Pure Bred Litters
Cross Bred Litters
German Shepherd | Everything to know before owning one
Welcoming a new pet to the family is always exciting, especially when it is a German Shepherd! Dogs (GSD) are always a pleasant addition to a family. They bring with themselves a significant amount of love and care. They are loyal to their owners and always protect them at any cost. They originally are from Germany but are loved and cherished all over the world. It seems impossible to talk about German dogs without mentioning German Shepherds.
If you've decided to adopt a German Shepherd Dog, make sure you are already aware of this breed's personality, physical needs, and other essential pieces of information required to raise a happy and lively fur baby.
Here is a complete guide to take care of a German Shepherd for you, so go ahead and read all about it!
What are the characteristics of a German Shepherd?
German Shepherds are among the most popular and beloved breeds all across the USA, and a single reason cannot explain why.
This breed is unique in a variety of ways. For instance, they are smart and quick working dogs. Their bravery and faithfulness are exceptional. Their versatility and brilliance make them a perfect fit for numerous jobs like police, rescue and search, assistance to handicapped, herding, military, and many more.
Below you will find detailed insights and analysis about the characteristics of German Shepherds.
Adaptability
Due to the remarkable abilities of German Shepherds, it is easier for them to adjust in any situation and environment. As a pet owner, you need to make sure that your dog feels safe and cared for in your house. All in all, German Shepherds are pretty good at adapting changes and new environments. Hence, for adaptability, they have scored 3 out of 5 stars.
Some important factors behind such ratings are:
- They can be your good roommate in your apartment. They don't dislike the apartment lifestyle and will do great if trained properly. Make sure to provide them with a healthy lifestyle and a lot of love. They'll learn to live in your apartment quickly. They’ve got 3 out of 5 stars for apartment living.
- If you want German Shepherd to be the first dog that you would own, you need to think it over. Since German shepherds are working dogs, they might be quite difficult for you, a newbie, to handle. German Shepard Dog require more attention, care, exercise, activities, and training than other dogs, which seem tiring and exhausting to the novice owners. So, German Shepherd Dog scored only 2 out of 5 for novice owners.
- The reality of the breed that is often considered to be the most courageous and brave among all is that the same breed is highly sensitive as well. They might look and act fearless and muscular, but deep down, German Shepherds are very emotional. They tend to get tensed by the slightest of inconveniences. That is why they have scored 5 out of 5 stars of sensitivity.
- German Shepherds like to be around their family. They would do anything to create a strong bond with their owner. If left alone for a long time, they might end up getting anxious and tense. This will increase their aggression, which results in destructive behavior such as chewing, barking, and whining. If you have a tough routine and are afraid you won't be able to give your pet much time, then you should not adopt German Shepherd. Their tolerance being alone scored 2 out of 5 stars.
- They are strong enough to tolerate cold weather. They can easily live in cold weather though you must make sure they're not out there 24 hours. But staying out for a while won't be an issue. Their tolerance to cold weather got 4 out of 5 stars.
- They can live in hot weather too. Make certain that they have access to cold water and shade, though. Their tolerance to hot weather scored 3 out of 5 stars.
All-Around Friendliness
Overall, German Shepherds are known to be one of the most friendly dogs. They know how to make friends and draw other's attention to them. Due to their social nature, they've got 4 out of 5 stars in all-around friendliness.
- Are you afraid that the German Shepherd, being so powerful and courageous, would hurt your family's little ones? Well, don't worry. Their friendly nature will make the kids fall in love with them immediately. Soon, you'll find your kids playing around with the dog. They'll be best friends. Which is why they have a full score, i.e., 5 out of 5 stars for kids-friendliness.
- German Shepherds are family-oriented dogs. They love their owners and want to spend maximum time with them. They are protective, obedient, and kind to the ones who raised them. Their affection for their family scored 5 out of 5 stars.
- Being human-friendly and being dog-friendly are two separate things. While German Shepard Dog is incredibly good with people, their relationship with other dogs may not be the same. For this reason, their score for dog-friendliness is just 2 out of 5 stars.
- German Shepherd Dog like people. Not only their owners but strangers too. They love socializing, interacting with others, and playing with them. They scored 4 out of 5 stars for their friendliness towards strangers.
Health and Grooming Needs
Before getting a pet, you should keep in mind their health and grooming needs. Every breed has different needs, which should be considered before adopting/buying it. For German Shepherd, the score of health and grooming needs is 4 out of 5.
It breaks down to the following factors:
- German shepherds shed heavily throughout the year. Though their undercoat sheds twice a year, first in spring and then in fall. It implies that you should prepare yourself for having a significant amount of hair on your clothes and furniture. This breed gets 5 out of 5 stars for the amount of shedding.
- Their drooling potential is the least among other breeds, securing only 1 out of 5 stars for drooling potential.If you don't like excessive drool over your house, then German Shepherds are just the right choice for you.
- With German Shepherds, grooming is not a challenge at all. Rather it's quite fun. This breed is extremely easy to groom. Hence, they scored 5 out of 5 for grooming easily.
- Just as strong as they appear to be, their immune system is healthy as well. German Shepard Dog can live in harsh environments without getting sick. Generally, they are healthy dogs, which is why they secured 4 out of 5.
- They don't have a high potential for weight gain, so their score for the potential to gain weight is 2 out of 5 stars. With a proper exercise schedule and a healthy diet, they'll remain as fit as a fiddle.
- German shepherds lie in a category of medium-to-large sized dogs. For size, their score is 4 out of 5 stars.
