Everything You Need to Know About German Shepherds
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German Shepherd Dogs have long been favourites in the UK. They are very versatile dogs, and play a number of roles, including helping disabled people, and working as police dogs. They are dogs that bond very strongly with their owners, and they can be trained more easily than most breeds, because they have a strong desire to please, though they are less 'forgiving' of mistakes in training than, say. Labrador retrievers.
They can be reliable companions on walks, and tend to deter unwanted intruders with their deep barks and imposing presence. So, what's the downside? German Shepherds can be a bit too protective of their owners, and if you don't take control, they can try to control you. They can also be a bit territorial, and need to be taught that visitors have a right to come into your home. They also vary in terms of how relaxed they are. Some German Shepherds have a similar sort of intensity to that of Border Collies, while others are much more relaxed. A relaxed German Shepherd is a better bet for someone who is relatively inexperienced, or a family with children, and this means asking detailed questions of the breeder, as to what sort of temperament they are breeding for, and whether they think their line would suit you. If the breeder doesn't seem to know what you are talking about, chances are that it's not a very good breeder.
The big problem with German Shepherds is that they have all too often been bred with no thought for temperament or health. Anyone who knows a large number of German Shepherd Dogs will be familiar with the wide range of characters, from the very relaxed, calm, and outgoing dogs, to the nervy, snappy individuals who don't trust anyone other than their owners, and back off then snap when another human or dog comes near. The breed's temperament is improving as breeders have become more aware of the need to breed for a dog with steady nerves, but this problem means that many German Shepherds are nervous with children, despite socialization, though other individuals are very relaxed and tolerant with children. Anyone buying a German Shepherd puppy should always try to meet both parents, to see how relaxed they are. Rescue German Shepherds are easy to 'read' - the breed is one of the most expressive among dogs - and parents can take along children, to see how the dogs react to kids, without letting the children get too close. A good rescue centre should also be able to advise you on whether a particular German Shepherd will suit you.
Socialization is, of course, very important with this breed. They need to get to know a variety of friendly adults and children as they are growing up, in order to be outgoing and friendly as adult dogs. German Shepherd dogs that have been able to play with puppies of other breeds when they were pups are also much more likely to grow up into adults that behave well with other dogs.Socialization is, of course, very important with this breed. They need to get to know a variety of friendly adults and children as they are growing up, in order to be outgoing and friendly as adult dogs. German Shepherd dogs that have been able to play with puppies of other breeds when they were pups are also much more likely to grow up into adults that behave well with other dogs.
The breed also has a number of common health problems, such as hip dysplasia, arthritis, and digestive problems, so it's also important to ask about the longevity of the ancestors of any pup you are interested in. Rosettes for good looks are no guarantee that the parents are good breeding material. They tell you little about a dog's temperament, and tend to be awarded to young adult dogs, before diseases of middle age set in. Ask the breeder about the line, the grandparents, great grandparents, what they were like and how long they lived. You may feel hesitant about sounding rude, but it can save you a lot of heartache later if you do a thorough check on the pup's ancestry. Other disadvantages of this breed are that they can shed a lot more than you expect, especially during their spring moult, and they can be quite barky, especially if left alone a lot.
German Shepherds tend to do best with owners who are experienced with dogs, and who have a lifestyle that allows them to give the dog some stability and order. These dogs tend to worry about their owners and the state of the world if their schedules suddenly vary. This is not an ideal breed for a novice owner, though German Shepherds have huge appeal for their trainability and reliablity, and many people would own no other breed.
Joan Hustace's book is a very good introduction to the breed, and gives help with all stages of the dog's life, from choosing and caring for a pup, to feeding, grooming and training. The book takes a common-sense approach, which is especially helpful fornew owners. There is a lot in this book that particularly refers to German shepherds, so experienced owners are likely to learn something from it too.
