Can German Shepherds Be High Maintenance
Yes. German Shepherds can be considered a high maintenance dog breed. This is because they require regular grooming to keep their skin and coat as healthy as possible.
Regular grooming also helps ensure the fur doesnt become matted or tangled. They can also be considered high maintenance simply because they suffer from separation anxiety.
When they are stressed and left alone, they may exhibit destructive behaviors that include chewing, biting on the furniture, barking aggressively, and even hurting themselves in attempts to escape.
To help with separation anxiety, you need to make sure your German Shepherd gets plenty of exercise on a daily basis.
On the other side of this, they are not as high maintenance when it comes to obedience and training, still making them a great family dog.
German Shepherds thrive on activities and mental and physical stimulation, so just a minimum level of basic training will not be enough for them.
However, the family can work together to train their new German Shepherd pup and combined, will have enough energy to work off with them.
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 from Amazon. This is particularly suited to German Shepherds as it easily gets through the topcoat and safely removes the loose undercoat hair.
Dont waste money on cheaper brushes, as this tool does the job. I take my GSD on the field when I FURminate her, and anyone passing would think Id been shearing a sheep!
Gets Along With Other Dogs
German Shepherds are good with other dogs, provided theyve been exposed to dogs at a younger age. A GSD raised in isolation is poorly educated in canine networking, making it harder to understand social signals. Thats why setting up playdates with other dogs is critical for your puppy.
German Shepherd playdates are an essential step you cannot take unless your dog has proven that he doesnt see other dogs as threats. For this, taking him on a walk where he might spot other dogs at a distance is the first step. Then, you can graduate to taking him closer to other dogs, albeit in smaller increments.
Finally, youll be able to pass by a dog park without seeing your German Shepherd become reactive.
Once a German Shepherd is ready to enter a dog park, hes already socialized enough to be dog-friendly. Playdates are your way of ensuring that his core experiences with other dogs are positive ones.
Pro-tip: If you already have a dog at home, you should choose a German Shepherd puppy of the opposite sex to prevent same-gender aggression or dominance fighting.
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Top 10 Reasons Why You Would Want A German Shepherd
German Shepherds are a relatively new dog breed with origins that can be traced back to 1899. Although it is a new breed, German Shepherds are now one of the most popular dog breeds worldwide. In the United states, German shepherds ranks as the second most popular dog breeds of 2016. In fact, German Shepherds have many talents and desirable traits which make them the best dogs that every household should own.
German Shepherds And Children
Adult German Shepherds can range from being calm and patient to bouncy and boisterous, depending on their personality, training and socialisation. Some can make great family pets in homes with children of all ages, but dogs should always be supervised around young children.
Make sure you can recognise the signs of unhappiness or anxiety in your dog to help avoid any conflicts. German Shepherds can be nervous of strangers so make sure theyre never left unsupervised. Be careful if you are introducing a German Shepherd to younger children or adults unfamiliar with the breed as they often dont know their own strength.
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What Makes A Good Family Dog
Most people ask if a particular breed is family-friendly without knowing the specifics that make a dog suitable for a family. Generally, family-friendly is a stand-in for wont be a problem for my family or will make my family happy.
But when wondering if German Shepherds are good family dogs, lets get more specific and look at the desirable traits of a good family dog.
Can German Shepherds Be Both Service Dogs And Family Dogs
Generally, it is not recommended for a service dog to also be a family pet. Although German Shepherds can be taught to co-exist with other family members, they need to develop the strongest bond and loyalty to the person they are assisting.
That means they must prefer to be in the presence of their handler and follow their commands above anyone elses. Treating them as a family pet will be confusing and will interfere with their value as assistance animals.
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How Long Do German Shepherds Live Are They A Healthy Breed
German Shepherds typically live 10-12 years. Some do live to 13 or 14, but usually with chronic health issues such as arthritis.
And sadly, many don’t even make it to age 10.
As a long-time German Shepherd owner, I know first-hand how many health problems this breed suffers from. Crippling joint diseases, autoimmune diseases, digestive diseases, skin diseases, heart and eye diseases…. truly a breed with serious health problems.
It’s a good idea to have pet insurance when you own a German Shepherd.
Here is a complete list of health problems in German Shepherds.
See my advice on keeping your dog healthy.
