Deciding on which dog breed to get for your very first dog can prove to be more difficult than you had originally anticipated.
There are so many different dog breeds to choose from, and this can make choosing just one quite hard.
You will need to do lots of research to find the one that suits you the best, and we are going to help you with this.
If you are considering getting a German Shepherd as your first dog, you will need to find out as much about the breed as possible, This will help you to decide if this type of dog is going to be the best fit for you, or if you should look for one that is better suited for your lifestyle.
In this article, we are going to tell you about some of the things that we think that you should know before you go ahead and bring a German Shepherd dog into your home.
This will help you to find out about the potential downsides of owning this dog, and if you could cope with these things.
What to Know Before Getting a German Shepherd
German Shepherds are often described as confident, courageous, and clever dogs, but there are also some other things that you will need to know about them before you make a decision.
German Shepherds are a popular dog breed, and they have been bred to the point where they can develop some potential health risks.
You should also be aware of the fact that due to the fact that these dogs are so smart, they can get easily bored, as they need more to stimulate their minds and keep them busy.
German Shepherds are also known to be quite loyal, but this can easily become a dangerous trait if the dog is not properly trained and socialized as a puppy.
This dog breed will grow to be quite big, which means that they need a lot more space to roam around and play in than a smaller dog would.
They are going to require a lot of work when it comes to training and exercising, and not everyone will have the resources available to provide them with what they need.
Taking on a German Shepherd is a big commitment, and it is something that you are really going to need to think about before you bring one home.
They are going to require a lot of time and energy to care for and look after properly, so this isn’t a decision to be made lightly.
You will need to think about if you have the time to dedicate to this dog, or if you might be better suited to a breed that requires less maintenance.
Why You Shouldn’t Get a German Shepherd
It is easy to talk about all of the good and positive traits that are associated with German Shepherds, but you will also need to consider the negative traits that come along with them too. We will leave some things for you to think about below.
These Dogs Shed A Lot
If you are the type of person that does not want a home that is littered with dog fur, then a German Shepherd might not be the right dog for you.
These dogs will molt on a regular basis, and their coat is going to need a lot of upkeep and maintenance.
This is especially important to consider if you are thinking about getting a long-haired type, as you will have a whole abundance of things to take care of to ensure that your dog’s fur doesn’t get matted.
You can also be sure that you will find fur in every inch of your home, no matter what you do to try and get rid of it.
German Shepherds Are Messy
These dogs are known to make quite a bit of mess, even if it wasn’t intentional.
Whether their tails are sweeping ornaments off of side tables or they are jumping up on the sofa with muddy paws, you can be sure that there will be lots of messes to clean up when owning this breed of dog.
They Require Lots of Attention
Something else to consider is that by nature, these dogs are pack oriented, which means that they love to be in the company of others.
German Shepherds often suffer from separation anxiety when they are left on their own for long periods of time. They are at their most content when they are surrounded by the family, and do not do so well in their own company.
They Are Highly Active and Energetic
Something else that you might be interested to know about German Shepherds is that they are very active, both physically and mentally.
They are going to need a lot of physical and mental stimulation in order to be happy, and they like to feel useful.
When left to their own devices, they can easily become bored, which can lead to destructive behavior to keep them occupied.
If you don’t have the time to provide them with lots of exercise and stimulation, then this might not be the right breed for you.
They Are Not Guard Dogs
There is a slight misconception that German Shepherds are vicious and aggressive enough to make them good guard dogs, but this is simply not true.
Of course, they will protect their owners as they are loving and loyal, and they do have protective instincts, but if you are buying a dog for guarding, then this is not the dog for you.
They Get Big
Don’t be filled by the cute and tiny puppies that you know and love with German Shepherds, and don’t get too attached.
These dogs are going to get much bigger, and they can weigh up to 50 kg. If you are looking for a smaller dog, then this is definitely not the right dog breed for you.
They can even grow to be bigger than expected, which is something to keep in mind.
