Are Female German Shepherds Protective
Males can be more protective of their surrounding area, while females are more protective of their family. Since female German shepherds have the pack instinct, they will be more protective of your family than their male counterparts.
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Yes, German Shepherds are known for their protective instincts. However, the lengths to which they will go to defend their homes and protect their families will depend on the personality of each individual dog, how theyve been raised, and the strength of the bond they have developed.
German Shepherds are one of the most protective dog breeds with a high drive to protect their owners and their territory when they are raised well. With that being said, German Shepherds are not always protective. They will tend to be much less protective when they are not raised appropriately.
German Shepherds are highly protective & make excellent family protectors. If youre looking for a dog to protect your family, few breeds will do a better job. A Real Guide About German Shepherds
Not All German Shepherds Are Naturally Protective. Just because German Shepherds are generally known to be protective, loyal dogs, doesnt mean that every individual will be. There is natural variation among every dog breed. Even puppies from the same litter can be very different to one another.
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About The German Shepherd
German Shepherds are commonly used as working dogs, and for good reason. They are loyal, protective and agile dogs. The average German shepherd stands between 22 and 26 inches tall and weighs anywhere from 50 -90 pounds. Male dogs fall to the higher end of this range and females on the lower end.
As their name implies, the German shepherd originated in Germany. In the late 1800s a a German cavalry officer, Captain Max von Stephanitz began working to breed the ideal German herding dog. He bred herding dogs that at the time had some variety from district to district in the region until the breed began to resemble the German shepherd we see today. As there became less of a need for livestock herding, he promoted these dogs as working dogs – great for police and military work. Which is why they still hold many of these jobs today.
German Shepherds Are Healthy
The German Shepherd is a very healthy breed and on top of that, if you have one they will keep you healthy too! One of our favorite qualities of these dogs is the wonderful value that they bring to the family lifestyle in general. It is not uncommon to hear stories of how getting a German Shepherd has improved the lives of the new owners, specifically in terms of how much more often they go outside for fresh air and physical activity. This brings huge benefit to the kids and also to those getting older, who need to keep their muscles and joints in good working order.
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Active And Need A High Level Of Exercise
Although this can fall into the pro column for families who are very active, it is important to remember that these dogs need to work. Every. Single. Day. This means even if youre feeling a rest day, chances are your pup is still in need of their workout. So, you need to make sure you have a plan to give your pup enough physical and mental exercise to keep them happy and healthy every single day. With a life expectancy anywhere from 7-11 years, this is a lifetime commitment. Even as these dogs age and start to slow down, they will still need some work to do that is appropriate for their level of fitness.
How Will My German Shepherd Protect Me
We have all seen the footage of the trained police dogs catching the bad guys, or the loyal dogs jumping to their owners defense in the event of them being attacked.
Its important to realize that these acts are often a trained response, and there is no way to know if your dog will act on their protective instincts in the desired way without specific training.
Yes, German Shepherds are essentially programmed to want to protect their loved ones, but this can present in many different forms.
Each German Shepherd is different, so this means that their method of protection can vary greatly.
While one GSD will immediately jump to the defense of their owners and attack the threat, another GSD may just bark loudly in an effort to scare away the current danger.
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Vital Stats 2+ Hours A Day For Adult Dogs Life Span: Coatexercise2+ Hrslife Span10+years
German Shepherd Temperament & Personality
The German Shepherds temperament is intelligent, loyal and energetic.
- Reserved but friendly.
- Generally enjoy the company of their family and can struggle with separation anxiety.
- German Shepherds are not naturally aggressive but their protective instinct means they can be hesitant when first meeting strangers.
- Tend to be gentle with children and other animals, but behavioural problems such as aggression may arise if the dog is left alone for too long or doesnt get enough exercise.
- A key German Shepherd trait is their loud bark but their tendency to be vocal can be reduced with proper socialisation.
Why Are German Shepherds Naturally Protective
The first German Shepherd Dogs were herders and served to protect their flocks. They worked alongside their keepers for long hours and looked to them for practically all their needs. Accordingly, they also developed strong bonds and protective instincts over their handlers.
Loyalty and protectiveness were among the critical characteristics selected for breeding and developing the German Shepherd breed. This selective breeding is the reason why these dogs excel in security and defense, most especially in personal protection, the military, and police work.
The GSDs protectiveness over their keepers is also a self-preservation instinct. They are naturally inclined to guard the source of their most prized resourcesnot only food and shelter but also love and affection.
Appreciation for and the instinct to preserve the good in their lives is also the reason why neglected or abused dogs are often more protective of their new, nurturing owners.
