They Will Entertain Your Children For Hours
So, how will your GSD play entertain your kids? For starters, treasure hunts are a great game that your kids can play with your GSD due to their excellent sense of smell and direction. Just try hiding a treat and then telling your GSD to find it. Trust me, it will and quickly!
GSDs also like to play all kinds of games from fetch, to frisbee as well as being taught new tricks.
GSDs need lots of exercise every day, and it takes a lot to tire one out. So a GSD will happily run around with your kids all day long, and in turn make your life a lot easier. Tired kids = rested parents!
And if you, like me, have a family that loves to be outdoors, a GSD makes for a great addition to the group. My family and I have enjoyed many a hike and plenty of camping trips while accompanied by our GSDs.
For the less active of you, this also means that they will help you stick to your New Years resolutions and give you motivation to get out and go on that run. I know from experience that they make great running partners if you can keep up!
The Basics Of German Shepherd Grooming
The German Shepherd Dog has a thick, medium-length double coat that sheds, a lot and constantly, so much that even his fans call him a German shedder. The undercoat sheds heavily in spring and fall, and the German Shepherd must be brushed and bathed frequently during that time to get out all the loose hair. The rest of the year, weekly brushing is generally enough to keep him clean. If the German Shepherd is your breed of choice, purchase a heavy-duty vacuum cleaner dont get a German Shepherd if you have allergies or are a fussy housekeeper.
The rest is basic care. Trim his nails every few weeks, as needed, and brush his teeth frequently for good overall health and fresh breath.
The Breeder Also Makes A Difference
As well as their temperament, the breeder you choose to buy them off is also going to be a deciding factor in your german shepherds behavior.
Most breeders are likely to specialize in certain behavioral traits that make german shepherds good for certain jobs.
For example, some breeders will produce lines of german shepherds that are competitive and courageous. These types of german shepherds make excellent guard dogs and police dogs. But obviously, theyre also much more likely to have higher aggression levels.
On the other hand, some breeders will choose to breed show dogs. While they dont have the same levels of courage and aggression, theyre still not the best choice. Most show dogs will have high levels of energy. Sometimes, the breeder focuses so much on the way a show dog looks, that theyll lose some of their intelligence .
No, the best choice of german shepherd for your family are german shepherds that have been bred with family in mind. These german shepherds will generally be easy to train and with a mellow personality.
Lastly, you can also consider long-haired german shepherds and white german shepherds. Both of which arent bred for work or sport. Which means theyre going to be a lot more relaxed.
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The Importance Of Socializing Your German Shepherd
For you to truly have a German Shepherd that is well-adjusted, calm, good with people and other animals, and able to be around kids, proper socialization is a must. Socializing means introducing your dog to new people, places, things, and experiences.
This socialization needs to happen as early as possible while the dog is still young. If your dog safely enters into new situations with you and knows from a young age that it will always be okay, youll have a dog with a great temperament who trusts you to keep him safe. Showing your dog the world and making new experiences a regular part of his life will also help him gain confidence.
When dogs act shy or aggressive, its usually out of fear. Improper socialization creates scared and insecure dogs who hide behind aggression as a way to keep themselves safe. They dont know the world doesnt have to be a scary place.
German Shepherd Socialization And Training Needs
The importance of early and ongoing positive socialization and training cannot be emphasized enough for a dog breed with such strong instincts to protect and guard as the GSD!
In fact, training and socialization can make the difference between answering yes and no to the question, Are German Shepherds a good family dog?
The good news is, German Shepherd dogs score so high on the eager to please scale that you will likely find your pup a delight to train!
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They Adapt To Any Lifestyle
Whatever the change, your German Shepherd can adapt to it.
This is one of the best things about this breed. They can thrive in any lifestyle. Whatever it is, they will adapt to it. They can adjust to fit your lifestyle.
Moving to a new place? Having a baby? No problem.
Your German Shepherd can also adapt to any conditions. Whether its cold or hot. May it be a huge family or a small family.