The most common color in German Shepherds black and tan, in the saddleback pattern
Feeding Your German Shepherd Lab Mix
Since this breed is prone to obesity, youll want to pay close attention to how much she eats and how generously the treats are tossed.
Always choose high quality, dry dog food.
Skip foods like beef, chicken or salmon because they can cause allergic reactions.
Make sure the kibble has a high protein content to help with the hip problems the German Shepherd Lab mix may experience.
If you are unsure about the best dog food for your German Shepherd and Lab mix, consult your veterinarian for proper guidance.
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What Type Of Training Should A Gsd Have To Become A Service Dog
A service animal must be trained specifically to address the needs of their handler. According to the ADA, service dogs need not be professionally trained, as their handlers should have the right to provide training themselves.
However, it is highly recommended that a German Shepherd be selected and trained by a professional specializing in service dogs before being turned over to a disabled handler.
Because of their size, strength, and drive, German Shepherds can be a handful. Selecting a GSD for service should begin at puppyhood.
After a stringent selection process, the puppy must receive obedience training and proper socialization.
They must be well behaved in all scenarios and must have the right temperament to interact properly with other people and animals. Only then should they receive training to assist with their handlers specific disability.
German Shepherds As Pets
German Shepherds make wonderful household pets when loved, cared for, and trained.
They are one of the smartest and trainable dogs out there. They are also loyal to no end!
Although German Shepherds are known for being loyal and courageous pets, they need something in return.
I am not talking about money or anything like that. They simply need love!
Once your loving pet/companion is stocked up on the mushy loving stuff, it will respond better to commands. And, once learned it will surely not forget.
It is important as an owner of a German Shepherd to be firm in your guidance and let them know YOU are the leader.
I am not talking about cruelty simply firm and consistent guidance!
In addition, always allow time for ample exercise AND make sure they are properly socialized at an early age.
This will result in an amazing, trained, and lovable dog.
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Can You Train A German Shepherd To Be A Guard Dog
Breeding and temperament matter, but how important is training? It is possible that socialization and training can help to develop a guard dog. There are, of course, limitations to this, and natural tendencies may override training.
Most German Shepherds are incredibly intelligent and highly trainable. These dogs also enjoy having a job to do. Due to this, many German Shepherds do well in guard dog training. This is evidenced by the fact that this breed is often used by the police and military.
Bringing A New Baby Home
If you already have a German Shepherd and are about to bring a new baby home, your dog can learn to love and protect your new little one, as well. German Shepherds of all colors are naturally curious about babies. They are full of new sounds and smells for your dog to discover. Some of these sounds may take some getting used to!
But if you teach your dog that this new little person is part of your family, he will accept and love the baby just the same as everyone else. German Shepherds tend to have a gentle and loving disposition when it comes to babies. As your baby grows, teach respect for the dog, as well. Gentle petting and respecting the dogs space can be something your child knows from day one. Always monitor your dog and baby and dont leave them alone together.
While a German Shepherd is known for being generally safe with kids, its never a good idea to leave any dog alone with a baby. Even what the dog perceives as gentle playing is not something a newborn can handle, so always be present when allowing your dog to interact with your child.
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German Shepherds And Other Pets
To help them be calm and patient, it’s best to socialise your German Shepherd with other dogs and pets from a young age. Some can be a bit bossy with other dogs as they get older but with proper care, training and socialisation this is unlikely to become a problem. If youre having issues with your German Shepherd around other pets, the best thing to do is get advice from a trainer or behaviourist.
German Shepherds are usually fine with other family pets they have grown up with. If they havent grown up with a cat or other smaller pets, though, they may have the urge to chase them so any introductions later in life should be done very carefully.
How Much Does Basset Hound German Shepherd Mix Eat On Average Daily
Basset hound mix German shepherd breed needs a high-quality protein-rich diet, containing 18% to 22% of protein. You can also give them fruits, grains, vegetables, and other natural food items for nutrients.
Ensure that the food you are giving to a basset hound German shepherd mix breed has the right amount of fats, proteins, vitamins, fibers, and minerals in it for his excellent health.
The important thing that a dog requires is none other than protein for building muscles, hairs, new skin, nail, and cells, which will keep your dog healthy. Protein is essential for all-round growth and development of a German Shepherd Basset hound mix breed.
The amount of protein that a puppy Basset shepherd needs is at least 22% protein. While the amount of protein that an adult Basset Shepherd requires 18% protein minimum.
