I am been in deep thoughts. Perhaps the German Shepherd is not for me after all. While I handled them in the past, handling experience is not the same as living experience. They are working dogs, generics run deep. Require specifics how they are raised, socialization, health, training, and what not. More than other breeds. You cannot baby them like other dogs. Work hard everyday in training. Prone to hip dysplasia, prone to aggression. Neuter/spay at 6 months could lead to hip dysplasia. One false accidental attack from a random dog could be reactive for life. Wait an entire over a year before you can fix them. Most dogs can fix at 6 months no issues. Breeders give out dogs to people who aren't prepared no matter experienced or research. Then give the dog up rescue, shelter, breeder when they are far out there. Can do everything possible safely, but mistakes happens. You got to be vigilant. More than other breed of dogs. Strange now the bridge has crossed, realization hits me like a wild card. Are your dogs affectionate and cuddly? Guess depends on socialization, not always generics. German shepherds rescues and shelters are mostly American lines, found a German lines once. Though you don't know their parents background, those dogs are a gamble. I wondered what if I never went to get my Labradoodle, how life would significantly different. I thought about going for a white husky last Sunday. I dropped because always wanted a German Shepherd Dog. Then realized either dog doesn't matter. I find huskies more cuddly, I also found cuddly German shepherds. I have met the non cuddly ones as well, working lines back in teen years. The owners could never catch a break. One gave him away, the other kept for life. Both seem more relieved able to chill after some years. However, you need a consistency amount of hard work like with any dog, German Shepherds more than others. I'm no stranger to hard work. Maybe I will await a white husky from an approved rescue group. I regret not going. I have to let go. Let go of my German Shepherd Dog dream or NYC dream, my passed away dog of 2 years. It's easy to project your passed dog on to future other dogs, but it's all a mind trick. Reincarnation, I felt the husky pups might have been Riley reincarnated. Storm blocked my path, I called again once found 1 pup was left. They're on high demand, others beat me before I could by an hour after the post. My mind is in battle back and forth a fit or not. Maybe that is how dreams work, once bridge is crossed nearly there, not what you imagined to be. Maybe that's why German Shepherd Dog people don't understand much about affection towards other dogs, or let random other people pet their German Shepherds. Their dog is aloof, bit of a waste of time for either end. When I get a German Shepherd Dog, everything may not be what I imagined, and I will accept the dog way he is or maybe just let it go. Await for a husky to show up. I don't know, I'm an indecisive person lost my New Yorker powers moving away.
-
🚨 New here? Say hello and introduce your dog, we’d love to get to know you.
Are German Shepherds cuddly?
- Thread starter Riopool24
- Start date
- Nov 17, 2025
- 27
- 25
I took mine because I needed a dog that would push me get out more and bring me challenges that I needed to face instead of a sweet cuddly dog so in a way you are right but still there are moments she makes my eyes watery; there are many deep loving moments between us but they are more like war movies than romantic comedy movies
Now when it comes to work, I honestly find it easier than other dogs because of how fast her energy goes when we are out; since her bound with me is high, we are always playing something so it is never like I am sit and waiting for her to decide to do something on her own
Your message is good though; people shouldnt pick gsds because they are pretty and smart, there must be a study before and not only through formal sources; one thing I noticed when I was in another gsd group was that most gsds live their life without enough freedom, almost robotic, not leaving much to the dog to show their own personalities and I didn't accept that and some things I had to find out on my own
Now when it comes to work, I honestly find it easier than other dogs because of how fast her energy goes when we are out; since her bound with me is high, we are always playing something so it is never like I am sit and waiting for her to decide to do something on her own
Your message is good though; people shouldnt pick gsds because they are pretty and smart, there must be a study before and not only through formal sources; one thing I noticed when I was in another gsd group was that most gsds live their life without enough freedom, almost robotic, not leaving much to the dog to show their own personalities and I didn't accept that and some things I had to find out on my own
- Thread starter
- #3
Agreed, they are not for everyone. Sounds like German Shepherd Forum.
