The German Shepherd is renowned for its wolfish good looks, ferocity, loyalty, and noble demeanor. German Shepherds may have been initially developed as working dogs to herd sheep and guard flocks, but they have expanded their roles considerably. You might be pleasantly surprised to find out how friendly these dogs are. Although they are often associated with law enforcement, you can also find them joining their owners on exciting trips, participating in obedience training, and having fun in the backyard.
Appearance
German Shepherds are gorgeous canines with distinctive square noses, bushy tails, and typically black masks. They are big and powerful. Their typical coloration is tan/black or red/black, and their backs frequently have “saddle” and “blanket” marks. Sable, silver, liver, and panda are more uncommon colorings.
The usual double coat of a German shepherd is robust, with a thick underlay and a water-resistant outer layer. They are unquestionably shedders. The average dog sheds once or twice a year, but these canines will benefit greatly from weekly grooming. While most of them have a medium or long coat, others have no undercoat, which necessitates specialized care requirements. Learn how to maintain your specific dog’s coat correctly; this will make the most of the natural advantages of their hair and reduce excessive shedding.
Diet
As with people, a dog’s health and activity habits align with its diet. German shepherds are huge, muscular dogs with a heightened risk of digestion disorders. Therefore, they do well on a high-quality, fresh diet that encourages athletic activity and is devoid of artificial substances. Here are some things to keep in mind when deciding what to feed your German Shepherd:
Feed them twice every day. The danger of bloat is increased by feeding once a day, despite the many advantages of this feeding schedule. Rather consider a slow feeder. While many human athletes benefit from a high-protein diet, dogs often do not require the same specialized food. There are situations where consuming too much protein might be harmful. Real, freshly prepared food is the most important part of a healthy diet since it has the ideal proportions of protein, fat, and fiber.
Temperament
These dogs are extremely curious and thrive when they have a purpose and are given tasks to complete. This, coupled with their eagerness to please their owners, makes them the ideal working dog. Moreover, it also makes them great watchdogs. This is indicative of their high intelligence, meaning that they need not only physical stimulation such as walks, runs, and games of fetch. They equally need mental stimulation through training, learning tricks, and mentally stimulating toys.
However, the downside of this is that they may become a touch too overprotective over their family members. For this reason, it is essential to socialize them properly from a young age, or else they may become aggressive with strangers. In fact, according to a study, German Shepherds were the dog responsible for the most dog bites requiring medical attention between 1971-2018. It’s important to note, though, that this has all to do with their upbringing. If reared in a correct and loving way, they will become great family members – as affectionate as they are loyal.
Is Training a German Shepherd Simple?
Due to their intelligence, German shepherds are simple to train. However, they need a lot of your time and focus because they are so intelligent. The very first day they are brought to their new home should be the beginning of training.
The amount of energy that German shepherds exhibit surprises some people, and some aren’t ready for the time it takes to raise one. German shepherds also form close relationships with their new families and struggle when left alone for extended periods.
