German Shepherds are amazingly loyal, faithful dogs that are highly intelligent and capable of performing complex tasks. They have various functions in the military, police and work in search and rescue, and as therapy or service dogs. There are many stories of German Shepherd dogs that have rescued their owners or protected them from harm. People are attracted to their impressive looks and noble character. They feel that perhaps they would like to own a German Shepherd but have never owned a dog before or had any experience with dogs. Would a German Shepherd be an appropriate dog for a new dog owner?
German Shepherd are not usually good dogs for new owners, given that they are dogs with high energy levels and a need a lot of mental and physical stimulation. They are intense, highly intelligent dogs prone to being dominant. They can be challenging to manage and train, quickly becoming a problem if their needs are unmet.
The faithful Rin Tin Tin was a German Shepherd Dog popularized in the famous TV show, The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, that ran from 1954 to 1959. It starred a German Shepherd that was rescued on a French World War I battlefield by an American soldier named Lee Duncan. He was named Rinty and taken back to America after the war, where Lee Duncan found film work for him. His clever antics and faithful character in the films endeared the German Shepherd breed to the public.
Many times Hollywood has been responsible for popularizing a dog breed. This is not always in the breed’s best interest as people fall in love with the character in the movie. Unfortunately, they do not research the breed and purchase dogs, not knowing if they are the correct dog for them and their family. This article will consider some of the German Shepherd character traits and who might be a good owner for a German Shepherd dog.
German Shepherds Were Bred To Work
The German Shepherd breed was developed by Max von Stephanitz in the late eighteen hundreds. He believed that dogs need to fulfill a function and must have a job in life. He selected and bred dogs that had a high motivation to work. These dogs were brilliant and trainable, and this characteristic is seen in German Shepherds to this day. It is the reason that they are often used by the police, military, security services, search and rescue teams and are even used as service dogs.
Taking a dog that wants a job and leaving him at home in the backyard is not a good idea. It results in a frustrated canine that employs his intelligence to entertain himself in ways that you will not appreciate. This dog needs to have a job of some form. It does not have to be as a working dog but could include dog sports such as agility, flyball, or advanced obedience. The owner needs to understand that once or twice a week is not enough for this highly motivated dog. The owner must commit to daily work with German Shepherds.
German Shepherd Need Physical And Mental Stimulation
Some athletic dogs love to exercise, and accompanying their owner on a daily run or cycle will meet their needs. German Shepherds are athletic, powerful dogs with a physique matched by their sharp, active brains. They will not be satisfied with physical exercise only, such as a daily run. They need to have as much mental stimulation as they do physical stimulation.
This means that they need to have enough physical exercise to burn up their abundant energy, but they must also be able to use their brains. You may find yourself in a position where you are exhausted after having run several miles, and you still have a dog that is bouncing and still wanting to play, because it’s yearning mental stimulation.
A German Shepherd can use up brain energy by being involved in dog sports, having a job, or doing brain games. As a German Shepherd dog owner, you must be prepared to spend the time necessary to stimulate your dog’s mind as well as burning up physical energy. Training a dog to use his brain requires some experience and knowledge that new dog owners may not have.
German Shepherds Are Dominant Dogs
German Shepherds are protective dogs, but this trait means that they are often dominant and extremely confident dogs. This can be a challenge to new owners who are not experienced in understanding and identifying dog behavior. A dog that is outwitting his owner can quickly become the household boss, which leads to many problems. Sometimes the dog will adopt one family member as his person and will ‘protect’ this person, becoming aggressive to other family members. He might decide that his bed or chair is out of bounds to the family and guard this space. There are a whole host of problematic scenarios in this situation.
German Shepherds Can Suffer From Separation Anxiety
German Shepherds were originally sheep herding dogs. This trait requires a dog that attaches strongly to the shepherd and the sheep. We see this characteristic in purebred modern-day German Shepherds that bond closely with their owners. This bond can be a good thing, but it can also be a problem when the dogs are left for eight to ten hours while the owners go off to work. In addition, some German Shepherd lines have anxious temperaments, which compounds the separation anxiety. Many veterinarians can tell stories of German Shepherds that severely injured themselves trying to jump through windows because of separation anxiety.
German Shepherds And Training Methods
There are many different training methods. Some are harsh and punitive, and these can cause problems with the sensitive natures of German Shepherds. Some dogs can become intimidated and fearful, even becoming fear biters when trained harshly. Other dogs can become aggressive, even to their owners. They respond better to training techniques that use positive reinforcement. Owners must be familiar with these techniques to get the most out of their dogs and ensure that they are happy and stable.
Many people get German Shepherds with the intention of training them in attack work or personal protection. It is vital to understand that dogs trained in these disciplines are like weapons and must be handled just as carefully as you would a loaded gun. An inexperienced dog owner that attempts to teach attack or personal protection can make mistakes that create a dangerous dog and a massive liability for the owner.
Tips For A New Owner That Wants A German Shepherd Dog
If you are a new or inexperienced dog owner and you are still convinced you would like a German Shepherd, these are some suggestions that you might find helpful:
- Ensure that you really want a German Shepherd by getting as much exposure as possible. Join a German Shepherd breed club, speak to responsible breeders and start to read and educate yourself.
- Honestly assess your personality, lifestyle, and home situation to see if you can provide everything a German Shepherd needs. It is important to note that young German Shepherds are high energy dogs that easily knock toddlers over. If you cannot control your dog around your children, you need to think twice about the dog breed your choose.
- Research responsible breeders, breed health, and temperament issues so that you can set yourself up for success by choosing the healthiest dog that suits you and your family best. Choose a German Shepherd that comes from pet or show lines rather than working lines.
- Seek out an animal behaviorist or trainer that uses positive reinforcement training principles to help you with training.
Final Thoughts
German Shepherds are wonderful dogs, but they are emotionally intense, extremely intelligent dogs that need both mental and physical stimulation. These dogs are best suited to homes where they can be around their owner for most of the day. Experienced dog owners are best suited to owning German Shepherd dogs.
If new owners choose to purchase or adopt a German Shepherd, they must educate themselves and get as much help as possible to fulfill their responsibilities to the dog they have chosen. Sadly, many German Shepherd Dogs are dumped because of destructive behavior resulting from boredom. Aggression or fear biting from incorrect training methods and dogs that become escape artists because they are left at home alone are also reasons for the sad plight many German Shepherds find themselves in when they are abandoned in shelters. Be responsible when choosing a dog breed. If you decide to own a German Shepherd, ensure you are up to the challenge.