20 Things that Only German Shepherd Owners Would Understand
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German Shepherd owners form a dedicated community of dog enthusiasts who appreciate the intelligence, loyalty, and versatility of this popular breed. These individuals often choose German Shepherds for their protective nature and strong work ethic.
German Shepherds require consistent training, mental stimulation, and physical exercise to thrive, making ownership a rewarding yet demanding experience.
Many German Shepherd owners participate in activities such as obedience trials, agility courses, and protection sports to channel their dogs’ energy and intelligence. The breed’s adaptability allows them to excel in various roles, from family companions to working dogs in law enforcement and search and rescue operations.
Responsible German Shepherd ownership involves providing proper nutrition, regular veterinary care, and socialization from an early age. Owners must be prepared to invest time and effort into training and exercise to ensure their dogs develop into well-behaved and balanced companions.
Understanding German Shepherds
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German Shepherds are intelligent, versatile, and loyal dogs known for their strength and trainability. These popular working dogs have a rich history and distinct traits that make them stand out.
Breed Origins and History
German Shepherds originated in Germany in the late 19th century. Captain Max von Stephanitz developed the breed in 1899, aiming to create the ideal working dog. He founded the Society for German Shepherd Dogs and established the breed standard.
Initially bred for herding sheep, German Shepherds quickly gained recognition for their intelligence and versatility. They excelled in various roles, including police work, military service, and search and rescue operations.
During World War I, German Shepherds served as messenger dogs, sentries, and ambulance dogs. Their popularity soared in the United States after the war, partly due to the fame of Rin Tin Tin, a German Shepherd movie star.
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Physical Characteristics
German Shepherds are medium to large-sized dogs with a muscular build and noble appearance. They typically weigh between 50-90 pounds and stand 22-26 inches tall at the shoulder.
Key physical traits include:
- Erect ears
- Almond-shaped eyes
- Long, bushy tail
- Double coat (dense undercoat with longer outer hair)
Common coat colors:
- Black and tan
- Sable
- Solid black
- Black and red
German Shepherds have a strong, athletic body with a slightly sloping back. Their powerful jaws and alert expression contribute to their commanding presence.
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Behavior and Temperament
German Shepherds are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and protective nature. They form strong bonds with their families and are often wary of strangers.
Key temperament traits:
- Highly trainable
- Confident and self-assured
- Protective of their home and family
- Energetic and require regular exercise
These dogs excel in obedience training and thrive on mental stimulation. They need early socialization to develop into well-rounded adults.
German Shepherds are natural guardians but can be gentle and patient with children when properly trained. Their high energy levels make them suitable for active families who can provide ample exercise and engagement.
Health Considerations
German Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, but like all breeds, they can be prone to certain health issues. Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care are essential for maintaining their well-being.
Common health concerns:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Degenerative myelopathy
- Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
- Allergies and skin problems
Responsible breeding practices can help reduce the risk of inherited conditions. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and maintaining a healthy weight are crucial for preventing obesity-related health issues.
German Shepherds have an average lifespan of 9-13 years. Providing proper nutrition, regular veterinary care, and addressing any health concerns promptly can help ensure a long, healthy life for these loyal companions.
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Caring for Your German Shepherd
German Shepherds require dedicated care to thrive as loyal companions. Proper nutrition, regular exercise, consistent training, grooming, and health maintenance are crucial for their wellbeing.
Nutrition and Diet
German Shepherds need a balanced diet rich in high-quality proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. Adult dogs typically require 2-3 meals per day, while puppies may need 3-4 smaller meals.
Portion control is essential to prevent obesity. The exact amount depends on the dog’s age, weight, and activity level.
Fresh water should always be available. Some owners opt for dry kibble, while others prefer wet food or a combination of both. Consult a veterinarian for personalized dietary recommendations.
Exercise Requirements
German Shepherds are active dogs that need plenty of exercise to stay healthy and happy. They require at least 1-2 hours of physical activity daily.
Activities can include:
- Long walks or jogs
- Fetch or frisbee games
- Agility training
- Swimming
Mental stimulation is equally important. Puzzle toys and training sessions help keep their minds sharp.
Without adequate exercise, German Shepherds may develop behavioral issues or become destructive.
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Training and Socialization
Early training and socialization are crucial for German Shepherds. These intelligent dogs thrive on structure and clear expectations.
Start obedience training as early as 8 weeks old. Use positive reinforcement techniques, such as treats and praise, to encourage good behavior.
Key training areas include:
- Basic commands (sit, stay, come)
- Leash manners
- Crate training
- Socialization with people and other animals
Consistency is key. Short, daily training sessions are more effective than long, infrequent ones.
