Best Dog For German Shepherds

Choosing The Most Comfortable Dog Bed For Your German Shepherd

Pay attention not only to the length and width but also the depth of the mattress.

So, whats the magic formula for choosing the best German Shepherd dog bed?

Its simple your German Shepherd needs a bed that:

• measures at least 40 inches long by 30 inches wide for a large size dog
• supports a dog up to 90 pounds
• is at least 3 inches deep for joint support or 4 inches deep for hip and joint issues
• can withstand some chewing, if necessary
• is made of easy-to-clean fabric thats washable
• doesnt hold fur on the surface or in the weave of the material

And dont leave without knowing how to measure your dog for its perfect-sized bed. Youll find a way to measure your GSD below the product suggestions.

Times German Shepherds Proved They Are The Best Dogs Ever

German Shepherds are one of Americas most popular dog breeds, and as German Shepherd lovers, we know why. They are strong, brave, and fearless. They are kind, loving, and faithful. They are our companions, protectors, and most of all, they are family. Check out the photos below, showing how German shepherds are the best dogs ever.

1. They’re great at taking selfies.

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Best Dog Collars For German Shepherds In 2022

Originally, a cavalry officer, Captain Max von Stephanitz, bred German Shepherds as herding dogs. Many of the same qualities that people admire in German Shepherds today were the result of careful breeding by Stephanitz and others. Once the demand for sheepherders began to dwindle, German Shepherds were seen as the perfect K-9 worker. With careful training, these dogs worked alongside police and military officers all around the world.

Today, when they arent working on K-9 units, German Shepherds are most likely trying to cuddle up with their human companions. If you own a Shepherd or are planning to get one, you might already know how much training and care these dogs require. In addition to plenty of time and energy, your Shepherd will also need essentials like toys, a harness, and a collar.

Contrary to what some owners might tell you, purchasing a collar for your German Shepherd is crucial. Not only does it have leash attachments, but it also helps identify your German Shepherd if they happen to wander off.

Unfortunately, the hard part isnt usually deciding whether or not to buy a collarits finding the right collar. Some collars might not fit correctly, may chafe your dogs skin, or just might not last more than a week. The good news, however, is that weve done the legwork for youkeep reading for more details about the different types of collars as well as our top picks for the best German Shepherd collars.

The Best Treats For German Shepherds

Although not all German Shepherd dogs will enjoy the same treats, I have a few guidelines and suggestions for purchasing goodies for your canine companion.

The best treats for German Shepherds are free from artificial colorants and preservatives, are not too high in fat or calories and dont contain too much sugar or too much salt.

German Shepherds are athletically built, so its best to choose treats that benefit their overall health.

Meaty treats that are soft and made of natural substances are a good option for both puppies and older dogs.

Brands that are low in calories and contain real meat as the key ingredient are preferable. These snacks are available in various flavors, including chicken, rabbit, pork, duck, and salmon.

If your dog prefers crunchy treats, its best to look for air-dried snacks made of natural products like real meat and vegetable ingredients.

Wheat, grain, and gluten-free options exist for dogs with allergies or queasy tummies.

The best jerky treats for German Shepherd dogs are those that are naturally smoked and made of high-quality meat.

For dental health, look for vet-approved products containing lots of minerals and nutrients that promote oral wellness and prevent tartar buildup. These are great for keeping doggy breath fresh.

Many dogs enjoy peanut butter or peanut butter flavored treats too. This should, however, be given in moderation.

Always check the ingredient lists of treats before purchasing them.

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Is It Safe To Let A German Shepherd Sleep In Bed With You

Theres no evidence that supports the theory that allowing your dog to sleep with you in bed will make them feel dominant.

But

Your German Shepherd puppy shouldnt sleep in bed with you because its not safe. They could get injured falling or jumping on and off. And, a senior GSD could hurt their hips or have arthritis which would make getting into and out of bed with you difficult.

Not to mention

Your cute, fluffy GSD puppy will soon grow to almost 90 pounds!

While its sweet to have them cuddle with you now, itll be almost impossible for both of you to fit in bed comfortably when theyre full-grown. Plus, they typically kick their feet during their dreams and youll stay awake as they move and readjust.

As they age they will become more adept at jumping, but this means they are also more prone to slipping, falling, and injuring their joints and bones even as an adult.

It doesnt take long for a German Shepherd to get large enough to take over your whole bed!

Instead, place their dog bed close to where you sleep so that youre both comfortable and feel revived after waking.

Its also a great way to bond with your German Shepherd!

