Are German Shepherds Good With Small Dogs
As we know, the German Shepherd gets along well with children and other pets if they are raised together, but what happens when it is a new small dog?
The German Shepherd is a breed of dog that is very careful with strange dogs and people that are not from their closest environment and for being highly perceptive of their surroundings.
For these reasons, owners may wonder what the German Shepherds relationship with a young puppy will be like, especially when they intend to get a new dog.
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Socializing Your German Shepherd To Be Around Smaller Dogs
Proper socialization can mean the difference between your German Shepherd getting along with a small pooch or becoming aggressive.
Here are a few helpful tips to make sure your German Shepherd is properly socialized:
1. Socialize Your German Shepherd as a Puppy
Ensuring your German Shepherd is properly socialized as a puppy is your best bet if you want him to be calm, collected, and well-behaved.;
He will learn that small dogs are a normal part of everyday life and are not to be feared.
2. Socialize Your German Shepherd with Other Small Dogs
Make it a priority to socialize your German Shepherd with small breeds of dogs.;
- Invite friends with small dogs over for a playdate. Be sure to take it slow by introducing your pups on leashes, letting them sniff each other. Once they are friendly and comfortable with each other, you can let them play.
- Take your GSD on frequent walks and try to introduce him to as many small dogs as possible. If your neighborhood doesnt have many small dogs out and about, consider taking your dog on a hike or nearby trails.
3. Socialize at the Dog Park
Many owners enjoy taking their German Shepherd to the dog park. However, you need to make sure that your GSD is comfortable with dogs of all sizes.;
The owners of small pups dont want to have to deal with your GSD growling or charging their sweet five-pound doggy that would be terrifying for all involved!
What Not To Do For Your Aggressive German Shepherd
Some things can make your German Shepherds aggression worse. Its best to avoid doing the following which will slow your training.
Dont punish a dog for aggressiveness toward another dog in your home. Your dog will associate the punishment with the other dog and with you. This breaks down social relationships.
Dont allow your dogs to fight to work things out on their own. One of your dogs could seriously injure the other!
Dont set your dog up for failure. If you keep having issues with your German Shepherd attacking your other dog dont let them ever be together unsupervised.
Dont think its just a one-time event. Most likely, your German Shepherd and your other dog have issues with each other that youre not aware of. Thinking this is just a one-time thing could put your dogs in danger when they attack each other again.
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How Much Should A 6
Again, when considering the weight of your 6-month old German Shepherd, dont worry if your pup is slightly out of the recommended range. Every puppy will grow at a different rate, and these figures are average guidelines.
A 6-month-old German Shepherd should weigh between 49-57 lbs for males and 44-49 lbs for females. Similar to most large breeds, GSDs have their most intense growth spurt between 2 to 6 months of age. At 7 months, their growth rate slows down considerably until they reach full adulthood at 3 years.
What Happens If Your German Shepherd Kills A Goat
In the unfortunate situation that your German Shepherd kills a goat, that dog will unfortunately never be able to herd again. Once a dog kills livestock, they tend to do it again.;
The most humane and least traumatic course of action would be to utilize the dog for guarding entirely away from any livestock or move the dog to a suitable location where there are no animals.;;
It is imperative to keep an eye on your German Shepherd whenever they are near livestock, to make sure they do not display prey drive traits that the basic herding commands cannot control.
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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
American Akita Vs German Shepherd Education And Training/socialization
Akitas are stubborn and strong-willed. Your dogs character can go from outgoing and friendly to be aloof with strangers. Akitas are very territorial and dont like sharing their personal space with other animals. Its essential to begin early socialization because an Akita can be very aggressive with other animals.
Introducing an Akita as a puppy to a family with children, so he is socialized with the familys children when hes young. Dont bring home an adult Akita if you have children or other pets. Its not safe with such a territorial breed like the Akita.
The Akita is best suited for an experienced owner familiar with the breed. This breed would be difficult to manage for a first-time owner. A person who is considering adopting an Akita needs to have lots of time for training, socializing, getting used to the company, and lots of exercises.; Akitas can benefit from being crated when left home alone.
German Shepherds make excellent family dogs as long as they are trained and socialized. They get along well with children and will play in the yard with them. When you socialize a German Shepherd, then he will develop the confident and stable temperament that these dogs are known.
