The German shepherd: All about the breed (2024)

This dog is particularly happy and playful, appreciating spending time with both young and old to spend up his energy. He also enjoys playing as a means to learn.

Playtime should always be initiated by his master in a controlled manner, as to not over excite this incredibly playful pup.

This shepherd dog is talented in a number of areas: he can serve as a good service, guard, rescue and herding dog. His array of skills demonstrates his remarkable ability to adapt and therefore his intelligence.

The speed at which the German Shepherd can understand and process a diverse range of situations is a clear sign of his advanced intelligence.

His versatility has made him one of the most represented dogs across the world.

Never fearful of or aggressive towards strangers, this dog will be able to assess the proper level of danger in a situation. As long as his first experience with a stranger is normal and healthy, the Alsatian will consider unfamiliar people as members of his social group.

Shy and reserved German Shepherds are considered deviant from the breed’s official standards.

Equipped with a remarkable intelligence and attention span, educating this dog won’t be a challenge, as long as his training methods are respectful of the principles of positive education.

Patience, gentleness and determination will be the keys to the results you want with this strong-willed dog.

Training must start early so as not to wait until he has reached his adult size and weight.

An excellent guard dog, this pet much prefers to stay close to his loved ones in his familiar environment rather than exploring unknown territories.

However, be aware that if your dog is not walked enough, he might decide to wander beyond your four walls in order to satisfy his social and sensory needs.

The Alsatian is protective above all else. His loyalty towards his social group and his tremendous bravery make him an excellent guard dog.

However, if this courageous dog is not trained and socialised with consistency and positivity, this trait can turn aggressive.

Due to the success and popularity of the Alsatian, this situation is quite frequent, as people often take on this breed without proper preparation.

First-time owners can achieve success with a German Shepherd, but it is essential that they do their research before regarding his temperament and the possible consequences of not training him from a young age.

They might even benefit from the help of a professional trainer, in order to make sure the Alsatian puppy receives all the necessary training he needs.

This shepherd dog is made for living in rural areas with regular access to outside spaces. He really enjoys coming and going between the house and the garden.

However, his impressive ability to adapt means that he can accommodate an urban lifestyle in a flat, as long as his needs for exercise are met.

Whether he resides in a house with a garden or in a flat, this active dog will need to be walked multiple times a day, as well as presented with regular mentally and physically-stimulating activities that have a sensory and social element.

As a working dog, the German Shepherd will not be fulfilled unless he is useful to his master. Therefore, he should be engaged in an array of activities that respond to his needs.

Agility training, tracking, bite work, racing and mantrailing are all activities that can provide this dog with proper mental and physical stimulation in a sensorial way.

Other than these frequent activities, you should also walk him 1-2 times a day, garden or not. A simple 15-minute round-the-block walk will not be enough to fulfil his exercise needs.

If you’re looking for a harmonious cohabitation between this dog and a cat, it will be necessary to get these pets used to each other from a young age. If they grow up together, they will be much more at ease around each other.

The German Shepherd puppy will want to play with his feline counterparts, while an adult will be more ignorant around them.

This dog must be socialised early in order to ensure he has an established understanding of the canine code, so that he is able to communicate with other dogs.

Regular, positive and monitored encounters will be indispensable, especially during the first few months of the puppy’s life.

Being very close to and also very protective of children, the Alsatian’s playful and joyful character suits life with kids perfectly well.

To make sure that everything goes smoothly, some house rules should be established and respected. For example:

• Don’t disturb the dog while he is in his basket
• Don’t treat him like a teddy bear
• Don’t leave him alone and unwatched with children
• Teach the children the dog’s warning signs