German Shepherd Owner

The origins of the German Shepherd breed of dog can be traced back to the 18th century.  As might be expected from the name, this dog was originally bred to assist German shepherds to help herd and manage their flocks of sheep.  With this objective in mind the breed was developed to include some qualities that are not only desirable for a working dog but are equally beneficial in a domestic environment making the German Shepherd an ideal family pet and companion provided a few basic requirements are fulfilled and the dog is properly trained and cared for.

The breed is intelligent, obedient, fiercely loyal, patient and protective.  Anyone considering purchasing a German Shepherd dog should bear in mind however that one of the characteristics of this breed is that German Shepherds develop a very strong affinity with their owners and require a lot of attention in the form of exercise and playful interaction.

A German shepherd lives to be with it's owner and properly cared for will develop very loving, loyal and respectful relationships with the humans around him within the family "Pack".  However given the German Shepherd's size and temperament it is therefore not the ideal dog for those people who are away from home for a large part of the day, have limited space or are not prepared to give the dog the attention and exercise that it requires. 

German Shepherds have over the years gained very negative reputations in some quarters for being overly aggressive and untrustworthy as well as being prone to various physical ailments and confirmation defects.  This has almost certainly come about as a result of poor breeding during the twentieth century.  From the nineteen twenties onwards German Shepherds became very popular particularly in the United States and Europe.  Demand for the breed soon outstripped supply.  Unscrupulous breeders looking to cash-in on  this situation exploited the fact that German Shepherds often produce large litters and would often breed just about any dog with any other in an attempt to maximise their cash return.  The plan was to sell as many puppies as possible  with little thought as to the temperament or physical well being of the dogs themselves.  The resulting problems contributed to a sharp decline in the popularity of the breed and professional and ethical breeders sought to reestablish the breed’s good characteristics and eliminate problems produced earlier. 

Any scrupulous breeder of German Shepherd dogs today will have spent considerable time and effort to produce pure bred offspring that exhibit all the benefits and non of the potential vices that are associated with random over-breeding.  For this reason if buying a German Shepherd it is essential to buy from a reputable dealer, see the puppies with their mother and check the documentation concerning the puppie's linage and physical well being.   

Given the proper training and handling, a German Shepherd will slot into most domestic situations and while alert should not be aggressive towards strangers unless they are posing a threat.  With this in mind they require a strong willed owner who is capable of exerting his or her “Pack Leader" status over the dog.  Although German Shepherds are tolerant towards other family members and even other household animals, it is essential that they be introduced to group situations at an early age.  Bringing a grown dog into a family environment or having another large dog, particularly another German Shepherd within the home is not recommended unless the potential owner is highly experienced and able to exert his authority. 

Providing they dog is properly trained they will protect those within the family group and are brave and aggressive towards threats normally without exhibiting the over aggressive and unpredictable nature of other breeds of dog that are bought for that purpose.  Their physical size and loud bark will deter most would be domestic intruders or potential aggressors.