In this post we are going to talk about Is a German Shepherd a good family dog? - GERMAN Shepherd is a good friend for all family members and is one of them.
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The German Shepherd is undoubtedly one of the most common dogs in the collective imagination. It is a versatile animal that can be used as a family dog as well as a service dog, police dog, guard and defense or military dog.
A bit of history
The German Shepherd is a quite new breed, originally from Germany in the late 19th century. It was believed by Max Emil Friedrich von stephanitz, who came from the crossing of several shepherds from the south and the center of Germany. The goal was to create a tough, intelligent and loyal dog. A First standard was published in 1899. Gradually it was refined and the selection, by then quite wide, became more sophisticated. First Shepherd, the German Shepherd saw its use expand and the German Police began to use it in its ranks. From 1914, it was used as a military dog.
The German Shepherd arrived in France in 1910, and very soon success was on the rendezvous. For a long time, this breed was at the top of the list of favorite dogs in France, before it was gradually dethroned by the Australian Shepherd. But even today, this breed is incredibly popular all over the world. Several German Shepherds have even become famous, such as Rintintin, both acting dog and fictional dog.
Physical Properties
Body: large dog - although slightly smaller than other German Shepherds-the German Shepherd has a rather elongated body. The back is slightly inclined, the croup oblique. It is a flexible, sporty, and elegant dog.
Head: well proportioned, wedge-shaped, with a little pronounced stop. The truffle is black.
Ears: The ears are large, medium-sized. The pavilion is facing forward. They are just in adulthood and end with a point.
Eyes: The eyes are almond-shaped and oblique. They are in black.
Tail: slightly curved, worn rather low. The hair is longer inside. When the dog is looking, it sits a little, but never horizontally.
Coat: The coat is short and dense. It is elongated on the body, with a thick undercoat. There is a variety of long-haired German shepherds.
Color: this is undoubtedly one of the most famous physical characteristics of the German Shepherd. The most common color is black and tan. There are also black coats with reddish-brown, brown, yellow, or light gray spots. There are also plain dresses in black or anthracite grey.
Character
The character of the German Shepherd makes him a faithful, sweet, and cheerful dog. He is the protector of the family members and is very patient with the children. The German Shepherd is very athletic, and he can't stand idleness: he needs a sporting master who can take him to train for several hours a day. However, a good watchdog is not aggressive towards strangers, even if it needs to be socialized early. He may be lonely, but be careful not to prolong your absence too long: he still needs regular presence and daily physical activities to avoid sinking into boredom and depression.
Behavior with others
The German Shepherd gets along very well with the children, with whom he is particularly gentle and patient. With other animals, it is about socializing. Although he is a German Shepherd, the German Shepherd shows a rather large predator instinct that should be avoided. It is important to be careful in the presence of smaller animals, such as cats, and especially NACs, who will not rise up against them.
Compatibility
Although the German Shepherd is very popular, he is not for everyone. In fact, this energetic dog needs above all available and athletic masters, with enough time to give him daily time to play with him and take him to training. Due to his intelligent, docile and obedient nature, he is well suited as the first dog.
Health
Unfortunately, the popularity of the breed has encouraged the development of certain pathologies over time. Like all large dogs, the German Shepherd is affected by hip and elbow dysplasia. These two joint diseases are usually hereditary, so it is important to select the right breeder and check whether both parents and their ancestors did not suffer from them. However, dysplasia can also occur if the dog puts too much pressure on its joints during its growth. The German Shepherd is also affected by various types of cancer, including hemangiosarcoma, which is particularly aggressive. The breed is susceptible to degenerative myelopathy, a severe and incurable neurological disorder. Other minor diseases should be considered, such as skin problems, allergies or perianal fistulas. The life expectancy of the German Shepherd is between 12 and 14 years. Before adopting a German Shepherd, always take the time to find out about the kennels you are visiting.
Living conditions
The living conditions of the German Shepherd are adaptable, and this dog can certainly live in an apartment if it comes out very regularly. He can easily live with other animals if he has been properly socialized from birth. This socialization must be continued when the puppy arrives at you, so that he also gets along well with his fellows. The German Shepherd is a very athletic dog, who cannot be content with short hygienic walks to relieve him. Feel free to take it with you in your sporting activities such as jogging or hiking. If you have dog parks near you, take this opportunity to meet other dogs. Avoid leaving your dog alone for too long, because it can show its boredom and sadness through destruction, but also through barking, which could be a problem if you live in an apartment.
Education
The education of the German Shepherd should not be left to chance, even if it is an obedient dog, docile and very close to its owner. It is not a police dog or rescue dog for nothing. As with all dog breeds, however, they must always be firm with them without ever raising their voices or showing the slightest violence. Sensitively, the German Shepherd could turn very quickly. Be patient with it and take a positive approach to education where the reward must come first. Learning must begin from an early age. Be consistent with your dog and forbid him anything you will forbid him later. Any change in order could quickly disturb him and also change the hierarchy of the family. Your dog must understand that he swears obedience to his master, but also to other members of the household, if there are any.