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German Shepherds Are Loyal And Protective
Loyalty is a great personality that can be found in dogs. German Shepherds have a particularly strong sense of loyalty. They would protect not only their owners, but also all their family members in the household. The strong sense of loyalty and protective instinct make German Shepherds a good guard dog. However, proper socialisation and training is required so that they wont become overprotective.
Not All German Shepherds Are Naturally Protective
Just because German Shepherds are generally known to be protective, loyal dogs, doesnt mean that every individual will be.
There is natural variation among every dog breed. Even puppies from the same litter can be very different to one another.
Some will be more protective than others.
You might get a puppy that loves everyone they meet! But, its still so important to socialize them well to make the best of their temperament.
Not only will this make things easier for you, but it means your adult GSD will feel confident and comfortable in all situations.
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Are German Shepherds Protective The Final Verdict
German Shepherds are among the smartest, most popular dogs in the world and for good reason. Theyre bred to protect their families and show unwavering loyalty, two of the most desirable traits in a dog.
Today, families love German Shepherds for their loyalty and protective instincts. Without hesitation, they will ward off intruders with warning barks and will act if necessary to protect their families.
However, the natural tendencies that make GSDs excellent protectors can also make these dogs more susceptible to aggressive and territorial behaviors.
Fortunately, you can mitigate these behaviors with proper training and have the exceptional family protector youve always wanted.
German Shepherds In Hollywood
In the United States, the popularity of the German Shepherd exploded with the appearance of Rin Tin Tin. After his service in World War I, Corporal Lee Duncan brought a German Shepherd puppy back home with him to the United States. That puppy, Rin Tin Tin, became the first international canine superstar. He appeared in a number of films and was so popular that he received fan letters on a weekly basis. Rin Tin Tin was often depicted as a hero in films, earning German Shepherds the reputation that we still recognize today. The stardom of Rin Tin Tin made German Shepherds one of the most sought after dogs in America. You can watch the opening theme and closing credits to Rin Tin Tin in the below video.
Is the German Shepherd Right For You?Now that Ive told you the 13 things that you should know about the German Shepherd, here are the high points that I think are key:
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What Does It Mean If My German Shepherds Temperament Is Alert
A dogs temperament can mean a number of things.
If your German Shepherd is alert, it could mean they perceive there is a threat or something exciting nearby.
For example, a German Shepherd may become alert and excited inside your house when they think a member of the family is arriving home from work. They might stretch and way their tail and sniff at the door if this is the case.
On the other hand, a German Shepherd might be alert, tense, focus their eyes, growl/bark, bare their teeth, and charge + a number of other aggressive traits if they think a threat is nearby.
The behavior doesnt have to be to either of those extremes, it came be somewhere in between too.
Each dog is different.
When Do German Shepherds Become Protective
Dog Breeds List » Dog Breeds » When do German Shepherds Become Protective?
When do German Shepherds become protective? Say the word protective in the canine world and there are a few breeds that immediately spring to mind. The German Shepherd Dog is always near the top due to a GSDs temperament. But how do you know when the playful puppy will turn into the protective guardian? Can this behavior in fact be turned on or off? And will you be able to recognize and/or control it?
So, when do German Shepherds become protective? GSDs are born with a protective instinct that can manifest as early as 12 weeks but definitely when it starts to become an adolescent at around 6 months of age.
It is most important to understand that there is a difference between aggressive and protective behavior. Many overprotective dogs are actually aggressive dogs. It is an issue especially with GSDs because they are known to be both protective and aggressive. So how to tell the difference and how to deal with it?
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Training A German Shepherd
The most important and best way to train a German Shepherd is through positive training, which engates their minds and bodies.
Choose a positive training program that you find fun and will participate in almost daily.
For the best results use these tips:
- Start training as a young puppy to develop the good habits you want.
- Keep the training sessions short, especially for puppies.
- Use a high-value reward that is also healthy choose from this list of GSD treats: The Healthiest Treats for a German Shepherd
- Enroll in a training program that uses their mental ability to increase your bond
With plenty of training the right way, you may find your German Shepherd, both male and female, excels at sports, such as agility and rally obedience.
And, this breed is a true tracker with their excellent scenting abilities.
The best training for a German Shepherd is a program called Brain Training for Dogs. Its fun and includes easy games to help obedience train your GSD.
Remember, the skys the limit when you choose to train a German Shepherd.
History Of The Black German Shepherd
The German shepherd breed was originally developed in 1899 by Captain Max von Stephanitz, who wanted to create the ultimate herding dog. These dogs were later used by the military as messengers, sentries, guards, supply carriers, and rescuers.
While black and tan is the quintessential German shepherd for most people, black GSDs have existed alongside them since the breedâs creation and are just a different color variation of the same breed.
