German Shepherd FAQs – All Possible Questions Answered

German Shepherds are an excellent companion dog. Being a very cooperative and obedient dog, German Shepherds are considered as a dog with a caring temperament and calm nature.

Unique reasons why people consider German Shepherd as their favorite family companion dog

• German Shepherds require daily exercises and thereby help you gain health as well. These dogs need around 30 minutes of regular exercise. In this manner, playing or spending time with your dog will definitely make you feel energetic.
• GSDs can easily become a member of the adopted family within a short span of time.
• They are good with children if trained properly from a very young age. Early socialization and proper training methods are the basic starting steps to help a dog get accustomed.
• German Shepherds are known for their active and robust way of life. This means quite less medical expenses when compared to other dog breeds.
• Known to act as a very loyal guard dog, GSDs know how to safeguard their family members from predators and wrongdoers.
• The largest contributor to the field of police dogs, GSDs are bright enough to learn all the necessary steps.

The German Shepherds are patient dogs but sometimes maybe violent and repulsive but with early socialization and proper training, the aggression can be kept under check.

They are regarded as one of the finest guard dog breeds the world has seen so far.

German Shepherds are the most loved pet dogs in the United States of America according to experts.

When a guard dog like a German Shepherd attacks someone, biological, genetic, and other factors should be taken into account.

As per reports, U.S government currently employs around 2500 German Shepherds for various tasks ranging from border patrolling and for sniffing contrabands.

With good selective breeding programs, this crazy temperamental trait has definitely been eliminated to a large extent from a purebred German Shepherd dog.

If you are searching for a pet dog that assures both a streak of intelligence and friendliness, then the German Shepherds are your ideal choice.

These lovely and loyal companions not only make great pets but also serve as rescue dogs, police dogs, and herding dogs.

German Shepherd Temperament

They are useful and turn very obedient with time and training. German Shepherds are very friendly and will greet strangers with caution.

This cautious trait needs to be praised and not looked down upon.

These dogs appear very loyal and highly smart and move well with other pets if proper training is provided from an early age.

As long as people are keen to allocate energy and time, this dog is the right solution for all their insecurities.

German Shepherds have a thick double coat. These dogs shed throughout the year, and they shed extensively twice a year.

This process of shedding the undercoat is often called “blowing coat.”

It normally starts on the back legs and proceeds forward and takes a fortnight for the process to fully end.

The answer is both a no and yes. German Shepherds are trustworthy and patient, and they are big enough to dismantle small kids.

A German Shepherd is best suited as a companion for grownups and adults.

Pros – Kids and German Shepherds

• These dogs are best bets for kids for some unique reasons. They gel and mingle well with all family members irrespective of their age.
• This relationship showcases the dog’s guarding trait, making it a responsible and effective guardian for small kids.

Cons – Kids and German Shepherds

• This dog breed grows quickly into a dog standing at least 24 inches tall at the shoulders.
• German Shepherd puppies can accidentally stumble over small kids. As per expert studies, GSDs remain childish until they reach 3 or 4 years of age.
• These dogs are also susceptible to gentle nipping and mouthing to move people and pets, especially small kids.
• This behavior can be intimidating for small kids who are not used to this.
• German Shepherd puppies require consistent, steady training to become good-mannered kid’s pet. A parent having a small kid may not have sufficient time to fulfill these criteria as such.

This reiterates the fact that a trained adult German Shepherd is a better choice.

According to some experts, pit bulls are more violent than other dog breeds toward their masters and strangers.

Many pit bull masters claim these dogs are kind animals, which are trained by their respective owners to stay aggressive or violent.

One significant study confirmed that pit bulls attacked humans more menacingly than any other dog breed.

Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds have garnered the same aggression scores from the general public in a study conducted by researchers.

It mostly depends on how German Shepherds are socialized and trained. In public places, a well trained German Shepherd will remain loving, calm, and sweet.

These dogs generally crave for attention and they will avoid other pets or offer a simple nudge with their muzzle.

For best results, hire a professional trainer or take your German Shepherd puppy to your local dog training class.

No. Pitbulls are projected as dangerous dogs in the world, not because of the dog’s behavior but largely due to their owner’s insufficient and improper socialization and training.

German Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers, Australian Shepherds, and Australian cattle dogs were given more aggression points towards strangers.

The basic solution lies in learning – “How to train dog owners to behave responsibly with their dogs?”

Try these simple steps to keep your German Shepherd’s biting under control–

• Make your dog realize that biting is not at all cool.
• Try using hand signals, body language, and voice commands to make it happen.
• Shout a loud “o….” sound to startle your dog when he bites.
• Stop playing and remove your hand away
• Teach your dog that biting means no play.
• Repeat this process time and again.
• Your GSD will gradually associate your negative response with biting and eventually stop biting.

If none of these steps works, do not waste time and immediately contact your local certified German Shepherd dog trainer.

Police dogs that are selected are mostly male and stay unneutered to maintain their violent behavior. There are females used as a part of locating drugs, bombs, tracking, and rescue operation.

Police dogs must carry out several hand gestures and verbal clues and German Shepherds perform exceedingly well in these situations.

The most popular police dogs are Dutch Shepherd, Bloodhound, Malinois, and German Shepherd.

A well-trained German Shepherd is as agile and reliable as a Malinois.

German Shepherds are intelligent dogs who will perform quite well with curious owners ready to give them regular training, exercise, and attention.

There are some breeds where the dogs are not considered brainy but in the case of a German Shepherd, that’s a wrong understanding.

Try these simple effective potty training techniques

• Teach your German Shepherd puppy to use a crate
• If your German Shepherd puppy whimper or cry, understand that your GSD puppy indicates poop time.
• Train your puppy to relieve itself outside just before bedtime and also in the morning.
• Ensure that your German Shepherd puppy potty trains only in the designated area and not anywhere it likes.
• Try to incorporate voice or hand gestures to communicate with your puppy.
• Always take your German Shepherd puppy outside through a specific door for potty training.
• Let your dog wear a leash once outside.
• Stop manhandling your dog when it accidentally poops in a different area because this will only promote wrong impressions.
• Check on your puppy at least twice or thrice at night and help him to ease himself in a crate.
• Effective potty training should begin as early as possible for the benefit of your puppy.

How to know whether my GSD is potty trained or not?

• If your dog waits for you near the door, learn that it wants to poop.
• Some dogs are known to scratch doors and you better understand that it’s time to attend nature’s call.
• If your German Shepherd dog waits patiently for you to take him outside, then you can confirm that your potty training was successful.
• The most important thing is that you should never stop potty training until and unless your dog is fully trained.

A bath every thirty days is more than sufficient. Flea season may demand more baths as a way to restrict the growth of pests.

Please avoid bathing once a week because overbathing can remove the natural oils present on your dog’s coat.

Kindly contact your vet if you are unsure about something.

No, both males and females German Shepherd dogs are typically loyal and caring towards their family members.

Some dog owners claim that male GSDs are much easier and friendly to train. Female GSDs remain more loyal and protective of its puppies and owners according to dog experts.

The final decision to get a male or a female German Shepherd depends entirely on the owner’s personal preference.