German Shepherd Dogs are very smart, often snuggly, they are naturally aloof, protective and a one person dog. Meaning they will shadow one person in their home and adore them for life. They will take to the rest of the family sure, but they are a one-person-loving dog.
They are nick-named “German-Shedders” not for lack of reason as they shed like crazy! Puppy sized balls of fur, twice a year. You will find it everywhere, clothes, your clean laundry, your food. You will eat your GSDs fur. 🙂
German Shepherds aren’t recommended for the first time dog owner. They aren’t just intelligent they are highly intelligent. They are most often times smarter than their owners. They are bred to be active in the field all day long, so they require a lot of exercise. A bored and under-exercised GSD is a dog that will find anything and everything to entertain themselves because of boredom. A tired GSD is a well-behaved GSD.
Without proper training and exercise they will rip up sprinkler systems (entire sprinkler systems), de-stuff couches, remove everything off counters and from inside cabinets, + anything else they want to do while your away, or heck in front of you at times. Everything that you once thought was yours becomes your GSDs (in their mind until taught otherwise). They require a lot of patients, and even more training, + re-fresh training throughout their lives. They will always attempt to think one step ahead of you so you need to keep up with them.
It’s natural for them to be aloof and cautious with strangers. Yes, they will make you feel safe. It’s the owners job to protect their dog however, not the other way around. If you want security buy a home security system. If someone wants into your home they will get there one way or another, even if that means (goodness forbid) killing your dog.
This is not a breed you want to bring home lightly without as much research as possible. Lack of research is how so many of them end up in the shelter, suffering from behavior problems, because their owners didn’t take the time to train them and exercise them enough. This breed is often deemed aggressive and or destructive, when if it isn’t poor breeding, it’s the owners that make them such because again (emphasizing) don’t exercise or train them consistently.
They are not a dog to keep outdoors!! They are highly social within the family/”pack” by nature, doing so encourages barking and other social-lacking behavior. There are other breeds that do not mind being outdoors or housed in kennels, though I feel on a personal level a dog is not a possession. If you want to have a dog have it with the family or not at all.
Over-breeding by back-yard-breeders who are in it for the money (instead of titling and getting full health certs on their breeding dogs to prove their dogs are worthy of being bred and bettering the breed in the first pace) instead of improving the breed BYBs have caused countless health issues which are the dogs pain and suffering to bear, and end up being very costly to the owner.
Looking for one of your own?
Check rescues first. Rescues will evaluate new families and their homes and ask lots of questions. These questions are a good thing, it shows they care about where their dogs go and what their life will be like, they don’t want to see the dogs dumped/abandoned again. They will see which of their rescues best suite your family/home, if the breed does at all. Perhaps the GSD doesn’t suite you? Wouldn’t you want to find out before bringing the dog home?
There are show lines and working lines. Research both, fully. Learn the differences and how many kinds there are in each.
Don’t buy from a breeder who hasn’t proof of passing health on all the following: Eyes, Heart, Thyroid, Hips AND Elbows. These should be in full on at least both parents in the pedigree, better on more dogs further back too. Check all of these health certs with the websites who save and share the information. Great breeders brag about their dogs accomplishments and health if they dogs didn’t pass both with flying colours they wouldn’t be breeding their dogs. Learn how to read a pedigree and cross check it on pedigreedatabase.com. Parents should be titled in working events to prove breeding worth too, these titles should be listed on the pedigree, the more the better (and simple BH doesn’t cut it). Anyone who sells a dog without these is a BYB and dogs will have the most costly health (and possibly mental health) issues. Real breeders squeak even, they don’t make profit. They do it because they love the breed and want to better it.
AKC doesn’t mean squat. A mutt can be registered with the AKC.
The UKC has standing. Canada has strict breeding regulations that the USA lacks significantly. If a breeding dog is registered with the UKC you can almost guarantee a safe puppy from the parent. There is no guarantee on health, there is no perfect dog… well there are few perfect dogs. What you can do is lesson your chances of getting a dog with a genetic defect by insisting on purchasing your GSD from a decent breeder. If you buy from a BYB you’re only encouraging them to continue breeding genetically defective puppies that will most likely end up in the pound.
Does that mean only get your dogs from Canada? No. It simply means a great breeder doesn’t brag about an AKC registered dog they brag about health and titles.
If you don’t have the time or money to rescue a dog or purchase a decent pup and give that dog or pup a lifelong commitment, don’t bring home a dog, most especially a German Shepherd Dog.
Yes, this is my favourite breed.. I love, love, love this breed. Yes, I have had many and will always have them as they suite my lifestyle, but I would not recommend them to just anyone. They aren’t for everyone nor should they be. If we were all the same life would be boring.
Peace.
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inky pawprints 
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