Is a German Shepherd the Right Breed for You?

Canine Dimensions trains more German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs) than any other breed. The AKC reports that in 2013 the GSD was the second most popular breed in the United States (the Labrador Retriever was #1).  Is the GSD the right breed for you?

On the website of GSGSR (a large GSD Rescue in the northeast) they answer this question in an accurate but somewhat encyclopedic fashion. Here’s their description – along with a few real-world comments from the perspective of someone who has trained, rescued and fostered many German Shepherds over the years, and has seen many successful – and unfortunately, some unsuccessful – owner experiences with this magnificent but potentially challenging breed: 

The German Shepherd Dog is also known as the Alsatian. It is handsome, well proportioned and very strong. The coat most often comes in black with tan, sable or all black, but also can come in blue, liver and white….here are three varieties of the German Shepherd: rough-coated, long rough-coated, and the long-haired. This breed sheds bits of hair constantly and is a seasonally heavy shedder. A quick daily brushing is best unless hair in the house is not a problem.

My two cents: This breed is not for “neat freaks.” All dogs shed, but the GSD is a champion shedder.  Like most purebred dogs there are potential health challenges in the breed. If you cannot afford to provide quality veterinary care for your dog, this breed is not for you.

Often used as working dogs, German Shepherds are direct and fearless, eager and alert. Bold, cheerful, obedient and eager to learn, they are also known for their tremendous loyalty and courage. Calmly confident, but not hostile, he is serious and almost human in his intelligence. They have a high learning ability. German Shepherds love to be close to their families, but they can be very wary of strangers. This breed needs his people and should not be left isolated for long periods of time. They only bark when it is necessary. German Shepherds have a very strong protective instinct, so they should be extensively socialized to prevent over-guarding when they become an adult.

Aggression and attacks on people are largely due to poor breeding, handling and training. A well bred, well-adjusted, and trained dog is for the most part generally good with other pets and excellent with children in the family. To be successful pets, these dogs should be trained and socialized from an early age with a firm and loving hand. Coercive or angry training does not succeed well with these dogs. To be truly happy, the German Shepherd needs a task in life. The breed is so intelligent and learns so readily that it has been used as a sheepdog, guard dog, in police work, as a guide for the blind, in search and rescue service, and in the military.

My two cents: Insurance companies put the German Shepherd at the top of the list for dog bite claims. Poor breeding and/or poor handling are the causes. A well-bred, well-trained GSD is a great pet. But because this breed is so popular with owners, it is unfortunately also popular with puppy mills. They breed GSDs by the thousands each year. A poorly bred GSD can come with a variety of physical and behavioral challenges.  A safer choice than buying a poorly bred puppy from a pet shop or puppy mill is to rescue an adult dog who has been temperament tested and lived in foster care with an experienced rescue organization. 

GSDs are extremely intelligent – sometimes more intelligent than their owners. It is common to hear comments such as these from first time GSD owners: “I’ve owned dogs all my life, but this dog is really a challenge!”  In response to perceived “dominance” issues (which usually are just “lack of training” issues), overwhelmed owners may resort to physical punishment, which creates bigger problems for them down the road.  GSDs are an intelligent and sensitive breed, and there is a much narrower margin for error with regard to poor handling than with some other breeds. If you’ve never owned a GSD before, this is not a “do-it-yourself” project, where you can read some Internet advice or watch a  few episodes of the Dog Whisperer.  Even experienced GSD owners will  benefit from the help of  a  good, experienced, balanced trainer (not Pet Store group lessons or “purely positive” trainers).

Socialization while young is extremely important if  you choose to buy a puppy. Puppies should meet a hundred friendly people and 20 friendly dogs by the time they are 6 months old. No dog parks. 

The German Shepherd also excels in many other dog activities including schutzhund, tracking, obedience, agility, flyball, and ring sport. His fine nose can sniff out drugs and intruders, and can alert handlers to the presence of underground mines in time to avoid detonation, or gas leaks in pipes buried 15 feet underground. The German Shepherd is also a popular show and family companion.

The German Shepherd will do okay in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. They are relatively inactive indoors and do best with at least a large yard. German Shepherd Dogs love strenuous activity, preferably combined with training of some kind, for these dogs are very intelligent and crave a good challenge.

An adult male German Shepherd usually ranges 24-26 inches in height; females 22-24 inches. They normally weight 77-90 pounds. It is important to consider their size when choosing a German Shepherd - an adult German Shepherd can swipe a coffee table clean with its tail, and can accidentally knock over small children or elderly people.

When all is said and done, it's hard to find a more well-rounded, intelligent, all-purpose dog than a German Shepherd.

