“Owning one is a lot of work but they repay it in love thousands of times over”
German shepherds are one of the most popular dog breeds for many reasons. Not only are they loving and protective, but they also excel at just about anything they put their mind to. From hardworking K9s to loving family pets, German shepherds make wonderful companions.
They are a highly versatile breed that can be trained to sniff out drugs, fight crime, participate in sports, serve in the military, find people after a disaster, and even chill as a protective family dog, so it’s no wonder German shepherd dogs are so popular.
When you own a German shepherd, you also get a glimpse into their funny side. They have lots of personality and their antics can be hilarious. Here are 10 things that only German shepherd dog owners will understand.
1. German shepherds love to inspect everything with their noses. Nothing is off-limits. With their millions of scent receptors, be prepared to have their nose in your business and everyone else’s too. They sniff and explore the world with their nose and love playing sniffing games or learning to detect scents.
2. German shepherds are natural family guardians. As herding dogs, German shepherds are naturally protective. They can be leery of strangers, but a German shepherd shouldn’t be aggressive for no reason. They are very intuitive and can read situations well but do need lots of socialization and exposure to many situations to ensure they are well balanced and exposed to many things.
3. They are mouthy dogs. Another thing about herding dogs is that they use their mouth, a lot. As puppies, they nip, bite, and love to chew everything. Training bite inhibition is important with this breed because their sharp teeth and powerful jaws are no joke, especially when they begin to mature into adult dogs. They can easily be trained to use their mouths to do other things like fetch balls, pick things up, and only chew their toys. As puppies, it’s important to teach them what they can and cannot chew.
4. German shepherds are super smart. Many can quickly learn new things. With their strong work ethic, they love to train and learn. They react well to positive reinforcement combined with consistent discipline. With a plan and patience, training them is a delight. A bored German shepherd will think up things to entertain themselves, which may not be your idea of fun, so you’ll need to keep their mind and body busy.
5. They make loyal companions; they love to be by your side. Loving and bonding with their owners, their favorite time is with you no matter what you’re doing. If you want a dog that prefers to spend time playing alone, a German shepherd is not for you. If you want a dog to follow you everywhere and be up for anything, they make a great pet.
6. German shepherds will take over the house. They look after the family, and nothing gets by them. If you move the furniture, leave a door open, someone is on your property, or anything is amiss, they’ll let you know. Having such an observant dog around can give you lots of peace of mind.
7. They shed all year long. If you have a German shepherd, you’ll need a good vacuum and will use it often. They shed all year long and blow their coat twice a year. They don’t require lots of grooming but do need to be brushed a couple of times a week to keep the loose hair from getting all over your clothes and furniture and even then, it will still get all over.
8. German shepherds are very active and need an active owner. They are not the type of dogs to lay around the house. They need daily activity, lots of exercise, and plenty of mental stimulation to keep them happy. A bored German shepherd is not a happy German shepherd and can easily develop destructive habits and anxiety. If you are not willing to spend time outside being active with your dog every day, you should get another breed.
9. They will love you every day. German shepherds are social dogs that make great best friends. Protective and loyal, they will love you every day of their life. They consider it their job to take care of you and you will not find a more faithful dog. This is a big responsibility because they don’t do well when separated from their family or left alone a lot.
10. German shepherds are typically healthy dogs when fed a healthy diet and are well taken care of. As a large active breed, they need high-quality large breed puppy food to ensure their joints are strong and good diet and supplements during their lifetime. By investing in their nutritional and physical needs, they’ll save you money on vet bills and give you a lifetime of love.
We think you’ll agree with this list and have plenty of things to add. There is a reason why these are our favorite dogs. Please feel free to share with your friends.