If you’re looking for the perfect dog for your family you would discover that there are a lot of options for you to choose from. The dog is an indispensable peace of any family whether it is an established family or a family that just starting up the benefit of having a dog in a family are in mains can can never be overemphasized. If you are considering getting a German Shepherd as a dog for your family there are a couple of things you need to know about having one. We will discuss whether it is good for you, some of the benefits of having this particular breed in your home, and certain things you should be wary of when you get one. In this article, I will explore various aspects of having a German shepherd and how it relates to being a family dog.
Are German Shepherd Good Dogs for Family?
The for the family. Typically, a German shepherd is loyal, meek, compassionate, faithful, and reliable. As a family, you will need to have a dog that can also function as a guard dog while being friendly enough around kids. A German shepherd can be all of that and more when subjected to the right training. In essence, you can make your German shepherd a family dog one that is capable of being a security guard dog and a member of the family as regards loyalty and friendliness.
As you proceed in this article I’m going to be listing reasons why we all agree that a German Shepherd is a good family dog. I will also show you areas where German shepherds do not excel in family building and development. You will also find out if you should get a German Shepherd as a first time owner and whether German shepherds are easy to train.
Reasons You Should Get a German Shepherd
German Shepherds are an excellent choice for families due to their loyal and protective nature. Here are some key reasons why:
- Intelligent and Trainable: German Shepherds are highly intelligent and can be trained to perform various tasks, making them a joy to have as part of your family.
- Loyal and Protective: They have a natural instinct to protect their loved ones and will go to great lengths to keep them safe. This makes them excellent watchdogs, providing peace of mind and added security.
- Great with Children: German Shepherds are known for their gentle and patient nature, making them fantastic companions for children. They are protective and will keep a watchful eye over your little ones.
- Active and Energetic: If you lead an active lifestyle, a German Shepherd will be the perfect match for your family. They are energetic dogs that require regular exercise and mental stimulation.
- Versatile Working Dogs: German Shepherds are highly versatile working dogs, exceling in various roles such as search and rescue, police and military work, therapy dogs, and service dogs.
- Affectionate and Loving: Despite their protective instincts, German Shepherds are incredibly affectionate and loving towards their family members. They thrive on human companionship and will shower you with unconditional love and loyalty.
- Low Maintenance Grooming: German Shepherds have a double coat that requires regular brushing to keep it healthy and free from mats. However, they are relatively low maintenance when it comes to grooming.
- Excellent Problem Solvers: German Shepherds have a knack for problem-solving and are known for their problem-solving abilities. They can quickly assess situations and find solutions, making them highly adaptable and versatile.
- Social and Well-Behaved: Proper socialization is essential for any dog, and German Shepherds are no exception. When properly socialized from a young age, they become well-behaved and confident dogs.
- Lifelong Companions: German Shepherds have an average lifespan of 10-14 years, and during that time, they become cherished members of the family. Their loyalty, intelligence, and unwavering love make them lifelong companions that will bring joy and happiness to your family for years to come.
Have you seen some of the reasons why you can’t have a German shepherd for a family dog they are certain points to notes that may make a German shepherd not seeing like much of a family dog.
Why German Shepherds May Not Be Suitable for Every Family
- High Energy Levels: German Shepherds require substantial exercise and mental stimulation daily. If these needs are not met, they may exhibit destructive behavior such as excessive barking, chewing, and digging.
- Needs Social Interaction: German Shepherds thrive on social interaction and can become distressed if left alone for extended periods. They require consistent companionship and engagement, making them less suitable for individuals with demanding work schedules or social commitments.
- Strong Prey Drive: German Shepherds have a strong prey drive, which can lead them to chase smaller animals, bicycles, or running children. This trait requires consistent training and vigilance, especially in outdoor and off-leash settings.
- Can be Destructive: German Shepherds can become destructive if their physical and mental needs are not met. They require ample exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom, which can lead to chewing, digging, and other destructive behaviors.
- Shedding: German Shepherds have a dense double coat that sheds year-round, requiring frequent cleaning and grooming. This can be overwhelming for individuals with allergies or those who prefer a pristine home.
- Prone to Health Issues: German Shepherds are susceptible to various health issues, including hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and degenerative myelopathy. These conditions can lead to pain, mobility issues, and a decreased quality of life for the dog.
- Unstable Temperament: German Shepherds can have an unstable temperament if not bred properly, including excessive barking, hyperactivity, or aggression. They can be suspicious of strangers and require proper socialization.
These factors highlight the importance of careful consideration and preparation before bringing a German Shepherd into your family.
Can German Shepherds be Trusted With Children?
The short and simple answer to this is yes. However, there are some complexities. Basically, a German shepherd can be territorial and have an unstable temperance so for them to be friendly around children they have to be trained and properly socialized. Training is the best way to get the family like tendency in your German Shepherd without subjecting your dog to the right training from your young age it may become aggressive and instead of a loyal and compassionate furry companion you may have a terror in your home.
Should you get a German Shepherd as a first time owner?
When people ask us if a German Shepherd is good as a first time dog, we often have a simple response – German shepherds hardly do well in the hands of first time dog owners. We are not saying this is the general case we’re seeing in most cases we found out that first time dog owners really get the best out of a German shepherd however if you are willing to learn and train your dog correctly you may enjoy success with your dog so as a first time owner we don’t tell you not to get a German shepherd we only ask you if you are willing to put in the work needed to get the best out of your dog if you are not open to that level of Regal and training then a German shepherd wouldn’t be right for you as a first-time dog owner
Are German Shepherds easy to train?
Yes German shepherds are easy to train there is there are three reasons why we believe that German Shepherds are easy to train aside from the fact that we have worked with hundreds of German shepherds and we have realized with ease we have enjoyed ease in training them they are three characteristics of a German shepherd that makes it easy to train them number one they have a high intelligence level compared to other dog breeds secondly the German Shepherd wants to please its owner so when you begin to train your German shepherd and it does something and you reward it it becomes motivated to want to do more you want to get better if you want to ensure that it keeps getting those reward those treats those applause from you this is also an important points to note when you begin to train your German shepherd rewarding it is going to help you get the best out of your training sessions.
The third reason why we believe that German Shepherds are easy to train is because of their high energy levels a German shepherd can go several minutes of routine workouts and exercises and training patterns for as long as possible you really have an issue with energy and excitement when training a German shepherd this not only helps the German shepherd to keep plugging away at your training but gives you the joy of being with your dog and help you build those bones between owner and pet.
Final Thoughts
It’s a good thing that you want to get a German Shepherd as your family dog. This dog breed has been known for centuries to have their ability to take on a dual sided nature such that they can be Grant dogs and the same time protective loyalist. This features make them great family dogs however before you would incorporate a German shepherd into your home if you’d understand that they or eat may have unstable temperament shedding can be terrible it would exhibit A high pre-drive and it could be aggressive however the good news is with the right training and proper socialization techniques you can get your German shepherd to be a great family dog even if you first time dog owner
We have a comprehensive resource on how you can train your German shepherd correctly we’ll link to it just in the text below.
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