Is Your Lifestyle Good for German Shepherds? People who have never had dogs before are often unaware of how much certain costs may vary. We have no children under 16 in our family. According to the FCI, the breed's English language name is German Shepherd Dog.The breed was officially [who?] Before you decide to get a German Shepherd, issues such as moving, care during vacation, and emergency care needs to be considered. However, one of the pitfalls of popularity is that many people are attracted to these dogs without understanding their needs as a breed. Here’s a recap of why! German Shepherds are also quite clumsy during early adolecense. The idea of being a leader to your dog is being a positive figure; almost like a parent, your dog looks up to for guidance, not a tyrant or bully. Oftentimes, your German Shepherd will own you (not the other way around)! Making the decision to get a dog is a big one, but deciding to start out with a large dog breed? Don’t be surprised if your rescue German shepherd … According to AKC 2003 registrations, German Shepherds are the 4th most popular breed in the US. Choosing The Right German Shepherd . Re: are german shepherd a good choice for a first time owner Post by minkee » Fri Sep 26, 2014 7:16 am You could also possibly look at the different types of Belgian Shepherd. Adding a dog to your home requires some changes like housebreaking the dog, and taking time for obedience training, which may be challenging for first-timers. Using a kennel, as well as the costs associated with transportation, need to be considered as a regular moving expense to consider. They aren’t the best breed for first-time pet owners and are more suited for a one-dog household. Teaching your German Shepherd that you are the leader of the pack , the alpha, is extremely important. German Shepherds are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. Having a trusted family member or friend take the dog might be one option to consider. German Shepherd Dogs SHED. Experienced owners can also keep these active dogs busy. There's a good reason my first dogs were German Shepherds! The German Shepherd (German: Deutscher Schäferhund, German pronunciation: [ˈdɔʏtʃɐ ˈʃɛːfɐˌhʊnt]) is a breed of medium to large-sized working dog that originated in Germany. You’ll also need to think about feeding, grooming, and veterinary costs. According to Hello Bark, German Shepherds are the third-smartest among 137 dog breeds, ranking after Border Collies and Labradors. Your email address will not be published. You may need to consider whether you want to pursue this option. If you’re a first-time dog owner, some of these situations may be challenging if you are not prepared. Twenty-five percent of all the animals entering shelters are purebreds. Are German Shepherds Aggressive? Many people who haven’t owned dogs might not think of some of these issues that play a significant role in a GSD and its wellbeing. One thing that many non-Shepherd owners don’t realize is how much these dogs bond to their owners, making long periods alone traumatic. German Shepherds are incredibly intelligent dogs. Behaviors like pacing or tail-chasing, while somewhat humorous, can be two of the most obvious signs that your dog is bored. Required fields are marked *. They can learn any … 2. When you decide to get a German Shepherd, the dog will require activities to help keep them occupied. If this is your first time owning the breed (congratulations! In 2003, 43,950 or 4.8% of all AKC registered dogs were German Shepherds. A simple way to think about it is anytime your german shepherd chooses to make contact with you, when they don’t want too is a pretty good sign that they really love you. No . According to Kristina Lotz, it is usually easy to tell when a German Shepherd is bored. Situations such as these are also reasons why German Shepherds may not be a good choice for first-time owners. The female German shepherd dog may be a better pick for first-time dog owners, families with young children, or individuals/families primarily desiring a pet dog. The German Shepherd is a relatively new breed dating back to 1899. Many people who have never had a dog or any kind of pet are unaware of how much of an expense these things might be. But the German Shepherd is a large breed that's also very active and busy. Many of the 450,000 dogs in our US shelters every year are German Shepherds.” To help prevent these incredible dogs finding themselves in shelters, we’ve put together these simple tips and expectations for people interested in getting their first German Shepherd: In a nutshell, German Shepherds make wonderful pets for people who are willing to invest the time, training, and energy they require. Should First-Time Owners Choose a German Shepherd or a Labrador? What you will do when you go on vacation is also something to consider. They also do very well with basic games like playing frisbee, fetching toys, and playing with a ball. I am a first time dog owner and I am planning to get one of these dogs from a rescue. This breed makes good as a service dog. However, understanding dog behavior makes these signs easier to spot so you can do something to address them. 3. Service Dog : Yes . Many would recommend that people only get a German Shepherd after having owned another type of dog before. Will the dog go with you if you move? Because of their intelligence level, these dogs usually learn commands in fewer than five repetitions, as well as follow these commands the majority of the time. For a dog to thrive in an environment, care needs to be taken to respect the dog’s needs. They Have High Intelligence. Here at TrainYourGSD, we're dedicated to providing all resources that you need to become a responsible and knowledgeable German Shepherds dog owners The female GSD is considered less apt to become territorial in the presence of strangers. Like all dogs, German Shepherds are unique and need special care to ensure they have the best life possible. Some people who have never owned dogs are also unaware of how much one of these dogs might eat or about the costs associated with foods on veterinary diets for medical conditions. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. I think that rescue dogs are trained somewhat and need a loving home. German Shepherds are obviously great dogs with a multitude of positive qualities and characteristics, but they aren’t always the best fit for any first-time dog owner. