Do You Have Enough Time For A German Shepherd
German shepherds need to spend a lot of time with their owners, as they need both companionship and intellectual stimulation.
If you need to be out of the house for eight hours a day at work, you canât take your dog with you, and there is no one else home, you will probably find yourself with a frustrated and misbehaving dog when you get home.
Thinking about getting a new puppy? Check out our new puppy checklist.
German Shepherd Breed Overview
The German shepherd as a breed originated in Germany. No surprises there. But, believe it or not, their name was changed soon after the war. Before the war this breed was commonly called the Alsatian in Great Britain and parts of Europe.
There are still parts of Europe that refer to the German shepherd as the Alsatian however, most of the world has converted back to calling them German shepherds.
Pretty interesting, right?
As for life expectancy, German shepherds normally live for around 9-13 years.
The color of a German shepherd can range considerably from gray to black to tan, and even a silvery color.
The males grow to be approximately 24 inches at the shoulder and the females tend to be a little shorter, measuring around 22 inches at the shoulder.
As for weight, males average around 80 pounds and the females are a bit lighter at around 60 pounds. There is no denying that these are big dogs!
Now, as I mentioned earlier, German shepherds are known for their physical strength and intelligence. As working dogs, they were bred to be confident and powerfultwo traits which often scare people away from wanting anything to do with the breed.
Its this combination that makes them quite incredible beasts. They have strong muscles. Theyre obviously large, and yet, in their minds, theyre also very confident, watchful, and alert.
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Wolf Vs German Shepherd Size
German Shepherds are known to be big dogs, but the largest of them is like the weight and size of the smallest wolf. On average, the height of wolves ranges from 26 inches to 32 inches while German Shepherds range from 22 inches to 26 inches.
The weight of a small female wolf is around 51 pounds and a big male wolf weighs around 180 pounds. Like dogs, male wolves grow longer, heavier, and taller than females. On the other hand, according to our German Shepherd size chart, they weigh between 49 pounds and 88 pounds.
The Temperament & Personality Of German Shepherds
The German Shepherd, or now more correctly known as the German Shepherd Dog or GSD, is a very popular breed thats easy to recognize. Todays GSDs are still the same loyal, courageous and highly intelligent dogs they have always been. While they are still used as police and military dogs, they are equally effective as guide and assistance dogs, bomb and drug dogs, as well as wonderful family pets, guard dogs and companions.
A well-bred and trained GSD is a true companion and loyal friend. When raised with children and other pets and well socialized they are calm and friendly dogs, unless they sense danger or threat to their family.
The breed is highly intelligent and will quickly catch on to what makes the owners happy. They are generally very accepting of new people once they are determined to be safe and not a threat. As they are used for guide and assistance dogs, they are good in urban areas but also great as dogs that love to be outdoors.
The key to working with a GSD is to be consistent, firm and responsive in treating. These are not a dog that responds to yelling, inconsistency and any type of punishment. They are highly motivated by praise and recognition for a job well done.
They can become easily bored with the same routine but excel at obedience and agility work and love to play a variety of games. They can also be taught to herd and track, which makes them a very versatile breed.
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From 9 Months To 24 Months
Dogs of different breeds and sizes mature at different ages, and while one year of age is commonly considered the end of puppyhood in general, a German Shepherd Dog may not reach an adult level of maturity before the age of two or three . So continuing to work on impulse control, improve obedience skills, and advance to training in more focused activities like tracking, scent work, protection work, agility, and herdingall of which are capabilities of this breedmust continue throughout this period and then be reinforced as your GSD reaches adulthood.
Keep in mind that this is a breed that thrives on constant and consistent work and training, and loves to have a jobor many jobs!to do. If you can provide your GSD with outlets for their intelligence and versatility, both you and your dog will reap the rewards.
Yasmine S. Ali, MD, is a cardiologist and writer based in Tennessee, where she lives with three Canine Good Citizens, including an AKC-registered German Shepherd Dog.
Gsd + Siberian Husky = Siberian Shepherd
This dog is also known as Gerberian Shepsky, German Husky, Husky Shepherd, etc.
