German Shepherd Temperament And Personality
German Shepherds are a brilliant and brave dog breed. They are also extremely loyal and protective of their owners, which makes them excellent guard dogs. However, if theyre not properly trained when young, they can become overly aggressive with strangers and even family members.
The good news is German Shepherds are highly trainable dogs, so training this breed should be a piece of cake. When socialized from an early age, German Shepherds make great companions for children, but they should always be supervised when playing together.
When Do German Shepherds’ Ears Stand Up
When do German Shepherd ears do stand up? It is one of the most commonly searched German Shepherd puppy facts. As a puppy, every German Shepherd dog has floppy and soft ears. As the dog matures, the cartilage in the ears becomes hard and strong. Then the German Shepherd ears stand permanently. The ear tapering process happens between three months to eight months.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals including Utonagan, or Brazilian terrier.
You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our German Shepherd coloring pages.
German Shepherd Training & Exercise
Smart and eager to please, the German Shepherds attentiveness and trainability has made it one of the most versatile breeds in the world.
- German Shepherd puppy training is best started when the dog is 8 weeks old. If not given structured training from early on, GSD puppies will quickly make their own rules.
- Because the breeds loyal nature can make GSDs defensive around strangers, its important to prioritise socialisation. Puppies should be introduced to new people, places and experiences early.
- Its also much easier to teach German Shepherds to walk on the lead politely while they are still small!
- German Shepherds are keen to please and can be sensitive to your reactions. Its therefore best to focus on praising good behaviour and either ignoring bad behaviour or giving them a No before moving on.
- A combination of stamina, intelligence, athleticism and enthusiasm means that adult German Shepherds need at least two hours of exercise per day, as well as plenty of .
- Without sufficient exercise and mental stimulation, GSDs are prone to burning off excess energy through destructive or unwanted behaviours like chewing, chasing, pulling on the lead and barking.
- Try playing games that involve seeking objects, tracking and retrieving.
- GSDs are very owner-focused, and generally very good at and willing to engage in obedience training.
German Shepherd Grooming
German Shepherds have a thick coat to protect them from the elements, so they do shed and need regular grooming.
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Do German Shepherds Need A Haircut
Unlike other single-coated dogs, German shepherds dont require a haircut. In dogs with single coats such as Poodles and Yorkshire terriers, shaving is helpful for removing mats beneath their coat.
Again shaving is an important fashion procedure important to those dogs who take part in the dogs fashion show. For such dogs, the hair grows more quickly compared to that of the double-coated dogs like the German shepherd.
So, why is a German shepherds double coat important?
Dogs That Look Like German Shepherds
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A popular service breed, the German Shepherd is a large and athletic dog that’s known to be highly intelligent, loyal, and agile. They are hard-working and protective dogs that are often relied on as therapy and search and rescue dogs, in addition to guide dogs for the blind, because of their trainability and desire to work, keen sense of smell, and devotion to their owners. They are also the preferred dog for police and military units across the world.
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How To Safely Feed Tomatoes To Your German Shepherd
If your physician says your dog may eat tomatoes, choose ripe, red tomatoes with the leaves, stems, and vines removed.
Rinse the tomato thoroughly, especially if it isnt organic, as non-organic produce contains pesticides that can leave your canine sick. Serve the tomato to your pet raw, without any salt or other additives.
Check the list of ingredients of any tomato-based product you offer your dog, such as soup or sauce, for potentially dangerous additives. It is always preferable to use fresh tomatoes that have been prepared at home.
If you have pot plants of tomatoes, make sure your pet cant get to them and consume any immature tomatoes or plant green bits. If youve decided to keep a tomato plant inside, make sure its in a pot thats not touching the ground. Suppose youre planting tomatoes in your yard, set up a fence around them.
If your dog continues to reach the tomato plants, consult with your veterinarian. Keep an eye out for the signs listed above, and contact your veterinarian if you have any concerns.
King Shepherd Temperament And Personality
Like their German Shepherd cousins, King Shepherds are extremely hard-working, loyal companion dogs. They are protective of their family and home, but they are not aggressive.
King Shepherds tend to be more laid back and gentle than German Shepherds. Coupled with their loyal and protective nature, this German Shepherd hybrid makes an excellent family companion and guard dog. Furthermore, this dog breed is highly intelligent, making them easy to train and capable of doing any task from herding to searching and rescue.
Although the King Shepherd breed seems like a perfect dog breed, they do have one caveat: their clinging nature. You cant leave them alone for long periods of time otherwise, they can develop a lot of separation anxiety. If you have to be away from your King Shepherd for longer than a couple of hours, make sure to give them plenty of attention and exercise upon your return home.
