Table of Contents
Introduction
As a proud owner and admirer of German Shepherds, I can confidently vouch for their suitability as house dogs. I keep Jasper in the house and he is a family member. However, having a large powerful dog as a house pet takes management! These incredibly intelligent, fiercely loyal, and wonderfully protective dogs not only make great companions but also seamlessly adapt to the dynamics of a household. Their affectionate nature and eagerness to please their human companions make them a joy to have around the house. Trust me, a German Shepherd’s loving gaze and playful antics will melt your heart in no time! They can also eat a hole in your wall and destroy your couch. If they do though it will be because you failed in your job of managing your dog. So let’s answer the question are German Shepherds good house dogs?
Size Does Matter!
German Shepherds are a medium-sized breed, standing between 22 to 26 inches tall and weighing up to 60-95 pounds when fully grown. Jasper is not fully grown at 1 year and already weighs 76 pounds and stands 26 inches at his shoulders. He is very strong. Strong enough to snap a 550 paracord! I switched to a 1000-pound line. So far so good. When you are considering the question are German Shepherds good house dogs, consider size. Jasper needs an XL crate. It takes up a good deal of floor space. Until you are sure your dog understands the rules use your crate when you cannot supervise or you may come home and find your couch destroyed or a hole chewed in your wall and it won’t be your dog’s fault. It will be yours for poor management.
German Shepherds are Smart. Very Smart
German Shepherds are known for their knack to learn quickly and obedience training will come naturally to them with regular and consistent training sessions. As a result, you can expect your German Shepherd to learn basic commands such as “sit”, “stay” and even some fun tricks in no time! Additionally, they make great guard dogs so you can rest assured that your home and loved ones will be safe in their watchful eyes. They also learn things like how to open doors. Jasper mastered this at 6 months. We now have to lock the door if we want him out! Mind you we did not teach him to do this. He just wanted in! Imagine what a bored unexercised very smart and strong dog could do to your house, then believe me when I say you don’t have that much imagination!
Make Peace with Fur Bunnies
German Shepherds have a thick double coat, most commonly in black and tan or sable colors. They also shed. A lot. Even if you brush them daily. How fastidious are you? Do you have a carpet? If it’s white better opt for a white Shepherd! Jasper is a smooth-coated German Shepherd with the common fringe on his tail and hind and front legs. His coat is a little fuller around the shoulders and neck but for the most part, it is smooth-coated. I have brushed that coat for an hour and still pulled out fur!
Are Your Friends Afraid of Big Dogs with B-I-G Teeth
German Shepherds are also known for their loyal, brave and intelligent nature. They typically possess an aloof yet friendly demeanor towards strangers that will make them alert you of any potential danger and protect your family from harm. I say typically because Jasper seems to love everybody. Effusively. Do you get a lot of visitors? Do you have a yard? Will your friends be OK with a very friendly greeting like this:
Or constant surveillance from this:
German Shepherds MUST be Trained and Exercised
German Shepherds require consistent, firm training from a young age to ensure they understand their boundaries and are obedient. Regular exercise should also be included in the daily routine of your pup as these dogs have high energy levels and need an outlet for physical activity. Taking them out for regular walks, jogs or hikes will ensure they stay happy and healthy. Additionally, introducing them to a variety of people and places will help keep their socialization skills sharp.
Jasper has to exercise every day twice a day. He’s miserable and will make me miserable if he does not get his exercise. He also needs training daily. It doesn’t have to be long, 5-10 minutes will do but it does need to be daily.
Nutritional Requirements
Proper nutrition is essential for the health and growth of any dog, but especially German Shepherds who are prone to joint issues due to their larger frames and active lifestyle. A high-quality kibble that is rich in protein, omega fatty acids, and essential vitamins and minerals should be part of your pup’s daily diet to support their muscle growth and joint health. While we are on that subject, where will your dog poop? Who picks up the pound of poop he is likely to gift you? Just saying. Things to consider
Tolerance of Being Alone: How close are Your Neighbors?
German Shepherds are very loyal to their owners and can become anxious when left alone for long periods of time and do interesting things like eat your shoes. If you plan on leaving them at home while you’re away, be sure to provide them with plenty of toys and chews(that are not your shoes) that will entertain them in your absence. Proper socialization can also help minimize separation anxiety as they get older. In the meantime, are you and your neighbors prepared to deal with an adult German Shepherd’s booming bark?
Jasper is L-O-U-D! This can be good if a burglar is trying to break in but maybe not if your neighbor is trying to sleep. I’m lucky as I have a large yard and because Jasper is a house dog there are no issues with him keeping the neighbors up. I think he may have made me partially deaf! But the neighbors have not come with torches and pitchforks. So far. A bored, unexercised dog will bark. A lot. German Shepherds were bred to protect and they will protect you from the mailman, the meter reader and the garbage man. Loudly. If you are not prepared for that, get a different breed. You can train German Shepherds to direct their energy but you cannot get rid of their genetically driven high energy.
Conclusion
So, are German Shepherds good house dogs? They can be. Jasper is a house dog. He sleeps inside. He spends much of his day inside. However, I also have a large yard. I have the time and inclination to exercise and train Jasper daily. My job is such that he can come with me on most of my trips and so he is not left alone much. I manage Jasper when he is inside. If he’s not interacting with me he is crated. Without those things in place, your 90-pound baby may not be right as a house dog. But if that’s the case, you probably need a smaller less driven breed to begin with.
Check out my pros and cons of German Shepherds here for more.
Resources: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/german-shepherd-dog/
