German Shepherd Dog Character

The German Shepherd character is balanced , very nerve-proof and self-confident .

In addition, the German Shepherd is characterized by his good nature , the pronounced protective instinct as well as his loyalty and attachment .

Shepherds are very intelligent , attentive animals that are easy to manage

If the dogs are well socialized , brought up with a lot of empathy, patience and loving consistency , then they are able to fully develop their good-natured nature.

For example, the German Shepherd remains playful throughout his life and likes to guard the house and yard . In addition to sufficient exercise, he not only needs physical, but also mental activity.

So what is typical German Shepherd Dog?

• Loyal
• Confident
• Intelligent
• obedience
• Good watchdog
• Willing to work
• Can be guided well
• Playful
• Good-natured
• Sensitive
• Concentrated
• Needs a meaningful task or occupation
• Strong nerves
• Has a strong protective instinct
• Attentive
• Persistent
• Requires a lot of exercise
• Protection and prey drive
• Classic herding dog
• Balanced

Is the German Shepherd a family dog?

A well-trained and socialized German Shepherd Dog can be used as a working dog for a wide variety of activities, as well as a family dog in a household with children.

Here they particularly benefit from their strong nerves, obedience and their pronounced protective instinct as well as their loyalty and attachment.

As a family dog, however, it should also be adequately occupied , such as through joint sporting activities and an appropriate task. An active family would therefore be ideal for the German Shepherd.

But employment alone does not make a good family dog. In addition to a solid and consistent upbringing , early socialization is also important . Ideally, these take place at the breeder’s and should be continued conscientiously at home. It would be desirable if the German Shepherd puppy already knows people of all ages and does not let small children upset him.

What should I watch out for when I bring a German Shepherd into the family?

The breed is considered to be nervous, loyal and good-natured. Shepherds are also good protectors who would always defend their families in an emergency. So good conditions for a great family dog.

However, children should be instructed in handling the dog. Mutual respect is important and following rules. Parents have to take care of that.

For example, these rules could include:

• If the dog is lying in its resting place, it will not be disturbed.
• The four-legged friend is not to be disturbed when eating.
• Under no circumstances should the children reach into the food bowl or take a chew / snack away from the dog.
• However, it should be practiced early on that the puppy / dog should allow this to happen. Even with toys. For example, children can fill up the food bowl and give a signal when the dog is allowed to eat.
• Explain that the German Shepherd hurts when someone climbs on them, when their ears are pulled, etc.
• The puppy should not be picked up. This can lead to injuries if you fall. In addition, children tend to pull a puppy up by the legs.
• Everyone assumes responsibility and has an age-appropriate task: e.g. feeding, playing balls, training or grooming.
• The dog shouldn’t get anything from the table and possibly not sleep in the beds.

Babies or children should never be alone with the German Shepherd. Unintentional dangerous situations could arise. A toddler who accidentally hits the four-legged friend’s nose or pulls the tail is at best ignored or receives a warning in the form of a growl. But if it hurts too much, the four-legged friend could snap shut. The dog’s threat signals are not yet understood, but should be pointed out to the children at an early stage.

Important: 

A German Shepherd has an instinct to guard and protect. So it can happen that he “guards” your children. He needs consistent but loving leadership without harshness. If you are a novice dog and have small children, a German shepherd is only partially recommended.

But if you pay attention to a few basic things, choose a reputable breeder and socialize and train the dog well, you will be rewarded with a great family dog ​​with which everyone has fun and who stands up for his family.

Short profile: the German Shepherd

German Shepherd Dog Profile: What makes the German Shepherd Dog?

The characteristics of this impressive breed are summarized here in a short profile German Shepherd :

• • Shepherd dog sizeor height at withers : up to 60 centimeters
  • German Shepherd Weight: depending on gender: 22 to 40 kilograms
  • Age: up to 15 years
  • Country of origin: Germany
  • Use: family, utility, guard, companion, service, protection, rescue and herding dog
  • Coors: Different
  • Coat: Close-fitting outer coat with an undercoat. It is weather resistant, easy to care for and defies heat as well as cold and rain
  • German Shepherd character: nervous, balanced, impartial, willing to learn, loyal and self-confident

Prejudice against the German Shepherd

A German shepherd prejudice is its alleged aggressiveness. The German Shepherd is no more aggressive than other dog breeds either.

Despite its many advantages, the German Shepherd wrestles with some persistent prejudices. Above all, this includes:

• aggressiveness
• High dominance
• Disease, especially HD (hip dysplasia)

These and similar prejudices are completely out of place with the great dogs.

An equally well behaved and socialized German Shepherd is neither aggressive nor too dominant.

It is true that some German Shepherds have HD, but this is not a typical disease, it is a disease that can affect all medium-sized and large breeds.

