German Shepherds, as the name implies, originally worked as a shepherd dog and a protector of sheep. Very adaptable and easy-to-train, the German Shepherd has proved quite valuable as a guard dog, tracker, and guide dog, and is widely used all over the world by police and armed forces. German Shepherds, in spite of some bad publicity for aggressive behavior, usually have a steady temperament if socialized early as a pup. When chosen carefully as a puppy and when trained properly by a responsible owner, a German Shepherd can become a trusted and faithful member of the family. We have listed below 10 things you should consider before choosing a German Shepherd as a pet or companion.
- Space- German Shepherds are large energetic dogs who need lots of room to exercise. Shepherds kept in too small confinement tend to develop aggressive behavior. Due to their large size German Shepherds are not a good choice for small apartments.
- Time- As mentioned before, German Shepherds are energetic and require lots of exercise. In addition to normal exercise, it is vital that Shepherds receive lots of early training. This can take lots of patience and hard work but the end result is definitely worth it. Without this training a German Shepherd can be very hard to control and can potentially create some big problems.
- Affordability- A good purebred German Shepherd from a reputable breeder can cost a considerable amount of money. In addition to the initial purchase price, consider the cost of regular vaccinations and vet checkups, training costs, shelter and containment, and food.
- Family- German Shepherds tend to be a "one person" dog. They will bond with a family somewhat but will pick one person out of the family and be totally dedicated to that person. Care needs to be taken that it does not become aggressive towards others when they interact with "their human." As a growing puppy, the German Shepherd can unintentionally harm small children with their energetic play and with their mouth which, unlike the Golden Retriever or Lab, is a hard mouth; meaning it playfully bites hard.
- Lifestyle- Before purchasing a German Shepherd, consider the changes that will occur to your lifestyle. A German Shepherd will not do well penned up for extended periods of time with out any human interaction. If your job takes you away for extended periods of time or you like to go on frequent trips where you can't take the dog along, then maybe a German Shepherd is not right for you. Training a puppy will require frequent potty breaks even during the night and time away from other pursuits you may have.
- Environment- German Shepherds are big shedders so consider this fact before you bring one into your home. While a German Shepherd is very intelligent and can be trained easily, it does take some time until the puppy reaches maturity. German Shepherd puppies can be destructive until trained; care must be taken that their environment is free from valuable possessions or property. Because of some of the bad publicity of German Shepherds, neighbors may have some concerns regarding your new pet; it may be well to explain your goals for your pet before purchasing one. German Shepherds have a tendency to be vocal; be prepared to train your dog when and where it may bark.
- Commitment- German Shepherds have been known to live up to 12 years! A German Shepherd will depend on you for its training, care, companionship, and leadership, so consider carefully the commitment needed to provide for your German Shepherd over the duration of its life.
- Health- A German Shepherd puppy should be alert, energetic, and full of life! If the puppy is listless or appears skinny then there is a good possibility that it is sick and/or neglected. Ask the breeder lots of questions about the health of the parents and of the litter of puppies. German Shepherds are predisposed to quite a few different diseases so a vet-check or obtaining a Health Guarantee before purchasing is very wise. Some of the more common diseases found in the German Shepherd are hip dysplasia, bloat, and aortic stenosis.
- Training- German Shepherds are large, active, very smart, and athletic dogs. These are all great traits of the breed if the puppy is trained well. Otherwise you will have a destructive liability on you hands. Unless you are experienced at training dogs it is highly recommended that you enroll you and your dog in an obedience program. German Shepherds are highly trainable and are used for numerous duties such as guide dogs, police dogs, drug sniffers, search & rescue dogs as well as many others. A well-trained Shepherd is a pride and joy of its owner but an ignored or neglected dog will probably not show many desirous traits.
- Male or Female- While both sexes will be equally loving and courageous, there are differences between the male and female Shepherd that you may want to consider before choosing a puppy. Males tend to be larger and more muscular and will tend to be more territorial and dominant while the female tends to be smaller and more protective of her "human." The female will experience two heat cycles a year when she will tend to be a bit more intolerant of abnormal circumstances. The males will often be more tolerable than the females of children. So which is best for you? Keep an open mind; if the individual puppy meets all of your criteria either sex will make an outstanding companion.
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