Last edited:
- Oct 2, 2025
- 22
- 47
Depends, sometimes he’ll let me cuddle/lay in my lap other time he’ll go for my hair
- Thread starter
- #5
Guess varies dog to dog, and if they feel they want everything to do with you or not. I feel some German Shepherds want nothing to do with their owners, because the dog feels they're not a match.
- Sep 7, 2025
- 308
- 323
This actually reads like someone thinking clearly, not someone giving up. You’re right about a lot of this. Handling experience and living with a shepherd are two very different things, and genetics do matter more with this breed than most. They’re not fragile, but they are demanding, and they don’t leave you much room to be passive or wishful.
What I’d gently push back on is the idea that questioning means you’re failing the dream. Sometimes it means you’re respecting reality. A good match isn’t about toughness or work ethic, it’s about whether the day-to-day life you want lines up with what the dog will need for years.
Affection, cuddliness, aloofness. Those exist on a spectrum in shepherds, shaped by genetics and upbringing, but you’re right that there are no guarantees and rescues, especially with unknown backgrounds, really are a gamble no matter the breed.
If you choose to wait, or a different dog, that’s not weakness or betrayal of your past dog. It’s maturity. Letting go of an idea because it no longer fits is sometimes the hardest kind of honesty. You don’t owe the German Shepherd anything. You only owe the future dog a life you can actually stand behind... whatever breed that ends up being.
What I’d gently push back on is the idea that questioning means you’re failing the dream. Sometimes it means you’re respecting reality. A good match isn’t about toughness or work ethic, it’s about whether the day-to-day life you want lines up with what the dog will need for years.
Affection, cuddliness, aloofness. Those exist on a spectrum in shepherds, shaped by genetics and upbringing, but you’re right that there are no guarantees and rescues, especially with unknown backgrounds, really are a gamble no matter the breed.
If you choose to wait, or a different dog, that’s not weakness or betrayal of your past dog. It’s maturity. Letting go of an idea because it no longer fits is sometimes the hardest kind of honesty. You don’t owe the German Shepherd anything. You only owe the future dog a life you can actually stand behind... whatever breed that ends up being.
- Thread starter
- #7
I hear you, now the bridge is crossed I feel like I've been hit with a ton of bricks. A lot to consider. I don't need a dog to protect me. In the past teen early 20s a little more vulnerable. But a New Yorker, well moved away can defend myself. The German Shepherd or an other would be more for more a true companion. I will keep his protectiveness in check through rigorous training. No I'm the one who will be trained. I am not one to give up on my dreams. My biggest vulnerability is letting go, either give up on New York City or German Shepherd. Can I have one or the other? New Yorkers have creative ways to make anything possible, outside the box thinking. I decided to go forth to a German Shepherd pup, and New York City. There is no such thing as before or after. ;-)
Last edited:
- Sep 7, 2025
- 308
- 323
That moment you’re describing is normal. It’s the point where the fantasy gives way to responsibility, and that can feel heavy before it feels exciting. Wanting a companion over a protector is a healthy place to start, and it already tells me you’re thinking about the relationship, not the image.
NYC and a German Shepherd aren’t mutually exclusive, but they do demand honesty, structure, and creativity. The dog won’t need you to give anything up; it’ll require you to be intentional. If you’re willing to train yourself, build routines, advocate for your dog, and think ahead, it’s doable.
You don’t need certainty right now. You just need clarity about what you’re willing to commit to daily. Dreams don’t disappear when they get harder, they just get more real.
- Thread starter
- #9
Most people want German Shepherds for protection, but most dogs won't protect you. Most owners never had a real situation of dangers to confirm any protection. I'm 30, physically fit and strong, I don't need a dog for protection. True companion honestly.
- Oct 13, 2025
- 153
- 155
I will say my 9 month pup Chase is like... ridiculously loving. My dad TOLD me he'd be that way but I don't think I realized just how clingy he'd be.
Every morning he spends AT LEAST a half an hour with his head in my lap and licking my face.
