Don't Be Afraid Of German Shepherd Dogs | Dogs

By JanRyan
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It has been said that the German Shepherd dog (often called Alsatian) act the way all human beings are supposed to act. They are incredibly loyal, highly intelligent and brave. They have been bred for centuries not only to interact with mankind, but also to be an essential life partner. Throughout the world, German Shepherd dogs herd sheep, rescue disaster victims, tackle criminals, guide the blind and star in movies.

But if German Shepherd dogs are so great, how come so many wind up in animal shelters? These incredible animals are abandoned by the thousands every year, not because they have something wrong with them, but that their previous owners lacked the basic German Shepherd information on what life is like with this special breed. If you are considering getting a German Shepherd, please take into consideration what life with a Shepherd is like before you get the dog or puppy.

Let's look at the biggest reasons for owners abandoning German Shepherd dogs - the dog's energy, the dog's intelligence and the dog's health. First, let's take a look at how energetic this breed is. Although this will vary from individual German Shepherd to individual German Shepherd, these are dogs bred to be on the go all day.

You will need to brush your German Shepherd every day to keep out tangles and to keep shedding to a minimum. Most German Shepherds have thick, double layer coats, although there are many with single layer coats. Bathing the German Shepherd Dog too often can result in shedding and dandruff production beyond belief so only bathe when absolutely necessary. Train your dog to be still when brushed and do it after exercise.

German Shepherd dogs are highly trainable, providing they get regular exercise and aren't overfed. Too much food for a German Shepherd is like giving too much sugar and caffeine to a child - they can't help being a bit hyper afterwards. They are also more trainable and calmer is you have them spayed or neutered.

German Shepherd dogs need to feel they have a job in order to be well-adjusted. They love company and to be part of the family. They hate being left out of anything. They use their intelligence to find ways of doing things they think you will like and praise them for. Whether you will like these actions is another matter. German Shepherds need supervision and training.

Because of their popularity, German Shepherd Dogs have been over bred, which has lead to health problems. Although responsible breeders would not breed an animal with health problems, which can be inherited by their puppies, many still do. The most common health problems with German Shepherds are hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and cancers.

They are strong dogs, which can surprise people not ready for the power of big dogs. By knowing all of this German Shepherd information, you can now decide if this magnificent but demanding dog can fit in your life.

About the Author

Jan Ryan is a passionate lover of the German Shepherd and owns a popular website where you'll discover how to have a happy, healthy and well behaved German Shepherd. Among other topics there, you can also learn all about German Shepherd Working Dogs plus a whole lot more.

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