German Shepherds can be amazing dogs, and they are one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States for a reason.
They are trainable, dependable, and loyal, which makes them both great family dogs and great working dogs. Like any other dog breed, the German Shepherd has their quirks though.
The German Shepherd’s quirks are all funny and are what make this breed truly unique. However, many of these quirks could be either a positive or a negative quality depending on how you look at them. As a result it is crucial that you do your research on this breed before bringing a German Shepherd into your home.
In this article we will be introducing you to 12 funny German Shepherd quirks. We will talk about these quirks in detail as well as giving you some helpful information about the German Shepherd breed.
Let’s get right into it!
General German Shepherd Behavior and Personalities
It is important to remember that the German Shepherd has origins in herding sheep.
However, over the years this dog has been seen less often on the farm and more often as working with the police or being loving family pets.
Here we will be taking a closer look at the German Shepherds’s breed history and what their ideal temperament looks like.
History of German Shepherds
The German Shepherd Dog as we know it today was first created by a German man named Max Emile Freidrich von Stephanitz in the late 1800s.
He admired the various types of herding dogs found throughout Germany, and he sought to create the best German herding dog out there. He first bred for a stable, trainable, and dependable temperament.
He wanted a dog that was going to be protective and a hard worker, but is loving with children and the other members of their family. He then took the dog’s appearance into consideration, slowly making the dog appear as it does today.
German Shepherd Temperament
The ideal temperament of the German Shepherd is a dog that is gentle and calm with children and their families.
However, they should also be confident, alert, and courageous. These qualities along with the German Shepherd’s high intelligence and trainability have made them the ideal candidate for police and search and rescue work.
12 German Shepherd Quirks
Like all other dog breeds, the German Shepherd has some funny and unique quirks.
Some of these quirks may be a positive or a negative part of a dog’s personality depending on who you ask, so it is important that you do thorough research on this dog breed before making a German Shepherd Dog a part of your family.
Here are 12 German Shepherd quirks that make the dog amazing and unique.
1. The German Shepherd Head Tilt
Many dogs can be seen tilting their heads, and many German Shepherd owners report that their dogs tend to tilt their heads very often.
There are several different theories as to why dogs do this. Some believe that dogs tilt their heads so that they can hear something better, while others believe that dogs tilt their heads because they are trying to see something better.
Regardless of what the cause may be, German Shepherds are known to tilt their heads, especially when their owners are talking to them.
Read Next: What Does Owning a German Shepherd Say About You?
2. German Shepherds are a Vocal Breed
German Shepherds are also known to be extremely vocal dogs, and this doesn’t just include barking. In fact, German Shepherds are known to whine a lot when they are either very happy or upset.
These dogs sometimes also whine as a result of being excited and playful. To some this trait may be less than desirable, but to others this is just a quirky thing that makes their German Shepherd Dog unique.
3. They Like to be Around Their Family
The German Shepherd loves to be around their family and owners. This combined with their good behavior around children can make these dogs great family pets.
However, this also means that some German Shepherds can also be prone to developing separation anxiety. As a result, teaching your German Shepherd that it is ok to be left alone from an early age is recommended.
4. They Have a Guarding Instinct
All German Shepherds will have a natural guarding instinct, and this typically includes both your property, you, and the other members of your family. As a result of these instincts you may find your German Shepherd doing some funny things like laying in doorways and walking the perimeter of your yard.
5. German Shepherds Are Very Intelligent
The German Shepherd is an extremely intelligent dog, and this can be both a positive and a negative quirk. On the positive side of things, the German Shepherd responds very well to structured training, and they can be taught to do some pretty amazing things.
As a result of their high intelligence and trainability, many German Shepherds are used as working dogs such as police dogs and service dogs for disabled people.
6. The Zoomies
German Shepherds have a lot of energy, and this pent up energy can sometimes result in them getting the zoomies. Most dog owners will likely be familiar with this term, as many dogs will get the zoomies when they are excited or need to get some energy out.
In fact, German Shepherds are famous for running in circles when they get a case of the zoomies.
7. They Need Consistency
Many German Shepherds thrive when they are given consistent training and have a daily routine. This is because they are a very active and intelligent dog breed, so they need regular exercise and mental stimulation in order to be both healthy and happy.
These things are best achieved when they have a daily routine. When it comes to training, most German Shepherds need direct, clear, and consistent commands. This clear communication coupled with positive reinforcement training methods will make your dog dependable and set them up for success.
8. They Can be Mouthy
German Shepherds can have a tendency to be mouthy, especially when they are puppies. This mostly includes play biting, but it can also be extended to other types of biting if a dog has not been properly trained or socialized. Teaching your German Shepherd not to bite from an early age is essential if you are looking to reduce this habit.
9. German Shepherds Love Going on Adventures
German Shepherds are naturally very curious dogs, and they love to sniff around and explore new places. As a result, the German Shepherd may be the right dog for you if you are looking for a companion to go out on adventures with.
Doing things like going for hikes, going to parks, and going swimming are great ways to explore new places while also getting your dog’s energy out.
10. They Need a Strong Leader
Remember when we said that German Shepherds need consistency in their training? Well, they also need a firm but fair leader when it comes to their owners.
German Shepherds tend to be pretty smart dogs, so they have the tendency of calling their owner’s bluff when it comes to leniency with your commands.
