German Shepherd Dog Temperament: German Shepherd Dog is a large-sized dog breed that originated in Germany in 1899. As part of the herding group, the German Shepherds were the first dogs to be raised for sheep breeding and guarding.
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They often work in police and military roles around the world because of German shepherd Dog Temperament, their strength, intelligence, and abilities in obedience training.
German Shepherd Dog Temperament Chart
Here’s a chart outlining the temperament traits and characteristics commonly associated with German Shepherd Dogs:
| Temperament Trait | Description |
|---|---|
| Intelligent | German Shepherds are highly intelligent dogs and known for their quick learning and problem-solving abilities. |
| Loyal | They are fiercely loyal to their families and form strong bonds with their owners. |
| Protective | German Shepherds have a natural protective instinct, making them excellent guard dogs and protectors. |
| Confident | They are confident and self-assured, which contributes to their effectiveness in various roles, such as working and service dogs. |
| Obedient | German Shepherds are generally obedient and eager to please, making them responsive to training. |
| Alert | They are known for being highly alert and vigilant, making them excellent watchdogs. |
| Courageous | German Shepherds possess bravery and courage, which makes them suitable for tasks that require fearlessness. |
| Energetic | They have a good amount of energy and require regular exercise and mental stimulation. |
| Versatile | German Shepherds are versatile dogs and excel in various activities, including obedience, tracking, agility, and more. |
| Good with Training | They respond well to consistent and positive training methods, making them suitable for various tasks and activities. |
| Strong Work Drive | German Shepherds have a strong work drive and thrive in jobs that provide them with a sense of purpose and accomplishment. |
| Family-oriented | While they can be protective, German Shepherds are generally affectionate and devoted to their families. |
| Socialization Required | Proper socialization from an early age is essential to ensure German Shepherds develop into well-rounded and friendly dogs. |
It’s important to note that individual German Shepherds may have variations in their temperament based on their genetics, socialization, and training. Proper care, training, and socialization are crucial for fostering a well-behaved and balanced German Shepherd dog.
German Shepherd Breed History
The German Shepherd Dog originated in Germany in the late 1800s. The most intelligent, responsive and obedient native shepherd dogs in Germany are now known as the German shepherd. The breed was responsible for protecting the sheep and protecting the herd from predators.
They were not considered pets or companions, but servants to the peasantry. Their intelligence, speed, strength, and great sense of smell made them the perfect choice as shepherds. Although the German Shepherds were strictly regarded as laborers, then the domestic pets and peasants provided food, protection, and shelter for the breed.
During World War I, the German shepherd was popular throughout Germany and quickly became popular in other parts of the world. German Shepherds are liked by people for their loyal and brave character.
German shepherd Breed Standard
Appearance:
German Shepherd Dog is medium-sized, slightly elongated, strong and well-muscled, bones dry, and a total construction company.
The length of the body varies from 10 to 17% above the height at the withers.
Features:
Purpose and Use: Versatile Utility, Herding, Guard and Service Dog.
Head and skull:
The head is wedge-shaped, proportional to the body (head length is 40% of the watchers height), coarse or very elongated, and the entire form is dry and moderate between the ears. The forehead has a slight dome when viewed from the front and side, and not the central furrow or slightly pointed.
The ratio of the muzzle to the skull ranges from 50% to 50%. The width of the skull is equal to its length. The skull (viewed from above) is equally oblique from ear to nose, with a sharp undefined stop, into a wedge-shaped forearm (muzzle). The upper and lower jaws develop strongly. The top of the muzzle is straightforward, and does not require a facing dish or convex curve. The lips are stiff, well-fitted, and dark.
The nose should be black.
Eyes:
Medium size eyes, almond shaped, slightly oblique and not protruding. The color of the eyes should be as dark as possible. Light piercing eyes are far from the dog’s expression and are not desirable.
Ears:
The German Shepherd Dog has erect ears of medium size that are upright and almost horizontal (not tilted inward). They are reduced to a point and orbited to the front. Tip ears and drop ears are wrong. There is nothing wrong with putting back the ears, during the walk or when resting.
Mouth:
Dentistry should be strong, healthy, and perfect (42 teeth are in line with dentistry) The German Shepherd Dog has scissors, meaning that the incisions match each other, so that the incisions of the upper jaw overlap with the lower jaw.
