German Shepherds bond quickly with their families and children but can be aloof with strangers. They’re also prone to herding and guarding their territory, so proper training is necessary.
GSDs need daily exercise and mental stimulation to avoid boredom, which leads to destructive chewing. They may develop elbow or hip dysplasia if not properly conditioned as puppies.
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Good Temperament
The temperament of your German Shepherd largely depends on what line it comes from. Working lines tend to be more aggressive and intense, which is great for competitive protection-dog sports but less desirable for a family pet.
Show line dogs are calmer and easier to handle but have strong protective instincts. They also have a strong prey drive. Thus they should be kept away from small animals like cats.
They require a lot of physical and mental stimulus to deplete their energy levels, or they will exhibit it in undesired ways (think destructive chewing). Exposing them to different situations and people starting at a young age is important.
Good Health
The red show line german shepherds Miami FL is very loyal and makes great family dogs. They are incredibly smart and highly trainable. They require a great deal of activity and interaction. They must find a way to channel their energy, or they will turn destructive.
They have a high level of pain tolerance and survivability. They are extremely sturdy and designed for durability and productivity.
German Shepherds bred for show are known as show lines. Various health issues, such as hip and elbow dysplasia, may arise from this condition. Their sloped backs and shorter hind legs can also cause orthopedic health issues.
The American breeders that produce GSDs have given this beautiful breed a bad name. They have bred them with little consideration for their temperament or health.
Good Coordination
While they are incredibly balanced and intelligent, they still have high energy. They require plenty of exercise, especially outdoors. They also need early socialization and obedience training to keep them in check. They may express frustration with separation anxiety or other undesirable behaviors if not stimulated enough.
Max von Stephanitz bred his dogs for their “wolfish appearance and sharp senses,” so show-line German Shepherds are usually wider with a sloped or roached back. This curvature of the back decreases their power of endurance and stamina.
In contrast, working-line German Shepherds are slimmer with a straight back. This gives them their effortless gait and allows them to perform the tasks they were originally bred for. Working-line German Shepherds also have a higher pain tolerance.
Good Energy
This is a high-energy breed that needs plenty of exercise. If not exercised, they may express their boredom in destructive ways, including chewing and barking. They must be exposed to many different people and situations from early puppyhood.
Working line German Shepherds were designed to perform various tasks and roles, from herding livestock to search and rescue to police work and military functions. They also have the courage and stability to be good family dogs.
On the other hand, the show lines were majorly bred for appearance, and little consideration was given to health. This resulted in sloped backs and shorter hind legs that can affect movement ability and cause orthopedic health problems. The show lines also have additional grooming requirements for dog shows.
Good Coordination
This breed can move with a steady rhythm and good coordination. This makes them obedient and easy to train. They enjoy training, games, and other activities. They have a lot of energy and require daily exercise, training, and socialization to thrive.
Working-line German Shepherds make devoted family pets. These dogs are highly intelligent, obedient, and easy to train. They are powerful, compactly lean, and have potent muscles. However, their sloped backs and angulated hindquarters can cause orthopedic problems.
While they can adapt to different living situations, they’re a better fit for homes with physically fenced-in yards. Without enough daily exercise, these large dogs will find ways to entertain themselves – often in ways their owners don’t appreciate, such as digging or chewing.