However, since there are many German Shepherds, it seems to some people that this breed is particularly affected by hip dysplasia.

For whom is the German Shepherd the perfect companion?

The German Shepherd is a working dog and wants to be used accordingly. That’s why it’s in good hands with active people who have a lot of time and patience with them. Because the German Shepherd needs good guidance. Therefore he is not necessarily a beginner dog, but canine experience is an absolute advantage. A good education with calm and consistency is extremely important if you don’t want the dog to dance around on your nose.

In addition to dog experience (or at least a lot of ambition), you should also enjoy exercising and working with your dog . Lots of exercise is a must! Long walks are not enough for the German Shepherd. As a working dog, he also wants to exert his hairy head.

So gives him a meaningful task . This can be a dog sport, but also an important task, such as therapy or rescue dog work, or it is used as a watch dog on the home property. In any case, a house or apartment with a garden would be preferable, but is not necessarily a must if there is sufficient occupancy.

If you are looking for a smart and sporty companion who can protect you on top of that and fit in well with the family, you are exactly right with a German Shepherd.

Is the German Shepherd suitable as a therapy dog?

Because of its character, the German Shepherd is often used as a therapy dog.

The shepherd dog breed is even very popular as a therapy dog . One reason for this is their typical willingness to communicate.

But also their firm nature and their pronounced play instinct are suitable for use as a therapy dog ideal .

The German Shepherd is often used in the course of animal-assisted medical treatment. This can take place, among other things, in the context of occupational or psychotherapy as well as in physiotherapy or curative education.

The exact application possibilities within the various measures are diverse. These include, for example:

• Promotion of gross and fine motor skills
• Mobilization
• Developmental disorders
• Relaxation exercises and rest
• Sense of responsibility and self-confidence

What are the differences between a male and a female?

In the German Shepherd, there are usually no differences in character between bitches and males .

However, every German Shepherd, like other four-legged friends, has its own will, likes and dislikes.

However, these are completely normal, individual traits.

The greatest difference between males and females can be seen in the heat of the females.

As a rule, the first heat begins around the age of six to twelve months. As soon as the bitch’s hormonal balance has settled, she usually goes into heat about twice a year.

Here, however, one should refrain from the protective panties available in stores, so that the bitch learns to keep herself clean. Most of the time it works pretty well even after a few heat phases.

Changes in character during heat

The nature of your German Shepherd may deviate slightly from her normal behavior during heat. Some bitches become affectionate and cuddly and need a lot of attention. Other breed representatives, on the other hand, withdraw and want to be left alone. There are also bitches that you would hardly notice if they didn’t lose drops of blood and were clearly in the heat. It is therefore impossible to predict in general how and whether a change in behavior will be noticeable in your bitch.

Once the heat is over, the bitch usually quickly finds her way back to her old self. But at eingen women may experience false pregnancy come, although no mating has taken place. In most cases this is not a concern. Not even if the bitch produces some milk. This is nature’s clever trick. In this way, puppies can still be cared for in packs if something happens to the actual mother dog.

If you observe a few hygiene measures, you will survive the heat without much excitement. Watch out for washable beds and remove drops of blood by moving slightly swiping frequently. Logically, be careful on walks so that there is no unwanted mating . Inform other dog owners that they are in heat, do not unleash the dog and do not leave her in the garden unobserved. A loving male can possibly jump over a supposedly sufficiently high fence and dogs are said to have mated through the garden fence.

Even a male dog often shows a rather untypical behavior when a bitch in heat is within sniffing range. On the walk the nose sticks to the ground and the dog looks nervous or excited. He can also whine and moan for the lady of the heart or even try to run away from home.

Can castration weaken these behaviors?

Yes and no. While some representatives of the breed are actually calmer, no longer roam around and leave the ladies behind in the future, this cannot generally be said for all dogs.

So if you have a dominant or aggressive male dog at home, you will not automatically get a balanced dog after being neutered. The later the four-legged friend is neutered, the less strong is the effect of the neutering on the being. Competitive behavior towards other members of the sexes may therefore remain and it cannot be ruled out that the male will still react to a bitch in heat. So the OP is not a magic cure. Behavioral problems should rather be tackled with a trainer.

The castration must always be viewed critically. It interferes with the hormonal balance, which can have an influence on the dog’s social behavior and development. This is especially true with a very early castration. In addition, there are sometimes unwanted side effects , such as incontinence or changes in the coat.

A bitch should of course not be neutered out of convenience. But the operation is sometimes necessary if, for example, male and female dogs live under one roof or if there are pseudo-pregnancies every time, which may be too stressful for the bitch. If the operation is performed before or after the first heat, the risk of mammary tumors and inflammation of the uterus is significantly reduced.