German Shepherds are one of the most recognized dog breeds in the US. Many people dream of owning this kind of dog.
There are few dog breeds as elegant, loyal, and athletic as the German Shepherd. The fact that you might want to own a German Shepherd or already share your life with one can tell people a lot about you.
German Shepherds are loyal, kind, family-oriented pets. However, they have their unique quirks, and they can be high-energy as well. They are not the right dog breed for all pet owners despite their beauty and loyalty.
Experienced Shepherd owners will be able to spot someone who is not a good fit for this breed of dog from a mile away. For those who already own this kind of dog, you might learn something about yourself as you keep reading!
What Does a German Shepherd Dog Symbolize?
The German Shepherd breed is associated with many different mental images. Many people think of dogs that work with the police or the military.
The personality of this breed and their athletic skill makes them a great fit for these kinds of jobs. The nobility and imposing presence of this breed is also very important to many pet owners.
For many German Shepherd owners, their dog is a symbol of the loyalty that they value in friends and family. Their dog is also often a symbol of adventures and fun experiences.
There are few breeds of dog as brave and generous as a German Shepherd. Many people who own a shepherd will take them everywhere because they are such good company.
What Makes a Good German Shepherd Owner?
German Shepherd dogs can be high-energy and intense, and it can take patience to train them. People who are a good fit for this breed of dog will be patient, they will be fair. They will also be consistent in their expectations.
This breed of dog also needs to be challenged mentally and given a “job” in order to be happy. A good owner for a shepherd will be able to provide their dog with mental stimulation as well as training. They will also take the time to guide their dog with care and consistency.
Many people think that they want to have a German Shepherd. That is, until they find out just how much energy and effort is required to care for this breed.
This is not a dog breed that is for the casual owner. People who are looking for a couch potato dog need not apply for the job of owning a German Shepherd.
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What Owning a German Shepherd Says About You
There are many things that you can assume about someone just because they have a German Shepherd. People who vibe with German Shepherd dogs tend to have very specific personality traits.
If you have a Shepherd in your home, you will probably recognize all of the following traits in yourself as soon as you read about them. You might even learn something new about yourself when you read about the things that German Shepherd ownership says about you!
Read Next: 12 Funny German Shepherd Quirks- GSD Behaviors Explained
1. You Love a Challenge
Many German Shepherds are very loyal and love to be taught new skills. However, they often also have a stubborn streak and can be very independent in their mindset when they are bored. It can be tough to get a German Shepherd puppy trained to follow a consistent training plan at first.
Those who love this breed automatically sign up for a challenge every time they get a new German Shepherd puppy. Every German Shepherd is unique. Creative training techniques can be necessary sometimes to get a German Shepherd to adhere to a training plan.
Working through the challenging phases of training a German Shepherd is always worth it, however. There are few dogs that will be as loyal or bonded to their humans as a trained German Shepherd.
2. You Engage in an Active Lifestyle
This breed requires a lot of activity and exercise to be happy and healthy. Owning a German Shepherd usually means that you love to be active. This is not a breed that will thrive in a home where there is a lot of hanging around and resting. If you love being active, a German Shepherd is probably one of the best dog breeds for you to pick to join your family.
3. You Are Dedicated and Loyal
German Shepherd owners will usually praise their dog’s loyalty and dedication to its place in the family. This is because most German Shepherd owners value loyalty and dedication in humans as well.
Commitment and loyalty to the people that are part of their pack is a key element of the German Shepherd dog’s breeding. People who are committed to those that they love are often big fans of this breed.
4. You Have Good Leadership Skills
A German Shepherd can be very independent. This means it is likely that you have good leadership skills that you use to train your dog. This breed can be quite strong-minded.
Passive owners are not ideal for German Shepherd dogs. Getting along and bonding with this kind of dog requires that you are naturally able to access leadership skills and attitudes.
5. You Value Protection and Security
German Shepherds have been selectively bred for their ability to protect and provide security. Originally the breed provided protection for livestock. Later the breed was refined for use by the military and the police.
This breed has protection in its DNA. You probably value this trait of the breed above many of its other notable qualities. Being sure that your dog will alert you to problems inside and outside of your home can provide a lot of comfort to pet owners.
6. You Appreciate Intelligence
This breed is highly intelligent. This is often one of the things that fond German Shepherd owners will brag about when talking about their dog. It takes very little effort to train this breed to engage in new skills and behaviors.
German Shepherds are also often sensitive to emotions in people and their environment. German Shepherds often seem like people because they are so clever.
7. You Are Patient
Training this kind of dog requires that you are a patient person and that you are also a fair person. There is nothing that German Shepherds dislike more than inconsistency, and they will tend to reject owners who are not fair in their discipline. We recommend that you learn from the best, Dr. Ian Dunbar’s SIRIUS Dog Trainer Academy, who created the first off leash puppy socialization and training classes.
It requires patience and a sense of justice to be able to train and interact with a German Shepherd on a daily basis. Owning this breed of dog also lets others know that you are more than capable of being thorough in your communication and consistent in your efforts to explain new ideas and skills.
8. You Are Responsible
Owning a large dog and one that is high energy requires that you keep your dog’s needs in mind at all times. This breed requires lots of special care. Dog owners who love German Shepherds are willing to commit the necessary time to their pet.
Neglected German Shepherd dogs often end up in less-than-ideal situations. Many of them do not thrive in homes where there is a lack of consistent care provided to their needs. German Shepherd owners who love the breed are often very responsible and caring people.
German Shepherd Ownership Offers Many Perks
There are so many reasons that you might want to consider getting a German Shepherd if you do not already share your life with this lovely breed of dog. If you love a challenge and you enjoy the company of energetic and intelligent pets, then this breed is probably the perfect fit for you.
There are few dog breeds that are so loyal or so fun to be around as a German Shepherd. Many people who love the breed swear they will never own another kind of dog.
Now that you have learned more about what German Shepherd ownership means about you, you might want to pat yourself on the back! There are many lovely qualities that are associated with those who own and love German Shepherds.
You might not have realized how many positive things others can assume about you just by finding out that you own a German Shepherd.