What To Look For In A Good Toy For German Shepherds

Although it may be easy to tell what makes a bad toy, identifying a good toy can be trickier. Generally, there are a few key elements to look for: high-quality materials, durability, and activity needs.

Some toys are specifically designed to meet the activity needs of large breeds like the German Shepherd. A good toy is one that can provide your pup with plenty of stimulation while also helping them burn off excess energy too. Keep in mind, however, that while puppies will need the most stimulation, a less active senior German Shepherd might not need much at all.

Finding a durable toy is crucial. While many brands might promise durability, you can usually spot a long-lasting toy by the materials its made of. If the toy uses sturdy rubber or tear-resistant fabric, you can usually count on it lasting longer than a week. Some toys may even specifically indicate whether or not theyre for aggressive chewers.

Theres another reason to find toys with high-quality materials. Besides durability, a toy thats designed with high-quality fabric or material is less likely to cause an allergic reaction or irritate your dogs skin.

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Carpathian Or Romanian Shepherd

These dogs originated in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania. They are also known as Ciobnesc Românesc Carpatin, Romanian Shepherd, Romanian Carpathian Shepherd, Câine Ciobnesc Carpatin, Carpathian Sheepdog, Carpatin, Romanian Carpatin Herder, and Rumanian Carpathian. They are bred to be strong, quick-moving, and smart enough to fight a wolf or lynx, immobilize a wolf or wild boar, and serve as reliable working dogs.

Carpathian or Romanian Shepherd vs. German Shepherd

Dogbreedinfo.com, dogable.net, masterscreekappaloosa.com

Instinct Original Recipe With Real Chicken

Top 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas, Chicken Fat, Tapioca

Caloric Content: 4,406 kcal/kg

Finally, the Instinct by Nature Variety Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken Dry Dog Food is a great choice for your German Shepherd in all life stages.

From its raw nutrition base to its balanced approach to a high protein food, this dry food is a positive addition to your dogs diet. Full of real chicken, vegetables, antioxidants, natural omegas and probiotics and without any grains, corn, potato, soy or wheat, there is great digestive support, as well as a healthy coast, skin and immune health.

The bag can be a little tricky to open though, so it can take a little getting used to, and some dogs may find they get gas after eating. Overall however, this food is a positive choice for German Shepherds.

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Buyers Guide: Selecting The Best Dog Food For German Shepherds

German Shepherds are big, powerful dogs and will benefit greatly from a diet that consists of a high amount of good-quality, animal-based protein. German Shepherds should have a caloric intake of around 2,000 calories a day, depending on their activity levels and age. It is important to remember that German Shepherds have different dietary needs at different growth stages puppys nutritional needs are different to senior dogs. With that in mind, there are a few important points to consider when buying food for your Shepherd.

Ingredients

The ingredients of the dog food that you choose are naturally the most important aspect. A diet consisting of mostly protein and fat is highly recommended for these powerful animals.

The food should ideally be free from grains, or they should at least be kept to a minimum. Grains can cause gas and bloat and other digestive issues in large dogs. They are most often used as fillers and other than dietary fiber, have little beneficial nutrition for your dog. The most commonly found grains in dry dog foods are wheat, corn, and soy. There is controversy around whether to feed dogs grains, as they have evolved to eat an omnivorous diet and are not strictly carnivores. Each breed and each dog is different, and the best thing to do is to assess how your pooch reacts to different food and go from there.

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Nutro Crunchy Treats With Real Mixed Berries

This treat is completely natural and non-GMO. A huge number of natural ingredients can be found and zero artificial colors, flavors, preservatives are present. A good sign when it comes to this treat is that no corn gluten is used. Instead, they have made it with a very high quality protein chicken. Unlike many other commercially available dog treats, this treat isnt sourced using any by-products, making it a much higher quality.

This treats smaller size makes them a good choice for tricks since you can hand them out more often than a larger size treat. For example, during training you may need to go over a large scale of tricks. This way you can give them a treat for each trick. This is another one of the best dog treats for German Shepherds are a great compliment to any dogs diet.

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What Is The Healthiest Diet For A German Shepherd

This is a question that many German Shepherd owners ask, as they want to make sure their beloved furry friend is getting all the nutrients they need. The good news is that there are plenty of healthy dog food options out there for German Shepherds.

You should eat foods that include high-quality animal-based protein sources like lamb, beef, pork, chicken, fish, eggs, and legumes. In addition, the meal should be plentiful in fats, vitamins, and minerals.

