Dog Breed of the Week: German Shepherd Dog
The German Shepherd Dog is an obvious choice for dog breed of the week because of Adopt-a-Shelter dog month. German Shepherd mixes are very common amongst the dogs seen in shelters. Though not all Shepherd mixes take on the personality of the GSD, many of them reflect the great qualities of this noble dog breed.
The German Shepherd is a highly intelligent, loyal and athletic dog breed. The GSD is utterly devoted to its "job," whether that is guarding a home, acting as playmate and "nanny-dog" to your children, or working as a police officer. Though the GSD might have a reputation as a stern working dog, the breed does have a softer, more playful side. So, all of you German Shepherd owners please tell us more about these austere and gentle canines!
Photo © Kerry Michaels
Comments
I had a female GSD for ten years- 95lbs and a big mush,one of the best dogs I’ve every had
Not a mean bone in her body but if she thought there was any danger to me she would put herself between me and anything she thought would harm me. She loved all of my relatives but was wary of strangers and would hide behind me when they were around. She was such a beatiful dog that on a few occasions
people stopped their cars to come out and admire her while I was taking her for walks-which never failed to amaze me-she’s been gone four years now and a day never goes by when I don’t think of her.
I just recently lost my little shepherd
mix in July- what a good little girl, she was
my constant companion- I found her in the local pound near where I work just a week
before they would have put her to sleep. Although she was only with me for four years she will always have a place in my heart. I still expect her to be there to great me when
I come home and my heart is broken whenever I
open the door and she’s not there. Hopefully some day I’ll see her again
I have a 4 year old male GSD that is one great dog. He knows how to open the door to let himself out and then shuts the door when he gets back in (if only my kids could learn from him). he was a rescue dog and has been a great addition to the family. I will only have a GSD as they are so smart and great play pals. he waits every day at the door at 5pm fro me to come home so we can go into the nearby field to play ball.
I have a dog who looks exactly like a minature GSD. One of her parents was a GSD but the other parent must have been something much smaller! I’ve had her for 8 years now. She is very intelligent and has trained herself to understand what I say to her. She’s only afraid of thunderstorms and fireworks and then will come and cuddle up next to me.
I have a 3 year old GSD. She is an 85lb dominant female so I really have to let her know that I am in command - not her. I keep telling her that she is Omega dog - comes after me, my kids, and grandkids. She’s the perfect companion for me. Did I mention that I am a senior citizen? She is the 3rd GSD I have owned over the years. I have had other breeds as well including a miniature poodle that nearly drove me crazy with its barking. This shepherd is trained to ONLY bark if someone comes onto my property. One of my other shepherds that I rescued from a shelter didn’t bark at all - I had to train her to bark when someone came to the door.
These dogs are amazing. This current shepherd is so smart that I only have to scold her once when she is out of line, and I never have to repeat myself. She gets it the first time.
Shepherds need to be well socialized or they can become too overprotective of their family. Even though my GSD has not been bred to be agressive, she is very intimidating to anyone coming to my door. I feel very safe with her in the house since one look at her and one bark is all it takes for people to back off, however it is very comical to see large men cross to the other side of the road when we are walking towards them. Also people with small dogs have a tendency to pick up their dogs when we are out walking. My GSD is still young, she just wants to play with them, not eat them. My neighbour’s cat walks through our backyard occasionally and my shepherd just sits there with her tail wagging - I can almost hear her saying, “please play with me”.
GSD have gotten a bad rap over the years because people always think they are all attack dogs. Lots are bred to be loyal family pets like mine, and you will have a hard time finding a smarter, more loyal friend. Think of the old TV show, Littlest Hobo, and you get an idea what my girl is like.
