When it comes to dog temperaments, knowing which dogs can coexist and which should be kept away from one another is important. Safety is a concern both for the dogs and the humans that own them or are in their presence. German Shepherds and Pitbulls are both known as aggressive dog breeds, which might lead one to wonder: can a German Shepherd kill a Pitbull?
A German Shepherd can kill a Pitbull. Any dog breed can potentially kill another. However, Pitbulls are more likely to kill German Shepherds than German Shepherds are to kill Pitbulls. A fatal attack from either dog would be rare and often indicate a lack of proper socialization and training.
Understanding both dog breeds’ behaviors can help determine the inherent personality traits and outside factors that may affect aggression tendencies in both German Shepherds and Pitbulls. Read on to understand better what factors affect whether a German Shepherd can kill a Pitbull.
Breed Comparison
Though both are deemed as aggressive dogs, neither German Shepherds nor Pitbulls are inherently trained to be aggressive toward one another or any particular dog breed. In fact, they are both considered loyal and loving family dogs that require additional training from an early age.
Love Your Dog did a great comparison chart showing the similarities and differences between the breeds. Not only are Pitbulls and German Shepherds different heights and weights, but they also have quite different personalities and life spans.
Why Would A German Shepherd Kill A Pitbull?
To understand the answer as to whether or not a German Shepherd can kill a Pitbull, it’s first important to understand why one would in the first place. It’s also important to understand that this occurrence is infrequent. Even if dog attacks do occur, fatal attacks are rare.
- Both German Shepherds and Pitbulls are loyal dogs. They are both protective dogs.
- Pitbulls are sociable dogs while German Shepherds are more independent in nature.
- While German Shepherds often take to one master. Pitbulls can have multiple masters, as long as they are trained young.
- Both dogs are considered aggressive dogs, but for different reasons. Whenever you put two inherently aggressive dogs near one another, there is a tendency for aggressive behavior to occur. Though a fatal fight may not result, it can. Understanding both dog breeds a bit better is needed to help avoid this tragedy from occurring.
What Are The Characteristics Of A German Shepherd?
Not surprisingly, German Shepherds originated in Germany. Since the late 1800s, they have been used as herding dogs. However, in recent decades, they are most known as police dogs, search and rescue dogs, guard dogs, and disability dogs.
German Shepherds are typically larger than Pitbulls. However, more notable than their size is their intelligence. German Shepherds are bred because of it, so they are so often seen working alongside law enforcement or military personnel.
Are German Shepherds Aggressive?
In short, yes, German Shepherds are considered aggressive dogs. However, in general, German Shepherds are extremely loyal family dogs that are protective by nature. Several factors determine the why of the aggression. Two of the most important include:
- Was the dog raised in a loving home?
- Was the dog properly trained and socialized?
These factors are crucial and affect whether a German Shepherd has a higher or lower likelihood of aggression. Dogs that have been properly socialized and trained in a firm but loving environment often show far less aggression than those raised in unstable homes without adequate training.
When Do German Shepherds Attack?
In general, German Shepherds, like many dogs, may attack if they feel threatened, either in their space or physically. If a German Shepherd is near a Pitbull demonstrating aggression or invading the German Shepherd’s space, there is a stronger likelihood the German Shepherd may be poised to attack.
Shepherdsense lists a few things to look for to determine if a German Shepherd is on alert, indicating an attack may be imminent:
- Focused stare
- Raised fur on their back
- Stiff body
- Showing their teeth and barking
If you are a German Shepherd owner, remove your pet from the vicinity to avoid further escalating the situation.
If you are a Pitbull owner, carefully and quickly steer your Pitbull away from the situation, being careful to avoid flailing movements or running, which may give the herding German Shepherd the signal to chase.
Looking for a dog collar? A harness can be a great alternative both for your dog’s comfort and for ease of control. The Tactical Dog Harness Vest from Rabbitgoo is a great choice.
What Are The Characteristics Of A Pitbull?
Pitbulls are a breed of dogs that are descendants of both terriers and bulldogs. In the 1800s, the dogs began being bred for dogfighting. Though the dogs were trained to stop attacking in humans’ presence, their history has led to their reputation as aggressors. In reality, most Pitbulls are loving family dogs and often the life of the party in social situations.
Smaller in both height and weight than German Shepherds, Pitbulls, like German Shepherds, are popular family dogs. Pitbulls were also used as mascots for the Army during the world wars. Today, they are sadly the most common dog found in dog shelters.
Why Do They Have A Bad Rep?
Because of their history as fighting dogs and the publicized news stories regarding Pitbull attacks, their popularity as family pets waned.
Pitbulls make excellent family pets, but training them early is vital to ensure proper socialization. Pamela Reid from the ASPCA reminds us that Pitbulls do not, contrary to popular belief, have locking jaws, and they are not unpredictable in nature. However, they twist and turn their heads when biting, and she states that owners need to know how to get them to let go.
It is difficult to stop any medium to large-sized dog once an attack occurs, and the preference is to stop it before a German Shepherd, or another dog in its presence may be seriously injured or receive fatal injuries.
Final Thoughts
Asking whether a German Shepherd can kill a Pitbull is an important question if you’re considering either owning both of the dog breeds or if you simply want to make sure your own dog remains safe. Yes, German Shepherds can kill Pitbulls; and yes, Pitbulls can also kill German Shepherds. However, as we’ve discussed, it’s unlikely to occur if the dogs are properly trained and socialized.
Owning either of these popular family pets can be a worthwhile experience. With a bit of education and careful attention to boundary-setting, the dogs can be around one another on most occasions without concern.