In addition to this, some German Shepherds also have an aloof and more independent personality, so a lenient owner can lead to your dog getting into some trouble if you are lenient with your rules.
11. They May Play Favorites
Although German Shepherds do love all of the members of their families, they may pick favorites when it comes to the person that they listen to the best.
This is usually the person that spends the most time with the dog or who has puit in the most work into training them.
This can make having a German Shepherd a bit more difficult if multiple people will be working with this dog all of the time.
12. German Shepherds Thrive when they have a Job
German Shepherds were originally bred with the intention that they will be working dogs. Whether they are working on farms, working with the military, or working with the police these dogs are designed to have a job.
However, this does not mean that they cannot make good family pets. They just need something to do during the day so that they do not get bored and get into trouble around the house.
Having a job does not necessarily have to mean herding sheep though. You can do things like go through a training course, teach your dog agility training, or even take your dog with you for runs and these would be considered jobs.
The most important thing when it comes to the average person giving their German Shepherd a job is that it gets their dog’s mind and body moving.
German Shepherd Behavior Stages
Like any other dog, there are different behavior stages that a German Shepherd will go through as they age and grow.
It is important to note that we will only be talking about the stages that most dog owners will experience in this article, so we will not be talking about any developmental stages that occur before 8 weeks of age.
Here are the German Shepherd behavior stages and what every German Shepherd owner should know about each stage.
The Socialization Stage (1-3 months)
The socialization stage is the first German Shepherd behavior stage that dog owners will encounter, and it occurs between 4 and 12 weeks. In this stage it is crucial that dog owners introduce their German Shepherd puppy to new people, environments, and stimuli.
During this stage you should always be taking your puppy with you to new places so they can experience a wide range of different things, and it is a good idea to get your German Shepherd puppy to play with other puppies and friendly adult dogs during this time as well.
This will prevent your German Shepherd from being overly fearful or defensive in the future.
This is also a good time to start some basic training. You can do this by teaching your German Shepherd some simple commands such as sit and lie down.
This is also a great time to teach your dog his name. Of course, it is always recommended that you use positive reinforcement training methods when it comes to training German Shepherd puppies.
The Juvenile Stage (3-6 months)
During the Juvenile stage most German Shepherd puppies will start focusing more on exploring the world around them. This can often lead to dogs at this age becoming much more independent than they were during the socialization stage.
This is a great time to make training a little more advanced, and teaching more complicated commands like heel is definitely a good idea.
You may also want to start thinking about whether or not you will want to be spaying or neutering your dog at this time. This is because German Shepherds reach sexual maturity at the end of the Juvenile stage.
The Adolescent Stage (6-18 months)
The adolescent stage is that weird period between puppyhood and adulthood. At this point your dog’s personality and temperament should be fully developed, but they may still engage in some impulsive and puppy like behaviors.
Essentially, your dog is going through their teenage years during this time.
Adulthood (18 months and up)
Once your German Shepherd reaches 18 months old they are officially considered to be an adult dog. At this point your German Shepherd should be mostly full grown and has completely reached mental maturity.
The Senior Years (8 years and up)
Once a German Shepherd reaches 8 years old they are considered to be an elderly dog. At this point in their life they will likely start to slow down and spend more time lazing around the house.
Conclusion
German Shepherds make excellent family dogs when they receive enough training, exercise, and mental stimulation. Their quirks are truly what set this breed aside from others and make them unique. Of course, you should always do your research before adopting any dog to ensure that their breed’s characteristics will fit in well with your lifestyle.
Related Questions
Why does my German Shepherd talk so much?
German shepherds are known to be extremely vocal dogs. This includes barking, whining, and other kinds of vocalizations. This stems from their working dog ancestors who used to bark to keep intruders away. German Shepherds are also known to make sounds when they are feeling very happy, excited, or unhappy as a way to express themselves.
Why do German Shepherds sit on you?
Most German Shepherds sit on their owners because they are bored and they want their owner’s attention. This is especially true if you have reinforced this behavior by giving your dog attention when he sits on you. In addition, sitting on you can also sometimes be a sign of separation anxiety if they do this all of the time.
References
Greenberg, Aurora. “German Shepherd Dog Dog Breed Information.” American Kennel Club, 6 Nov. 2017, https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/german-shepherd-dog/.
Staff, AKC. “German Shepherd Dog Facts.” American Kennel Club, American Kennel Club, 23 Sept. 2021, https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/german-shepherd-dog-facts/.
Battaglia, Dr. Carmen. “Is a German Shepherd Dog Right for You?” American Kennel Club, American Kennel Club, 20 Apr. 2021, https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/is-a-german-shepherd-dog-right-for-you/.
“German Shepherd Development Stages – What to Expect.” Just GermanShepherd, 20 May 2020, https://justgermanshepherd.com/german-shepherd-development-stages/.
Stephanie Gibeault, MSc. “Why Do Dogs Tilt Their Heads?” American Kennel Club, American Kennel Club, 4 Feb. 2019, https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/why-do-dogs-tilt-their-heads/.
Gaitho, Maryanne. “Why Are German Shepherds so Vocal – Wag!” WagWalking, Wag!, 5 Apr. 2018, https://wagwalking.com/behavior/why-are-german-shepherds-so-vocal.