Next crucial element that your dog need is fat. You can get fat from protein, which also gives energy to a Basset hound German Shepherd. It will develop body cells, muscles, tissues, and nerves.
While a puppy basset Shepherd requires at least 8% fat on the one hand, on the other adult, it needs 5 % fat at least. Calories are crucial in the growing days of your German shepherd basset hound mix breed.
On the other hand, a pregnant dog requires more calories than another lazy dog or couch dog.
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What Were German Shepherds Bred For
German Shepherds a large-sized breed that originated in Germany in 1899 was part of the Herding Group. Known for their courage, loyalty and guarding instincts, their history of herding has meant they are great guard dogs, police dogs, military dogs, search and rescue dogs, and guide dogs for the blind.
“As the name suggest, German Shepherd dogs were originally bred to help shepherds herd animals, but have since become a versatile working dogs, often in the military, police and other emergency services, as well as guide and assistance dogs,” Bill tells us.
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German shepherds can be very gentle companions and family protectors with proper training and socialization. It’s an ideal breed for active households. The intelligence and protective demeanor of this breed can make it a good choice for families with children as long as the dog is properly trained.
Germans shepherds are good family pets because they’re intelligent, loyal, and they love the outdoors. However, they do need lots of your time and to be socialized. They also shed constantly, have a prey drive, like to herd, become bored easily, and have a strong guarding instinct.
German shepherds are often recognized as military or police dogs.
Their intelligence is among the best of any dog breed in the world.
German shepherds have an incredible ability to learn tasks quickly, and interpret instructions accurately.
Their sense of smell is very strong.
Are German Shepherds good service dogs? German shepherds are one of the best breeds to be trained as service dogs, especially as a guide dog. They have kind natures, and their greater size equals greater strength, which allows them to provide balance, stability, and physical support for their owners.
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Are German Shepherds Good Family Dogs Lets Bust The Myths
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German Shepherds are great in demeanor and appearance and make for excellent companions. It is often said that active singles get the most fulfillment from owning a German Shepherd.
But that doesnt mean fitness enthusiasts who live solo are the only candidates for GSD ownership. So, are German Shepherds good family dogs?
German Shepherds are good family dogs as they are loyal, protective, and affectionate to the entire family unit, including children. Being intelligent and easily trainable, they quickly become a part of the family. As long as they are properly socialized and trained, they are ideal for any home.
If you have young children or are planning a family, you might be interested in knowing if German Shepherds are kid-friendly. Alternatively, you could be a part of a big household and might want a guard dog who also befriends the entire family.
There are many myths about the German Shepherd, the most common being that they are aggressive or dangerous and are not good around children. Im here to bust these myths and tell you the truth.
There is no such thing as a dog with behavior problems, but there are problematic owners who either dont know how to train their dogs or are simply lazy.
German Shepherds Are Highly Intelligent
It is a well-known fact that German Shepherds are highly intelligent. They can learn and do almost every task you give them. Perhaps this is why the largest percentage of police dogs all over the world is German Shepherd. Due to their high intelligence and versatility, German Shepherds are also widely trained as service dogs to aid people with disabilities. Some German Shepherds are trained to compete in dog sporting events.
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Why Is My Dog Being Aggressive All Of A Sudden
1 Your suddenly aggressive dog may have an injury or an illness thats causing major discomfort and stress. Some possible causes of pain include arthritis, bone fractures, internal injuries, various tumors, and lacerations. Other illnesses may affect your dogs brain, leading to seemingly unreasonable aggression.
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How To Help Your Dog Get Along With Other Dogs
Whether or not you have or plan to have other dogs at home, its critical for your German Shepherd to behave properly towards other dogs. Although making friends with other dogs would be good for them, its not absolutely essential.
Whats important is that, when they do encounter other dogs, they dont suffer from excess nerves and anxiety that could lead to dog-directed aggressive behavior.
Here are some of the most important things you can do to help your dog get along with other dogs:
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They Can Live Up To 13 Years
When it comes to your first dog, you want a dog thatll live a long and happy life without any major health issues. As long as you properly exercise and feed your German Shepherd, youre looking at an average lifespan of anywhere between 9 and 13 years!
Never underestimate the importance of nutrition, as high-quality food is essential for your dogs overall health and longevity. Heres my giant guide where you can learn loads more on the best diet for German Shepherds, including nutrition, types of food, and what they can and cant eat.