A German Shepherd Dog can be an excellent choice of family Dog, with the right family. Remember that German Shepherds are great dogs but they're not for everyone - no more so than would be a saint bernard, a chesapeake bay retriever, or a parson russell terrier - you get my meaning I hope, not every dog breed is a good fit for every home, that's just the way it is.
Something else I would like to remind everybody about is just how smart they are. These are very intelligent animals and need to be tested mentally as well as physically. And this is one thing many first time owners simply aren't aware of. You need to work these dogs brains as well as their muscles to have the happiest GSD possible. Mental exercise simply can't be overstated. New tricks, games, training of all types and giving the dog a job to do are all good ways to keep that furry little Einstein in tip top shape.
German Shepherds, also called Alsatians in some parts of the world, can get along quite well with children too - especially if they are socialized with them early on. It is very important that you take the time to make sure that your German shepherd puppy is comfortable around human beings, as well as other pets and dogs and the importance of training and socialization simply can't be overstated.
And if I could tell you only one thing to do with your German Shepherd to make it the best dog possible for your family it would have to be to socialize your GSD well - this one thing above all others can make such a huge difference in how well your dog is, socially speaking, later on in life. Get your dog out and about in as many places as you can safely - on tile/hardwood/linoleum and other kinds of floors, riding inside cars, going inside pet friendly businesses, etc., and introduce it to as many dog friendly people, cats, and other pets as you can. Let it observe horses, goats, sheep or whatever other kinds of animals that you can and let it interact with other friends pet dogs to help make it a a secure and friendly dog.
Also, don't forget just how big and strong a GSD can get to be as an adult. If you have very small children it could potentially be a problem for them if you don't supervise the dog and the kids together. And if you have a small GSD puppy, you don't want to leave it unsupervised with small kids either. Better safe than sorry I've always felt.
Lastly, don't ignore just how much exercise a growing German Shepherd will need. You'll need to make sure that you can give your GSD lots of exercise outside, and inside too if you have the space, to help use up a lot of that excess energy. You'll be surprised just how happy a tired GSD can be!
So, there is a lot to think about before you bring home a German Shepherd dog or puppy. But if you think of these key items first you'll have a better idea of whether or not a German Shepherd would make a good fit in your own home. Remember, this is a fairly long lived animal and if all goes well you can expect to have this dog in your life for 8 to 13 years or so so please don't bring home any dog or puppy on impulse. And if you happen to follow the steps above all those years together should be good ones.
German Shepherds are really incredible dogs. But they're not for everyone - and if you're thinking of getting one I highly encourage you to do all the research you can about them ahead of time. One place you can learn about them is at: Total German Shepherd
And if you love to read, why not check out my ebook, Your Total German Shepherd Dog now too? Filled with over 200 pages of "German Shepherd goodness".
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