The personality of the German Shepherd (or Alsatian) is one of the biggest reasons why they are so popular - for the right reasons and the wrong reasons.
Since they make great police and military dogs, some people rush to get the dog thinking it will make a vicious guard animal.
The dog is so eager to please, that it can be easily taught to attack.
But the animal is not a vicious animal by nature - they are just doing what they've been taught to do.
People who get German Shepherd dogs for the right reasons also keep the dogs's personality in mind.
They are serious, active, highly intelligent dogs that need a job to do in order to stay calm and healthy.
If they are trained to do anything (good or bad) and are rewarded for learning this, they will keep on doing the behavior.
However, if you are patient and persistent, the dogs are intelligent enough to unlearn a behavior.
Shepherd dogs worship the human beings they either live with or are ordered to protect.
They would rather hang out with their people than with other dogs.
The approval and affection of their people is vital to their sense of well-being.
These are not dogs that like to be alone, chained out in the yard.
Any dog left to this fate will overcompensate with hyperactivity in order to get his people's attention.
Since they are such large and powerful dogs, even playful boisterousness can possibly hurt someone.
Shepherds excel when given specific jobs to do.
This is why they are often one of the first breeds of choice for police dogs, search and rescue dogs, assistance dogs and for working in entertainment.
Throughout the centuries, they have also played the roles of sheepherders and draft animals as well as their more familiar roles as guard dogs and military dogs.
The German Shepherd dog has been described as embodying all of the noble characteristics of human beings.
They are problem solvers, want to get along with others and will sacrifice themselves when protecting their family.
they will still want to be your friend even if you are having a bad day.
Shepherds will still want to be by your side even if you are homeless and spat upon by other people.
The breed is prone to some health problems, more so than some other breeds, most notably hip dysplasia.
These can be costly to cure - but they can be cured.
When you take on a Shepherd, you must be willing to care for vet expenses.
This is not often talked about in German Shepherd information available from the AKC.
The price of a dog companionship should never be measured in terms of money.
The dog, if the situation was reversed, would spend every last penny to make sure you were out of pain.
Since they make great police and military dogs, some people rush to get the dog thinking it will make a vicious guard animal.
The dog is so eager to please, that it can be easily taught to attack.
But the animal is not a vicious animal by nature - they are just doing what they've been taught to do.
People who get German Shepherd dogs for the right reasons also keep the dogs's personality in mind.
They are serious, active, highly intelligent dogs that need a job to do in order to stay calm and healthy.
If they are trained to do anything (good or bad) and are rewarded for learning this, they will keep on doing the behavior.
However, if you are patient and persistent, the dogs are intelligent enough to unlearn a behavior.
Shepherd dogs worship the human beings they either live with or are ordered to protect.
They would rather hang out with their people than with other dogs.
The approval and affection of their people is vital to their sense of well-being.
These are not dogs that like to be alone, chained out in the yard.
Any dog left to this fate will overcompensate with hyperactivity in order to get his people's attention.
Since they are such large and powerful dogs, even playful boisterousness can possibly hurt someone.
Shepherds excel when given specific jobs to do.
This is why they are often one of the first breeds of choice for police dogs, search and rescue dogs, assistance dogs and for working in entertainment.
Throughout the centuries, they have also played the roles of sheepherders and draft animals as well as their more familiar roles as guard dogs and military dogs.
The German Shepherd dog has been described as embodying all of the noble characteristics of human beings.
They are problem solvers, want to get along with others and will sacrifice themselves when protecting their family.
they will still want to be your friend even if you are having a bad day.
Shepherds will still want to be by your side even if you are homeless and spat upon by other people.
The breed is prone to some health problems, more so than some other breeds, most notably hip dysplasia.
These can be costly to cure - but they can be cured.
When you take on a Shepherd, you must be willing to care for vet expenses.
This is not often talked about in German Shepherd information available from the AKC.
The price of a dog companionship should never be measured in terms of money.
The dog, if the situation was reversed, would spend every last penny to make sure you were out of pain.