You need to know as much information as you can about any breed of dog before adopting one. And, since the German Shepherd is a great dog, you should know a lot of German Shepherd information before you adopt or buy one! Not all dogs are the same. If you have never lived with a large dog or a very active dog before, then you may be in for a surprise with a German Shepherd. Hopefully this will be a pleasant surprise.
German Shepherds are not a sedentary, placid breed like the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. In order to be healthy, happy and respond to training, they must exercise regularly every day, which includes a walk of at least half an hour, as well as a romp in the garden. You live in an apartment? Then you really should consider another dog. Otherwise, they will damage your apartment out of boredom and burn excess energy.
Daily life with a German Shepherd should include a lot of interaction and fuss with your family and your dog. They love to be in the thick of the action and are strong enough to force their way into the thick of the action if unsupervised. Keeping the dog exercised, including games and yard games, will help keep his energy levels down. German Shepherds are not vicious by nature, but they can play rough, just like puppies.
You will need to brush your German Shepherd daily to prevent matting and to keep shedding to a minimum. Most German Shepherds have a thick, double-coated coat, although there are many with a single-coated coat. Bathing the German Shepherd too frequently can result in shedding and dander production beyond belief, so only bathe when absolutely necessary. Train your dog to stay still when you brush him and do so after exercise.
German Shepherd Dogs need to feel like they have a job in order to be well adjusted. They love company and being part of the family. They hate being left out of everything. They use their intelligence to find ways to do things that they think you will like and praise them for. Whether you will like these actions is another matter. German Shepherds need supervision and training.
Due to their popularity, German Shepherd Dogs have been overbred, leading to health problems. Although responsible breeders would not breed an animal with health problems, which can be inherited by their puppies, many still do. The most common health problems with German Shepherds are hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and cancer. Although many of these health problems can be easily treated, previous owners are unwilling or unable to pay the vet bills and instead abandon the dog. When you have a German Shepherd, keep in mind that they may need frequent visits to the vet.