Is a German Shepherd the Right Breed for Me?

[Malakai The Great]

I see this question come up a lot and it’s a good one to ask before falling in love with those big ears and expressive eyes.

German Shepherds are incredible dogs. They are loyal, intelligent, protective, and deeply bonded with their people, but they’re also a lot of dog.

They need structure, daily engagement, and clear leadership. Without that, their brains find their own “projects” (usually the kind that involve chewing, herding, or barking at ghosts).

A few questions I always suggest people ask themselves before getting one:

Training and Structure:

• Do you enjoy training and problem-solving with your dog daily?
• Are you comfortable setting clear rules and boundaries from day one?
• Can you stay consistent even when they push back or test limits?

Exercise and Mental Stimulation:

• Can you dedicate 1-2 hours a day for exercise and engagement?
• Do you have space (or access to) areas where they can safely run, hike, or train off leash?
• Are you ready to challenge their mind as much as their body (obedience, scent work, tug, etc.)?

Lifestyle and Environment:

• Do you have the time to include your dog in daily life, not just short walks and crate time?
• Is your home environment stable enough for a high-awareness breed that reacts to change?
• Are you okay with fur, drool, and muddy pawprints?

Temperament and Bond:

• Do you want a dog that will attach deeply and follow you everywhere?
• Are you prepared to handle separation anxiety if your lifestyle changes?
• Are you comfortable managing a protective dog around guests or new situations?

Commitment and Reality:

• Are you in it for 10+ years of active companionship and training?
• Can you afford vet care, training tools, quality food, and possible injuries (these dogs play hard)?
• Do you want a partner, not just a pet?

If the answer’s yes, you’ll never find a more devoted companion. If not, that’s totally okay, it’s better to know now than later.

For those already living with one, what would you tell someone considering a GSD for the first time? What do you wish you knew before bringing yours home?

 

[Andre]

Thanks Malakai. It's definitely a very big decision to get a dog, especially a high drive dog.

 

[murph]

I agree with everything you said.

Here is what i would add:

Before I begin, I would like to remind everyone that these are my opinions. I welcome discussion with anyone who has a dissenting opinion.

Choosing your dog
When choosing your future best friend, here are some things to keep in mind:

Ethical Breeders
Back yard breeders (BYB) are a problem in the GSD community. Carelessly breeding dogs without conformation and genetic testing puts puppies and dogs at risk for preventable genetic problems, such as temperament, physical deformities and degenerative syndromes in later life.

• Does the breeder have documentation of lineage?
• Does the breeder preform health testing, such as hips, elbows, DM, etc.?
• Does the breeder allow you to see the parents? Does the breeder have other dogs in the line that show the average life span of their breeding program?
• Does the breeder show any of their dogs for conformation? Do the dam and/or sire have any titles (AKC CGC, show titles, working titles, etc.)
• Does the breeder make you fill out an application? Do they ask in depth questions about your living situation? Does the breeder explain temperaments of their dogs to better help you pick your nee best friend?
• Does the breeder have a policy that the owner must return the dog if the placement does not work out?
• Is the price too good to be true? Ethical breeding is expensive, and while most ethical breeders are not in it for the money, a well bred German Shepherd can cost anywhere between $1500-$5000 or more.

The consequences of unethical breeding are dogs in shelters, dogs with genetic behavioral issues, and dogs with debilitating health problems that have to be put own. Ethical breeding is not about being snooty, or saying that only certain people should be able to breed certain dogs. Welping puppies, ensuring breeding dogs get the highest quality health care possible, and choosing the highest quality studs and dams is demanding work, and not something to be taken lightly.

With that said, none of this applies if you choose to adopt from a shelter, or GSD breed specific rescue.

Rescuing a GSD

Adopting a dog from a shelter is a great way to give a dog a wonderful loving home that they otherwise might not have. However, you must be prepared to deal with potential behavioral issues. This means being patient and understanding the rule of 3s.

I could go on and on. I love this breed and some GSDs are not for first time owners. Others are. It depends on the adopter's life situation, as well as their resolve to do what is right by the dog.

 

[Malakai The Great]

I agree with everything you said.

Here is what i would add:

Before I begin, I would like to remind everyone that these are my opinions. I welcome discussion with anyone who has a dissenting opinion.

Choosing your dog
When choosing your future best friend, here are some things to keep in mind:

Ethical Breeders
Back yard breeders (BYB) are a problem in the GSD community. Carelessly breeding dogs without conformation and genetic testing puts puppies and dogs at risk for preventable genetic problems, such as temperament, physical deformities and degenerative syndromes in later life.