I also have a GSD, my 4th. I am a retired K-9 police officer. My duty dog was a German import, receiving his commands in German. He was a great dog. His dedication to me and the job was without hesitation. He lived with me and the family and ‘off duty’ he was the family pet. All the neighborhood kids loved him and he played with them at the park too. He liked playing ball but after getting the football once he popped it and his football career was over! His passion was tennis balls though, and this was always his reward for a job well done while on patrol. He had protected me several times by getting the bad guy before they got me. He passed away several years ago after we both retired. I currently have another GSD, ‘Nemo’. We got him as a 8 week old pup and this is my wife’s first puppy. Now he is 5 and is so protective of my wife. He waits for me to come home so we can play rough and wrestle. He is 85 pounds of energy! He is so spoiled (thanks to my wife) that he has his own bed, 2 pillows and his own special blanket. He also loves cottage cheese so each meal he gets his scoop of it on top of his food. All I can say is that in the many years I have had GSD’s I cannot think of having another breed. They are the all around champion dog to me…
I own a beautiful 7 yr. old GSD. She is the sunshine of my day. She loves to retrieve the golf balls my husband hits. My brother, who passed away a year ago, was paralyzed and was always protected if left at home alone. Every morning, Angel would go to his bed & gently lay her head on it while he talked to her. She grieved with us when he died. If Angel doesn’t know you, you aren’t allowed in the house until she is told it is o.k. for you to enter. I was raised with GSD’s always being our type of pet. They are devoted to their families but also to others that visit. They are very protective of children but love to play with a child. My one year old granddaughter would visit and try to chase Angel. Anytime, she walked past, Angel immediately stopped so she did not make the baby fall. The two would actually play chase in the house as they grew. One would chase going one way and the other would be chasing when they returned. GSD’s know instantly when you are sad and will get as close to you as possible to let you know they feel your pain. They have exceptional hearing and do not like loud noises or bad weather. They are devoted family members who will defend their family if necessary but will protect a child at any cost. Female GSD’s seem to be a little more protective of young children. My grandparents often watched my four year old son while I worked. One day, my son decided he would walk to the pond near their home. Their GSD never left my child’s side when he was outside so he went with him to the pond. When I arrived home from work, my grandmother and several people were searching for my son, who would not answer. I immediately called the dog and she came with my son following her. My son had gone into the pond and the dog followed him because both were wet. My son was punished and the dog was rewarded. I could tell you wonderful stories of how playful and protective these dogs have been to my family and friends. My husband wasn’t pleased when I told him I had ordered a german shepherd puppy from a friend on his way to view the male dog he wanted to breed his female GSD, too. So, I actually ordered a dog before her parents were chosen. When I went to pick up my male puppy, a female puppy begged to be picked up. When I picked her up she laid her head on my shoulder and we instantly bonded. I brought her home and have been rewarded each day by the love and devotion she shows me and everyone in my family. GSD’s are easily trained and make a wonderful addition to any family.
Last year we had to put down our 10 year old German Shepherd/Labrador mix named Jake. He had cancer in his eye and valiantly fought it for about 9 months. Then he got fluid in his lungs and very quickly went downhill. I have to say it was the second saddest day in my life. Second only to the death of my father the year before. My husband and I still get choked up when we talk about him. We got him when he was only 10 weeks old and he was truly a member of our family. He was the kindest, sweetest, most intelligent dog I have ever owned. I have 5 other dogs and 2 cats and he got along famously with them all. I get so sad when I hear bad things said about the GSD. We had 2 full bred GSDs when I was a child and both were wonderful pets. If you are thinking about adopting one, I think you will be very happy with both the protection and loyalty that they give.
Ive got a white male german sheppard. He is very pertective of my kids, if they go out, he wants to too.Hes about 120 lbs, and loves to go to the school to see all the kids. Its just the male adults hes kinda weary about.All in all i love my sheppard,and hes a great family dog.
I have 2 GSD’s both female, and they arre the best dogs I ever had. They love people and just want to play and have fun. As long as I invite you into my house you are fine, but don’t try to walk in on your own, They are very protective of their family.
My first dog I ever had was a German Shepherd. I was 12. My sister gave Prince to me after having him for a couple of years. He was a former police dog and was a very great dog. I remember it like it was yesterday. We’d walk everywhere and the training and obedience he had was a-1. He was a very loyal dog and I truly do miss him. He is now buried in my parents yard. I miss him…thanks for making this post.
I had a large white sheppard for 14 years.Gus was my best friend and protector.I just lost him this past April. I miss him so much no dog can ever replace him he was great with my 4 kids the youngest being just two when i got him .Gus weighed six pounds the day he came home and loved me everyday until the end .I still cry without my big boy .I love you Gus
I was wary of GSD’s until I met Jake, a neighbor’s dog. I became very fond of him, petting and talking to him when he walked through my yard. He was so big, sweet and gentle I wished he were mine.
