Are German Shepherd Dogs Good Pets

Which Type Of German Shepherd Is Right For You

Ask yourself this

Your answer lies where the two needs meet

Next, you need to find a breeder that understands their lines and breeding programs.;

You don’t want someone who breeds for the sake of breeding.

All lines have some issues, and thats true for any other breed of dog too.

But if you know exactly what you want, go to the right breeder and let them know, you will get the right German Shepherd breed type for your family.

German Shepherds Are Intelligent And Hence Easy To Train

To be part of a family, dogs need to learn certain behaviors as per the expectation of their new owner. For the owner, this means investing precious time to train their pet in these behaviors. If your dog is not smart, you will need more time to get him to learn simple commands and skills. Instead, an intelligent dog will save you the trouble by picking up these skills and commands quickly.

German Shepherds fall into the category of intelligent pets. In a book titled The Intelligence of Dogs written by professor emeritus, Dr. Stanley Coren of the department of psychology at the University of British Columbia, the German Shepherd is ranked 3rd among the brightest dogs.;

What this means is that your GSD will understand new commands with less than five repetitions and also obey them without requiring you to repeat them 95% of the time. You would want a pet dog who saves your time by learning commands and skills fast, wouldnt you?

What Colors Do German Shepherds Come In

The most common colors are black and tan, black and red, black and cream, or black and silver. These colors cover the dog in one of these three patterns:

• Saddleback the black overlays the dog’s back and sides . The rest of the dog is tan, red, cream, or silver. Usually there’s some black on the face, as well.
• Blanketback the black extends further down the shoulders and hips.
• Bicolor like a Doberman or Rottweiler, which is mostly black with small tan/red/cream markings specifically confined to the head, chest, and legs. Honestly I don’t know why this pattern is called bicolor, which simply means two colors. As we’ve just seen, the other two patterns also have just two colors.

Another common color is sable, which is an overall shade of gray, golden, or red, with black-tipped hairs that create a “dusted with black” effect.

A less common, but perfectly acceptable, color is solid black.

“Faulty” colors

Then there are two controversial colors: blue and liver:

• Blue German Shepherds have inherited a color-modifying gene that changes their black pigment to smoky gray. Many blue dogs look as though they’ve been dusted with flour.
• Liver German Shepherds have inherited a color-modifying gene that changes their black pigment to brown .

Blue and liver are considered serious faults by the official German Shepherd clubs and breeders who show their dogs in the conformation ring. But you can still register these dogs and compete with them in activities such as obedience and agility.

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Moscow Watchdog Vs Golden Retriever Vs Old German Shepherd Dog General Appearance Comparison

Is The Shepsky A Good Pet For New Owners Or An Apartment Dog

The Shepsky is a high energy dog and is both fast and strong. Since this dog is so energetic, it will want to run and play all day long. Since the dog is so energetic, it will need a place to live that it can run, play, and release some of the energy and so living in a small apartment may not be a good idea for this breed. Not only is the dog energetic, but it is a pretty decent sized dog.

Since this dog is a high energy dog, it requires a lot of care and time. Even though a new pet owner may have the love and patience for this kind of breed, it is suggested that this dog be housed with a pet owner that is active and outdoorsy and one that has dealt with dogs in the past.

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Are German Shepherds Good Family Dogs Here’s Everything You Need To Know

Excellent and loyal guard dogs, they make brilliant service pups

Each month we will be shining a light on different dog breeds in our series, Dog Breed of the Month. This month, we look at the loyal and courageous German Shepherds. Keep reading for everything you need to know about this gorgeous breed, including characteristics, temperament and personality traits.

“German Shepherd Dogs are versatile, intelligent and energetic dogs, known for their loyalty,” Bill Lambert, spokesperson for The Kennel Club, tells Country Living. “They’re capable of learning many commands, which is why they are make good service, military and assistance dogs. Outside of ‘work’, German Shepherds are loving dogs that make a great companion, as well as an exercise or exploration buddy.”

What Are The Downsides Of German Shepherds

Theres no perfect family dog. No matter what breed you end up picking there are going to be some upsides and downsides.

Here are a few of the downsides to take into account when wondering whether a german shepherd is going to be a good fit for your family.

They Need Lots Of Your Time

Due to their high intelligence and energy levels, german shepherds are going to need a lot of your time. Theyll need to be taking out regularly and in the beginning, youll also need to take the time to train them as well.

If your family cant spend a lot of the day with your german shepherd then should you rethink your decision.

When you dont spend a lot of time with them, the chances are theyre going to become unruly and could end up wrecking things in your house.

