When asked the question, are german shepherds good with kids? There’s a lot to consider. These questions might come to mind. Are German Shepherds patient? Do they tolerate child behavior? Are they playful? Are they known to be vicious or bite? Will the dog protect my family? For those that suffer from allergies, doe the dog shed a lot?
Let’s look at these questions, the responsibilities of owning a dog, and German Shepherd’s pros and cons to determine if German Shepherds are good with kids and the best dog for your family.
What are the responsibilities of owning a dog?
Owning a dog is one of life’s pleasures; dogs are a man’s best friend. Dogs offer companionship, love, and protection. Studies have shown that dogs can keep you healthier. They can help with depression and help you exercise.
Dogs are beneficial to kids. They help teach kids responsibility, improve their social skills and raise self-esteem.
With all the benefits of owning a dog comes great responsibility. Dogs require a lot of love, care, and attention.
There is a big commitment when purchasing a dog. Avoid buying on impulse. Research and find out what dog is best suited for your family.
You must provide adequate shelter, food, shelter, and medical care for your dog.
Make sure your home has space for your size dog. You will need to purchase the correct type of food for your pet. Some dogs are on special diets. Your dog may require different types of food depending on age.
You will also need to keep up with regular vet visits for your dog and address any health issues.
Dogs take up your time. You must leave time in your day to give your dog exercise, socialize, and train.
Now that you have chosen to own a dog let’s find out if German Shepherds are good with kids and the right breed of dog for your family.
German Shepherd Breed
German shepherds are herd dogs and part of the canine family. Other canine family members include domestic and wild dogs, wolves, jackals, foxes, dingoes, and coyotes.
German shepherds originated from Germany. Max Von Stephanitz originally bred them. German shepherds were introduced to the U.S. in 1906.
Size and Appearance
German Shepherds are a more giant breed of dog. They are full-grown at 18 months. The adult German Shepherd is 22-25 inches long and weighs between 75-95 lbs. Males and females are approximately the same sizes. They have pointed ears, long snouts, and muscular frames.
A 2-month-old German Shepherd puppies are between 6-9 inches tall and weigh 11-20 pounds. Their fluffy coat and floppy ears make their adorable puppies.
As they get older German Shepherds, have shiny fur coats in shades of brown and bushy tails. Their ears will go from droopy to pointed.
Working dogs
German shepherds are herding dogs. They are used to keep sheep and cattle together and protected.
German shepherds were also used as the first guide dogs for the blind. They are still used as service and support dogs, military dogs, police dogs, and search and rescue dogs. They are also considered one of the five best guard dog breeds.
German Shepherd Characteristics
German Shepherds are highly intelligent, easy to train, loyal, protective dogs. They are full of energy and playful. For these reasons, many people agree that German shepherds are great with kids.
Are German Shepherds safe for children?
Let’s discuss the pros and cons to determine if a German Shepherd will be the best choice for your family.
Pros of owning a German Shepherd
Good Temperament
German Shepherds are known to be patient and caring towards their owners and children and make a great family dog.
German Shepherds love showing love and will often lick children’s faces. You can reciprocate that love by petting and cuddling with your dog.
German Shepherds tend to be gentle and loving towards babies. As your baby grows into a toddler, it’s essential to teach your child to respect the dog and its space. Teach them to gently pet the dog and not pull on their ears. Never leave your baby or toddler alone with any breed of dog.
Loyal
German Shepherds are known to be loyal dogs.
Protective
German Shepherds have a natural desire to protect owners and their families. They have a loud bark that will let a stranger know to stay away from their family.
Cute
A German Shepherd puppy is adorable. They are tiny, fluffy, and playful. As they age, German Shepherds are still attractive dogs. They have shiny coats and large brown eyes that, paired with their bushy tails, make them cute-looking dogs.
Intelligent
German Shepherds are highly intelligent dogs, one reason they are used as working dogs. Because they are smart, they can learn commands, learn the body language of family members, remain calm in high-stress situations, and protect the family as needed. They will need mental stimulation daily; you can do this through play.
Easy-to-train:
German Shepherds are easy-to-train. If you set aside time each day to train your German Shepherd, you will notice that they learn simple commands such as “sit, “no,” “leave it,” and “down” in no time.