Two years ago this winter, I came home to find my boyfriend on the phone, holding a very young puppy. She looked so much like Jake I knew she was his daughter. She, her mother and the rest of her litter had been abandoned nearby and neighbors were trying to find them homes. She was supposed to go to my boyfriend’s brother when he came to visit in the spring, but by then he had made plans to move and go back to school and couldn’t take her. We loved her so much by then we kept her. I named her Luna because of the crescent moon shaped markings on her cheeks. She has grown into a beautiful young adult with a sassy temperament. She lets us know whenever an animal or human comes in the yard, and she is the most faithful and loving girl. She accompanies our other dogs outside when they go do their business, and warns away any possible intruders upon leaving the house with them.
Unfortunately, Jake passed away shortly after we got Luna, so in a way I have a part of him with me still.
I was lucky enough to fall across your page looking for something else..how nice to know it’s GSD week in the US. Me and Manny, my 1yr old GSD, are in Australia.. and for the last 6 months, he’s been the best thing I think I’ve ever had happen to me. Hopefully me to him too. Dumped at the pound at around 12 weeks after being hit by a car, the vets did everything they could to save his leg.. 3 ops, 6mths cage confinement and he’s finally up and running, the most handsome and majestic boy you could see. Love incarnate. I sat with him for 3 months every day in his cage, nursing him, and he repays me everyday with a loyalty and love that is, according to the vets, “palpable”! So, true love comes in all guises..and Manny and me, well, we’re it!
Hello,
I have a 10 month old german shepherd named Linda. She is the best dog I’ve ever had. She is a smart cookie. she only needs to be told once and she already knows. I’ve had her since she was about 6 weeks old. She looks tough and but would probably lick the intruders to death if they broke into our home. she has a lot of energy and is always excited to see me when I come home from work. she gets a lot of attention everywhere we go. our neighbor kids always ask if they can come over and play with Linda. Overall GSD’s are the best dog to have. They are loyal and loving and will do anything to please their master.
I have two German Shepherds. One Male, One Female. The male, Ziggy, is 4 years old, and is the talk of the town. He rides in the sidecar of my motorcycle and creates quite a stir. He is a great playmate for my son and is never too tired to play. He is the most gentle dog. He has made friends with the wildlife in our area, including a baby deer, a hurt robin, and the pesky ground hog. My female, Pebbles, is 2 years old. She is the queen of the house. She also rides in the sidecar, only sporting pink Doggles unlike Ziggy’s Black ones. She loves to taunt Ziggy into playing tug of war with her. Only, he outweights her by 45 pounds. They will play with the deflated basketball for hours. Pebbles will do anything to fetch a ball. She knows how to open doors, fetch specific toys, and crawl on her belly. Both of my GSD’s love to fetch rocks in the river. If you let them smell the rock before you throw it in the water, they will fetch the exact rock you had. They are both truly unbelievable dogs, as is the entire breed.
hi i have a 1 1/2 yol male gsd black with brown and the coolest mug.His name is chuco,he loves too play with my nephews catch with any kind of ball.he is a great companion he loves to sleep in between my wife and i on the bed.He is a great gaurd dog,but he does not get along with his brother,he is the alpha male (chuco).he loves his family and we love him back.
Had a pound puppy clark who at 16 passed away of lymphoma, 2 years ago. I was devistated to say the least, the house was so lonely. I was given a special opportunity to get a GSD puppy, one of the guys at work is a breeder. I wasn’t thinking of doing the puppy thing again but what a joy she has been to my life. I got cassie when she was 9 weeks old, she’ll be a year old next month. Tonight we are off to our first agility training class. She keeps me very busy–she’s already so special to me, i am cherishing each day i have with her because i know they are not here on earth near long enough. *smiles*
I have a 1 1/2 year old female German Shepherd, yes she can be a klutz sometimes but also VERY PLAYFUL! SHe is the sweetest dog, let’s just say with a German Shepherd, BE PERPARED TO BE LOVED AND KISSED FOREVER, MAINLY IN THE FACE!
Wonderful Dogs!!!!
We have a boy GSH name Duke and two (2) Female GSD Mya and Justice. What great, loyal, lovable companions they are. These amazing dogs are here to protect their family. Please understand the job of a GSD is to Protect his master, his family.
We are blessed to have these wonderful pets. Yes they are like babies too.
samantha is our 4 mnonth gsd,she is so smart.I try to take the credit of being a great dog trainer,truth is samantha is our first dog ever and she was the best choice.Tell her somthin once maybe twice and she gets it.She is sooo gentle with our children and has not ruined anything teething.You only get what you put in to it and they need a lot of attention,and affection.