Things NOBODY tells you about owning a German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. If you are thinking of adopting a german shepherd, or perhaps you already live with one, don t miss this video that reveals everything you need to know about these wonderful companions. German Shepherd Dogs are very protective of their loved ones As herding dogs in the past, German Shepherds would guide, herd, and protect livestock. As pets, these herding instincts motivate these dogs to act as protectors for their owner, family, and children. Because of this, German Shepherds may sometimes act a bit distant or aloof with strangers. They will love you and your family, but they may give all new people the stink eye. Don’t worry though, they are just looking out for you and your family’s safety. You should be committed to spending time socializing and training your dog to ensure your canine feels comfortable around strangers and other dogs. German Shepherds will explore everything with their noses It s true that all dogs have a better sense of smell than humans. But compared to other dog breeds, German shepherds have a far better sense of smell. When on walks, you may find your curious dog sniffing everything on sight such as trees or bushes. They are mouthy German Shepherds tend to use their mouths as an appendage thanks to their herding heritage. This is because these dogs would use their mouths to herd the sheep in the right direction. This means that German shepherds tend to grab onto anything that fits their mouth and chew on it. Training your dog not to chew on the furniture or nibble on your hand is essential with this breed. They provide constant companionship Having a German shepherd in your home means you will never be alone because your loyal canine will always be by your side. Their affectionate and dedicated personalities are a bonus of the breed. This means your GSD will follow you everywhere and will want to spend time with you rather than being left alone all day. German shepherds thrive in human companionship. The more time you spend with them the happier they will be. They shed a lot German Shepherds have a double coat which enables them to tolerate both cold and hot weather. But this means these pups shed heavily and frequently. Aside from shedding throughout the year, German shepherds lose all their undercoat twice a year, in the spring and fall. They are super active German Shepherds need daily, strenuous exercise. These dogs are not suitable for laid back owners who prefer laying on the couch all day. They need active owners who can provide them with daily exercise. If left unexercised, shepherds tend to become bored, anxious, and ill tempered. They may even find destructive ways to release their pent-up energy, such as chewing, excessive barking, or scratching. German Shepherds have different coat and color variations There are different types and color variations in German Shepherds. The most common colors are black and tan, but they also come in colors such as solid black, black and silver, bi-color, gray, or even white. German Shepherds also have different coat variations. The normal coat is short hair, but they also come with a longer coat. German shepherds are incredibly smart German Shepherds are among the most intelligent dogs living today. Their unique ability to follow human commands is what makes them smarter than nearly all dogs. In addition, they have a strong desire to cooperate and work with us, a trait many see as a wish to please their humans. No wonder this breed excels at whatever you train them to do. But remember, because German Shepherds are one of the brightest breeds, it is important to provide them with plenty of mentally stimulating toys, and play brain-challenging games. German Shepherds have herding traits German Shepherds were originally bred to guard and herd sheep and cattle. So, along with the herding traits of independent thinking and intelligence, it’s perfectly normal for your German Shepherd to herd human family members. For example, if someone in the family steps off the sidewalk, the dog will herd the wayward member back onto the sidewalk and safety. They don’t like being left alone German Shepherds are social dogs and hate spending time without their human. These canines suffer from separation anxiety if you leave them alone for long periods of time. They may need to be trained not to bark German Shepherds are especially bad for apartment owners not just because they are high-energy dogs but also because they tend to bark at strangers and at outside noises. They are guard dogs after all. This can be avoided, of course. There are ways to train any dog not to bark at strangers. Health problems Although German Shepherds are generally considered to be healthy dogs, the breed is associated with several health conditions such as hip dysplasia, epilepsy, and bloating. GSDs have a lifespan of 9-13 years which is average for most dogs.