He sleeps SPOONING ME. An arm actually over me. Or he'll sleep with his head on my chest. He also spoons the cockapoo. He's got a lot of feelings.
If you're a part of his "flock" (close family and friends he's OBSESSED with) he will literally lay across you on the couch and kiss you once a minute. He LOVES hugs which is weird because most dogs hate when you cage them in, and he is a flying kisser - there is a good chance if he's not on a head collar that he will just spring up and kiss you on the face. Incredibly bad habit that my family keeps encouraging.
I know a couple of aloof shepherds who didn't bond well with their owners, but I know WAY more who are like...insanely good to their owners. Every single dog is different, but I will say even with all of those variables you mentioned where everything can go wrong and you get a reactive mess - I would do this over again in a HEARTBEAT. Chase is literally the most loving dog I've ever seen. I have no question that he loves me.
Every morning he spends AT LEAST a half an hour with his head in my lap and licking my face.
He sleeps SPOONING ME. An arm actually over me. Or he'll sleep with his head on my chest. He also spoons the cockapoo. He's got a lot of feelings.
If you're a part of his "flock" (close family and friends he's OBSESSED with) he will literally lay across you on the couch and kiss you once a minute. He LOVES hugs which is weird because most dogs hate when you cage them in, and he is a flying kisser - there is a good chance if he's not on a head collar that he will just spring up and kiss you on the face. Incredibly bad habit that my family keeps encouraging.
I know a couple of aloof shepherds who didn't bond well with their owners, but I know WAY more who are like...insanely good to their owners. Every single dog is different, but I will say even with all of those variables you mentioned where everything can go wrong and you get a reactive mess - I would do this over again in a HEARTBEAT. Chase is literally the most loving dog I've ever seen. I have no question that he loves me.
Mias Human
New member
- Jan 7, 2026
- 7
- 4
Yeah, my dogs are/were early warning systems. I am the one with opposable thumbs and VERY expensive optics on rifles that I build myself. I'm the dangerous one in the house, the dogs just give me time to assess the situation. I've only had one GSD that was protective in that he took it upon himself to prevent strangers from being on his turf. Strangely he was also the most trustworthy around children, he melted around kids. Strange adults were okay once I addressed them, but up until that point it was a bad time for said adults that wandered into his sphere of influence.
NormanisEm
Member
- Nov 28, 2025
- 21
- 33
I can say mine has had the opportunity to protect and in fact she did! Maybe we are just lucky.
- Thread starter
- #13
I remember a few moments with German Shepherds protecting me. A loyal moment for sure. All dogs went to the boss I didn't like, while the German Shepherd never left my side. The boss abuses and neglects dogs. Shows not all dogs but one are not good at detecting humans good ones or bad ones because they're too friendly.
NormanisEm
Member
- Nov 28, 2025
- 21
- 33
This can all be very true. They are a ton of work! To me they are almost the perfect breed. But to answer the main question, mine is extremely affectionate!! I will say that she does not cuddle for a long time because she gets hot, but she gives LOTS of kisses and will nuzzle my hand for pets. She likes to always be near me. She absolutely adores my parents as well. When she hasnt seen someone in a while then sees them, she gets so excited that she does a little whine and jumps up partially (usually not on the person, she just jumps) and wiggles. She is not affectionate to strangers and doesnt seem to be interested in seeking their affection but she is towards her people. When we are out in off leash areas, she never just wanders off (my husky mix does lol). Or she will run but always always turning around and coming back. If there are a few of her humans in the room/area, she goes round and round checking in with each person. It did take some time for her to really be her most affectionate self to my parents, especially my dad, due to negative experiences with men. My dad says he could tell in her eyes she didn’t trust him for a while but once she did, well, she loves him endlessly.
- Thread starter
- #15
Common dogs are cuddly towards their person. But lots of fur, get hot, want their own personal space you got to respect boundaries. Dogs set their own too. Though typical female Golden Retriever doesn't know what boundaries are
.