German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs) are known for their gorgeous coats, quick-witted noggins, and unsurpassable loyalty, but this breed isn’t known for its affectionate nature and endless cuddling sessions. Consequently, some owners and prospective pet parents might find themselves wondering, are German Shepherds emotional?
German Shepherds are emotional. They require just as much affection as they do exercise. This breed bonds firmly and securely with owners and family members, and may react aggressively toward individuals perceived to be threatening. This defensive nature is a symptom of its emotional core.
In this article, we’ll explore a German Shepherd’s personality to discover how emotional these pups can be, as well as the traits of emotional support dogs. That way, you can be sure to choose a dog breed that fits your personality and preferences.
German Shepherd Dog Personality Traits
German Shepherds are known for their looks, brains, and loyal demeanor. Most German Shepherd Dogs are highly intelligent, making them easy to train. They’re also obedient, allowing owners to enjoy faster training periods and more satisfying commands.
However, German Shepherds can also be defensive or aggressive, especially when provoked or physically abused. For this reason, the breed has often been used in police and military applications. An assailant that threatens a GSD owner is in for a nasty surprise, as this breed doesn’t hold back when protecting its owners and loved ones.
For this reason, German Shepherds are also known for being brave animals. Overall, this breed is easy to train and command, incredibly loyal, and wonderfully affectionate. With proper training, German Shepherds can learn to remain watchful and wary of strangers without immediately leaping to the attack.
Knowing that they emotional, one might wonder if a German Shepherd would make a good emotional support dog.
Traits Of Emotional Support Dogs
A dog can be affectionate and emotional but fail to make a worthwhile emotional support dog. That’s because emotional support dogs must exhibit specific traits that help them perform their duties more effectively. (Source)
For example, an Australian Shepherd might be loving and affectionate toward its owner, but it may also be exceptionally energetic. If the owner is crying and sitting on the floor, the pup might latch onto that anxiety and whine, bark, or become overexcitable. These responses aren’t helpful.
As such, emotional support dogs must be laid-back, gentle, and highly sociable. They should also receive professional training and certification before being adopted as emotional support animals.
Let’s examine these required traits in further detail to discover how applicable they are to the German Shepherd Dog breed.
Laid-Back Attitude
Anyone hoping to enjoy the company of an emotional support dog should choose a pup with a laid-back attitude. High-energy, high-maintenance dogs can be more stressful than reassuring for those with emotional support needs, so the perfect puppy should be cool as a cucumber.
Most shepherding dogs are relatively high-energy, but the German Shepherd is one of the group’s most aloof and calm. Unlike the Australian Shepherd, it doesn’t require an exceptional amount of daily exercise to remain fit and happy.
German Shepherds typically only exhibit problematic, anxiety-ridden behaviors when confronted with things they perceive as threats. This may be strangers at the door, loud neighbors, or other “intruders” upon your territory. Proper training can help curtail these behaviors and result in a far more relaxed and calmer pup.
Gently Affectionate
Emotional support dogs must be capable of showing affection. Individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) or panic disorder (PD) rely on this easily given physical affection (nose licking, head bunting, gentle cuddling) to help themselves calm down and reach a calm state. (Read: Are German Shepherds Good For Depression?)
Dogs that are unaffectionate or physically distant may exacerbate feelings of loneliness or emotional distress in some individuals, worsening their disorders. German Shepherds tend to be affectionate toward their owners and aloof or defensive around strangers.
This feature may allow the breed to work well for some individuals seeking an emotional support dog, though their abundant energy and occasional aggression toward strangers is off-putting. However, as always, training is critical.
Sociable
An emotional support dog must be highly sociable to function appropriately. Otherwise, it may run and hide when it sees its owner in emotional distress. Friendly pups that naturally enjoy offering companionships may feel more at ease when assisting upset owners.
The German Shepherd Dog isn’t as sociable as some breeds, but it does tend to form long-lasting emotional bonds with owners and household members. As such, its friendly nature may lend it well to becoming an emotional support animal.
Still, early training and socialization could mean the difference between a friendly, affectionate pup and a nervous, untrusting ball of nerves when it comes to GSDs. Consequently, owners hoping to train for emotional support should begin their training as early as possible.
Why German Shepherds Are Emotional
German Shepherds are emotional creatures. They bond closely with their owners and can struggle to remain apart from human family members for more than a few days at a time. They are exceptionally loyal dogs that are more than capable of showing affection and being gentle.
The primary reason why most people might not think of German Shepherds are highly emotional dogs is their defensive tendencies toward strangers. Without proper training, German Shepherd Dogs can become aggressive toward individuals outside of the family or home. (Read: Are German Shepherds Friendly To Strangers?)
Still, this reaction is an emotional one that stems from the pup’s desire to protect its owners and territory. If German Shepherds didn’t feel emotions so strongly, they’d likely be less wary of strangers.
Final Thoughts
German Shepherd Dogs initially became famous as a working breed, often being utilized by military and police forces due to their loyal nature and quick wit. However, they soon became a favorite among families, especially in the United States.
German Shepherds are emotional animals that can be affectionate, loving, and surprisingly gentle. They can also be aggressive and aloof when presented with unfamiliar people or surroundings. Proper training techniques often help to mitigate and prevent unwanted defensive behaviors and should be introduced early.