Scale, over or undershot bite is wrong, as well as large gaps between the teeth. This is an error when the incisions are placed in a straight line in the gums. The jawbones need to be developed so that the teeth are deeply embedded in the gum line.
Neck:
The neck should be strong, and the angle of the body from the well-muscled throat to the body (horizontal) is approximately 45 degrees.
German shepherd Traits and Behaviors
These dogs are very intelligent and show an endless devotion to their owner but they are dogs, they need company and stimulation. However, it is important to remember that this is a working race and that it has certain characteristics that some people find difficult to live with.
The German Shepherd must be steadfast, confident, confident, brave and willing and not aggressive or shy. Nervous aggression is something we see now more and more as a result of bad growth.
It is sad but indiscriminate breeding of German Shepherds from the first, which can lead to problems with nature and health.
Due to the reputation of the brave and easy-to-train breed, German Shepherds are welcomed as police dogs and blind dogs. Their stunning smell and brave character made the German Shepherd the ideal police dog. Their faithful observance of what was happening around them, along with their patience, gave the blind a role as a leader.
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These outstanding qualities make the German Shepherd Breed an excellent domestic companion, protector, and friend. The breed was originally reserved for strangers but quickly warmed up.
This feature makes them excellent watchdogs, especially for children. They are good with children if socialized properly in puppyhood by taking long walks or runs throughout their lives.
German shepherd temperament and personality
German Shepherds are very active dogs and are described as self-assured in breed standards. This race is marked by a willingness to learn and a desire to have a purpose. They are curious, which makes them excellent guard dogs and ideal for search operations.
They may become overly protective of their family and territory, especially if not properly socialized. They do not tend to become instant friends with strangers. The German Shepherds are very intelligent and loyal to their owners.
Males: 24 to 26 inches in Height
Females stand 22 to 24 inches in Height
Weight ranges from 75 to 95 pounds in both Male and Female.
German Shepherd Colors
Common colors
- Black and Tan
- Black and Red
- Black and Silver
- Black and Cream
- Bi-Color
- Sable
- Black
Rare Colors
- White
- Blue
- Panda
- Liver
AKC Fault Colors
- Blue
- White
- Panda
- Liver
- Any pale or washed-out looking colors
German shepherd temperament with other dogs
German Shepherd dog behavior with other dogs depends on many factors.
German Shepherd dogs are very friendly and at the same time aggressive with other dogs or pets. They are aggressive towards same gender dogs, but German shepherds are good with many other dogs and other pets. His aggressive behavior may be the result of poor socialization and poor training. Some owners train their German Shepherd dogs to be aggressive. It all depends on how the owner raised the dog from puppyhood.
German shepherd temperament male vs female
Male German Shepherd Temperament
Male German Shepherds are very protective of their family. Male German Shepherd Dog should be trained and raised from puppies to be firm yet kind. If not, he will run rough on your home and he will not respect or respond to orders given by the owner.
Your GSD boy, although lovingly and protective, is more likely to attach himself to one family member. It is usually someone who is a dominant leader, and who spends the most quality time with the male German Shepherd.
Male German Shepherds are more aggressive and prouder than females. They are very territorial and very much possessive of their family. Even though they are good family dogs, the males can hand handle the kids due to their heavy bodies and also their nature. If this is the case, then they are still childish and protective and act as a baby sitter if they feel that the children are their best companions from raised from puppyhood.
Female German Shepherd Temperament
Unlike males, a Female GSD is gentle and friendly. It is more appropriate for her to be protective and attached to the whole family but not just one person. Your German Shepherd is also not as difficult to handle as your male counterparts, as her temperament is usually less compared with Male GSDs.
In addition to being dominant, it is easier to train females and more easily tolerate other dogs and people. Although still fiercely protective, she is not so possessive and does not picture her territory like a male GSD. Overall, your GSD Female is sweeter. They are not aggressive except to protect their families.
Final Thoughts
In summary, German Shepherds are a breed of intelligence, loyalty, protection and versatility. Their remarkable nature and distinct characteristics make them highly sought after and cherished by dog enthusiasts worldwide. If you are looking for a loyal companion, a devoted work partner or a loving family pet, the German Shepherd dog is undoubtedly a great choice.
