Aspen, a fond member of a previous litter.
German Shepherd is the second most popular dog breed, right behind retrievers. However, lots of misconception still exists around German Shepherds. This confusion is only compounded by the variety that exists within the breed. If you are wondering if you should buy a German Shepherd, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll answer all of your questions about the breed so you can make the right choice.
[Still not sure if a Shepherd is right for you? Don’t hesitate to contact us and we will be glad to answer all of your questions.]
What do German Shepherds Eat?
A well-bred German Shepherd will be best off eating high-quality dog food. Luckily, such food does not have to break the bank.
There are lots of options available for feeding your dog. Here at Grand Lux we utilize a raw diet and deeply believe in the Answers Detailed Formula line. We also supplement this with raw goats milk, turkey, and pastured chicken.
To learn more about what we feed our puppies, as well as their parents, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
How Much Exercise do German Shepherds Require?
German Shepherds are big, energetic dogs. Naturally, they require lots of exercises. The ideal target is at least two hours a day.
Exercise doesn’t necessarily constitute long sessions of fetch or long hikes. Many owners in cities, for example, will take their shepherd to the coffee shop or to a local park, for example.
German Shepherd puppies are very energetic. Thankfully they are able to release lots of their energy by playing indoors. Adult German Shepherds may have a harder time expending their energy inside, however. Thankfully, they make the perfect companion around town. This isn’t always practical but, believe me, they will appreciate it when it is.
Are German Shepherds Easy to Train?
German Shepherds are often regarded as one of the smartest dog breeds. Consequentially, they are generally easier to train than most breeds.
Despite their natural intelligence giving them an advantage in training, trainability will vary from dog to dog and can largely depend on the dog’s upbringing.
If a dog has been raised to be comfortable around humans and to trust their discernment, they will be more obedient and, thus, easier to train. However, if a dog receives little attention from humans, he will be harder to train as he won’t possess the same trust in humans.
This is why we believe it is imperative that each dog receives lots of attention from day one. Cultivating a good temperament and strong mannerisms can be one of the biggest factors in a dog’s personality over the years.
At Grand Lux, we do everything we can to cultivate such a personality, as we believe it will pay off tenfold down the road. Wherever you buy your shepherd from, we recommend that you investigate the attention each puppy receives since birth.
Are German Shepherds Vicious?
German Shepherds often get a bad rap in movies, the media, and everywhere in between. They’re often perceived as vicious and unloving.
The truth is, German Shepherds are normally not vicious and are often one of the most nurturing, affectionate breeds.
While it is true that they might have a natural instinct to protect their family, they will almost never be a problem if you give your Shepherd the right foundation. What this means is that a Shepherd will show affection in return for your affection.
We believe strongly that a dog’s temperament starts at birth and that they will act according to what their owners tolerate. Therefore, if they are shown love, they will reciprocate that love. If they are told not to bark at passers-by, they will quickly learn not to do that.
For these reasons, we at Grand Lux begin the process of honing a pup’s temperament the day they are born. We strive to encourage the best qualities and mannerisms. We encourage them not to be vicious by having them interact with humans, other dogs, and other animals.
This is a job that we can only begin, and we encourage our families to continue it when they take ownership of their new family member.
Do German Shepherds Shed?
Like most dogs, German Shepherds do shed, and they are sometimes known to shed more than you’d sometimes want. However, this varies from dog to dog and some factors can play a big role in how much they shed.
One decider in the amount of shedding a Shepherd does is their genetics. Genetics are very important with German Shepherds as they can be deciders in many important things, such as susceptibility to hip dysplasia, diseases, and even how much they shed.
Another factor for shedding is diet. We all know that what we eat can really affect us. The same applies to German Shepherds. A diet of cheap, processed dog food can have many adverse effects on a German Shepherd. This is why we recommend, and exclusively feed our dogs a raw diet. We feed our puppies the Answers Detailed Formula line of raw food along with raw goats milk, turkey, and pastured chicken. You can read more about the diet we recommend on our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Are German Shepherds Good with Other Pets?
If you have other dogs, a German Shepherd will see them as a perfect playmate.
There’s no better way to let them expel their energy than with another dog. This is especially true with another large dog, but German Shepherds will play well with dogs of all sizes.
And if you have other pets, German Shepherds generally play well with them too.
All of our puppies here at Grand Lux are raised around other animals—from sheep to cats—so we can ensure they will be well behaved around other pets at their future homes. If you don’t buy from us, make sure to ask your breeder if their puppies are raised around other pets. This will be the best indicator of how well they behave with other animals in the future.
Are German Shepherds Good Family Dogs?
German Shepherds can be great with families. Nothing brings more joy to a German Shepherd breeder’s heart than seeing one of their pups going to a good home with a loving family.
If you have a family and are looking for a furry companion, you can’t do much better than a well-bred Shepherds with a good temperament.
German Shepherds are naturally active dogs, so be sure that your lifestyle matches. They make excellent companions on roadtrips and nothing will make your Shepherd happier than if you take it hiking with you.
If you have young kids, a great way to teach them responsibility is to assign them the task of feeding or walking the dog.
As mentioned above, German Shepherds can be a great addition to your family even if you have other pets already. The best way that they play well with other animals is by making sure they’ve been around other animals since birth. This is the case with all of our puppies here at Grand Lux, but if you buy from a different breeder, make sure to ask.