The Siberian Shepherd makes a decent family canine who loves to be around the family. He is enormously ready, steadfast, and defensive of his friends and family because of his working canine Foundation.
- Life Expectancy: 10 to 13 years.
- Weight: 45 pounds 88 pounds
- Height: 20 inches 25 inches
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Do German Shepherds Still Grow After Being Neutered
A common question among puppy owners is whether your German Shepherd will continue to grow after being neutered or spayed. The question is not so simple to answer. If you neuter your puppy, your puppy will continue to grow until he is an adult.
However, new science has indicated that if you neuter your puppy before he is fully grown, there is a greater risk that your puppy will develop hip dysplasia, arthritis, and even cancer in some dogs.
So, while neutering your German Shepherd when hes young will not stop him from growing, it might harm them in other ways.
Are German Shepherds Good Family Dogs
With the right training and socialization, German shepherds are excellent dogs for an active household. They will be loving, obedient, and protective.
They are good around children, though small children should always be supervised around dogs, regardless of the breed and their level of familiarity. Accidents happen, even when children are around dogs they have grown up with and know well.
Read Also: When To Neuter A German Shepherd
How To Train A German Shepherd Puppy The Ultimate Guide
Fully Qualified COAPE Behaviourist and Registered Training Instructor with The Animal Behaviour and Training Council
In this article:
So you have your new German Shepherd puppy at home, we see.
Glad to hear theyre doing well puppy eyes shining bright, and tail that doesnt seem to stop wagging.
Weve also heard they have gained a special liking for your living room carpet as the perfect place to go for a wee. Oh, and your favourite shoessorry to hear theyve been chewed on. Apologies to your neighbour Alfred too we heard his favourite pair of trousers were left muddy after your puppy showed such enthusiasm to say hello.
Wed love nothing more to see you both become a wonderful duo one that has overcome the hiccups of starting fresh, and only see bright days of licks, treats, and cuddles ahead.
In this training guide, youll learn everything to tackle those first 8 weeks with your German Shepherd puppy and be as well prepared as possible.
Every question youve asked yourself is pretty much covered. What you do need to know is that everything will be just fine only happy days lie ahead of you.
Berger Blanc Suisse White Swiss Shepherd Dog
A breed that might otherwise be mistaken for the White Shepherd covered earlier, the Berger Blanc Suisse hails from Switzerland instead of the Americas. However, the Berger Blanc Suisse is fairly different than most shepherds you will encounter.
One of the biggest differences between the Berger Blanc Suisse and other shepherds is their energy level. The Berger Blanc Suisse does not require nearly as much activity as most other shepherds you encounter.
On top of that, the Berger Blanc Suisse displays are far calmer, more mellow disposition. This makes them great for kids and other animals, and they do not display nearly the same level of suspicion towards strangers as other shepherds.
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German Shepherds Can Also Be Costly To Take Care Of Not Just To Purchase
The regular vet visits, the high need for exercise, and the extra-space requirements all make the GSD a relatively expensive dog to take care of in terms of money as well.
Add all the other expenses that come with a dog of that large size such as food, toys, and pet insurance, and you can easily reach $1,000 to $2,000 per year.
Skeletal Health And Supplementation
Musculoskeletal disorders are debilitating conditions that are often associated with genetic makeup, malnutrition, and stress-related events. Some breeds like the German shepherd, are predisposed to a variety of different skeletal disorders, including but not limited to: canine hip dysplasia, Cauda equina syndrome, and osteoarthritis. These conditions can be a result of poor breeding or induced by intense exercise and poor diet.
Canine hip dysplasia is an orthopedic condition resulting from abnormal development of the hip joint and surrounding tissue causing the instability and partial dislocation of the hip joint, resulting in pain, inflammation, lameness, and potentially osteoarthritis of the joint. German shepherds are genetically predisposed to CHD and the University of Veterinary Medicine in Germany found its prevalence estimated to be approximately 35% of veterinary cases associated with the disorder.
Osteoarthritis is one of the main contributors of musculoskeletal pain and disabilities that commonly affect German shepherds. Mechanical stress, oxidative damage and inflammatory mediators combine to induce the gradual degeneration of the articular cartilage in the joint, resulting in reduced muscle mass, pain, and locomotion.
