The German Shepherd Dog was literally created by a German, Max Emil Friedrich von Stephanitzoften, in 1899. He wanted exceptionally intelligent herding dog. So first, let’s first give a big thanks to von Stephanitzoften, because of him we have a truly magnificent and intelligent breed and has become one of the most popular breeds in the world , which is of no surprise!
The German Shepherd is renowned for their intelligence and versatility, but, even with their popularity they also carry the burden of being stigmatized and terribly misunderstood.
In this blog, we’ll unravel some common misconceptions surrounding these magnificent dogs, aiming to provide a more accurate understanding of their true nature and pure loveliness.
#misunderstoodbreed
1. The Aggressiveness Myth!
One of the most common misconceptions about German Shepherds is that the breed is inherently aggressive. In reality, not only do they live to make their humans happy, but their temperament largely depends on factors such as training, socialization, and upbringing. Properly raised German Shepherds are known for their loyalty and protective instincts, making them excellent family companions.
German Shepherd Dogs are often misunderstood as aggressive, but their behavior is more influenced by training and socialization. With proper training and positive reinforcement, they can be friendly, loyal, and gentle companions. It’s essential to address individual behavior rather than generalize based on the breed.
Starting consistent training and early socialization is so crucial for German Shepherds. Start basic obedience training as early as possible focusing on tasks and commands like sit, stay, and recall. Expose them to various environments, people, and other animals to build positive social behaviors. Consistency, positive reinforcement, and patience are key elements in shaping a well-behaved and sociable German Shepherd. Regular exercise is also important to channel their energy positively.
One of the most wonderful traits about this breed is their trainability at any age and they retain their training for life. Once you establish that you are the pack leader, your GSD will fall in line.
Their fierce loyalty and inherent protective instincts are also often misunderstood and misinterpreted as aggressive behavior.
Story time!
My German Shepherd, Margie, began as a foster. I took her in after she was confiscated from an abuse situation in South Louisiana at the age of 6. It only took 3 weeks for me to fall in love with her so we made it official and she became an official member of my family that consisted of myself and a 9 year old shepherd mix named Fred. I knew a good bit about her history and she never had any sort of professional protective training and it really never crossed my mind to enroll her in this type of training because I didn’t adopt her for protection. She was adopted solely as a companion living the good life for her remaining years. She particularly loves car rides and walks. My older pup, wasn’t really interested in walks anymore. Instead he was perfectly content living his senior years as a couch potato.
One afternoon/evening Margie and I decided to check out a new park along the Mississippi River in late afternoon before dusk, just about an hour before the park was scheduled to close. This was new territory for us, and we discovered that this park had several areas that appeared to be potential areas that were a bit sketchy as it would be easy for someone to hide from unknowing park goers who, like Margie and I, would be focused on the landscape to one side of the path and a beautiful view of the Mississippi River on the other side of the path. Basically, there was a potential for bad situations to occur near these hidden areas.
Upon our arrival the park had quite a few other patrons jogging, walking and even folks with their pups in a fenced in area just for dogs to run freely. Margie was more interested in staying along the path so we continued our leisurely walk. She was 8 years old at the time of this particular walk so we did an old lady stroll at her pace. She was curious and had to smell all the smells so we stopped at every new plant so she could mark her territory and enjoy the surroundings. She would typically walk a bit in front of me when we find new walking areas because of course she is excited to see and smell all the things she can absorb with her German Shepherd super senses. She would calmly greet people passing by with a fast wag of her tail and if I found they were ok with her friendliness she was add a butt wiggle, give a lick on the hand, then simply move along. One would think she would be a bit suspect of new people given her history, but she loves to greet new people.
It was getting a bit late so we headed back to the car, and the people activity had clearly died down as the park would be closing soon. Margie continued walking a bit in front of me, until she saw a person walking in our direction. He was walking into the park, which I found a bit odd because again the park was very close to locking up for the night. He wasn’t walking fast or straight in front of us. He was simply walking at a leisurely pace, not making eye contact, but continued walking towards us on the opposite side of the path, but the situation would take a turn. Within seconds, Margie stopped, her demeanor changed as she tensed up, she waited for me to catch up and when I was at her side she started using her tense body to move me off the path into the grassy area.