My two cents: If I were a GSD I would prefer a big fenced yard to living in an apartment.  I would love an owner who enjoyed taking me places, and who was interested in agility, flyball and other fun activities. I would like to go to work with my owner if possible. If I were a GSD I  would insist that I live inside the house with the family, not be kenneled outside. I would ask that I have a crate of my own inside the house that I could go to for a safe, comfortable nap or whenever I needed that secure “den like” feeling  that my canine brain sometimes craves.   And most of all, if I were a GSD I would want a kind, benevolent but “no nonsense” pack leader to follow with the absolute loyalty and devotion that comes naturally in my breed.   

Tips on How to Raise a Puppy

Puppies bring joy to a home. They make us smile, they make us laugh. But if you’re not prepared for the work involved to raise one, they can also make you cry.  Every year, thousands of people plunge into puppy ownership without a realistic idea of the work involved to raise one.  Puppy ownership can give us plenty to chat about around the water cooler: “You’ll never guess what Sparky decided to eat this morning!” And sometimes expressions of regret: “What was I thinking when I brought home this little bundle of energy!?”  

As a professional dog trainer for over two decades, I’ve seen some really good puppy parenting, and some, well, not as good.  In spite of an unlimited number of puppy-how-to books and Internet tips, things don’t always go smoothly.  Add to that the barrage of advice from well-meaning friends and relatives, and the result could be confusion and frustration for you and your new best friend.

Raising a puppy is a lot of work, much more than can be condensed into a few “Easy Tips.” But after helping thousands of puppies and their owners over the years, I believe there are some things that rank at the top of the list if you want to dramatically raise the odds of a stress-free puppy experience:

·       Focus on what you want the puppy to do, not just what you want the puppy to stop doing.  A puppy explores the world through the eyes of a predator (chase, hunt, chew, forage). Teach the puppy how to use that energy and drive in a human world. Teach your puppy what to do, and you won’t have to spend as much time teaching him not what not to do.  Supervision – and holding a 6 foot leash attached to the puppy not just outside but inside the home - is a simple but overlooked tool.
 

·       Use a crate. When puppy can’t be on a leash, he should be safely confined in a kennel crate.  I know that many people are turned off to the idea of crating a puppy. They think it’s mean to lock that cute little ball of fur in a cage.  But a crate is the best gift one can give their puppy. It’s a place of peace and safety, working in harmony with the natural denning instincts of a dog. Plus, puppies need a lot of sleep and crates gives them the opportunity to get it.  Also, with the proper use of a crate, housebreaking will be much easier.

·       Use the puppy’s name to gain her attention - for example, before giving an obedience command - but never to scold.  If you use the puppy’s name to scold (e.g. “Molly NO! Molly OUT! Molly OFF!”) you’re teaching her that her name signals a conflict with the owner. 

 

·       Socialization. At Canine Dimensions we call this the “Rule of 120.” Your puppy should meet 100 friendly people and 20 friendly dogs before 6 months of age. Most aggressive behavior that trainers encounter among adult dogs is the result of failing to create a positive imprint on the young mind at an early age. It is much easier to prevent aggression than to treat it. The most important thing to teach your puppy at a young age is that other dogs and people are fun to be with and are no threat.

·       Take your time! Training should begin the moment you bring your puppy home, but it doesn’t have to be completed in a hurry. There are several developmental stages that puppies go through.  For example, from age 8 to 11 weeks anything that frightens the puppy will have a more lasting effect than if it occurred at any other time. This is known as the “Fear Imprint Period.”  From about 4 to 8 months of age a puppy will test its wings. He may challenge you in an attempt to decide who’s in charge. Also, he will be uncomfortable because his adult teeth are growing in. Make sure he always has lots of acceptable “doggy” things to chew on, or he will find your new iPhone to chew on.

·       Finally, a few words about walking on a leash at a young age. The pup should learn to enjoy the walk. Watch for any fear or shyness on leash and help your puppy work through this without coddling him. Just keep your head up, lead the walk and act natural. Stopping to talk to him at a moment of hesitation will send the wrong signal. Instead of pulling or popping the leash of a lagging puppy, use a happy tone of voice and your body language to get the puppy moving.   (Note:  No long jogging with a young puppy. The puppy’s skeletal system is not mature enough for repetitive exercises like jogging until around 12 to 18 months of age depending on breed. Check with your vet before jogging, rollerblading or using a treadmill with a puppy or an adolescent dog.)

Work with and respect your puppy’s natural instincts and drives, instead of battling them. Help your puppy channel those drives into healthy, fun activities and both of you will enjoy the puppy parenting experience!