The Essential Guide to Dog Breeds

German Shepherds have been bred for intelligence and independent thinking as herding dogs, so GSDs tend to be curious learners and like to be useful. Because of their curiosity and wariness of strangers, German Shepherds make excellent guard dogs (but can be overprotective if not well-socialized).

With their loyal personalities and eagerness to work, you’ll find German Shepherds to be very obedient when it comes to training and following commands. It’s no wonder the German Shepherd is such a popular dog!

If you’re very active, love the outdoors, and want to get your daily exercise no matter what, the GSD will fit perfectly into your life. The ideal German Shepherd owner loves to go on long walks or runs and will take their dog on weekly excursions to interesting places. These dogs are always up for leg day.

Because of the German Shepherd’s loyalty and need for stimulation, they bond deeply with their people. German Shepherds see themselves as true family members. They desire to forge a strong relationship with their people and they thrive on human companionship. That special connection is one of the greatest rewards of living with a GSD.

The German Shepherd dog breed is one of the most active breeds. It is believed that a child will run as fast as he or she can across a field if you let him or her. In addition to plenty of outdoor time, children prefer to be allowed to run as fast as they possibly can. It would be ideal for a German Shepherd to find a home with a wide backyard that allows him to run around freely and not to mention the many walks, runs, and adventures he would want to go on with you.

When they have been properly socialized they can also be great family pets. If you get your German Shepherd well socialized they can make excellent family pets.

Most German Shepherd parents will find grooming relatively easy. German Shepherds have a medium-length double coat with a soft undercoat and dense, harsher outer coat. They shed moderately year round, and shed more profusely during spring and fall. During the seasonal shedding periods, they may require daily brushing to remove dead fur. The rest of the year, brushing once a week as maintenance should be enough. Occasional baths will help keep your German Shepherd clean. Like most dogs, German Shepherd’s nails should be trimmed regularly, and their teeth brushed to maintain dental health.

Just like many dog breeds, German Shepherd dogs are prone to particular health problems. Many are a result of inbreeding early in the breed’s life.

Health conditions more common to German Shepherds include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, degenerative spinal stenosis, and Von Willebrand disease.