I was a bit confused, and thought it was strange because in the almost three years I’ve had her and we’ve taken plenty of walks she had never displayed any behavior like this. So I asked her to stop, but she didn’t. She continued using her body to forcefully remove me from the path, like she was herding me. Once off the path she slowed her movements, but still remained velcroed to my leg. If I tried to create even a sliver of distance between her and I she quickly attached to my side again and again.
After physically removing me from the path and taking her dominant stance the man lunged at her trying to kick her away from me then proceeded to attempt to pull me into landscaped area which consisted of tall swamp grass for reasons that I can only imagine. Margie acted quick, took ahold of the man’s arm with a grip that I didn’t think she had in her as her teeth has been so worn down from the abuse and malnutrition suffered for many years, but she shook the man’s arm from shoulder to wrist like a rag doll. Eventually, he was able to free himself and ran quickly with very visible injuries to his arm and shoulder. After he fled, she continued her old lady walk down the path to the car like nothing had happened even though she had a slight rear limp.
As we approached the park entrance we saw a park attendant at the gate. I explained what had happened minutes before and he called for all entrances/exits for immediate lock down with the assistance of the police. It wasn’t long before the man was caught by the police who followed blood droplets that led to port-o-potty’s hidden away from the main path. Since that day, Margie tends to walk more to my side than in the front, but she has never felt that sort of danger again on our daily walks in new and old places and no other danger situations have occurred.
The protective instincts of The German Shepherd Dog should not to be confused with aggressive behavior. You are their human and the love they have for you is a fierce and pure love.
Have you ever heard someone say something like “a dog is a good judge of character.” There is a lot of truth to those words. But, in the case of a German Shepherd Dog part of dispelling the stereotypes and myths regarding aggression is also a part of your responsibility to the breed.
This breed requires work to establish trust and to understand your dog’s personality and specific needs. Putting in the time will pay off for all and help end the myth and stereotypes that The German Shepherd Dog is an inherently aggressive breed not suitable for family life.
#loyal #instincts #germanshepherds #intelligent
2. An Incredible Intelligence Overlooked
The German Shepherd Dog is a working breed with an exceptional intelligence, which sometimes leads to a false misunderstanding that they are inherently destructive. Their high intelligence requires mental stimulation, and without it, they may exhibit behavioral issues. Recognizing and appreciating their intellect is critical for fostering a healthy relationship with this magnificent breed.
In general, working breeds require more mental enrichment, which can be a great opportunity to understand and bond with your pup. Remember that working breeds are always looking for a job to do. A job does not necessarily mean herding sheep or large farm animals. It ultimately comes down to releasing energy, and again, making their humans proud. That is the purest form of loyalty.
So what are Enrichment Games? Enrichment games are activities that are designed for mental and physical stimulation. It provides a dog who needs purpose with mental challenges , problem-solving opportunities, and exercise. These games aim to enhance the overall wellness by engaging senses, promoting learning, and most importantly….preventing boredom!
Here are some examples of Enrichment Games to try with your German Shepherd Dog:
- A 20-30 minute of a game of fetch in your backyard or at a dog park before leaving for longer periods of time. This also helps to keep your pup physically active.
- Snuffle mats to find food or treats. Snuffle mats not only require a German Shepherd to use that incredible intelligent brain, but it can also serve as a scent-based activity. Snuffle mats can be purchased pre-made in various sizes from online retailers, but they can also be a fun and simple DIY project for humans!
- Hide and Seek. Yes, German Shepherds love a good game of hide and seek!
- Puzzle games and slow feed bowls can also help stimulate that ever so intelligent brain.
- Obedience training. Remember German Shepherds live to do a good job for their humans.
Your pup may be uninterested in one game, so try other until you find your pups joy! Just like humans, we don’t all share the same interests. This is the same for our pups and it’s our responsibility to make sure our pups are happy and healthy.
Being a working breed, German Shepherds thrive when given a purpose. Some misconstrue their boundless energy as hyperactivity or restlessness. Understanding their need for physical and mental stimulation helps channel their energy positively.
