German Shepherds are intelligent, loyal, but high-maintenance dogs requiring significant time, energy, and training. Key cons include heavy year-round shedding ("German shedder"), high exercise needs, potential for separation anxiety, and susceptibility to genetic health issues like hip dysplasia and bloat. They are not ideal for sedentary owners or apartments.

What is the downside of German Shepherds?

They can get separation anxiety from being separated from their pack (and that includes you). They are happiest as a family unit and being left outside unattended only leads to mischief. If you don't want to share your inside space with a GSD, then they are not the ideal dog for you.

Who should not own a German Shepherd?

German shepherds are super smart but they can't train themselves. They need lots of training, socialization, and guidance to be the good dog they were born to be. If you can't spend time training your dog every day, you should not own a German shepherd. German shepherds are working dogs.

Can a German Shepherd turn on its owner?

Will German Shepherds Attack Their Owners? Usually, German Shepherds are extremely loyal and will be friendly around their owners, sometimes even being overprotective. A German Shepherd's aggression will normally be aimed at strangers. However, there are also examples of German Shepherds attacking their owners.

Can German Shepherds be left alone for 8 hours?

While an adult German Shepherd can physically hold it for 8 hours, it's generally not recommended as a regular occurrence due to their high energy, intelligence, and need for mental stimulation, often leading to boredom, separation anxiety, and destructive behaviors like chewing or digging. For an 8-hour absence, providing vigorous exercise beforehand, arranging for a dog walker, ensuring enrichment (puzzle toys), and creating a safe, stimulating environment (crate or gated area with background noise) is crucial, with shorter periods being ideal, especially for puppies and seniors.

Owning a German Shepherd: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

What is the 7 7 7 rule for dogs?

The "7 7 7 rule" for dogs is a puppy socialization guideline, originally by Pat Hastings, suggesting exposing puppies to 7 different people, 7 different locations, and 7 different surfaces/objects/sounds/challenges (variations exist) by about 7 weeks old to build confidence, resilience, and prevent fear or anxiety as adults. Key experiences include meeting diverse individuals, visiting different places like a vet's office or friend's house, walking on various substrates (grass, tile, carpet), and encountering new objects and gentle challenges (like tunnels or boxes).
 

How long can dogs hold their pee in German Shepherd?

A healthy adult dog can typically go 8 to 10 hours without urinating—but that doesn't mean they should. Holding it in for too long isn't ideal. In fact, consistently waiting that long can lead to discomfort and increase the risk of urinary tract issues.

Do German Shepherds pick one person?

German Shepherds will generally attach themselves to one person in the family, but they can still be a good family dog.

Does a German Shepherd bite harder than a pitbull?

A German shepherd packs a stronger bite of 238 psi, while a pitbull has a slightly lower bite strength of 235 psi. Pulling strength is one area in which the pitbull beats the GSDs. Even now, pit bulls dominate the pulling competition. Conversely, the GSDs are better built for agility than pulling.

Do dogs warn before they bite?

Yes, dogs almost always give warnings before biting, but these signals are often subtle and easy to miss, like lip licking, yawning, freezing, or showing "whale eye" (white of the eyes), escalating to more obvious signs like growling, snarling, or snapping at the air before a bite, with bites without warning often indicating suppressed signals due to past punishment or sudden pain.
 

What I wish I knew before getting a German Shepherd?

These loyal and loving dogs can be prone to separation anxiety and typically don't like being left alone for hours on end. Crate training can help address this issue since it gives the dog a safe and comfortable retreat. However, a crate should never be used as punishment or for very long periods.

Are German Shepherds safer than pitbulls?

A report circulated by the American Animal Hospital Association revealed that Pit Bulls bite the most people, at 22.5%, followed by mixed breeds and German Shepherds. Many incidents involving dog bites or attacks are improperly labeled as pit bull attacks, even when the dog involved is not a purebred pit bull.

Why do police use German Shepherds and not pitbulls?

German Shepherds are calm-under-pressure, they're highly intelligent and trainable, and they love to work. This makes the breed well-suited for working in high-stress situations, and it's no surprise they've been used in police work for more than 100 years.

What to do if a German Shepherd bites you?

Once you have reached a place of safety, you should seek medical attention immediately to treat any wounds you may have received from the attack. A medical professional may treat any puncture wounds or lacerations, and in some cases, you may need a rabies shot.

Are German Shepherds likely to turn on their owners?

It is unlikely that German shepherds will turn against their owners to attack. Although there could be rare instances where this can happen. Most often it's always due to prior abuse on the dog or lack of training. Also, harsh training methods may also warrant a german shepherd turning against its owner.

What is the 10 10 10 rule for dogs?

The "10 10 10 Rule" for dogs primarily refers to a puppy potty training method: 10 minutes outside in the designated spot, allowing 10 feet of space to sniff and circle, and staying for 10 minutes of supervision to reward them if they go, otherwise bringing them back inside to a crate for 10-20 minutes before trying again. It can also relate to nutrition (treats < 10% of calories) or general training discipline, but the potty training version is the most common interpretation.

What is the 21 second pee rule?

Because researchers find that all mammals that weigh more than six-and-a-half pounds or so take about the same time to pee: 21 seconds, plus or minus 13 seconds.

How long can German shepherds hold their poop?

Most healthy adult dogs will typically need to go to the bathroom within an hour after a meal. However, they can hold their stool for 12 hours or more if necessary. This means if you're stuck at the office or in traffic, your dog can likely manage.

---