The Top 11 Reasons German Shepherds Are the Perfect Family Dog

German shepherds make great family dogs for dedicated dog guardians who want to make them a part of the family. They take a lot of time, energy, and money to raise — but I think most people with these pups will say they’re more than worth it!

A German shepherd might be your perfect family dog because they’re intelligent and easy to train. These loyal dogs are protective of their people. While they have an intense working drive and need hours of exercise daily, they’re also very affectionate at home.

In this article, we discuss 11 reasons German shepherds are excellent dogs and whether they’re the right choice for your family.

1. They’re One of the Smartest Dog Breeds

German shepherds rank at number three in working intelligence, right after border collies and poodles. While intelligence in dogs has its downsides, having an intelligent dog in the home is also rewarding.

Your shepherd will quickly pick up on new tricks, even some you don’t teach them directly! They’re also emotionally intelligent and pick up on their human families’ feelings.

These pups also excel at problem-solving, herding, guarding, and more. German shepherds are versatile dogs bred for many working tasks throughout their history.

2. Training Them Is a Breeze!

You’ll have difficulty finding a dog that’s easier to train than a German shepherd. They’re biddable, smart, people-pleasing dogs.

They tend to learn new cues in less than five repetitions. My sister’s German shepherd mix can reliably perform a new cue from the moment he discovers what we’re looking for, which is faster than any dog I’ve known.

Of course, there can be struggles with training your German shepherd, as they still need time to learn new things and can get confused. But, my biggest problem is coming up with new tasks to satisfy their training needs and boredom at doing the same things repetitively!

3. They’re Incredibly Loyal

Once a German shepherd sees you as “their person,” that’s it! They make great family dogs because they’re dedicated to making their loved ones happy.

They are likely to choose a favorite person, which can make others in the family feel jealous. But it’s typically nothing personal! They may just stick to the person who’s the best match personality-wise or who takes care of them most often. (Don’t underestimate the power of treats, either!)

4. German Shepherds Were Bred for Protection

Having a protective dog can go wrong without proper, force-free training–this shouldn’t be underestimated. However, it can also provide security to you and your family.

You’ll know that your dog will deter most people who want to do harm. If someone doesn’t scare easily and tries to break into your home, you know your dog will have your back through thick and thin.

5. They’re a Great Size

German shepherds are large dogs, which is a great size for many reasons. One of which is protection, like we cover above–they’re likely to deter burglars from even attempting to enter your home.

It’s also not as easy to step on them as it is for smaller dogs, who can easily get underfoot. This is important for a busy family that’s always moving about.

Young children are also less likely to hurt the dog by picking them up. However, they still should be taught how to interact gently and always with supervision. Letting your child hang on your German shepherd can hurt them since they’re prone to joint issues.

Lastly, you don’t have to bend down to interact with your German shepherd! Having their heads at your typical grown-ups’ waist height is very convenient.

6. They Can Be Good With Children

German shepherds can be great with children if they receive proper training. However, their interactions should always be supervised, no matter how trustworthy the dog is.

It’s vital to teach your children how to interact with dogs as well. They should never touch the dog’s food, get in their face, hang on them, pull at their ears or tail, or play rough.

Learning to read your dog’s body language is essential for the whole family, as is respecting your dog’s boundaries. You should remove children if the dog becomes annoyed at their behavior or asks for space.

A German shepherd and a child can be best friends who grow up alongside one another, forming a beautiful relationship. But it does require a responsible adult to ensure they treat each other right.

7. German Shepherds Are Gorgeous!

Maybe it’s vain, but German shepherds are also gorgeous dogs! While your dog’s looks don’t really matter, they also don’t hurt.

These pups have upright ears, long snouts, and long, fluffy tails. Their full, mid-length coats can be of various colors and patterns, including black, white, liver, and multi-color.

8. Their Thick Coats Protect Them From the Elements

German shepherds have thick double coats that protect their skin from sun damage, bug bites, injuries, and more. You don’t need to worry about sunscreen as much as you would for a dog with very short fur, like a pit bull.

They’re also less likely to get scrapes when running through the woods, and it can be more difficult for pests to make it through their thick fur. (Though they still can get parasites like fleas, and should be on parasite prevention year-round to avoid this!)

Double coats also help dogs to regulate their body temperature. Your German Shepherd’s coat will help to keep them warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

9. They’re Affectionate

These are very affectionate dogs, for the most part. Every German shepherd will have their own personality, with many loving to cuddle, some just hanging out by your side, and others being slightly more independent.

One reason German shepherds do well in families is that they don’t like being alone. In households where there is always someone around, your German shepherd will thrive on the attention.

10. They Can Keep up in Energetic Homes

German shepherds are working dogs with a ton of energy. They won’t do well with families who like to spend their time at home lounging in the living room all day. But they’ll thrive with active families who love to spend time with their dogs.

Keep in mind that your German shepherd needs at least a couple of hours of intense daily exercise. Aside from that, they’ll love playing in the backyard, accompanying the family on walks, and playing tug-of-war in the living room.

Your German shepherd will likely be just as ready when you want to play!

11. They Can Perform Tasks

There are so many tasks a German shepherd can learn, from fetching the remote when you’re feeling a bit lazy to find your keys that you’re always misplacing.

They also love to please their people and genuinely enjoy working, so these tasks will be enjoyable. Your shepherd can become a really helpful part of your life with the right training.

Is a German Shepherd the Right Dog for Your Family?

As you can see, German shepherds are terrific dogs. However, it’s important to acknowledge both their good and bad aspects before committing to adoption.

These dogs live 7-10 years or more, and you want to be ready to care for yours well throughout their life. Consider whether you can exercise and train your dog for hours each day, whether you can afford the costs of a large dog, and whether you have time to brush their coats every few days.

If you have young children, it’s important to consider how you’ll supervise their interactions with the dog and keep them apart when unsupervised. Baby gates, dog exercise pens, and crates are suitable for this.

All of that said, German shepherds are popular family dogs for a reason, and they make excellent companions for the right families. But, like every dog breed, they aren’t the right fit for everyone!

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The photo featured at the top of this post is © Bigandt_Photography/ via Getty Images