German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs) are gorgeous large-sized dogs known for their intelligence, loyalty, and impressive physical strength. These pups can also exhibit tons of energy, which could be a problem for those living in small spaces.
A German Shepherd Dog can live in a small house, but only if given plenty of exercise opportunities throughout the day. German Shepherds can be quite active, so owners must walk them and keep them physically and mentally engaged. Otherwise, a smaller environment could be too restrictive for a German Shepherd.
In this article, we’ll be exploring the German Shepherd Dog breed and their origins, personality, and exercise requirements. We’ll also determine whether or not German Shepherd Dogs can live in small homes. If you’ve been on the fence about adding a GSD to your cozy home or apartment, this guide should help you make an educated decision.
German Shepherd Dog: Exercise Requirements
German Shepherds are exceptionally active. They require a ton of high-energy play and plenty of room for running, chasing, and exercising. When kept sedentary, these dogs can begin to act out. A GSD may express their frustration via inappropriate chewing, barking, and even biting.
Puppies should be walked daily and also given a designated space for play and exercise. Adults need a little more and may benefit from multiple walks each day and weekly hikes or swimming sessions.
Owners that like to go for a morning jog or run may want to bring their German Shepherd along. Those living in small spaces will need to offer multiple exercise opportunities throughout the day for their adult German Shepherd dog.
If owners are typically out of the house throughout the week and unable to bring their dog along with them, the GSD may grow irritable and unhappy.
The German Shepherd can be entirely healthy and happy in a small home, but they require near-constant training, attention, and exercise to achieve this, especially while they’re still puppies. Still, the result of the effort and energy you put into raising a German Shepherd is a well-trained, loving pup.
Training Your German Shepherd
The first thing your little German Shepherd puppy should learn is their name. Once they’ve learned that their name is the specific sound you use to refer to them, they will begin to come when you call.
They can also begin to understand that your positive and negative reactions precisely correspond to their actions. This mental connection allows you to start training your puppy. It’s crucial to reward your puppy for their positive behaviors rather than punishing them for negative ones.
Neglecting your puppy, placing them in solitary confinement, and yelling at them will cause them to associate you with danger and fear. It would be best if you fostered positive social interactions through gentle and firm correction, never raising your voice or speaking angrily.
With regular handling and training, your German Shepherd puppy can grow into a smart, good boy that heeds your every command. Of course, these dogs can become incredibly protective, so it’s always a good idea to socialize your puppy from a young age and keep your GSD on a leash while in public areas.
German Shepherd: General Care
German Shepherd Dogs have thick, medium-length coats that require weekly brushing. Some pups may benefit from more frequent brushing, particularly in the spring and autumn months.
During the most significant seasonal changes, the GSD may lose most of its coat or grow tons of extra winter fur. Owners should be prepared to deal with changes in their dogs’ hair just as they’re prepared to handle the falling of leaves or melting of snow.
In terms of diet and nutrition, owners must be careful in providing a wide variety of macronutrients and micronutrients. German Shepherds require diets that are rich in protein, calcium, and tons of vitamins.
Supplementing your puppy’s kibble-based meals with wholesome grains, yogurts, and lean proteins may help them live their best life. Due to this breed’s playful nature and massive musculature, hips and elbow issues are quite common.
Protecting your German Shepherd’s joints means feeding them the right foods, taking them to the veterinarian for occasional check-ups, and taking great care in what type of play and exercise they engage in.
Water-based activities tend to be more comfortable on the joints and bones, and GSDs can be excellent swimmers. As such, those with a backyard pool may find their pup going for multiple swims throughout the day. (Read more: Can German Shepherds Swim?)
Can You Keep A German Shepherd Happy In A Small House?
In short, yes, a German Shepherd Dog can successfully live in a small house. However, owners must make a consistent effort to keep their German Shepherd healthy, engaged, and comfortable for this to happen.
These dogs aren’t made for all-day boarding, and their health can suffer if they’re not allowed to run, play, and exercise throughout the day. You may train your German Shepherd Dog to sleep in a kennel during the night and roam the house during the day.
If you work remotely, you can take advantage of your slightly more flexible schedule by planning exercise and playtime with your pup. The German Shepherd Dog breed is a brilliant one. If you can create a consistent but varied routine for your dog, you’ll both benefit.
German Shepherd Dogs – Origin
As the name of this breed suggests, the German Shepherd Dog hails from Germany. It very well may be that this breed helped unify Germany. When the first German Shepherd Dogs were bred, the Empire of Germany was only about 20 years old.
Still, this breed is now more than a century old. In that time, they have become one of the most popular and standardized breeds in the United States. With a dark brown or black face and back and creamy brownish-gold bottom coat, the German Shepherd Dog is one of the most recognizable dog breeds.
The German Shepherd is also known for its temperament, being both fiercely loyal and incredibly intelligent. Still, owners could train this type of dog to become aggressive toward strangers. Its protective nature lends it well to police and guard work.
History
Before 1871, each German state had its own culture, slang, and favored shepherding dogs. There was quite a lot of variation among these rural mutts and little consistency between the northern regions’ dogs and the pups in the southern areas. But that was before Captain Max von Stephanitz entered the scene.
Captain Max von Stephanitz
Stephanitz was part of the German nobility. Born in 1864, he was military in practice and name only. His real interests and passions lay in veterinary science and the wonder of animals.
When he was only in his mid-twenties, he fell in love with a particular German shepherding dog and decided to create a standardized, wholly German dog breed. This peculiar passion makes sense when you consider that Stephanitz was born before the German kingdoms’ unification and spent his boyhood living through it.
The first German Shepherd Dog was named Hektor Linksrhein, though Stephanitz changed this name and called him Horand von Grafrath. Hektor/Horand has many of the physical features that are now prized in the breed.
Stephanitz bred his beloved pup with many of its children and genetic relatives, resulting in a quickly-standardized breed that immediately began winning dog shows. Due to the near-immediate popularity of the German Shepherd Dog, they became a symbol of Germany.
International Relations and Popularity
When the German Shepherd Dog first came into existence as a standardized breed, people thought of it as a military dog. This German Shepherd’s athletic and protective qualities made it a keen hand at detective and police work.
Stephanitz was a member of the German cavalry, and his military connections made it easy to quickly spread the German Shepherd breed among other noble military families. It wasn’t long before the German police force began breeding and training pups for regular civilian usage.
During the Second World War, US sentiment toward GSDs turned cold. For many, the breed was so inextricably linked with Germany and its people, owning one felt un-American. Fortunately, this backlash didn’t last. The German Shepherd Dog is one of the most popular dog breeds in the US, second only to labradors.
Final Thoughts
The German Shepherd Dog is a gorgeous example of highly-attuned breeding. Captain Max von Stephanitz began breeding these dogs for their strength, loyalty, and intelligence. These traits are still hallmarks of the GSD. Though they’re not primarily used for herding anymore, German Shepherds remain a highly active breed.
You’ll need to exercise your German Shepherd often. These dogs may be quick-to-learn, but they can build bad habits when improperly trained or allowed to wander without instruction. Owners living in a small house should combine frequent out-of-doors play with consistent training.