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Vital Stats 2+ Hours A Day For Adult Dogs Life Span: Coatexercise2+ Hrslife Span10+years
German Shepherd Temperament & Personality
The German Shepherds temperament is intelligent, loyal and energetic.
- Reserved but friendly.
- Generally enjoy the company of their family and can struggle with separation anxiety.
- German Shepherds are not naturally aggressive but their protective instinct means they can be hesitant when first meeting strangers.
- Tend to be gentle with children and other animals, but behavioural problems such as aggression may arise if the dog is left alone for too long or doesnt get enough exercise.
- A key German Shepherd trait is their loud bark but their tendency to be vocal can be reduced with proper socialisation.
Providing Ample Exercise But In The Morning
Some cases show that dogs can get heatstroke in just 15 minutes, and this time decreases if the dog is not active and has a lot of fat on him.
Your dog needs to get ample exercise every day to reduce the chances of diseases and heatstroke.
As much as the exercise is essential, you do not want your dog to be exhausted and dehydrated in the middle of the day, and so it is vital to make him exercise in the morning.
This routine will make for a healthy lifestyle for you and your dog.
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Which Part Of Tomatoes Can German Shepherds Eat
German shepherds can eat ripe tomatoes and experience little to no side effects however, certain parts should be banned for german shepherds. Your german-shepherd should not consume the tomato plant as it is not safe. This includes the stem, leaves, roots, and unripe tomatoes.
Tomato plants carry much more tomatine than in the fruit, putting your dog at risk of poisoning if they consume any of the plants youre producing.
Similarly, unripe tomatoes have a higher concentration of tomatine than ripe tomatoes, while it is still a modest proportion. To get tomatine poisoning, most dogs would have to consume a lot of premature tomatoes and plants . Way before animals achieved a high enough quantity to be poisoned, theyd likely have stomach distress by eating so much fiber and natural carbohydrates.
Even so, its advisable to keep your canine and tomato plants apart if youre worried hell eat them when nobodys looking.
Now that you are aware of the indefinite safe parts of tomatoes for your german-shepherd, it becomes even more important to know about the advantages and disadvantages of tomato consumption.
Which Breeder Is Right For Me
Before you choose a breeder, you should be clear on the purpose for which you wish to buy a German Shepherd. Most breeders are specialised in different lines and encourage different qualities amongst their breeding animals. After all, the prominence of their protective instinct or urge to work depends not least on the breed. Find out in advance if the breeder is offering an aesthetic or purely performance breed and choose the breeding site best suited to your expectations and requirements. If you want to keep your canine purely as a family dog though, you should be aware that even German Shepherds from purely aesthetic breeds are still very willing to learn, have a strong urge for activity and definitely won’t be satisfied with short walks around the block.
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How Much Exercise Does A German Shepherd Puppy Need
German Shepherd puppies wont need as much exercise as their adult companions. In fact, its important not to over exercise your puppy, as it could lead to joint and mobility issues in later life . This is especially true for this breed since they are prone to conditions like hip dysplasia.
As a rule of thumb, puppies will need five minutes of formal exercise for every month of their age.
These walks should be opportunities to explore their environment, work on training and good behaviour outdoors, and socialise with other people and dogs in a controlled manner.
Your puppy will also get plenty of exercise from tearing around the house and playing, just make sure theyre getting enough sleep and be prepared to interrupt play for naptime if needed.
The easiest way to keep track of how much exercise your puppy is doing is by using a PitPat dog activity monitor. Its small and light so they wont notice it on their collar, and itll record all the activity they are up to in a day from playing with you to pottering in the garden.
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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German Shepherds Are High Energy Dogs
German Shepherds are no couch potatoes. They have tons of energy and therefore need a lot of exercise!
Before getting a German Shepherd to make sure you have enough time to invest in their socialization and exercise. They need both mental and physical stimulation or they can get bored and destructive.
Keep Your Gsds Fur Intact
Some dog owners may reason that reducing the amount of fur on your German Shepherds skin can help regulate extreme heat. However, theres a flaw in that logic.
First off, dogs dont perspire through their skin as humans do. So, trimming your GSDs hair doesnt make them regulate heat better through the skin. Besides, your dog is programmed to blow its inner coat in summer to regulate airflow and enhance cooling.
Also, trimming your GSDs fur can expose his skin to sunburn, which leads to adverse effects, like red and inflamed skin that is painful and easily irritated. Consistent exposure of skin to direct sunlight is also associated with skin cancer.