They Need To Be Socialised

As well as spending lots of time with them, youll also need to make sure theyre being socialized properly as well.

Socialising needs to start as early as possible. So make sure youre introducing them to as many people and animals as possible.

Without proper socialization, theyre more likely to be aloof and aggressive towards people and animals.

They Constantly Shed

Another problem with german shepherds is that they shed for the entire year. This means youre going to have to do more cleaning to keep your home tidy.

However, it is important to note that a lot of dogs shed all year, so this really shouldnt be a deal-breaker for you.

They Have A Prey Drive And Like To Herd

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German Shepherd Rescue: Where To Find This Gorgeous Dog Breed In Shelters

The German shepherd is a strong dog. Athletic, agile, protective, watchful, vocal and they are so adorable when they tongues roll out! Dont worry, weve got photographic evidence of this below. You can never see too many German shepherd pictures.

German shepherds may seem a little intimidating to non-dog people, but theyre softies at heart. If youre trying to work out if the German shepherd breed is right for you, our guide can help.

Below weve listed some of the best German shepherd rescue centers across the US and provided a little basic info on what you can expect from this intelligent pup.

How To Take Care Of A German Shepherd Husky Mix

It is important that you get your Shepsky acquainted with your veterinarian immediately and that your puppy will get annual visits.Your dog will need vaccines and preventative treatment for things such as heartworm, parasites and protection from ticks and fleas.

If you find that your dog is sickly, take it immediately to the vet for treatment.

This breed can have some predisposed conditions that the German Shepherd and the Siberian Husky have including illnesses such as:

• Epilepsy

It is important to have regular vet checkups to keep your dog healthy.

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Unique German Shepherd Names

To draw even more inspiration for German shepherd names, consider these unique options that refer to Bavarian life and cultureincluding one of Germanys most well-known exports, beer.

• Deutsche: The word for German, in the German language.
• Donner: Means thunder in German.
• Hansel: Popular nursery rhyme character from German fable; the brother of Gretel.
• Gretel: Popular nursery rhyme character from German fable; the sister of Hansel.
• Heinz: Translates to ruler of the home and is similar to the English name Henry.
• Hund: The German word for dog.
• Jaeger: Translates to Hunter in German. While youre shepherd is more of a herder than a hunter, the name is a popular choice for GSDs.
• Kaiser: A German term meaning ruler.
• Schnapps: Spirits, in German
• Bock: Type of lager-style beer
• Dunkel: Describes a dark German beer
• Beck: German brewery in the city of Bremen
• Stein: A traditional German beer mug

They Are Intelligent And Quick To Learn

Your pooch deserves some bragging rights for being smart!

So smart, in fact, that German Shepherds are ranked 3rd among;the smartest dog breeds.

You have a very intelligent dog in your care. And you know what the best part is? Theyre easily trainable!

Heres a proven fact:

Your German Shepherd can do a trick after just a few repetitions. This is why German Shepherds are the top choice as police dogs and service work dogs.

Another reason why they thrive in these professions is because of one simple trait:

They are eager to please their owners. These dogs love to cooperate with and work alongside humans. It makes them happy to be around people. Not only that.

One cool thing about German Shepherds is their ability to solve problems.;

They can stand back, assess a situation, and determine whether there is a threat. Then they act accordingly.;

But these are not the only ways that German Shepherds display their intelligence. They are so smart they can read your emotions and act accordingly. They can smell the chemical changes in your body and know when youre sad. Or happy.

And they react by giving you a nudge. Its as if they want to say, Everythings going to be okay.

In the domestic setting, these traits make a German Shepherd a good family dog.

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Owners Of German Shepherds Have A Lot To Say

Most owners characterize their German Shepherd Dog by saying they purchased it because the dog was vibrant, irrepressible, high-energy, and strong. Alertness and attentiveness are often offered as some of the most popular reasons to own one.

Lets hear what GSD owners have to say:

Early history of the breed also helped shape the image and desire to own one. It began with the German army in WWI when the country saw the need for a German military dog. Because the German Shepherd Dog showed no fear on the battlefield, it was used to carry medical supplies and bullets and serve as a sentry. This made it especially effective during day and night time battles.

It wasnt long before the German army and others came to appreciate the value of this war dog. Other countries also noticed its value which successfully helped to promote the breed and its value worldwide. Unfortunately, sentiment about the Germans in the United States and elsewhere turned, and in 1918, the German Shepherd Dog was renamed the Shepherd Dog in the U.S. The British responded in kind, renaming the breed the Alsatian.