Grooming Essentials
German Shepherds have a double coat that sheds year-round, with heavier shedding during spring and fall. Regular grooming helps manage shedding and keeps their coat healthy.
Brush your German Shepherd 2-3 times a week, increasing to daily during heavy shedding periods. Use a slicker brush or undercoat rake to remove loose fur.
Bathe them every 2-3 months or as needed. Over-bathing can strip natural oils from their coat.
Trim nails monthly and clean ears weekly to prevent infections. Brush their teeth regularly to maintain good oral health.
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Common Health Problems and Prevention
German Shepherds are prone to certain health issues. Regular veterinary check-ups can help detect and prevent problems early.
Common health concerns include:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
- Degenerative myelopathy
- Allergies
Maintain a healthy weight and provide joint supplements to reduce the risk of dysplasia. Feed smaller, more frequent meals to help prevent bloat.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet contribute to overall health. Keep vaccinations up-to-date and administer monthly flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives.
20 Things only German Shepherd owners would understand
If you’re in the market for a gorgeous and amazingly intelligent dog, look no further than the beautiful German Shepherd. This beautiful animal is so gorgeous that it almost makes you feel a bit inferior.
Additionally, this is a dog so smart it can sometimes make you feel a bit dim in comparison. It’s a beautiful dog, and it’s a great pet as those who own one will tell you.
In fact, those who do own a German Shepherd are very well-versed in a few things that owners of other dogs – or people without dogs – just won’t get.
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1. We have a Constant Companion
When you have a dog like this, you have a friend all the time. There is no other animal that is happier to see you at the end of the day or the end of a quick trip to the bathroom.
This is a dog that loves its owners endlessly and is always there to prove that kind of love and devotion to its master at all times. This is one of the best dogs to have as a pet, no matter where you are and what you do.
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2. They’re Homeowners and We are Guests
This is a dog that doesn’t feel like a pet that you allow to live with you. In fact, it seems like the kind of pet that actually owns your house and does you the good grace of allowing you to come into the house and life with him.
It’s kind of funny how that works out and how many people always say the same thing. In fact, we do think that these are very parental animals that like to take care of their people and make sure things are running smoothly.
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3. What’s a Lazy Day?
Remember that time you were really sick with the flu and you got to lie on the couch for days at a time while you recovered? No, you don’t remember that if you own a German Shepherd.
This dog requires a great deal of exercise and if you don’t have a big yard with a fence in which your dog can run around, you have no idea what it’s like not to take a hundred walks a day to keep the dog happy and healthy.
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4. We have the Best Vacuums
Whether your dog has long or short hair, this breed sheds like crazy. It just doesn’t matter in the least. In fact, we truly believe that this is one of the dogs that vacuums were actually invented for.
If you are a German Shepherd owner, you totally get what we are saying. You own the best vacuum in the world because you absolutely have to have it – and use it – every single day to keep your house looking even remotely clean and appropriate.
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5. We Always have Someone to Talk To
These are wonderful companion dogs that do listen and listen well. They love to sit down with you while you spend the day speaking to them about how you feel and what went on.
This breed is seriously going to lower your stress level a ton since you are going to have someone to talk to who doesn’t judge you and seems to understand you more than any other. It’s a great dog to keep at home, and it’s a gret friend for anyone in need.
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6. Does it Look like the Dog is Agreeing?
When you are complaining about an annoying client or family member or friend or person at the store, this dog gets it.
In fact, there will be times your dog looks as if he or she is actually in complete agreement with everything that you have to say, which means that you will be able to feel like you’re talking to someone with an opinion.
That’s one of the reasons people love this dog so much. It’s really there for you to listen and be on your side about things.
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7. Nose Art
German Shepherds are very artistic creatures. They’re so artistic, in fact, that they will happily leave their mark for you all over the house.
Whether it is on the windows, the doors, the furniture, the tables; they will quite happily leave their mark for you anywhere they see fit. There is going to be nose print art all over the house.
That’s all right, though, because it will go quite well with the hand print art your kids leave all over the house when they’re in the mood to leave their mark.
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8. They’re Healthier than Us
German Shepherds eat a really good diet. If you have one that isn’t eating a very healthy diet, perhaps it is time for you to speak to your vet about that.
This is a breed that really does require a very strict and very healthy diet to keep it as healthy as possible, and your dog should actually eat better than you.
We’re not saying that you shouldn’t eat a healthy diet or that you should eat some dog food, but you know what we mean and where we are going with this one, right?
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9. Chewing Shoes is Not a Problem
If you have a German Shepherd at home, you know that you never have to worry that your dog is going to wander into the master closet and make a snack out of a pair of $600 Jimmy Choos or Manolo Blahniks.
