What I find amazing is that someone on Associated Content took the time to write an article telling people 10 reasons not to buy a German Shepherd. I’m sure breeders are inferiorated with what this person said. I have come with a set of 10 things that people should consider when buying a German shepherd. Having a dog is a huge responsibility and it’s also a great training tool for children to learn what it’s like to take care of a pet or something of value.
Ten reasons you should own a German shepherd:
They are excellent family dogs and are great around children and don’t pose a safety issue with aggressive behavior.
They are very loyal to their owners and will protect them
They are easy to maintain and care for
They are good with other dogs and pets
They’re easy to train and can be housebroken with little difficulty
They are very playful and can be taken on lots of walks which is in fact good for them since they are prone to hip dysplasia which is a condition that is inherited and is a degenerative problem which you can’t really avoid because it’s a genetic problem.
They are excellent for security because of their hearing and reacting to noise and their bark can be intimidating to intruders because it’s loud and aggressive sounding.
They adapt to their surroundings fairly fast and usually they stick to people who are more family oriented since they like to be around other dogs and people.
They love to be in the outdoors or in the house or wherever as long as they have space to run around.
They make excellent companions for people who are disabled and the elderly because of their gentle demeanor and disposition.
As an experienced German shepherd owner I know that this dog does have some issues just like any other breed of dog. I was well aware of the joint and hip problems German Shepherds face in their life, but the best way to lower the problems of joint and hip issues is to keep them active and maintaining a healthy weight. German Shepherds that have a sedentary lifestyle tend to develop joint problems faster than one who stays active and maintains a healthy weight. Also starting a German shepherd puppy out on Glucosamine, which is good for joint health and keeps their joints healthy.
A healthy diet of protein helps because a lot of German Shepherds have to go on anti-inflammatory medications when they have flare ups which can be extremely painful especially when the dog gets older. It’s imperative to keep the dog at a healthy weight because excess weight can cause arthritis to set in even faster. German Shepherds are great dogs for their loyalty and devotion to the people they love. It’s a known fact that dogs choose their owners and German Shepherds are like that they pick who they want to live with. German Shepherds come in a dazzling array of colors ranging from a grayish brown and black to a light honey color with black it also depends on the parent because each dog is different in personality and traits. When you look to buy a dog you are looking for one that will be an integral part of your home and family life. Do your homework when you find a reputable breeder. Always check the credentials of a breeder out before you buy so that you know that the person or organization you’re dealing with has a good reputation of educating potential buyers about the breed and what you as the owner have to do for it. The American Kennel Club that you can log on to at AKC.org and you can get information from experienced breeders on what to look for when purchasing a dog and what you need to know about your respective breed. Breeders should also have a list of past customers who have purchased puppies from them. If a customer asks for references meaning a list of past customers and if they’re refusing because a legitimate business won’t have a problem with you talking to their past customer about their services and products. A reputable breeder also maintains facilities that are in good standing with proper breeding in a clean, safe, and humane environment.
Breeders also don’t over-breed the same female they retire a female after so many litters because you can wear the health of a dog out, and most breeders will retire a dog after she’s had so many litters out of health and safety concerns. A German Shepherd is a good family dog and is good around children since they’re like big babies when kids play with them and yes they do shed, but you can keep the dander under control by keeping the dog brushed out and actually brushing helps build the oil that keeps their coats healthy and periodical trips to a professional groomer for a wash and trim. Shedding is caused when the undercoat sheds not the top coat and it’s ideal to get a special brush that can reach down to the undercoat level and remove it so it’s not mixing in with the top coat. This person who says that they shed and it’s a problem needed to do some further research because plenty of people with allergies to animal dander will make sure they’re properly groomed so that they don’t shed on furniture and beds and basically keeping a house clean will also keep the dander under control. If you keep a dirty, dusty and nasty house then expect for pet dander to be out of control. German Shepherds are excellent at catching rodents I owned one from the age of 5 until I was 13 years old and she was a resilient catcher of rats and small rodents. She never ate them she just killed them and left them for us to dispose of and my yard was kept rodent-free because of her ability to catch them and we’re talking about those sewer size Norway rats. German Shepherds are the top choice of dogs used in security companies who have a K-9 section and they are also used by the Federal Government for drug sniffing and even used as cadaver dogs when law enforcement are investigating homicides to look for bodies under debris or in other places.
German Shepherds have a place in the world as pets and as animals that help people so having one is not a bad thing because I shared my life with one for 13 years and the companionship was the kind that was irreplaceable. I encourage this breed along with others like German Shepherds to be the kind of dog that will make a family complete or the lives they share as companions to those who live alone or are disabled. So to that person who wrote why you shouldn’t own a German shepherd is wrong and obviously she’s never really done a lot of research to learn how this dog has fared in the lives of many both personally and professionally. Breeders who adhere to standards of good breeding techniques will not sell a dog without properly educating buyers of what that breed deals with and educating them if they’re also considering breeding as well. Most reputable breeders do have guarantees if someone isn’t satisfied, but they can’t promise that a German shepherd puppy isn’t going to develop joint problems when this is a genetic problem.
All you really can do is do your homework on a reputable breeder to get a respectable breeder who produces puppies and educates all buyers on the breed and what pros and cons come with that. Unless you’ve owned a German shepherd this person who wrote that article should have done a little more research on her information.