• Does the breeder have documentation of lineage?
• Does the breeder preform health testing, such as hips, elbows, DM, etc.?
• Does the breeder allow you to see the parents? Does the breeder have other dogs in the line that show the average life span of their breeding program?
• Does the breeder show any of their dogs for conformation? Do the dam and/or sire have any titles (AKC CGC, show titles, working titles, etc.)
• Does the breeder make you fill out an application? Do they ask in depth questions about your living situation? Does the breeder explain temperaments of their dogs to better help you pick your nee best friend?
• Does the breeder have a policy that the owner must return the dog if the placement does not work out?
• Is the price too good to be true? Ethical breeding is expensive, and while most ethical breeders are not in it for the money, a well bred German Shepherd can cost anywhere between $1500-$5000 or more.

The consequences of unethical breeding are dogs in shelters, dogs with genetic behavioral issues, and dogs with debilitating health problems that have to be put own. Ethical breeding is not about being snooty, or saying that only certain people should be able to breed certain dogs. Welping puppies, ensuring breeding dogs get the highest quality health care possible, and choosing the highest quality studs and dams is demanding work, and not something to be taken lightly.

With that said, none of this applies if you choose to adopt from a shelter, or GSD breed specific rescue.

Rescuing a GSD

Adopting a dog from a shelter is a great way to give a dog a wonderful loving home that they otherwise might not have. However, you must be prepared to deal with potential behavioral issues. This means being patient and understanding the rule of 3s.

I could go on and on. I love this breed and some GSDs are not for first time owners. Others are. It depends on the adopter's life situation, as well as their resolve to do what is right by the dog.

Really solid write-up, Murph. You covered both sides of the coin perfectly. The importance of ethical breeding and the value of rescue. It’s great to see this kind of balanced perspective in the community. The checklist for breeders is spot-on too. If more people followed that, we’d see far fewer dogs ending up in bad situations.

 

[MyDogBitz]

I think @murph covered it pretty well. I'd like to expand on his comments in regards to rescues/adoptions.

The majority of dogs, but pure bred dogs in particular are given up for behavior issues. With GSDs and other working line guardian breeds it's usually some form of reactivity or just too much boisterous energy.

Also, and this is a personal point of contention of mine, a lot of so-called shelters are nothing more than puppy mills and/or dog recycling centers ran for-profit masquerading as non-profits.

Meaning, they charge absorbent fees, aren't forthcoming about the history of the dogs, constantly have "surrendered puppies" and are constantly rehoming the same dogs. This is something to keep an eye out for if you're going that route.

Besides the unknown behavioral history of the dogs another thing you'll never know without a DNA test is their health profile.

Quick story:

I had adopted a rescue beagle puppy. He was a great family dog and lived for 15 years. However, for 10 of those years he was epileptic. His medicine cost about $400 a month plus quarterly blood work that cost $500 each time. Do the math. It's a lot of money.

Here, epilepsy is common in the breed. I later found out that it was highly probable that the parents were lab dogs used in pharmacy testing and they're often used in puppy-mills as breeding stock because they can be bought very cheaply once the labs are done with them (they're supposed to be destroyed)

Anyway, I'll never go the shelter route again.

Ironically, if more people pursued responsibly bred pedigreed dogs there would be far less dogs in shelters.

Sorry for the rant.

 

[Malakai The Great]

I think @murph covered it pretty well. I'd like to expand on his comments in regards to rescues/adoptions.

The majority of dogs, but pure bred dogs in particular are given up for behavior issues. With GSDs and other working line guardian breeds it's usually some form of reactivity or just too much boisterous energy.

Also, and this is a personal point of contention of mine, a lot of so-called shelters are nothing more than puppy mills and/or dog recycling centers ran for-profit masquerading as non-profits.

Meaning, they charge absorbent fees, aren't forthcoming about the history of the dogs, constantly have "surrendered puppies" and are constantly rehoming the same dogs. This is something to keep an eye out for if you're going that route.

Besides the unknown behavioral history of the dogs another thing you'll never know without a DNA test is their health profile.

Quick story:

I had adopted a rescue beagle puppy. He was a great family dog and lived for 15 years. However, for 10 of those years he was epileptic. His medicine cost about $400 a month plus quarterly blood work that cost $500 each time. Do the math. It's a lot of money.

Here, epilepsy is common in the breed. I later found out that it was highly probable that the parents were lab dogs used in pharmacy testing and they're often used in puppy-mills as breeding stock because they can be bought very cheaply once the labs are done with them (they're supposed to be destroyed)

Anyway, I'll never go the shelter route again.

Ironically, if more people pursued responsibly bred pedigreed dogs there would be far less dogs in shelters.

Sorry for the rant.

Really well said, Bitz. and not a rant at all. You made a fair point that’s often overlooked. There’s definitely a difference between true rescues doing good work and the “non-profits” that operate more like businesses. It’s a tough conversation but an important one. Sorry to hear what you went through with your Beagle. Even though that level of care and cost must’ve been exhausting, it’s clear you gave him an incredible life despite everything.

