Perhaps you are interested in getting a German Shepherd, but you have heard they are high maintenance. Maybe you already love your German Shepherd and wonder if getting a second one would mean double the awesomeness or double the trouble.
Two German Shepherds can definitely coexist in a home, but it will naturally be more costly, time-consuming, and it will double the amount of hair in your house. Two German Shepherds can exercise each other and will be better from a protection point of view. It’s only a matter of being able to handle double the work.
Choosing to get two German Shepherds together or to get a second German Shepherd when you already have one depends on you more than the dogs. What one person considers to be a definite pro may be inconsequential to another person. Similarly, a deal-breaking con for one person may be a non-issue for the next person. Here are some pointers to help you decide if you can provide a good home to more than one German Shepherd:
Are You The Right Owner For A German Shepherd?
If you have not previously owned a German Shepherd, you first have to make sure that your personality matches this breed. It’s not a judgment; some people are just not suited to owning such a powerful, attached, high-energy, and strong-minded dog.
You have to be physically able to handle a German Shepherd. These dogs are territorial and protective, so you will have to be the alpha of the pack. If you have two, you have to be able to control both together.
Training can go a long way, but ultimately, you need to be able to hang onto your dog’s leash if they decide to forget all their training and take off after a rabbit in the dog park. You also need to be able to confidently and wisely intervene in any dog disputes. This is especially important if you get two German Shepherds at once because these situations can arise at home.
A nervous or timid person is not the ideal owner for German Shepherds. These sensitive dogs will pick up on your anxious and insecure energy and react to it. This can be a trigger between two German Shepherds in the same home as they vie for alpha status unchecked.
A calm and authoritative yet still kind person is the perfect owner for German Shepherds. This person will need to be capable of establishing and defending their role as alpha despite their German Shepherd’s dominant tendencies. And it is always easier to introduce a new dog into a stable pack.
One Vs. Two German Shepherds: Cost
The initial cost of getting two German Shepherds will definitely be doubled. A German Shepherd puppy can cost a couple of thousand dollars.
Then there is the cost of food, collars, leashes, bowls, beds, toys, licensing, training, and planned and unexpected trips to the veterinary clinic. Bear in mind that German Shepherds are prone to several health conditions, including allergies and bloating (potentially fatal in dogs), so veterinary costs are not guaranteed to be low.
One German Shepherd is undoubtedly cheaper than two, so one will be better if you have a tighter budget.
One Vs. Two German Shepherds: Time Requirements
German Shepherds require lots of attention, exercise, and training. You need to have enough time and energy to devote to your German Shepherd. If you work full-time away from home, you need to think carefully before getting one German Shepherd, let alone two.
The time requirements will not quite double because you can exercise your German Shepherds together most of the time, and they can also exercise each other, reducing the amount of time you have to spend working off their energy.
However, they are two different dogs who might be at different training levels or who might be of different ages. For example, if you have a senior German Shepherd and a four-year-old, they don’t have the same exercise requirements, so they can’t do everything together. Additionally, these two German Shepherds still require individual attention and affection for their emotional well-being.
Two German Shepherds can keep each other company to a certain extent, but most German Shepherds are not dependent on the company of other dogs for their emotional well-being. This is wrapped up in the human who they have chosen as their particular person. So, getting two German Shepherds will not significantly change the amount of time you can spend away from home.
If your worry is that getting two German Shepherds will mean a weaker attachment between you and each of the dogs, this is not likely to be the case. German Shepherds love their owners profoundly and loyally.
If you have the time and physical capability of taking on two high-energy and emotionally dependent dogs, go for it! You can be it very entertaining and rewarding.
One Vs. Two German Shepherds: Space Requirements
German Shepherds are large and territorial dogs. If you have a small house with a small yard, two German Shepherds are not going to work as well as if you had a large property.
You can make it work if you are dedicated to taking them out for exercise, and you are capable of handling any disputes that arise from two German Shepherds sharing a small territory.
If you have a small home and yard, your German Shepherds will not be able to run off their extra energy and become restless. Restless dogs can be more irritable, so this can increase the chance of disputes arising between your two German Shepherds.
One Vs. Two German Shepherds: Shedding
German Shepherds are prolific shedders all year around. They are even called ‘German Shedders’ by their owners. You will need to brush your German Shepherds a few times every week to try to keep up.
Then twice a year, German Shepherds ‘blow’ their coats. This means that they lose great clumps of fur at once, making your house look like a snowstorm hit it. You will have to increase the brushing frequency during these times.
Two German Shepherds will double the hair you have to deal with.
One Vs. Two German Shepherds: Protection
From a security perspective, two German Shepherds are better than one. German Shepherds are incredibly loyal and protective. These traits are embedded deeply into their DNA, and they will protect you, no hesitations or questions asked.
German Shepherds are intelligent and trainable, which means that you can train them as personal protection dogs, honing their natural instincts and giving you more control over their protective response.
German Shepherds have a deep and intimidating bark and look scary. The sight of one German Shepherd is an effective deterrent to potential threats; the sight of two will multiply this effect. These dogs don’t just look the part. They are powerfully built and athletic, so they are capable of following through if they need to.
Matching German Shepherds
If you decide to get two German Shepherds, you have to match their temperaments very carefully. Two very dominant dogs will make your job as alpha very difficult. A very dominant dog and a very submissive dog can lead to bullying. Speak to your breeder, rescue worker, or animal behaviorist to help you choose the right German Shepherds.
German Shepherds are prone to same-sex aggression, so you should consider getting dogs of different genders, but you will have to sterilize them, even if they are siblings. If you prefer to get two dogs of the same gender, it is better to get them simultaneously. If you already have a male or female, introducing a new dog of the same gender is more likely to be problematic.
Age is another consideration. Two puppies can be a handful, regardless of breed, but if you have the time, it can be gratifying. Adopting adult dogs poses its own set of challenges, but it might be a better match if you already have a senior dog. A boisterous puppy can overwhelm and annoy an older German Shepherd.
Final Thoughts
If you are thinking of getting a second German Shepherd or two together, you have to consider if you can handle having two powerful, attached, and high-energy dogs. You have to look at the cost of one versus two; one is obviously going to be cheaper.
Perhaps cost is not an issue. You still have to consider time and space requirements. German Shepherds require lots of attention, exercise, and training. Two German Shepherds will require more time than one, although they may help by exercising each other. They need lots of room in which to run around and can be territorial, so small spaces can cause problems with two German Shepherds if they are not well-managed.
If shedding is a deal-breaker, you have to understand that these dogs shed heavily, and two German Shepherds mean double the hair. However, if personal protection is very important to you and you are able and willing to meet the needs of two German Shepherds and deal with the shedding, then two are better protection than one.
If you decide you can handle two, make sure you match them according to age, gender, and temperament.