Introduce your dog to visitors who frequent your home. If you keep him penned up in the yard or in the house, he may become fear aggressive and wont be able to tell the mailman from a burglar. When your dog is socialized, hell tell you what situation is safe and which are not.
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Not All Dogs Like Each Other
Many times it is not a question of whether the dogs are socialized or not, or whether their breeds are different or not.
This is something absolutely normal, just as it happens to us people there are dogs that get along better with some than with others if you know that there is a dog that you cant even see with yours, look for other dog friends for your best friend. This kind of case is not a problem of socialization; it is a normal attitude.
Keeping Things Calm Consistently
One of the most important things to remember about German Shepherds, as well as dogs of a similar size and energy level, is that they require a lot of exercise. The more exercise dogs get, the more likely they are to behave.
Always make sure your dogs get rewarded for behaving themselves. The more they associate behaving themselves with being rewarded, the more they will be inclined to behave appropriately.
Never use punitive behavior like hitting, shoving, or kicking. These actions frighten dogs and betray their trust, but might also cause dogs to act out with aggression, something you want to avoid in a big dog like a GSD.
Several breeds make excellent companions for German Shepherds. However, knowing how to make the proper introductions is key to making sure all goes smoothly.
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Avoiding Future Attacks From Your German Shepherd With Other Dogs
German Shepherds who attack other dogs are a potential threat and a safety hazard.
Safety is your number one priority for you and your dogs.
Schedule a vet visit to make sure your dog doesnt have any health problems. And make an appointment with a dog behaviorist if you cant handle the situation alone.;
Stay patient and positive.
Training your German Shepherd to stop acting aggressively toward other dogs is not something that you can fix overnight. It requires consistent training and a plan of action to help avoid future problems.
Follow these tips to help you and your German Shepherd avoid aggression towards other dogs or other dog attacks.
What Dogs Get Along With Border Collies
If youre keen to get another dog for your Border Collie, you have to be very careful with the breed. Small and laidback breeds are out of the window here. The concept of yin and yang doesnt always work with Border Collies since they need an equally active companion.
If youre scouting for possible breeds, the following dogs are good candidates:
Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers will be great partners with Border Collies. Goldies are intelligent, active, and very playful, which is almost similar to a Border Collie. The best part is that Golden Retrievers are gentle and easy to live with.
Aside from that, Golden Retrievers almost has the same size as Border Collies, a few being a tad larger. Also, Goldies love the outdoors, so they can easily keep up with the lively personality of Border Collies. Both of them love water, which will become their bonding time.
In terms of temperament, Golden Retrievers are very tolerant. They can put up with a Border Collies hyperactivity and nippy behavior. Goldies are also excellent training buddies because of their brilliance.
Moreover, both Golden Retrievers and Border Collies cant tolerate being left alone. Each others company would be very beneficial, especially if they are left with interactive toys and a secure yard.
The only downside to owning a Golden Retriever is the heavy shedding. Like Border Collies, this breed has a double-coat that sheds all year round.
German Shepherd
Australian Shepherd
Belgian Tervuren
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What Small Breeds Can Live With German Shepherds
Now, small dogs mixed with a high-energy German Shepherd may result in injury, so keep that in mind before purchasing a German Shepherd if you have a smaller breed.
Corgi
Surprisingly, many people report owning both a corgi and a German Shepherd. It could be that the two just naturally get along since they are both social animals with a lot of energy.
But, try to be wary if they start to fight, or try to establish dominance. Corgis like to play, and so GSDs, so, naturally, someone might get hurt.;
Belgian Sheepdog
Brave, high energy, and handsome at that, a Belgian Sheepdog makes a great friend for a GSD because of their mutual interests in herding, running, and generally being outdoors. Since theyre both made for herding sheep, cows, and at times, people, these two breeds will most likely get along.;
Poodles
This can vary from dog to dog, as some poodles might not enjoy the German Shepherds high energy level, but if youre lucky, or just good at rearing dogs, you might get a pair that will heartily enjoy each others company.;
Theres a better success rate if you raise both from a young age, though keep in mind that training will likely be necessary to keep both of them under control.
Shih Tzu
Now, these two couldnt more different. One is big and handsome, the other small and pretty. But, just like any good friendship, these two breeds do have a few things in common. For starters, they are both social, energetic animals that love to walk.