 

[MyDogBitz]

Really well said, Bitz. and not a rant at all. You made a fair point that’s often overlooked. There’s definitely a difference between true rescues doing good work and the “non-profits” that operate more like businesses. It’s a tough conversation but an important one. Sorry to hear what you went through with your Beagle. Even though that level of care and cost must’ve been exhausting, it’s clear you gave him an incredible life despite everything.

He was a good dog and is missed.

 

[Erequisit]

I see this question come up a lot and it’s a good one to ask before falling in love with those big ears and expressive eyes.

German Shepherds are incredible dogs. They are loyal, intelligent, protective, and deeply bonded with their people, but they’re also a lot of dog.

They need structure, daily engagement, and clear leadership. Without that, their brains find their own “projects” (usually the kind that involve chewing, herding, or barking at ghosts).

A few questions I always suggest people ask themselves before getting one:

Training and Structure:

• Do you enjoy training and problem-solving with your dog daily?
• Are you comfortable setting clear rules and boundaries from day one?
• Can you stay consistent even when they push back or test limits?

Exercise and Mental Stimulation:

• Can you dedicate 1-2 hours a day for exercise and engagement?
• Do you have space (or access to) areas where they can safely run, hike, or train off leash?
• Are you ready to challenge their mind as much as their body (obedience, scent work, tug, etc.)?

Lifestyle and Environment:

• Do you have the time to include your dog in daily life, not just short walks and crate time?
• Is your home environment stable enough for a high-awareness breed that reacts to change?
• Are you okay with fur, drool, and muddy pawprints?

Temperament and Bond:

• Do you want a dog that will attach deeply and follow you everywhere?
• Are you prepared to handle separation anxiety if your lifestyle changes?
• Are you comfortable managing a protective dog around guests or new situations?

Commitment and Reality:

• Are you in it for 10+ years of active companionship and training?
• Can you afford vet care, training tools, quality food, and possible injuries (these dogs play hard)?
• Do you want a partner, not just a pet?

If the answer’s yes, you’ll never find a more devoted companion. If not, that’s totally okay, it’s better to know now than later.

For those already living with one, what would you tell someone considering a GSD for the first time? What do you wish you knew before bringing yours home?

I have had an absolute hell of a time with my boy. Him and I hike everyday, venture into places I’ve never been before because he wants me to follow him through it, I can’t wait to spend another summer getting to know my best friend better. This summer we’re going to try and learn to balance on my paddleboard , you need to be active with this breed. They will ruin everything if you aren’t ready for activities everyday. Constant attention, that is what I crave and so does he. Perfect match

 

[Malakai The Great]

I have had an absolute hell of a time with my boy. Him and I hike everyday, venture into places I’ve never been before because he wants me to follow him through it, I can’t wait to spend another summer getting to know my best friend better. This summer we’re going to try and learn to balance on my paddleboard , you need to be active with this breed. They will ruin everything if you aren’t ready for activities everyday. Constant attention, that is what I crave and so does he. Perfect match

Sounds like you and your boy are living the dream WL life, adventure, work, and a bond that keeps getting tighter. That’s exactly what these dogs thrive on. They don’t want perfection, they want participation. Hike with them, explore with them, laugh at their chaos, and suddenly they turn into the best partner you’ve ever had.

Paddleboard plans are awesome too. There’s nothing like watching a shepherd try to figure out balance with that serious little working-dog face on. You two are a perfect match because you show up for him every day. That’s all a WL ever asks.

 

[PopeHolySmoke]

They don’t want perfection, they want participation.

I long ago lost count of the number of times I've screwed up and every time my dog was like, Is OK hoomin, you'll get it next time. Our dogs are more resilient than we give them credit for, even moreso if you train them well.

 

[NormanisEm]

Definitely all of this! These are not dogs you can half-ass with. You have to be all in. My dogs are my entire world.

 

[Malakai The Great]

I long ago lost count of the number of times I've screwed up and every time my dog was like, Is OK hoomin, you'll get it next time. Our dogs are more resilient than we give them credit for, even moreso if you train them well.

That’s one of the biggest lessons dogs teach us. They don’t keep score, they just show up again tomorrow ready to try.

If the foundation is solid and the relationship is fair, a mistake from the handler isn’t the end of the world. Well trained dogs are incredibly resilient, and honestly, they’re often way more forgiving of us than we are of ourselves.

Definitely all of this! These are not dogs you can half-ass with. You have to be all in. My dogs are my entire world.

Exactly. These dogs don’t need perfection, but they do need commitment. You can’t phone it in with working dogs, they know when you’re present and when you’re not. If they’re your world and you show up for them every day, they’ll give you everything they’ve got right back.