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Why Are German Shepherds So Protective
Of course, the way you raise a dog has an impact on its temperament. One review paper argues that aggressive dogs are usually only that way because their owners intentionally shape them to be protective.
But, many dogs were also bred to have specific traits that would suit their original purpose.
The German Shepherd breed was first created by a man named Max von Stephanitz. He aimed to make the best all-round herding dog.
GSDs had to herd sheep and livestock, but also to protect them from potential threats. So, a protective nature was a must.
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Over time, this purpose evolved to include police and military work. This also required a protective, alert, and brave temperament.
Today, GSD working roles include search and rescue, guide dogs, service dogs, and more. So, you can see that a protective nature would be useful in some of these positions, but not all.
What Age Should You Start Protection Training
The best age to start protection training is at two or three years old. At this age, a German Shepherd will have matured into an adult and developed protective instincts.
These instincts will provide a protection drive for your German Shepherd, making it easier to teach him protection skills.
Nonetheless, even from early puppyhood, around 12 weeks, your puppy will need to be socialized and learn basic obedience.
This will then provide a foundation for him when training for protection.
It will also incline him to respect you as a leader, and enable you to have control over his actions.
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What To Know Before You Buy Or Rehome A German Shepherd
Considering buying or rehoming a German Shepherd? Before you find a puppy or adopt a GSD, here are a few important things to remember.
- German Shepherds are loving, loyal and extremely active in body and mind. They need to be well-socialised as puppies and need lots of training, plus at least two hours of exercise per day.
- German Shepherds have thick coats that shed all year round and may not be the best choice for people with allergies.
- Its important to get your GSD puppy from a reputable German Shepherd breeder so you can meet the puppys mum and check she has the temperament youre looking for. dictates that new puppies or kittens must be bought directly from a breeder or adopted from rescue. Third party sellers are now illegal.
- Like all dogs, German Shepherds can suffer from a range of health conditions, and hip and elbow dysplasia are particularly common in the breed. A reputable GSD breeder will be able to provide proof of genetic testing, like hip and elbow scores, for both parents to help you choose a healthy dog.
Why Are German Shepherds So Protective & Loyal
German Shepherds have a reputation for being watchful, obedient, intelligent, loving, but also protective of, and loyal to their family.
Why are German Shepherds so protective and loyal exactly?
In this educational guide, we look at the reasons why the German Shepherd breed is so protective and loyal, so you can understand your dog better, and ultimately have a better relationship.
Lets jump into it
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Are Male Or Female Gsds More Protective
Both males and females are known to bark to alert their family of people or other dogs in their yards or along the street. Some owners find this makes them an excellent watchdog, but other people, like your neighbors, might not appreciate the barking.
Males tend to become more dominant and aggressive, which can increase their protectiveness for their family. They are better suited for protection roles and families without children.
But a female German Shepherd will still bark and alert you of strangers and intruders on the property. A prominent dog psychology researcher even named the German Shepherd as the second breed most likely dog to bark as a watchdog .
With the male GSDs larger size they appear more intimidating to those outside the home. So, this can be seen as a more protective feature of male German Shepherds.
Both sexes have an intimidating bark and are athletic, large dogs a protective feature that usually scares outsiders.
Gsds Provide Constant Companionship
In truth, German Shepherd owners are never lonely because their loyal canines are always by their side. Although GSDs are sometimes slow to warm to strangers, they are gentle and loving with their families. Their affectionate and dedicated personalities are a bonus of the breed, and they can be particularly fond of children. This means your GSD wants to spend time with you rather than being left alone all day, every day. Allowing your German Shepherd to be with you as much as possible will bring out the best in your dog.
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How German Shepherds Become Overprotective And How To Prevent It
German shepherds are natural guardians of their home and family. Bred to herd and guard their flock, these working dogs intelligent, brave, and confident. They are very active, high energy, and hyper aware of whats going on in their surroundings.
German shepherds are very loyal and form close bonds with their humans. They are happiest when hanging out with their people and love being a companion and the center of attention. They are also playful, affectionate, and loving.
Due to their strength, size, and personalities, German shepherds require training and socialization to thrive in their homes and be good citizens in their communities. Untrained shepherds that lack guidance can develop many behavior problems.
German shepherds are also highly adept of reading body language, being in tune with their owners emotions, and are intuitive. These traits make them amazing pets that are easy to train, a joy to be around, and awesome pet partners in life.
These same traits, coupled with lack of training, guidance, and leadership, have the potential to create dogs that are overly bold, insecure, fearful, or even aggressive. This is not normal behavior for a German shepherd and early intervention is the key to reversing it so the dog can develop into the happy companion it was born to be.
To prevent a dog from becoming over protective:
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