Vitamins such as A and D also have crucial roles in bone development and maintenance by regulating bone and calcium metabolism. Adequate levels should be incorporated into a German shepherd diet to promote a healthy musculoskeletal system.
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German Shepherds Are Active
German Shepherds have high energy levels. They can spend their whole days outdoor. If you love jogging, hiking and hunting, German Shepherds are one of the best companions you can have. If you have children at home, they can play with German Shepherds as long as they can because these dogs don’t get tired easily.
Is A German Shepherd Puppy Right For You
German Shepherd puppies make very loyal, protective, and loving pets. Many vets, trainers, and owners who share their lives with German Shepherd puppies feel blessed. If you can accept the responsibility for training them and caring for them, you will be rewarded.
This article is accurate and true to the best of the authorâs knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
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Theyre Always Happy To See You
Most dogs youve formed a bond with will show excitement when seeing you after a while of being apart. German Shepherds are especially known for this.
They may jump up at you, lick your face, and run around aimlessly at your presence. They may even whine from their inability to contain their excitement. No matter the temperament of your GSD, theyll surely have their own way of telling you how happy they are to see you, even if youve only been away for a few minutes.
As A Large Dog Breed German Shepherds Usually Live Up To 10 Years
Dogs are amazing companions to have in your life but, unfortunately, they dont live as long as us.
Most long-time dog owners know the pain of losing a dog its a horrible experience that no one should have to go through but that we all endure eventually if weve had a dog.
And thats especially unfortunate for owners of German Shepherds as this breed lives on average 7 to 10 years.
Yes, there are recorded cases of GSDs living beyond 15 years and up to even 18 or 20 years, but thats very rare. There are two main reasons for this:
- The aforementioned health concerns that some German Shepherds have and that get more and more likely as the dog gets older.
- The simple fact that the GSD is a large dog breed and larger breeds just have a shorter lifespan than smaller ones.
Still, if youve got a healthy puppy, if you take good care of it, and if you have a bit of luck, it will likely grow beyond 10 years and maybe even reach 15 thats not too shabby!
Who are German Shepherds right for?
As you can see, there are lots of factors to consider before getting a GSD. So, while there isnt just one type of person that the GSD is right for, there is lots to think about before getting a German Shepherd.
In general, the right GSD owner can be characterized as such:
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Woman Reveals What A Pug And German Shepherd Cross Looks Like: ‘gremlin’
Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, and new mixes can pop up owing to canines’ ability to copulate with one another.
One very unusual blend reduced a dog groomer to laughter after they came across a pug and German Shepherd mix.
Vanessa De Prophetis, who runs Perfect Pooches from her home, in Niagara Falls, Canada, regularly shares clips of her four-legged clients to her TikTok page, .
De Prophetis posted a clip to her page last month, claiming people have “never seen” a dog like this before, as she groomed an adorable mutt, aptly named Goblin.
Speaking to Newsweek, De Prophetis said: “I have never seen this particular mix before. His face and personality was all pug, I didn’t notice any German Shepherd traits other than his coloring and size.
“Goblin is a super sweet dog, with lots of energy. He loves dogs, people, and pretty much everything else. He is very food-motivated as well, and will drool at the sight of food. He makes little honking noises when he runs , especially when chasing new friends at the dog park.
“I like to call him overly affectionate, as he really loves to meet new people and dogs. He loves to chase the skunks in his backyard too. He also loves snuggles, and will usually sleep in and go to bed at night when he is tired all on his own.”
Sweetums reckoned: “I refuse to believe this isn’t just two pugs in a trench coat.”
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German Shepherds Are Very Playful And Energetic They Require A Lot Of Time And Attention
German Shepherds may be popular pets today but they are first and foremost a working dog breed.
What does this mean?
Its in their name shepherds. Like other shepherds, retriever, or hound breeds, German Shepherds were bred and used for a specific job. In this case, to run along with a flock of sheep, herd them, and protect them.
This is a physically demanding job and thats why German Shepherds have bodies built for running and jumping.
So, even if you wont use your GSD to flock sheep, you should still be prepared to give them enough time and attention.
German Shepherds need to exert all the energy they have in their powerful bodies!