It doesnt matter if you have a huge backyard or living in an apartment. Even if they stay inside or outside the house, adapting is easy.
Note: Your German Shepherd can adapt to any changes. But it is not advisable getting this dog if you live in an apartment. They get so big and need a big place to move around.t let you to pet or cuddle him
They Need A Strong Leader
The German Shepherd was originally bred to be a working dog. As a result, they tend to work hard and push even harder. If they dont have a leader to look to for instruction and direction, then they will try to become the leader of the pack themselves. Their owner must be firm, consistent, and confident while also can remain cool, calm, and collected. Leadership must always come from the owner. If a German Shepherd senses weakness or a lack of leadership, it may try to take the place of top dog.
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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.
Loyal To Their Families
German Shepherds are incredibly loyal to their human parents, which makes them an excellent choice for families. Plus, theyre all about caring for their owners and protecting them if the chance ever presents itself.
Due to their love for their family, German Shepherds are almost always ready to learn anything that their parents teach them. So, if you devote yourself to teaching your German Shepherd new tricks, he might surprise you with how quickly he grasps them.
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The German Shepherd: Family Dog Material
You never want to assume a negative trait of a breed occurs in an individual dog, because you could miss out on the perfect pooch! Its always best to get to know the actual pup that you plan to bring home. Here are four reasons why a German Shepherd can be the best family dog:
- A German Shepherd is very intelligent, and he can be taught a number of fun tricks that will delight your children.
- A German Shepherd is loyal and will bond well with the family children if started at an early age.
- A German Shepherd has a lot of stamina and energy, making him a great playmate for active kids.
- A German Shepherd is protective of his family and will watch out for your kids, but its important to use caution with other children.
German Shepherd: The Breed
As the name suggests, German Shepherds were first introduced in Germany. It originally had long hair, but, in 1889, short-haired German Shepherds were introduced to the public.
The breed was transported to America in 1907. The breed was specifically designed to be loyal and obedient, so they were made from herding dogs.
German Shepherds are generally 22 24 inches tall and weigh 75 85 pounds. German Shepherds are also known for their pointy ears that stick up.
The breed can come in a wide variety of colors, but an attractive mixture of brown and black is the most popular.
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Do German Shepherds Shed
Another problem that comes with having a German Shepherd is that they shed for the entire year. This means that youre going to have to do more cleaning to keep your home tidy. And lots of brushing on your puppy!
Do German Shepherds Shed?
It would help if you also took note that many dogs shed all year. Therefore, this really shouldnt be a deal-breaker for you.
Socialize At A Young Age
Its best to start socializing GSDs when theyre puppies not only because they havent grown to their full size and weight but also because they havent formed any bad habits.
While theyre puppies, give them tons of exposure not only to young kids and babies but to all sorts of people, animals, and environments.
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What To Know About German Shepherds
If youre adopting a German Shepherd to be part of your home, you must know that they are best adopted as puppies for you to be able to train them at the outset. So, expect that when budgeting your finances in getting your German Shepherd, you have to count training in your budget.
German Shepherds are advanced, quick to learn, and highly-trainable. They would prefer to exercise their minds and bodies for the day. These dogs need about thirty minutes up to two hours of physical exercise in a day. They can grow up to 22-24 inches tall for a female and 24-26 inches tall for a male.
They can weigh around 50-70 pounds for a female and around 65-90 pounds for a male. It is also ideal to learn about their temperament and emotions. The German Shepherd dogs are big in size, courageous, and is willing to protect their owner and family.
Before bringing home your dream dog, expect that German Shepherds are naturally dominant and can outsmart you if you dont know how to train them and make them obey. It is highly advisable to train them. You can read articles or watch videos about basic dog training. If this gets too hard, investing in a professional trainer is always a good choice.
Adopting A Dog From A German Shepherd Rescue Or Shelter
There are many great options available if you want to adopt a dog from an animal shelter or breed rescue organization. Here is how to get started.
