The German Shepherd Dog !!!

So, you think you may like to own a German Shepherd Dog?
Firstly, let’s consider the following: A German Shepherd Dog does require attention. The breed is a working dog and therefore is an active breed and needs physical and mental stimulation. You must be prepared for a daily walk, time to play with your dog and attend obedience training. You must be prepared to receive this dog as part of your family.

If you want a German Shepherd Dog as a guard dog for your home/business only, then this breed is NOT for you. The German Shepherd Dog doesn’t cope well with being locked away, behind four walls, 24 hours a day. They are a working dog and as such has an active mind which must be stimulated. If you don’t give your dog the exercise and attention it needs, behavioral problems can occur.
Noisy, unnecessary barking may develop, as well as behaviors that are not usual for the breed. Behavioral problems will eventually lead to complaints by your neighbors, bringing you to the attention of local council Animal Control Officers, possibly leading to heavy fines and the eventual seizure of your dog. If you want a German Shepherd Dog for a guard dog only, buy a good, electronic burglar system.

The German Shepherd Dog lives on average for 10-12 years. Are you prepared to take full responsibility for this dog and all its needs for the next 10-12 years or more? This is NOT a task that can be done by children! This is a partnership for life. Are you prepared for that?

Are you active? Assertive? Respectful? And responsible?
As a German Shepherd Dog needs an owner who is all of these. The German Shepherd Dog is not a lap dog. Both you and your dog must respect each other. This is where you must be assertive and responsible. From this will develop undying loyalty from your dog and yourself. Not only will you both greet each other with gusto on your return home, but you will both have a communication which allows your dog to either act with independence around you or happy to be included in whatever you do.

You do not want a dog that dictates the ‘rules of the house’. The developing German Shepherd Dog puppy, requires firm and sensible discipline when young, with emphasis on socializing your puppy, having them become use to unusual and noisy situations, developing them into a fun loving dog and confident with life and a totally tractable and admired dog within our community. Are you prepared to invest the considerable time, money and patience it takes to train the dog to be a good companion? This does not happen by itself!!!

The ideal owner of a German Shepherd Dog will join a German Shepherd Dog Club and/or a local obedience club where weekly lessons together with daily exercise will greatly enhance your ability to understand your German Shepherd Dog and train your dog to a level of acceptable behavior.
So you have answered yes to all the above?
l suggest that you seek advice and view more than one litter before you purchase your new puppy. When you attend to view puppies, ensure you take notice of the following: The kennels environment is clean and free of vermin, Puppies are all healthy, lively and happy, healthy Puppies have clear eyes, and good clean coats, and ask to see the mother.


The German Shepherd Dog (GSD) is a large, active dog with a double coat. This double coat sheds and sheds and sheds and sheds, year round, and produces greater volumes of fur when the dogs "blow coat" in the spring and fall. Some shed more than others, but be sure that your vacuum will become your best friend. For some owners, this is not a trivial point. Being a large dog, expect muddy paw prints in the house every time it rains.

The breed was developed for service as a herding and general purpose working animal. Their desire to "work" or do something is genetic, and is stronger in some GSDs than others. Many GSDs end up in shelters precisely because they are working animals. Their first family really just wanted a couch-potato. Think about this carefully!

Most adult GSDs are handsome, giving, loyal, active, loving, protective and intelligent. Without proper guidance and training, GSDs can be rambunctious, destructive of property, obnoxious, and exhausting to live with. It is up to you to guide your dog to suit your lifestyle and that of your family.

Many GSDs can also become overly protective/territorial if they do not receive the level of leadership in the household that they respect and want to follow. Who is really running the show in your house? Evaluate this objectively. If it isn´t you or your dog doesn´t believe it´s you, then your German Shepherd Dog will assume that responsibility himself, and will run things as a dog will, not as a human being will. (After all, he´s just a dog!) In many instances, the dog way of running the world is NOT how humans would like, and we get calls from owners about overt protective and territorial behaviors showing up and getting out of control. It all has to do with YOU.

Most, if not all, GSDs need training and a structured lifestyle to thrive and become a canine good citizen. Training is not something you do once in an 8 week obedience class...training is teaching, every day, You need to make sure the dog is following your rules for most of the dog´s life!

In addition, your leadership skills are something you will employ all of the time. Clarity, follow-through, fairness, and showing your dog that there are immediate consequences for all actions (good and not good) make all the difference! If you do this kind of thing naturally or work on doing it, owning a GSD can be the most amazing experience of your life. If you don´t want to commit to this level of mental and physical stimulation for your dog, and to this level of leadership bearing that you and your household need to employ as a lifestyle, please check out other more suitable breeds.

GSDs are known for being an "intelligent" breed. Remember that "intelligent" can be a nice thing in that your dog can learn quickly *if* you communicate with him well. However, "intelligent" can also mean that your dog has a need for physical and mental activity and stimulation, just like an intelligent child does. A bored GSD will often find his own excitement and stimulation, which might include digging, barking, herding small children around, "creating" toys out of household furniture or the children´s toys, etc. GSDs need exercise, socialization, and mental stimulation almost every day to be on their best behavior. Training never stops.
The rewards you will reap are untold loyalty love and affection.