There’s no doubt about it. German shepherds are gorgeous animals. Those big brown eyes, that gorgeous fur and muscular stature pretty much make them look like a real-life teddy bear. Throw in an amazing personality, and you’ve got what seems like a dream dog.
German shepherds are smart. Very smart. Scary smart. These dogs will have your routine figured out before you do, and they are extremely sensitive to human moods. Have a training plan in place before you bring your GSD home, and stick to it.
German shepherds are working dogs. There is a reason they are frequently used as military dogs, police dogs and service dogs. They love having a job to do, and your German shepherd is no exception. Be prepared for lots of long walks with your German shepherd and then some.
Your new German shepherd will also require some mental stimulation. Obedience classes and dog sports can be especially helpful for rescue shepherds. Classes and training give you a bonding experience that builds trust and helps your dog figure out their place in your household.
What you might not realize is that German shepherds are like potato chips. You can’t have just one. You might find yourself owning German shepherds the rest of your life, which really means you’ve been adopted into the German shepherd family — not the other way around.