German Shepherd

Whilst the German Shepherd can make a good family pet, they can be over-protective, and this shouldn’t be overlooked. They have been known to guard children in the home, even from other family members or visitors. The same goes for children’s friends who come round to play, if things are getting boisterous, your four-legged friend might feel the need to step in. Older children who have good knowledge of how to behave around dogs are a better match.

Very much so! German Shepherds are very loyal and affectionate. They love social interaction with their beloved humans, but they might give strangers the cold shoulder. One of the downsides of living with such a devoted dog is if you live by yourself, this loyal breed might struggle staying home alone when you have to go out.

They certainly are playful. German Shepherds love their toys especially when their human family get involved at playtime. Chasing and retrieving toys, as well as playing tuggy are their favourite games. They also love (and need to) use their noses, so scent games are very much enjoyed.

German Shepherds do seem to like the sound of their own voice.  they’ll be quick to alert you to anyone within stepping distance of the home. If they’re not trained, they can be quite vocal around other dogs, especially when they’re on a lead. Because this breed has a strong, suspicious nature, barking at a potential threat is simply what they’ll do, it’s just part of who they are.

Without exposing your German Shepherd to different people and animals in a positive way, your dog might become fearful of new situations. A good level of obedience training, physical and mental exercise is essential to avoid problem behaviours. Without this training, they can become incredibly frustrated and may bark and lunge at other dogs, cats, vehicles, and people. They are naturally very protective of their home, so managing them around visitors is particularly important.

German Shepherds are used across the world for protection work. If they feel like there's a lurking threat to themselves or their owner, they will do something about it. Remember, dogs and humans will see threats very differently. As they’re such an active breed, lack of mental stimulation can lead to compulsive behaviours including excessive licking or spinning. With the right training, social interactions, mental and physical exercises, all these issues can be avoided.

German Shepherds live happily in a home that fits all their needs. They’re not suited to living in a flat because the noise from neighbours is too much of a disturbance. A secure garden is essential with convenient access to open spaces to stretch their legs and burn off any excess energy. 

As a puppy, German Shepherds should attend gentle and effective training classes throughout the first two years of their lives. This benefits the dog and the owner, ensuring they have control over this powerhouse breed! 

Whilst they can live harmoniously with other dogs in the home if introduced from a young age, the German Shepherd is likely to be bossy. As for our feline friends, they tend to only be good with them if they meet when the dog is a puppy. Otherwise, a running cat will activate a German Shepherd’s high chase drive.

German Shepherds need lots of physical exercise, more than the average amount for a large dog. They were originally bred for their strong stamina to work with livestock or track criminals. This breed needs to fulfil their desire to use their nose, run hard, as well as chase and retrieve their toys. If you’re going to own a German Shepherd, make sure you have time in the day dedicated to taking them out for at least two good walks off lead, as well as plenty of time for play and training.

All puppies need to learn how to be around people, pets, and other dogs, in a calm and polite way (known as socialisation). They also need help to feel calm, comfortable, and confident in everyday situations like travelling, the sound of traffic, and being in busy places (known as habituation). This is essential to prevent tricky behavioural problems in the future, and you'll be off to a great start with your ongoing training.

German Shepherds will do anything for a tasty treat or fun toy, so that makes them easy to train. They’re a highly intelligent breed and like to use their brains to solve puzzles and learn new skills. A confident and knowledgeable owner will be able to help them grow into a thriving adult dog. 

The key is to start from an early age using kind, fair and effective training methods. A wild adolescent German Shepherd is exhausting and not fun to be around!

Plenty of care and attention should be given throughout training or your German Shepherd could struggle with their self-control to bark, and jump. They may struggle on their own and become hostile towards other animals. It’s a good job they love to learn – so you shouldn't have these problems!

German Shepherds have three coat lengths, these are short, semi-long and long. All three types moult heavily because they also have a thick undercoat. The longer the hair, the more grooming they require, this is to prevent pesky knots. Whatever the length of their fur, they need their undercoat groomed regularly to keep them cool and avoid hair shredding all over the place. Top tip: a rake comb is the best tool for tackling the undercoat.

It’s sad but true, German Shepherds are prone to several hereditary diseases. It’s essential you look for respected breeders who health-screen the mums and dads. 

Hip Dysplasia is one of the main concerns as well as Epilepsy, Elbow Dysplasia, Degenerative Myelopathy (a disease that affects the spinal cord), and Gastric Dilation Volvulus (bloat).

A decent diet, physical exercise and regular check-ups at the vet will help keep your German Shepherd in tip-top condition.