1. Use the Web
Sites like Petfinder.com and Adopt-a-Pet.com can have you searching for a German Shepherd in your area in no time flat. The site allows you to be very specific in your requests or very general . AnimalShelter can help you find animal rescue groups in your area. Also some local newspapers have pets looking for homes sections you can review.
Social media is another great way to find a dog. Post on your Facebook page that you are looking for a specific breed so that your entire community can be your eyes and ears.
2. Reach Out to Local Experts
Start talking with all the pet pros in your area about your desire for a German Shepherd. That includes vets, dog walkers, and groomers. When someone has to make the tough decision to give up a dog, that person will often ask her own trusted network for recommendations.
3. Talk to Breed Rescue
Most people who love German Shepherds love all German Shepherds. Thats why breed clubs have rescue organizations devoted to taking care of homeless dogs. The German Shepherd Dog Club of Americas Rescue Network can help you find a dog that may be the perfect companion for your family. You can also search online for other German Shepherd rescues in your area.
4. Key Questions to Ask
What is his energy level?
How is he around other animals?
What is his personality like?
What is his age?
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Work Ethic Unique To The German Shepherd Dog
From the very beginning, a keen emphasis was placed on the unique character, trainability, and protective instincts found in these herding dogs. Their dependability and their special herding traits became legendary. Over time the breed began to be used for many other services. When blind Morris Frank returned from Switzerland in 1929 with his German Shepherd Dog Buddy, he opened the door for German Shepherd Dogs to be used as guide dogs for the blind. In a very short period of time, the breed would be associated with programs for the blind and for services involving many other disabilities. Their intelligence, trainability, and desire to work put German Shepherd Dog at the top of all lists. Some breeders began their own lines for temperament as opposed to conformation and physical appearance. It was not long before breeding programs throughout America began to selectively breed for service dog programs as their ultimate goal.
They Are Great With Children
Youre probably wondering whether such a big dog is a good choice when you have small children.
While of course their size compared to babies and very young children needs to be considered, so that they dont accidentally do any harm, GSDs are actually an excellent breed to own when you have small kids.
They have an excellent balance of playfulness and protectiveness when it comes to younger children. Children want to be loved, entertained and protected and a GSD is perfect for this job.
When well socialized as a puppy, they have the patience and the temperament to be happy around kids of all ages. They genuinely enjoy the attention that they receive from children.
This means that as an adult you can let your GSD and kids entertain themselves. A GSD makes for a great babysitter. But this does not mean that you should leave your dog and child home alone!
And remember that proper training and socialization as a puppy is essential for a GSD if you want it to be the great family pet that we know and love.
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They Are Loyal And Protective
Loyalty and a natural desire to protect are excellent traits to have in a dog. And German Shepherds have them both in abundance. They are caring and will look out for their owners. If trained properly, they will protect their owner and their family from any threats. This is one reason why German Shepherds make excellent family protection dogs. They love to work, and if theyre given a role as protector and defender of your family, they will take it very seriously.
Takeaways From This For You To Consider
1. German Shepherds are great family dogs.2. Theyre excellent with children because they love to play and have fun.3. They will protect your child when they need it, but will also be gentle and patient.
4. You should always supervise your child around the dog at all times in order to prevent any accidents from happening.5. A German Shepherd can live up to 12 years old or more, so youll get plenty of time together!6. However, if you want a dog that is not as energetic then maybe a different breed would be better for you.
7. A perfect home security system!
If you want to know a bit more about these great dogs, check out our article below
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A German Shepherd In The Home
Just as German Shepherds can get along well with children, they can also get along with other pets. Introducing an adult dog to the family feline may not go well initially, but the relationship may improve over time. If your German Shepherd puppy is introduced to other pets in the home, this is your best shot for a harmonious household. If the pets are raised together, they can get along very well.
Poorly-bred or under-socialized German Shepherds can be high-strung, nervous, unable to focus, and difficult to train. When choosing this dog to bring into your home, find out as much as you can about the dogs background. If youre purchasing a puppy, always research and select a responsible breeder who puts care and time into the puppies. Ask questions, learn about the puppys parents, and know what kind of dog youre getting. Then, socialize!