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Kavallerie Shepherds recommends female German Shepherds for first time German Shepherd owners, first time dog owners, families with young children where the dog will not be worked/seriously trained trained or if you lack self confidence. First-time dog owners may find themselves poorly prepared for the demands that a German Shepherd could require. What you go on vacation? : TUC Every german shepherd Owner Should Watch This Video.. All of those traits are what you get in an ideal German Shepherd. The more you know about dogs and their behavior, the easier it will be for you to think of ways to keep your dog occupied. As this video demonstrates, German Shepherds are a special breed, and they require a particular type of owner. Although all dogs require care, GSDs, in particular, are vulnerable to disruption to their lives. One of the things that people need to keep in mind when they are thinking of getting a German Shepherd is that these dogs, like other dog types, have expenses associated with their care that could build up very quickly. Vacation arrangements are something that many don’t think about. These amazing dogs are fiercely loyal, make fantastic family pets, are wonderful protectors, and their intelligence cannot be underestimated. Although very easy to train they are very very stubborn and will test you at every move. Experience with another dog will provide the expertise that you need to be able to cope with the strong will of a GSD. They’re cuddle bugs at home but aloof in public. The protein helps muscle development and helps the dog maintain a healthy weight. Taking your dog on regular walks and out in the yard for off-leash playtime are a couple of the things you might need to do to alleviate your dog’s boredom. It was created by Captain Max von Stephanitz as a herding dog initially. When the need for such animals began to fade, the German Shepherd found its place in the army during World War I. Your relationship with your German Shepherd needs to be one where the dog sees you as a leader. Their zeal for life, athletic, and mental capabilities are what endears us to the breed and those same traits, with lack of training and understanding, are also the reason so many German Shepherds, tragically, find themselves in shelters all across the United States. Leaning can also be a sign that your german shepherd is nervous, scared and looking for reassurance. These amazing dogs are fiercely loyal, make fantastic family pets, are wonderful protectors, and their intelligence cannot be underestimated. So, you’ve decided on either buying or adopting your first dog and are considering getting a German Shepherd. German Shepherds will make good pets for first-time owners but will require patience and training. Will you need to use boarding facilities while you are in the process of moving into your new home? People who have never had a dog in their lives before may have difficulty, possibly leading to behavior issues. Experienced dog owners will be better prepared to help their pets overcome the difficulties of being left alone. Those that do, will receive a lifetime of unmatched loyalty, love and devotion from their dog. An owner needs to show consistent leadership, which might be difficult for a newcomer to dog ownership. How to get a German Shepherd to be more loyal If you decide to get a German Shepherd, it is important to make sure that you take the time to raise it properly so that it learns to be loyal. For this reason, German Shepherds, despite their popularity, are not recommended for first-time dog owners or owners who don’t have experience with guardian breeds. German shepherds are not for first time dog owners. German Shepherd ranks as one of the most popular. Experienced dog owners will find a lot to love with having a GSD in their lives. What Is the Best Way to Train Your German Shepherd For Personal Protection? Puppies also shouldn’t be left alone for more than an hour for each month of their age, with a four-hour maximum. The German Shepherd thrives in advanced agility work and on agility courses. Situations such as these are also reasons why German Shepherds may not be a good choice for first-time owners. Your email address will not be published. Out of the German shepherd owners that expressed concern about a German shepherd being a first pet, their concern stemmed around the fact that German shepherds can … Most people who have had dogs in the past already have a routine that they use for helping their dogs adjust to being left alone. People who don’t own dogs often feel that just because a food is popular, that means it’s a good choice. It’s not uncommon for non-dog owners to base most of their knowledge of such things on anecdotal information from friends with dogs. She enjoys visiting the National Parks in New Mexico and Texas with her dogs. If you’ve never had a dog before, you might find leaving a German Shepherd Dog alone somewhat challenging without using dog daycare options or having a family member or friend sit your dog when you are away from your home. Poodles are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. So which of these types would best fit for a family dog. Trying to keep an active dog of an unfamiliar breed busy can be a bit difficult even for those who have had dogs their entire lives. It is very important that every puppy learns not to bite or mouth at people’s skin. Unfortunately, as German Shepherds are used in the police force, people presume they are generally aggressive, so ensuring good mouth manners is essential. There are also other practical considerations to think about, beyond acquiring the dog. Are They Good For 1st Time Owners? If you’re unfamiliar with dog behavior, you might find trying to keep a German Shepherd busy quite tricky. An experienced dog owner who knows what to expect from separation anxiety issues and how to deal with them most effectively will be better suited to life with a German Shepherd. We are obviously huge fans of the breed and even more fanatical about sharing experiences and advice from German Shepherd owners. However, these dogs are very independently-minded, having been originally bred to perform tasks that require them to think for themselves. The girl German shepherd is often a better pick overall for families with young children. Many factors like how much time you spend at home and how your family feels about getting one of these dogs to need to be considered. I am financially ready and any one of these dogs will get plenty of excercise. Unexpected expenses can be shocking for owners. Are German Shepherds Okay Being Left Alone a Lot? Failure to socialize or trai… Gastric portion, or bloat, can also require expensive surgery. This is why it is important to give your German Shepherd lots of training so … 1. If you understand dog behavior, you will find it that much easier to know how to be the “alpha” leader your dog needs. Hip dysplasia can require surgery, costing several thousands of dollars. Well, that's huge. First-time dog owners may find themselves poorly prepared for the demands that a German Shepherd could require. Are German Shepherds Good for First Time Owners? Tips for First Time German Shepherd Owners March 06, 2018 We are obviously huge fans of the breed and even more fanatical about sharing experiences and advice from German Shepherd owners. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. However, all brands of food are not alike. One of the most capable and trainable breeds in all of dogdom, an ideal German Shepherd, when properly raised by a confident owner, can be a magnificent companion. People who have never had dogs are often unaware of the importance of this relationship between dogs and owners. Three to four million of these animals are euthanized because there are not enough homes for them. Although rescues may not always have resources to take in another dog, this option may be the best way to find a decent home. 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