Trainability
These dogs have a remarkable ability to learn new commands and understand the owner quickly. Their sharp and focused mind makes it easier for the owner and trainer to train them. That is why German Shepherds are trained for numerous professional jobs where their minds can be valuable such, as rescue, police, and military, etc. their overall score for trainability is 4 out of 5 stars.
Some factors that affected such ratings are listed below:
- German Shepherds are undoubtedly one of the most comfortable dogs when it comes to training. They are highly intelligent and obedient. They listen to their owners and work accordingly. Hence, for ease in training, they get 5 out of 5 stars.
- They have a brilliant mind that is capable of doing wonders! All you need to do is make sure they get enough mental stimulation to keep it growing to be better. For intelligence, they scored 5 out of 5 stars.
- German Shepherds have a high potential for mouthiness. They like to chew, nip, and bite while playing. But don't worry, the bite will not hurt you at all. Their play-bite and injurious bites are different. So, they've got 5 out of 5 for mouthiness.
- German shepherds have a desire to chase or even hurt small animals that seem to be a prey to them. Having small animals such as squirrels, cats, or small dogs can trigger their instincts. So you should not adopt a German Shepherd if you already have such pets. Alternatively, you can make a separate space for your German Shepherd Dog to run and play.
- They tend to bark and howl more than other dogs. If barking seems annoying to you or your family, maybe getting a German Shepherd is not a right choice. Since they are protective, they might start barking when they feel unusual situations such as a stranger coming to your house, etc. They have a score of 4 out of 5 stars for their barking potential.
- Some dogs have a higher potential for wanderlust. They can walk for hours chasing an animal or a noise, without thinking about their owners. However, German Shepherds do not have such a desire to roam around, leaving their family behind. They are loyal, always stay close to their family. Wanderlust potential of German Shepherd Dog secured 2 out of 5 stars.
Physical Needs
/german-shepherd-training-136237225-5aa3017e04d1cf0037039a77.jpg){kind=link}
German Shepherd scored 5 out of 5 stars in terms of physical needs. They are strong, courageous, and muscular. No wonder they have such an extraordinary score.
Here are the reasons why:
- The level of energy in German Shepherds is exceptional. They need a good number of physical and mental activities to fulfill their exercise needs. Since they are working dogs, they don't get tired quickly. They are used to intense workouts.
- You'll find them running around, jumping, or playing with others throughout the day. They are always ready to put their energy into use. That is why they secured 5 out of 5 for their energy level.
- Their level of intensity is extremely high. They can exercise for an entire hour without getting tired or exhausted. This implies that they can walk for as long as 16 km. The intensity can even be shown from their way of eating and drinking. Hence, their score for intensity is 5 out of 5.
- German Shepherds were bred to work for physically demanding jobs such as hunting, herding, etc. You need to make sure that you provide them with a schedule for exercise, so their energy doesn't get utilized in useless ways like barking or biting.
- They might also end up gaining weight if they don't get to exercise daily. Their exercise needs got 5 out of 5 stars.
- If you buy/adopt a Germans Shepherd, you better start preparing a list of all games that you're going to play with them. German Shepherds are fond of sports. They can play at any time happily. They are playful, energetic, and lively, which is why their playfulness scored 5 out of 5 stars.
Important stats of German Shepherd dogs
|
Stats |
Description |
|
Dog Breed Group/ Purpose |
Herding Group |
|
Average Height |
60-65 cm (male) |
|
Average Weight |
30-40 kg (male) 22-32 kg (female) |
|
Life Expectancy |
9-13 years |
|
Breed Popularity |
2nd most popular |
|
Temperament |
Alert, Obedient, Intelligent, Watchful, Courageous, Loyal, Curious, Confident |
|
Club Recognition |
UKC Classification: Herding Dog AKC Classification: Herding |
|
Exercise Requirements |
More than 40 minutes every day. |
|
Energy Level |
High |
|
Coat Length |
Medium |
|
Coat Characteristic |
Double Coat |
This was just a preview -
To Continue Reading the Complete German Shepherd Breed Guide 2020 click here.
German Shepherd Puppies
Choose a dog that will be a true and loyal member of your family. Pups4Sale has a vast number of listings for German Shepherds of all ages. Whether you're looking for an energetic dog that suits your active lifestyle or a new member of the team for your business, we can connect you with a responsible breeder or rescue organisation. The perfect companion or working dog is just a few clicks away with Pups4Sale.
With so many dogs for sale on the internet, it's important to know that you're getting your four-legged friend from an ethical and reputable source. Pups4Sale takes the stress out of the process, guaranteeing that every listing that appears on our site has been rigorously screened by our staff, so you're only looking at authentic, scam-free offers. Take a look today and discover your new family member.
Intelligent, loyal and a friend for life
Most certainly not a lap dog, the German Shepherd is for those who want a partner in an active lifestyle. Highly intelligent, the breed is easy to train and responds well to commands. These two factors make them suitable for use as a working dog, but in practice means that they require regular and thorough exercise and an engaged and interested owner. They'll reward this attention and care with devotion and affection.
Buying a German Shepherd means adding a loyal member of your family to your home. This is a breed that's known for the close bonds it creates with loving owners, making it ideal as a guard dog or companion for children. German Shepherds love staying close to their loved ones, but with proper socialisation and training, they can easily welcome guests into the home and play with other dogs.
Helping you grow your family
Make the right choice when looking for your new furry friend. Pups4Sale is the perfect place to find dogs of every breed and cross-breed, giving everyone the chance to find their perfect match. Browse today, or create an account and list your latest litter!