This is part 2 in a series on Americas Top Ten Favorite Dogs 2020 four german shepherds

What Do You Know About the German Shepherd?

What comes to mind when you hear “German Shepherd”?  Maybe police dog, search and rescue dog, military dog or guard dog?  Maybe powerful and scary?  Perhaps you already know how gentle and devoted they can be.  The German Shepherd is an interesting mix of all of the above.

German Shepherd Characteristics

  • The German Shepherd Dog (GSD) is one of the smartest, most trainable and most versatile breeds.  They thrive on having a job to do, are extremely eager to learn and crave challenges.
  • They are high energy and need somewhere to channel their mental and physical energy, thus requiring lots of activity, exercise and learning.
  • Without it, they can become anxious, bored and frustrated leading to excessive barking, chewing and digging.
  • They are very sociable dogs and are happiest when living indoors with a family, especially with a large fenced yard.
  • Surprisingly, they are a great companion for children.  Their devoted, loyal and gentle personality makes them a cross between a babysitter and a cop!

Five Interesting Facts

  1. The German Shepherd Dog (GSD) is one of the only breeds with “dog” in its official breed name.
  2. The most famous GSD was Rin Tin Tin.
  3. They were originally developed in Germany to guard and herd a shepherd’s flock.
  4. Their nickname is “German Shedder” because of how much they shed!
  5. Their personality is aloof and they can be wary of strangers, but they are not usually aggressive if properly trained.

German Shepherd puppies need lots of opportunities for socialization to learn acceptable behaviors.  All German Shepherds need a strong alpha leader so they know who is boss and they respond best to kind, firm commands. Do you have a German Shepherd?  What have you been able to train them to do? If you’d like to read more about the top 10 most popular breeds, check out this post – America’s Top 10 Most Popular Dog Breeds 2020 Interested in more information about the German Shepherd?  This is a great article about German Shepherd Characteristics.

Stay in Touch with Us

Eli & Jojo’s dog treats are premium treats made with wholesome, real food..  We never use artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, wheat, corn, soy or salt or sugar.  Real Food.  Simple Ingredients. Comments?  Questions?  We’d love to hear from you.