Nutrition: feed your German shepherd well
The diet of the German Shepherd is important for his health. You must therefore be able to provide him with high-quality food, be able to support him in his efforts, but also ensure the functioning of his body. One of the golden rules in the diet of dogs is to avoid as much food as possible found in supermarkets. The latter is indeed of very poor quality and absolutely does not meet the nutritional needs of your dog. Alternatives to supermarkets are not necessarily more expensive, on the contrary. You need to choose a high-quality animal protein food-and never buy a vegetable protein diet. Remember that your German shepherd is a carnivore. Learn how to find the labels to ensure that you choose a healthy composition without preservatives or sweeteners.
Count about 290 to 440 grams of croquettes per day, divided into two or three meals. If you do not want to feed your dog, you can also offer food that is often more appetizing for your dog. Finally, if you have time and want to master all the ingredients, you can embark on the adventure of household ration or BARF diet - always on veterinary advice!
Care and hygiene of the German Shepherd
Vaccines: between 100 and 200 euros per year
Nutrition: from 50 euros per month for a high-quality diet
Monthly Budget: between 50 and 70 euros
The maintenance of the German Shepherd is quite simple, but nevertheless it should be done regularly enough to ensure the health of your dog. Side brushes, if your pet has short hair, opt for one brush stroke per week. For the long-haired variety, you should use two or three weekly brushes instead. During the moulting, which takes place twice a year (spring and autumn), the German Shepherd loses a lot of hair. So it needs to be brushed every day. When it comes to bathing, be careful not to wash your dog too often! One or two baths a year is enough, except of course if your four-legged friend needs express cleaning after getting dirty. Also, do not forget to cut claws, clean eyes, ears and teeth. Also, do not forget to be up to date with your vaccines and anthelmintics. During your annual vet visit, you can make a small health check for your dog, especially if he is older.
Price Of A German Shepherd
The price of a German shepherd in a breed is always quite high, although it is less exorbitant than in other breeds. Be sure to select your breeder: he must report his activity and his dogs must be registered with the LOF so that your dogs can also be registered. As a rule, a German shepherd costs between 600 and 1200 euros. This price varies according to different criteria. The rarer the breed, the greater the demand and the higher the prices. Similarly, some breeders charge higher prices if the animal is intended for exhibition or breeding or if its pedigree is exceptional.
Sleep
The sleep cycles of a dog are very important to know, since your German Shepherd needs an undisturbed rest. These cycles also change with age. A puppy needs almost twenty hours of sleep a day, interspersed with periods of activity to play and defecate, while an adult German Shepherd will sleep about a dozen hours. With age, older dogs have to sleep even longer to recover: about sixteen hours. The German Shepherd must have a corner specially designed for his sleep. Do not disturb him when he is asleep. If you have children, teach them respect for your dog. Your four-legged friend can sleep outside, in a niche that fits his size perfectly and is well insulated from both the cold and the heat. If your dog sleeps indoors, reserve a corner for him, quiet and a little secluded. Avoid sleeping your German Shepherd in your room: you can encourage him to develop a problematic separation anxiety.
Games and physical activities for the German shepherd dog
The German Shepherd is a dog that exerts a lot of energy and needs a lot of movement. If you don't have much time for them, it might be better to switch to another, less demanding breed. If you are a lauffan, your dog will be happy to follow you on your excursions. You can also try your hand at cani-cross or Cani-mountainbike. The German Shepherd loves water games: why not take him for swimming when you have the opportunity?
Also buy his toys to keep him busy when you need to be away. German shepherds love intelligence games like puzzles or puzzles. Kong type toy with which you can collect a treat is also a great idea. But be sure to choose a kong that is suitable for the size of your dog's jaws.
Insurance: protect your German shepherd
The German Shepherd is not a category 1 or category 2 dog. It is therefore not subject to the law of the so-called "dangerous dogs", which obliges all owners of these animals to take out insurance. In general, the dog insurance is included in the liability insurance, which can be found in the household contents insurance. They protect you from damage that your four-legged friend could cause to others or the property of others. If you want more protection, you have the option of taking out more expensive but extensive liability insurance.
Reciprocity on their part offers them protection from the vagaries of life. Even if the German Shepherd is healthy, he is not immune to accidents or diseases. The breed is also affected by certain pathologies. In France the veterinary costs are not regulated and the bills are sometimes heavy. Thanks to a mutual, you are protected from a nasty surprise. Before you decide on a contract, you should consider the terms, exclusion clauses and refund limits. The reciprocity refuses to insure the dogs, too old, or too young, or already sick. If you want to sign a contract, do not wait until it is already too late. It also happens that the mutual societies exclude genetic and / or hereditary diseases from the reimbursement conditions.
Physical characteristics Of The German Shepherd
According to the International Cynological Federation, the German Shepherd belongs to group 1, the group of German Shepherd dogs and German Shepherd Dogs (with the exception of the Swiss Shepherd dogs). It bears the FCI number 166 and belongs to section 1.
The German Shepherd is a big dog. The males are between 60 and 65 cm at the withers, females between 55 and 60 cm at the withers. The male is heavier than the female: it weighs between 30 and 40 kg, compared to 22 to 32 kg.