Take one look at a fluffy little German Shepherd puppy, and you’re likely to fall in love right away. They’re incredibly cute, and it’s very easy to let your heart overrule your head and make an impulse decision to take them home there and then.
You should always take the time to consider before making a decision though. If you don’t, you could be setting yourself up for frustration and disappointment, which is no good either for the dog or you.
It’s an old cliche, but a dog is for life, so if you can’t commit to being there for them and caring for them throughout their life, you shouldn’t adopt any dog.
This is just as true for the German Shepherd as any other breed. You need to take the time to understand everything fully about German Shepherds before committing to owning one.
So let’s take a look at some of the things you need to think about to answer the question, “Should I get a German Shepherd?”
Should I get a German Shepherd?
Firstly, you should know that your Shepherd is going to be a big part of your life. They will need your care and attention and being too busy to make the time to meet their needs won’t cut it as an excuse for not giving it to them.
Not only will you need to provide your German Shepherd with companionship, but you will also need to train them, give them all the exercise and mental stimulation they need, and take care of their health needs, for example, vaccinations, etc.
German Shepherds are large dogs so you will also need to have plenty of space for them to move around, both inside and outside.
If your dog doesn’t have the space, exercise or mental stimulation they need, they will become bored and depressed and may turn to destructive behavior such as chewing and excessive barking. So if you value your furniture and peace and quiet, you need to make the time to give your dog the attention they need and deserve every day, without exception.
In return for your commitment to meeting your dog’s needs, your German Shepherd will reward you with their unconditional love and loyalty. There is nothing this breed likes more than to please their owner and they will soon develop a strong bond with you.