That being said, you will need to take the time to train your dog or enroll them in a training program. Training sessions do not have to be long but need to be consistent.
A well-trained dog is vital for them to be successful in the home. German Shepherds need socialization and training at a young age to prevent aggression.
Playful and full of energy:
This is one of the reasons they are great with kids; the dog loves to play. They are also playful and full of energy. German shepherds need regular exercise and walking to get out their energy. Children will have hours of fun playing with their German Shepherd in the backyard or nearby park.
Play regularly with your German Shepherd. Not only is it fun, but it also assists in maintaining their health and tone.
Playing interactive games and activities with your dog, like fetch, will help your child and dog strengthen their bond. Give your children a way to keep their dogs under supervision by playing in a fenced yard or on a leash. German Shepherds are fun and active pets!
A German Shepherd’s high energy makes them fun for small kids and older children.
Cons of owning a German Shepherd
Health Concerns:
German shepherd dogs are more likely to suffer from health issues than other dog breeds. Many suffer from hip dysplasia.
Hip dysplasia is a skeletal condition that occurs in dogs. The ball and socket of the hip don’t fit correctly, which causes rubbing and grinding on the joint.
Over time it causes pain and deterioration of the joint, leading to loss of function. Hip dysplasia can happen in any breed of dog. However, it is more common in larger breeds like German Shepherds.
Seizures may also occur in German Shepherds.
Although all health issues can arise in any dog, purchasing one from a reputable breeder can reduce the risk.
Shedding
Like many other breeds, German Shepherds shed. If you own a German Shepherd, prepare to find hairs all over the house. You will need to sweep and vacuum frequently. To cut down on shedding, brush your dog twice a week and take them to the groomer regularly.
Due to shedding, these dogs do not make good pets for those who suffer from allergies. A German Shepherd will not be a good choice for your family if you have a child who suffers from dog allergies.
Chase
German Shepherds have the natural instinct to chase and hunt prey. They may chase and hunt smaller animals, such as squirrels and rabbits. They may also chase cars which puts them at risk of being hit. Luckily these behaviors can be calmed through training.
Not great with multiple pets
German Shepherds are better suited in homes where they will be the other pet. They may try to hunt smaller pets, such as birds or rabbits. If you have a small pet and still want a german shepherd, it would be better to get a puppy and let them get used to the other pet while they are young.
Do German Shepherd Bite?
As parents, we always want to keep our children safe. Biting is a concern for any parent that brings a dog into their home. Like with any breed of dog, German Shepherds can bite. Because of their size, getting bit by an adult German Shepherd isn’t the same as getting bit by an adult Yorkie.
To prevent an aggressive reaction from your German Shepherd, ensure they receive proper training and proper socialization.
Keep your child safe with a German Shepherd
A child’s problem with a new German Shepherd occurs if neither understands their body language. Little children can get overexcited, move suddenly, and talk in loud voices.
German Shepherds can interpret this activity or noise, like other large breed dogs, as an invitation to play. Because of their size, a child may view their first interactions with the dog as scary even though the dog wants to play.
It’s important to talk to your child about proper behavior around the dog so that the dog and the child can get used to each other. Basic training will help calm any aggressive behavior.
Socializing German Shepherds with kids is important and should start when your dog is a puppy. Constant socialization and exposure to kids will help them get used to kid-like behavior, such as being loud, active, and playful.
Always supervise your child around a new pet.
Is a German Shepherd child friendly?
Yes! German Shepherds are very happy with children and enjoy children with appropriate socialization and training.
German Shepherds are smart, playful dogs that are full of energy. They are good with kids and babies and will be loyal and protective over everyone in the family.
A properly trained German Shepherd can be an excellent addition to the family. They need socialization and training at a young age to prevent aggression. Having older kids assist in dog training can be a great bonding experience.
If you adopted an older German Shepherd dog who lacked proper socialization skills, you could still work on behaviors through obedience training sessions.
Do German Shepherds make good family pets?
Many believe that German Shepherds make great family pets. They are fun, playful dogs who will also protect your family.
Like any pet, purchase, discuss all the pros and cons with family members, and go over all the responsibilities of owning a dog.
Once you have committed to buying or adopting a German Shepherd, ensure you find a reticule breeder or adoption center. Give your German Shepherd love and attention, and enjoy the companionship of your new best friend.