Things changed again, and after the war, the breeds reputation as a war dog spread. The entertainment industry joined in and created canine film stars such as Rin-Tin-Tin and Strong Heart. The breed suddenly enjoyed skyrocketing popularity.

They Require A Ton Of Grooming

Youll have to at least do a quick brushing on a daily basis when you own a German Shepherd. In addition to shedding year-round, they also blow their coat in the fall and spring.

That means youll have a whole lot of grooming to do when your dogs undercoat begins to shed for around two weeks. Dont worry, though, as you can find some top tips on how to reduce German Shepherd shedding to help you with this.

You will need to get a good grooming tool. I use the FURminator undercoat de-shedding tool that you can get on Amazon. This is particularly suited to German Shepherds as it easily gets through the topcoat and removes the loose undercoat hair. Dont waste money on cheaper brushes, as this tool is totally worth the price. I take my GSD on the field when I FURminate her, and anyone passing would think Id been shearing a sheep!

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They Are Tremendously Courageous

You can say that German Shepherds are canine heroes. Their courage is one of the reasons why they are preferred for police work.

Being courageous works well for German Shepherds. Its what makes them the ideal watchdog or guardian.

They are not afraid of anything. Thats why they excel in being police or service dogs.

At home, your dog would protect you against any threat. They would even put their life at risk to get rid of any perceived danger.

Thats exactly what this;German Shepherd;in Russia did to protect their 13-year-old owner. The child was playing when two large Central Asian Shepherd dogs tried to attack her.;

The German Shepherd ran to the girls defense and fought with the dogs. The girls father couldnt help, seeing how the larger dogs attacked their pet.

Unfortunately, the German Shepherd later died from the injuries.;

What Age Does A German Shepherd Die

The average life span of a German Shepherd is between 10 and 13 years. Some may live shorter lives if they encounter unusual health problems, while some might live beyond 13 years if theyre in good health. As we can see in the table below nearly 50% of this dog breed dies between the age of 10 and 13 years.

It is never too late to teach an old dog new tricks. As your dog begins to age, it will become essential to accommodate their needs. Many older German Shepherds will have hip problems.

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Which Plumbers Are Endorsed By The German Shepherd Dog Club Of Western Pennsylvania Inc

It’s a tough decision who to call when you have a plumbing issue. Especially when it is an emergency. Sometimes it would be best to call a company like Roto-rooter.

But in most cases, it makes sense to call a full-service plumbing company who truly has the experience of working on all types of systems nation wide. Personally when our organization has an issue with plumbing at one of our facilities or residences, we call 1-877-DRPIPES. We have never had a problem with their workmanship, fairness, or timely arrival during an emergency situation.

Who is the German Shepherd Dog Club of Western Pennsylvania, Inc.?

It’s hard-working, dedicated people who are devoted to the German Shepherd Dog. It’s people like you! Won’t you come join us?

Are You A Good Fit For A German Shepherd Pet 7 Questions To Ask

When it comes to dog pets, we could easily apply the saying, like the parent like the child, or should we say, like the owner like the pet. Lets anticipate what this section is about with an example that explains this saying.;

Imagine that you go out to a park and meet an extremely obese German Shepherd. What is the first thought that comes to your mind? Is it that the dog does not take care of himself or that the owner does not take good care of the dog? No doubt, youll blame the owner.;

This suggests that your dog turns out to be the pet you allow him to be. So, to know if you are a good fit for a German Shepherd, here are seven questions to ask yourself.

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A Few Notes About Finding Legitimate Rescue Dogs

When it comes to finding rescue dogs, particularly puppies, there are some key things to do and some key things to avoid.

• Research local shelters and rescue services in your area,
• Look for charity organization status ,
• Read reviews on Facebook and independent sites for the shelter,
• Check out the adoption fees,
• Get ready for a vigorous and lengthy adoption process,
• Have your house ready for an inspection,
• Be prepared to wait until the right dog comes along for you,
• Get the paper certificates that come with the dog for the vet, exams, vaccines, etc.

DONT

• Reach out to unverified and unqualified rescue shelters they may be passing off sick and ill puppies as healthy rescue pups,
• Organize a purchase with an unverified seller via private message or on a forum,
• Buy your rescue pup in a carpark or other public space without seeing the official shelter the dog is from,
• Buy any pup without learning about its temperament, history, and medical status,
• Ignore all adult and mature dogs for puppies those older pooches need a home too.

And finally, dont adopt a rescue German shepherd dog without reading our full guide below!