German Shepherds are the most excellent family pets!
Perhaps that statement sounds a little biased. That's probably because I've had two German Shepherds as family pets and in both cases, these dogs were the most lovable, happy and loyal pets I've ever known. They get along wonderfully at the dog boarding kennel. Mine didn't come with papers, but both came from families whose dogs had just had puppies. These youngsters were well cared for by their masters and both puppies reflected that loving care in their behavior throughout their long and healthy lifetimes.
In both cases, the puppies picked us rather than the other way around. When I sat down among the first batch of rambunctious puppies at the boarding kennel to observe them, they all ran around energetically, chasing their siblings and their own tails. All except for one, who kind of hung back from the crowd, and me, for a short while. She was sitting under the deck, watching. She eventually came straight over to me and started nuzzling and licking me. So cute. She won my heart immediately. She was named Glue, a.k.a. The Gluebird of Happiness, due to her disposition and her habit of sticking to you like glue. An odd name for a dog, but somehow it fit her perfectly.
Our second German Shepherd chose my daughter in much the same way. This leads me to believe that perhaps it's better to let the dog pick you. Both these dogs were extremely loyal, protective and loving, and the sentiment was reciprocal.
This is not to say they don't have a little mischief and thievery in their happy little hearts. German Shepherds generally have sunny dispositions and personality to burn. Glue was always on the lookout for an unprotected cube of butter or a roast ready for the oven, sitting on the kitchen counter. She got a couple such tasties in her lifetime, although she'd never do it in front of anyone. She also rousted a would-be burglar, keeping a piece of his pants as a souvenir as he escaped over the back fence. She eyeballs other dogs' treats at the boarding kennel.
Our second shepherd, Glue II (wouldn't you know it), had her own funny brand of mischief. She had a best friend in her neighbor, Joe, a Boxer mix. They soon devised a game where they would sneak across the road while the other wasn't at home and steal each other's toys and treasures. Eventually, the miffed dog would go steal back his or her toys and hide them. Glue II, unlike the original Glue, never played the chasing sticks game, nor enjoyed Frisbee. She, instead of begging a normal game, became a rock collector and chaser. She'd run like the wind after a rock tossed into the wild blue yonder. She also saved about 30-40 "special" rocks in specific locations on the porch, much as kids store toys. Joe never caught on to the fact that these were Glue II's real treasures.
From personal experience, I'd say German Shepherds are an excellent choice for a family pet, especially if you need to use the boarding kennel during your vacations. If possible, get them from a private family. We sure had good luck this way!
Perhaps that statement sounds a little biased. That's probably because I've had two German Shepherds as family pets and in both cases, these dogs were the most lovable, happy and loyal pets I've ever known. They get along wonderfully at the dog boarding kennel. Mine didn't come with papers, but both came from families whose dogs had just had puppies. These youngsters were well cared for by their masters and both puppies reflected that loving care in their behavior throughout their long and healthy lifetimes.
In both cases, the puppies picked us rather than the other way around. When I sat down among the first batch of rambunctious puppies at the boarding kennel to observe them, they all ran around energetically, chasing their siblings and their own tails. All except for one, who kind of hung back from the crowd, and me, for a short while. She was sitting under the deck, watching. She eventually came straight over to me and started nuzzling and licking me. So cute. She won my heart immediately. She was named Glue, a.k.a. The Gluebird of Happiness, due to her disposition and her habit of sticking to you like glue. An odd name for a dog, but somehow it fit her perfectly.
Our second German Shepherd chose my daughter in much the same way. This leads me to believe that perhaps it's better to let the dog pick you. Both these dogs were extremely loyal, protective and loving, and the sentiment was reciprocal.
This is not to say they don't have a little mischief and thievery in their happy little hearts. German Shepherds generally have sunny dispositions and personality to burn. Glue was always on the lookout for an unprotected cube of butter or a roast ready for the oven, sitting on the kitchen counter. She got a couple such tasties in her lifetime, although she'd never do it in front of anyone. She also rousted a would-be burglar, keeping a piece of his pants as a souvenir as he escaped over the back fence. She eyeballs other dogs' treats at the boarding kennel.
Our second shepherd, Glue II (wouldn't you know it), had her own funny brand of mischief. She had a best friend in her neighbor, Joe, a Boxer mix. They soon devised a game where they would sneak across the road while the other wasn't at home and steal each other's toys and treasures. Eventually, the miffed dog would go steal back his or her toys and hide them. Glue II, unlike the original Glue, never played the chasing sticks game, nor enjoyed Frisbee. She, instead of begging a normal game, became a rock collector and chaser. She'd run like the wind after a rock tossed into the wild blue yonder. She also saved about 30-40 "special" rocks in specific locations on the porch, much as kids store toys. Joe never caught on to the fact that these were Glue II's real treasures.
From personal experience, I'd say German Shepherds are an excellent choice for a family pet, especially if you need to use the boarding kennel during your vacations. If possible, get them from a private family. We sure had good luck this way!
