You need to know as much information as you can about any breed of dog before adopting one. And, since the German Shepherd is a great dog, you should know a lot of information about the German Shepherd before adopting or buying one! Not all dogs are the same. If you have never lived with a large dog or a very active dog before, then you may be in for a surprise with a German Shepherd. Hopefully this will be a pleasant surprise.
German Shepherds are not a sedentary, placid breed like the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. To be healthy, happy, and responsive to training, they should get regular exercise every day, which includes a walk of at least half an hour, plus a romp in the garden. You live in an apartment? Then you really should consider another dog. Otherwise, they will damage your apartment from boredom and burn out excess energy.
Daily life with a German Shepherd should include plenty of interaction and fuss with your family and dog. They love to be in the thick of the action and are strong enough to force their way into the thick of the action if left unsupervised. Keeping your dog exercised, including games and yard games, will help keep his energy levels low. German Shepherds are not naturally vicious, but they can play rough, just like puppies.
You will need to brush your German Shepherd daily to prevent matting and to keep shedding to a minimum. Most German Shepherds have a thick, double-layered coat, although there are many with a single-layered coat. Bathing the German Shepherd too frequently can result in shedding and dandruff beyond imagining, so only bathe when absolutely necessary. Train your dog to stay when you brush him and do so after exercise.
German Shepherd Dogs need to feel like they have a job in order to be well-adjusted. They love company and being part of the family. They hate being left out of everything. They use their intelligence to find ways to do things that they think you will like and praise them for. Whether you’ll like these stocks is another matter. German Shepherds need supervision and training.
Due to their popularity, German Shepherd dogs have been overbred, leading to health problems. Although responsible breeders would not breed an animal with health problems, which can be inherited by their puppies, many still do. The most common health problems with German Shepherds are hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and cancer. Although many of these health problems can be easily treated, previous owners are unwilling or unable to pay the vet bills and abandon the dog instead. When you get a German Shepherd, keep in mind that they may need frequent visits to the vet.
