutrition, though, the German Shepherd lifespan can expand to 13 years.
The German Shepherd grooming should be done several times a week, with a vigorous brushing to remove any dead or loose hairs. If it is a longhaired German Shepherd dog, combing will also be necessary. No trimming is required and bathing should only be done as needed. This is a shedding dog but the more you groom them, the less they will shed.
Early and consistent socialisation is vital to ensure the GSD grows up confident and happy in a variety of situations with people, other animals, livestock and children. This is a breed that needs to be sourced form a breeder who understands the importance of early habituation and socialisation with this potentially reactive breed.
Easy to train if you employ kind reward-based training methods. Patience is needed as the GSD is slow to mature and often suffers from looking like an adult physically long before their brain has matured! A well-trained GSD is capable of most jobs, sports or activities — in fact one of the first non-herding and non-military uses for the GSD was as Guide Dogs for the Blind.
A German Shepherd Dog from a breeder who focuses on temperament and health makes an excellent family pet if you have the time to dedicate to training, exercise, and vacuuming up shed hair. Possibly a little too boisterous and large for homes with tiny children or frail older family members.
While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with and respect each other, and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.
Is a German Shepherd a good house pet?
Yes, given their calm and caring nature, German Shepherds make great house pets. They also can easily adapt to a new environment and there’s nothing more they like than spending some quality time with their owners.
Do German Shepherds have good temperaments?
Yes, German Shepherds make great pets and are known for their calm attitudes, loyalty, love, and intelligence.
How smart is a German Shepherd?
German Shepherds are among the top 3 smartest dog breeds, so they are undoubtedly highly intelligent compared with other dogs.
Can a German Shepherd be left alone for 5 hours?
No, they should not be left by themselves for long periods of time as they can get bored pretty easily and might engage in disruptive behaviours like barking, digging, or chewing.
