German Shepherds are a social breed of dog. They hate being left alone and will become quite attached to their human owners, but do they like having another dog around?
German Shepherds don’t always get along with other dogs. They love and get very attached to their human owners, but they can be aggressive and mean when it comes to other dogs. If your German Shepherd is socialized at a young age, having another dog may not be an issue.
Let’s take a closer look at whether German Shepherds like having another dog around.
Are German Shepherds Good With Other Dogs?
German Shepherds are intelligent and very loyal dogs, especially to their owners. They tend to be overly protective and can exhibit guarding and territorial behaviors. This makes them uneasy around strange people and other animals.
This isn’t to say that German Shepherds are never good with other dogs. They can be loving and tolerant of other dogs if they are well socialized before getting another dog. With the proper training, they can be friendly with a new dog.
According to several research studies, German Shepherds are aggressive dogs. They’re considered as aggressive as Rottweilers and much more aggressive than Labrador Retrievers. This aggression is typically used on other dogs and rarely on people they know well.
Socializing Your German Shepherd Young Is The Key
Every dog has a different personality, which will play a role in whether or not they get along. When your German Shepherd is a puppy, it’s best to bring them around other people and dogs to ensure they are used to them. They must grow accustomed to dogs and people who live outside of their home. This will make the transition into having a second dog much easier for you and your dogs.
Socializing your dog will also improve their interactions with other humans who don’t live inside your home. Many worry when large dogs are nearby, but having them socialized early on will eliminate some of that territorial and protective behavior that makes dogs seem aggressive.
Can German Shepherds Get Along With Small Dogs?
Your German Shepherd’s temperament toward small dogs is going to depend on their socialization as well as their personality. With all dogs, socializing your dog with other breeds and other people is vital to ensuring a happy and healthy relationship with any new pets.
This applies to the new dog (whether big or small) as well. They should also be trained and socialized to be around other dogs and people. Small dogs can bully bigger dogs if they aren’t adequately trained. This type of bullying behavior can result in aggressive behavior from your German Shepherd as they try to defend themselves.
Best Ways To Introduce A New Dog To Your German Shepherd
Despite the possibilities of your German Shepherd being aggressive to a new dog, there are ways to make the introduction easier. Take a look at the list below for the best option for your dog.
Introduce Them to Each Other Outside
If you make the introductions in an outside and neutral area, this will ease the tension for your first day. Most of the time, your German Shepherd is territorial, which is why they lash out at newcomers. Putting them into an environment that isn’t “theirs” will allow them to get to know the dog without worrying about guarding what’s theirs.
Good places to do this would be dog parks to have free reign to come and go. You’ll be able to observe their behavior together. Always keep them leashed initially to prevent any immediate negative reactions to each other. However, if they show signs of getting along well with each other, you should be okay to remove the leash and let them play together.
Continue To Socialize Your Dog
As mentioned throughout this article, socializing is critical for ensuring safe relationships for your German Shepherd. This socialization should be continued even into your German Shepherd’s adult years. Continuing to socialize your dogs as adults will prevent them from developing possessive and territorial behaviors in their senior years.
As dog’s age, they can become less tolerant of other people and other animals. If you ensure they are constantly being exposed to people and animals, this issue likely won’t become a problem for your German Shepherd.
Spend Plenty Of Time Together Training
German Shepherds do best when they are spending time with you. They bond quickly with their human owners and will do anything to make you happy. They’re loyal, but they will get lonely if they don’t spend time with you. They would rather spend time with you than with another dog. This makes it essential for you to spend extra time with your German Shepherd.
If you give your German Shepherd some one-on-one time as you work on training, this will make it easier for them to get along with another dog. They get that bonding time with you that they need, but you can work with them on correcting any negative behaviors.
Get An Opposite Sex Dog
Another suggestion for introducing a new dog to your German Shepherd is to get a dog that is the opposite sex as your dog at home. If you have a female German Shepherd at home, make sure your new dog is a male and vice versa. This is because it prevents the gender-specific behaviors that are usually intensified when around other animals of the same sex.
Breeds Of Dogs Your German Shepherd May Get Along With
When searching for a dog breed that is compatible with your German Shepherd, you want to find a dog that is similar in size to your German Shepherd. You should find a dog that has a relatively mellow personality. These will ensure the new dog can keep up with your German Shepherd’s demands, temperament, and personality.
Siberian Huskies
Siberian Huskies are a great-sized dog to pair with a German Shepherd. They both have similar activity levels, which can be both good or bad depending on their personalities. Huskies and German Shepherds don’t do well when left alone, so they should make good companions for each other.
Golden Retrievers
Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds are highly intelligent dogs, which makes them easy to train. This ease of training makes socialization simple.
Golden Retrievers have a laid-back personality that makes for a perfect balance to your German Shepherd’s high energy levels. Frequent exercise is necessary for both breeds. Taking long walks, hikes, and other forms of heavy exercise will prevent them from being too destructive together.
Labrador Retrievers
Labrador Retrievers are very easy-going dogs, so they work well with German Shepherds. They enjoy active lifestyles, which is essential for your German Shepherd as well. With a healthy level of exercise, your dogs will get along well. Labs are also people-oriented, just like German Shepherds are. This may cause some issues if your German Shepherd is particularly attached to you or another member of your family.
Border Collies
Border Collies are highly active and intelligent dogs. They have inherited herding personality traits that contribute to their high energy levels. This makes them a great companion for the equally energetic German Shepherd breed. Border Collies and German Shepherds enjoy taking hikes and walks and playing fetch with a ball or Frisbee, which will help the two create a lasting bond.
Final Thoughts
German Shepherds are great family dogs because of their loyalty and love for their human companions. Your German Shepherd’s personality is going to determine their tolerance with other dogs. With proper training and socialization, your German Shepherds are capable of getting along with another dog.