This is a dog that is not at all interested in chewing on your shoes and making a mess of your small personal belongings like that. So there you go; your closet is really going to appreciate having a dog like this around to keep things in order and very nice.
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10. The Couch is a Chew Toy
Not so fast, though. Just because your shoes are safe does not mean everything you have is safe from the jaws of this gorgeous dog.
In fact, you are going to have even bigger problems with this dog in that they don’t eat shoes and things like that, but they love to chew on actual furniture.
So you’re going to want to keep your house in check and keep the dog away from things like your furniture and other large objects you really like. They like big chew toys.
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11. Other People think Their Dogs are Smart
Listen, German Shepherd owners are not trying to say that your dog is not smart and intelligent and absolutely perfect. But this is a supremely intelligent dog and we just can’t help but assume that it’s pretty much more intelligent than just about any other breed in the world.
What this means for you is that while your dog is smart, we will never think for a second that it’s nearly as smart as ours. We won’t say that, of course. It’s kind of like having kids.
We know most other kids are also beautiful and smart, but they’re not as beautiful and smart as our own kids. It’s a right.
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12. People will Never Bother German Shepherd Owners
On that note, you will notice fewer solicitors and people trying to bother you at home or in public when you have a dog like this. The German Shepherd is a gorgeous dog, but it’s one that doesn’t need have to your back all the time on purpose.
It’s just big enough and just mean enough looking to keep people as far away as possible even if your dog is a big, giant teddy bear. People don’t usually want to get too close to big dogs with a reputation.
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13. If the Dog Doesn’t Like You, You’re Out
These are great dogs that just know so much about people. If your dog doesn’t like someone, chances are pretty good that those people are just not a part of your life.
It’s hard to have a dog that doesn’t like someone around when you have that person around, and it’s far easier to get rid of the person than it is the dog.
And by that we mean that people love their dogs and they’re not usually willing to keep people around if they’re dogs aren’t fans.
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14. Furniture that’s not the Same Color as the Dog
What an issue! It doesn’t take long for someone with this breed to understand that new furniture is a must, right away. You’re going to need some that’s the same color as the dog or you’re going to see dog hair all the time for the rest of your life.
It’s a pretty simple fix; a few thousand dollars to change out the furniture in your house and you’ll be much happier. And who said owning a dog is at all expensive or pricey in any way?
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15. Is the Dog Smarter?
There will be times in which you really, honestly wonder if your dog is actually smarter than you. And we are not going to lie and say that it’s not. Chances are pretty good your dog is actually a bit smarter than you at times.
But that’s all right, because if you’re going to have a dog in the house, you definitely want a smart one since it’s easier to train and love and care for than a dog that just don’t seem to get it. And while we love all dogs, we really do love this breed a lot.
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16. They’re Great Judges of Character
This is a dog that really does have a great way of being able to judge people. And not in a very harsh manner, either. If someone comes to your door and your dog senses that this is not a good person, it’s going to alert you immediately.
And if someone comes to your door and your dog just loves that person to pieces, chances are good that it’s a good person with a big heart. Dogs just know. They can sense things about people that people cannot, and it’s a big deal.
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17. They’re Great with Kids
Patience is the middle name of this large and lovely dog. It is a dog that is very gentle and kind with kids, especially its own kids. It’s not going to hurt your kids or make your kids feel nervous or uncomfortable.
In fact, this is a dog that’s going to make sure your kids feel so good about being around them that they are instant best friends. This is a dog that’s very protective and loving, and it’s going to make you feel very comfortable with the dog and kids together.
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18. They’re Problem Solvers
We already mentioned that these are very smart dogs, and they love a challenge.
Anyone with a dog from this breed will tell you that if a German Shepherd sees something as a problem, such as a new puppy in the house it wants to play with but the puppy is in a crate because it’s being crate trained while you are at work, it’s going to find a way to solve that problem.
Don’t be at all surprised to find that new puppy out and about when you get home thanks to your other dog.
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19. They’re Hoarders
This is a dog that’s a lot like a child in that you cannot get rid of anything it loves and you cannot get it to share. Kids are hoarders to the point that you better not dare throw away a half broken crazy that’s melted and not usable anymore – they love that crayon.
This dog is the same way about all things it loves. That nasty old animal that it’s chewed to pieces and destroyed methodically; don’t touch it. The dog loves that toy.
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20. There is No Better Friend
If there is one thing that German Shepherd owners really understand that other dog owners probably also understand, it’s that there is no better friend than a dog.
This is especially true with this lovely and beautiful breed, and it’s what keeps people coming back for more when their dog has lived a long and happy life and eventually passes. It’s great to have an animal at home, especially when it is this one.