My Experience With German Shepherd Temperament

Temperament and behavior stem from what the breed was designed for

To understand a breed’s temperament and behavior, ask, “What was he developed to do?” Whichever traits help him accomplish his intended work have likely been “hard-wired” into his genes not perfectly, but generally.

The German Shepherd was developed from various sheepherding dogs. So you would expect sheepherding traits such as athleticism, a compulsion to chase things that move, and swift responsiveness to their human shepherd/master.

German Shepherds were also developed as military messenger and sentry dogs, and as personal protection and police dogs. So expect traits such as aloofness toward strangers and protective/territorial instincts.

The breed also excels at search and rescue, bomb and drug detection, and guiding the blind. Certainly you would expect high intelligence, high self-confidence, trainability, and an ability to focus.

All of those traits are what you get in an ideal German Shepherd. One of the most capable and trainable breeds in all of dogdom, an ideal German Shepherd, when properly raised by a confident owner, can be a magnificent companion. There’s a good reason my first dogs were German Shepherds!

Unfortunately, it can be difficult today to find a German Shepherd with an ideal temperament. Or at least an ideal temperament to be a good family companion.

Different lines have different temperaments

My recommendation for a good family dog

I hope you can see….

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Protective Of Family Wary Of Strangers

When it comes to being naturally protective of their family and wary of strangers, German Shepherds again get 5/5. Theyre extremely protective of the ones they love, and not particularly friendly towards strangers.

So, when you bring a new dog around, youll have to be very careful that your German Shepherd doesnt view them as a potential threat. If they do, you might see your German Shepherd becoming aggressive as part of their natural protective instinct.

Just be aware that youll need to give your German Shepherd more time to warm up to new dogs since theyre slower to accept strangers.

What Is The Best Food For German Shepherds With Joint Problems

If your German Shepherd has joint problems, you’ll want to find a dog food that is rich in omega-three fatty acids. These essential nutrients help to reduce inflammation and pain in the joints.

There are many brands of dog food that offer formulas specifically for dogs with joint problems. These foods often contain ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin, which are known to help relieve joint pain.

Now let’s chat in more detail about the best dog foods for your furry friend.

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How Much Exercise Do German Shepherds Need

German Shepherd puppies and adolescents should have moderate exercise only multiple walks, fetch games, or playing with another dog.

But the growing bones and ligaments in a young dog can be irreparably damaged by too much exercise or the wrong kind of exercise. At this age, there should be no forced running . Restrict jumping as much as possible.

Once the dog is mature, the amount of exercise needed will vary according to the dog’s energy level. But all German Shepherds, to maintain fitness, need brisk walking every day and all-out running in a safe, enclosed area as often as possible.

Dogs from working lines typically want a lot more exercise.

Mental exercise is even more important for German Shepherds. Mental exercise means the dog gets to participate in interesting activities that keep his intelligent mind stimulated.

This might be a dog sport such as agility, rally obedience, musical freestyle, tracking, flyball, herding, or schutzhund. It might be interactive dog toys, or a homemade obstacle course, or learning tricks, or playing games such as Hide ‘n Seek.

Some of these activities are included in my training book, Teach Your Dog 100 English Words.

Handsome black German Shepherd, attentively awaiting your next words.

History Of The German Shepherd

The ancestors of German shepherd dogs acted as both servants and companions to humans for hundreds of years. Developed from old shepherd and farm dogs, the German shepherd dogs we know today were first introduced in Germany in 1899. Captain Max von Stephanitz is credited with the breed’s beginnings.

During World Wars I and II, the word “German” was dropped and the breed was referred to as the shepherd dog or the Alsatian . Worldwide interest in the breed began rising in the early 1900s and the German shepherd was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908.

In modern times, the German shepherd remains one of the most popular dog breeds, currently ranking second in the AKC listings. Cross-breeding these dogs with Shiloh shepherds resulted in king shepherds. There is recent controversy over the breeding of show dogs to have a sloping back rather than the straight back seen with working dogsthis practice has been criticized as leading to poor gait.

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Health Concerns For German Shepherds

German Shepherds are prone to contract health problems that are related to bone, muscles, and joints. One such common health issue is hip dysplasia where it involves the malfunctioning of hip joints due to exercising too much, feeding too much, or injured themselves. In order to cure you can feed dog food for hip dysplasia to your pet. Elbow dysplasia is another problem that occurs mostly in German Shepherds that have a long line of badly bred ancestors and are caused mainly by poor genetics. Another health concern seen in many large breed dogs today is diabetes because of their huge body and large food intake. Diabetes can incur due to genetics or environmental conditions, but you can control it with an appropriate diet and adequate exercise.