Its no secret that dogs like to snooze in the sun or in front of the fire in winter. Check out my German Shepherd Willow sunbathing in this photo. I love this picture it almost appears that she is laughing!
After a few minutes though, shell toddle off to cool down and lie on the cold patio in the shade.
If you take your pet to the beach or expose him to hours of sunshine, consider using dog sunscreen.
The Epi-Pet Sunscreen from Amazon is an easy-to-apply option that you can put on your dog and work into the coat with a brush. Youll have to apply the lotion manually to the muzzle, nose, and ear flaps. The spray also acts as a coat and skin conditioner. It is developed by veterinarians and is FDA-compliant.
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Ensure Your German Shepherd Is Hydrated
Keeping your dog hydrated is perhaps the most effective way of helping your German Shepherd stave off the heat.
So, if youre wondering how to cool down a German Shepherd, an adequate and regular water supply should be your first option.
Water replenishes the body fluids lost by your GSD, thereby helping your pets body maintain the required body temperature homeostasis. Most importantly, keeping your pet hydrated allows the cells in their body to act as a buffer for temperature changes.
Water has a high heat capacity, which means that when your German Shepherd drinks, the water absorbs heat and facilitates the normal transfer of heat in and out of the body, thereby stabilizing your dogs body temperature.
If your dog struggles to keep hydrated try the PetSafe Drinkwell Water Fountain from Amazon. This clever multi-tiered drinking fountain is the perfect size for German Shepherds. The free-flowing water entices your dog to drink more, and the continual water circulation keeps the water clean.
Gsds Are Incredibly Smart
If youre a German Shepherd owner, you have a strong suspicion your dog might actually be smarter than you are. After all, what cant your dog do? These dogs are known for their intelligence and many can learn a new behavior in only a few repetitions. In addition, they have a legendary desire to cooperate and work with us, a trait many see as a wish to please their humans. No wonder this breed excels at so many activities and is a top Obedience competitor. Because German Shepherds are one of the brightest breeds, be sure to be consistent, use positive reinforcement-based methods, provide plenty of mentally stimulating toys, and play brain-challenging games.
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Do German Shepherds Like To Sleep With Their Owners
Some German Shepherds do like to sleep with their owners. This is their way of showing affection. Most dogs will like to be close to you. This is because they want to protect you.
German Shepherds are highly protective of their owners. By sleeping close to you, they feel like they will be able to do a better job of protecting you.
During the colder months of the year, they could also be trying to get close to you for extra warmth while youre both sleeping.
Why Does My German Shepherd Cuddle
Most German Shepherds will love having a good cuddle with you.
For the majority of dogs this will be because they are just very affectionate beings and this is the way they like to convey their feelings for you.
Other German Shepherds feel like this allows them to protect you better by being closer to you. Another reason is because your dog wants to get warmer.
They use being close to you in order to share body warmth.
Some German Shepherds like to snuggle up to you while theyre sleeping because it helps to make them feel safer. This is because as wild animals, their ancestors were more vulnerable when they were sleeping.
This is an instinct that has carried over to the domestic dog, and could account for why your German Shepherd likes to cuddle close to you when theyre sleeping.
You may also notice a difference in your German Shepherds behavior in regards to cuddling depending on their gender, too.
Most females will bond with the whole family and enjoy getting close to each and every member of your household.
Males tend to bond more firmly with a single person and become more protective of them rather than the whole family.
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King Shepherd Grooming Needs
King Shepherd coats are mostly medium-length with a thick undercoat and a coarse outercoat. While allergy sufferers may need to think twice before adopting King Shepherd, grooming them is actually pretty easy. The only downside is their shedding, which tends to be on the heavy side.
Just like their German Shepherd cousins, King Shepherds require regular brushing to help prevent matting and keep fur off your furniture. A good brushing two to three times a week should do the trick. Bathing is recommended only when necessary as too much bathing can strip the natural oils from their skin.
During heavy shedding sessions, in addition to a robust vacuum cleaner, you may want to consider purchasing a de-shedding tool like Furminator. This tool does work wonders in removing loose hair and reducing the amount of fur on your floor and furniture.
German Shepherds Are Obedient And Easy To Train
German Shepherds have high intelligence, thus they can be trained for various purposes. German Shepherds are obedient, making them easier to train compared to other dog breeds. Not only do German Shepherd perform well in task training, obedience training wouldn’t be any problem for them as well. They will listen and obey to your commands.
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