We know you’re a dog lover. Yet, are you also a German Shepherd Dog (GSD) lover? Hollywood star, Rin Tin Tin, popularised the breed many decades ago. However, for all their positive features, e.g., easy to train, beauty, loyalty, etc., this dog (all dogs) require your time, effort, and care.
Assuming you consider adopting or buying a GSD from a quality breeder, you will enjoy their temperament, love of training and equal love of athletic exercise.
Questions to Ask Yourself BEFORE You Get a German Shepherd Dog
- Are you financially able to afford a German Shepherd? You’ll need to buy lots of food, pay for regular veterinary exams, address any health concerns that crop up, and buy a large crate.
- Do you have the time and patience to train your dog? While German Shepherds are famous for their superior intellects, they need your patience and dedication to become a well-trained companion.
- Are you at home (even on weekends) enough to spend time giving your dog ‘loves’ and exercise? If you live alone and travel frequently, will you have enough free time to be home and spend quality time with your four-legged family member? Unlike cats or some other pets, dogs need human interaction to socialize successfully and bond with their owners.
- Is your whole family, including your children, as excited as you to bring home a German Shepherd Dog? Should one or more family members be less than thrilled with having a large, active furry household member, you may disrupt your family ‘chemistry.’ If you’re constantly driving children to sports practices or instrument lessons, your dog will begin to feel left out and unhappy.
While there are other questions about having a pet dog, you should consider these queries as serious – requiring affirmative answers. If you bring home a German Shepherd, you want it to be a wonderful experience for you, your family, and, of course, the dog.
A Puppy or a More Mature Rescue?
Puppies are totally cute, but need constant reminders of how to behave properly. Are you prepared to spend the necessary time to develop a socially integrated pet? German Shepherds are large, active dogs; they are not ‘couch potatoes.’ They prefer running more than everything, except eating and napping.
You cannot allow a puppy to become the ‘alpha’ in your house. You will be sorry if your dog rules his/her kingdom. You must be loving, but firm, when training a puppy. You must establish that you are the ‘alpha’ in your household. Your puppy must know that you are the ‘lead dog.’
Getting a more mature rescue dog is a noble commitment. However, you must find out what his/her experiences were before you purchase the dog. Even if the dog’s life up to this point was somewhat horrific, this doesn’t make him/her a poor choice. Along with some re-training, rescue dogs need mounds of the love they’ve been lacking. If you and your family offer this love, you might have added a loyal companion and protector. Showing your compassion and love goes a long way to developing a wonderful family member, regardless of his/her prior experiences.