A common misconception about German Shepherds, as a working breed, is that they require constant strenuous work. While they excel in various roles like police work or search and rescue, they also adapt well to family life. Providing mental stimulation through training and engaging activities through mental enrichment is crucial, and they can thrive with a balanced lifestyle that includes both mental and physical exercise. It’s essential to understand their versatility beyond traditional working roles.
Taking time to understand the needs of your pup, both mentally and physically, is critical and the bond that will develop is truly priceless.
#enrichment #mentalstimulation #training #workingbreed
3. Misguided Perception from the Media
The Media, including but not limited to news outlets, published media, and even movies often portray German Shepherds as aggressive or menacing, contributing to the breed’s undeserved stigma. It’s important to separate fiction from reality and acknowledge the countless examples of well-behaved and loving German Shepherds.
It’s true that the German Shepherd Dog has a commanding and confident appearance and voice, but the truth is they just want what every dog wants…love. The German Shepherd Dog is a loyal and loving companion. They are constantly looking to their humans for approval and acceptance. They seek that “Good Boy” or “Good Girl” from their human. Confidence is a two-way street. The German Shepherd Dog also instills confidence in their owners through a pure and loving loyalty you, exceptional intelligence, and protective instincts.
The common portrayal of German Shepherds as the “aggressive guard dog”, wrongly contributes to the misconception that they are inherently dangerous. This misconception overlooks their true and unique versatility as service dogs, police K-9s, and loving family pets. Sensationalized stories can perpetuate stereotypes, overshadowing the breed’s true nature, which includes intelligence, loyalty, and adaptability. Responsible reporting can help dispel these misleading portrayals.
A Police K-9, for example, not only does that Police K-9 have an important job, but after the work day is over they go home with their handler. This is an important part of the bonding necessary between a K-9 and its police handler. They still seek their handler’s approval and acceptance and because this special bond forms because let’s face it K-9 cops are forces that cannot be reckoned with. They have a job and a human to impress.
#versatility #adaptability
4. Health Stereotypes
Some mistakenly believe that German Shepherds are prone to health issues. While it’s true that certain conditions can affect the breed, responsible breeding practices and regular veterinary care can significantly mitigate potential health concerns.
Common Health Related Myths Specific to The German Shepherd Dog:
- Myth: German Shepherds are prone to hip dysplasia. While it’s more prevalent in the breed, responsible breeding practices and proper care can minimize the risk.
- Myth: German Shepherds inherently suffer from aggressive behavior (yes, this is actually considered a mythological health concern); in reality, temperament varies based on factors like training and socialization.
- Myth:: The German Shepherd Dog is an overall fragile breed that requires large medical costs. Is it true that the breed is more susceptible to osteoarthritis issues, sensitive gastrointestinal, and skin issues to name a few. Yes, these are common issues found with this breed in particular; however, the right food high in protein and fat can help mitigate the issues previously mentioned. Regular exercise can easily help mitigate osteo issues, such as hip dysplasia. The mitigation efforts are actually quite easy, but again we also need to do our part to help our German Shepherds live long and healthy lives. They deserve no less.
Simply put, regular exercise and a balanced diet can contribute to a good bill of health, and dispelling the idea that they are inherently fragile or prone to numerous health issues.
For example, it’s important for puppies to take walks on softer surfaces, such as grass and/or sand, which allows their bones and joints to properly develop. Simple modifications can make for a long term healthy companion.
Your efforts need to start from day one. Owner education from day one regardless of the age of your German Shepherd is a huge part of protecting this breed. If you do not think you can handle potential health issues that may develop…then this is not the breed for you. Dogs are not disposable when times get rough or medical expenses get high. They are members of our family that will always provide you with unconditional love…..so do the same for them.
#stereotypes #mythsdebunked #veterinariancare
HELP US BE A VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS
German Shepherds, often judged based on stereotypes, deserve a fair chance at being understood. These loyal, intelligent, and versatile dogs can be exceptional companions when provided with the right environment, training, and care. It’s time to debunk the myths and appreciate German Shepherds for the incredible companions they are.
Is it true that the German Shepherd Dog is not for everyone or every family? Yes. But proper research, training, time and effort is what this breed needs to have a healthy, happy pup and family.
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greetings ! great post .
stay awesome and keep blogging
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