Australian Shepherd
Bulldogs
Common Health Problems In German Shepherds
German Shepherds are great dogs for the right owners, but they are at risk of certain conditions and illnesses common with the breed. Making sure the parents of your puppy have had the relevant health screening can reduce the chances of your puppy being affected by some of these upsetting conditions.
German Shepherds are in a group of breeds classed as Category Three by The Kennel Club, which is the highest category of the health concerns due to their conformation. This means that these types of dog have been bred over many years to look a certain way, but that these changes to the way they look have started to cause them health problems. For German Shepherds, this is mostly due to the shape of their back legs and hips.
Some of the conditions German Shepherds may develop include:
This list is not exhaustive, and there are many other conditions that German Shepherds have been shown to be prone to.
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A Small Dog May Cause Your Gsd Anxiety
Just like people, German Shepherds can suffer from anxiety.
Bringing home a new dog means a change in your GSDs environment, which can actually trigger anxiety in your GSD.;
Consider all of the changes that your German Shepherd may possibly experience by adding a new doggie family member.
You can do your part by helping your GSD stick to his routines by following these guidelines:
- Make sure to keep your dogs feeding schedule consistent. Do not deviate from his regular schedule.
- Stay with your dogs current walking schedule. Gradually include your new puppy on walks with your adult GSD.
- Do not focus all of your attention on your new puppy. Make sure to shower your adult GSD with affection so that he doesnt feel neglected.
Even the slightest change in your German Shepherds environment can lead to anxiety and, ultimately, aggression towards your new small pup.
Remember that your German Shepherd is used to a specific way of life, and your new little friend doesnt know the difference.
Things are bound to change when you bring home a new family member, but try to stay on the same routine with your German Shepherd to ensure he does not feel threatened.
American Akita Vs German Shepherd Grooming & Maintenance
The Akita needs to have a bath only when its necessary. Since this breeds coat is waterproof and a double coat, it naturally repels dirt. An Akita will try to stay clean, so unless your dog has rolled in something disgusting and smelly, theres no need to bathe him. Since an Akita coat is so hard to dry after being bathed because of the thickness, dog shampoo may not rinse out thoroughly.
Be sure to wipe your dogs ears clean with ear wipes. From a young age, have your pet used to having his teeth brushed with dog toothpaste. You can either use a toothbrush that fits over your finger or get a long-handled toothbrush.
To trim your Akitas nails, buy a nail clipper for large breeds. When your dog is still a puppy, have him get used to it. An older dog can have their nails clipped, but it may take longer.
The German Shepherd needs to be bathed once a month or so. To avoid skin issues, be sure to thoroughly wash out all the shampoo. Allow your dog to thoroughly dry before letting him outside. Gently wipe the dogs ears with a soft bath towel to prevent ear infections.
Brush your dogs teeth every day so it will prevent dental issues. Start at an early age, so he gets used to it. Trimming your German Shepherds nails is essential. If they become too long, it may be painful for your pet to walk.
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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.
American Akita Vs German Shepherd Which Dog Should You Get
When comparing the American Akita and the German Shepherd, you will find that they are naturally protective and loyal to their families. Plus, these dogs are both distinctive-looking and large. Akitas are classed as members of the working dog group. German Shepherds are classified as members of the herding dog group.
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Can Small Dogs Live With German Shepherds
German Shepherds Owner urges owners to use caution when keeping a German Shepherd and a small dog together.
The presence of small dogs is a situation that can easily trigger a Shepherds prey drive. For the best results, a German Shepherd needs to have been raised around small dogs from the time they are puppies. Otherwise, it is hard to adjust.
Many German Shepherd Dogs have dominant natures, which can easily manifest around small breeds like terriers or Dachshunds that also have strong alpha dog tendencies. Dominance is a problem because it signals that the dog doesnt respect you.
Another problem is that some smaller breeds display fear of aggression and also have no awareness of their size. A little dog acting out against a large dog in its space could face painful or even tragic consequences.
This video shows a German Shepherd and Chihuahua playing together. With these dogs being of such drastically different sizes, its easy to see why supervision is essential. Here is a YouTube video for German Shepherd vs. Chihuahua and how they playing together.
Your GSDs age will play a role in whether they have a good chance of living with a smaller breed. As much training as possible when the dog is younger will help make a difference.
Older dogs can become acclimated to a small dog, but consistent training is essential for the best results. Taking some measures like separating the dogs, as needed, may still be necessary to help ensure peace.