German Shepherd Adoption Singapore
Puppy Adoption SingaporeGerman Shepherds are one of the most recognisable dogs around the world. Due to their athleticism and intelligence, they are used in a variety of roles, from guide dogs to search-and-rescue dogs.
Temperament
What is a German Shepherd like?
Much like your introverted friend, German Shepherds might not be the quickest to socialise. They do not warm easily to strangers, and is hence often regarded as aloof and distant. Yet, once they have decided that you are worthy of their trust, the can be one of the most loyal dogs around. It is also precisely why German Shepherds make for such great family pets. They protect both adults and children in the family with a heightened sense of alertness, and make for great watchdogs.Â
German Shepherds are also an incredibly smart dog breed. They are highly receptive to training, and can handle an impressive range of different tasks. It’s no wonder they are frequently employed by the police forces. Yet, their abilities go beyond just search-and-rescue missions. They are often also used as guide dog for the blind or disabled.Â
At a Glance
Key Measurements of a German Shepherd
Breed:
Herding Dogs
Lifespan:
10 – 14 Years
Height:
55cm – 65cm
Weight:
20kg – 40kg
Learn
German Shepherd Adoption Notes
Quick Summary
- German Shepherds are highly active dogs who do not enjoy being alone at home. Just like the Siberian Husky, these dogs may engage in destructive behaviours if left unattended for long periods of time. They may be barking excessively, digging around in the yard, or tearing apart your furniture.
- German Shepherds, whilst big in stature, can be prone to separation anxiety. Crate training can be helpful in reducing their anxiety, allowing them to remain calm and relaxed even when they are without their owners.
- However, with that said, owners should still be prepared to keep their German Shepherds engage both physically and mentally. Daily runs and frisbee games keep their limbs agile, whilst agility training can keep their mind fresh. German Shepherds are quick learners, and can learn tricks well.
yQuick Summary
- German Shepherds might not be the most sociable dog around, but this all depends on their puppy experience. If they are started on socialising training from a young age, they can be more receptive to strangers. Otherwise, a typical German Shepherd will appear aloof and suspicious, not unlike the Chow Chow.
- Known affectionately as the Great German Shedder, these German Shepherds are serious shedder. When adopting one, you should already be mentally prepared to have traces of their fur all over the house.Â
- Their large and intimidating figures, coupled with their alertness, allow these German Shepherd to be fantastic watchdogs. However, they should never be chained to a pillar just for this purpose. Their bountiful energy will make them restless, and restrictions in movement will only grow their aggression and frustration.
Customer Reviews
Testimonials: German Shepherd
Buyer info: Tiffany Leong Dog info: Brownie, German ShepherdGreat adoption place
Buyer info: Neesha Dog info: Carmela, German ShepherdGreat support and care
Buyer info: Wei Chien Dog info: Cocoa, German ShepherdGenuine staff member
CONSIDERATION: PROS
A German Shepherd is perfect if you want a dog who…
Is Athletic:
German Shepherds are the perfect companions for pet adopters who are both sporty and adventurous.
IS Intelligent
If you are looking to teach a dog different tricks, a German Shepherd would be perfect. It is smart and learns things fast.
Is Loyal
Their aloofness stems from their dedication and loyalty towards their family. They only show affection to you.
Looks Imposing
German Shepherd has a wolf-like appearance. Combine that with its large stature and you have an imposing companion.Â
Tips: Training Consistency
Nuances are things only appreciated by humans. Your dogs won’t understand it, and as such, it is important to stay consistent. Pet adopters might not notice it, but using commands interchangeably, such as “come” and “come here” can be confusing for your German Shepherd. They have a more difficult time understanding what’s expected of them. Another example is when teaching them your couch rules. If you don’t want your dog to be up on the couch, make sure to enforce it every time. Otherwise, the inconsistency will be very frustrating. In the end, all this means is that it will be a lot harder for your German Shepherd to learn good behaviours.
Tips: Biting Experience
If you have adopted a German Shepherd puppy, chances are you’ve seen their bite marks on just about everything. Your pillows, blankets, carpets, toys, and even your shoes. What they are doing is figuring out how their mouths work. Just like when we were a baby and had a tendency to put things in our mouths. That’s just us figuring stuff out. So are these puppies. Since they have sharp teeth, it is important to teach your German Shepherd how to bite softly and gently when playing with humans. You don’t want them to mistakenly land a hard bite on your whilst your are both having fun. Wouldn’t that be a downright mood-spoiler? Use this opportunity to help them learn!
ConsideratiOn: CONS
Don’t get a German Shepherd if you don’t want to deal with its…
Energy
German Shepherds are full of energy, and can easily tire and exhaust owners who are unable to keep up.
Shedding
German Shepherds are strong shedders. Most famously, they are dubbed the “Great German Shedder”Â
Aloofness
If you have other pets at home, consider twice before adopting a German Shepherd. They might not get along well.
Training
Whilst German Shepherds are generally easy to housebreak, socialising training may be a bit more difficult for them.
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Habitation
Coexisting with a German Shepherd
Appearance
German Shepherds are large dogs that can easily weight up to 40kg. Their muscular limbs and bodies are built for outdoor runs and other activities. Yet, despite their sturdy frames, they are made of smooth curves, rather than squarish lines that are prevalent in other well-built dog breeds like the French Bulldog.Â
The coats themselves are thick and hard, and the colours remain a mystery when they are young. Until the puppy sheds its outer coat, the colour is not known. Typically however, it is a combination of both black and brown colours.Â
Children
Stars: 3/5
I’ll do best in a home with children aged 8 and up.
Dogs
Stars: 3/5
Cats
Stars: 1/5
I’ll do best in a house with no cats.
%
Family-Pet Satisfaction
Other Details
Basic profile of a German Shepherd
Activity
01. Exercise Requirements
As dogs that were historically breed for their athleticism, German Shepherds have higher-than-average exercise needs. They don’t do well in a small apartment, and would prefer to have backyards where they can run around in. Yet even then, these would still be insufficient to meet their need for activities.
Outdoor runs, games of fetch, and even frisbee, are more suitable activities. Your German Shepherd will be more engaged. If possible, try to enrol them into canine activity classes, such as agility and tracking training. Not only do these activities keep the German Shepherds occupied, they are also fun and rewarding.
Fitness
03. Potential Health Issues
German Shepherds are generally healthy dogs that go on to enjoy fulfilling lives with their owners. As long as frequent visits to the veterinarian are mandated and regular checkups are done, there should be little cause for worry of any long-lasting medical conditions.
Something to note is that at some point, your German Shepherd might develop a condition called “Panosteitis”. These are random episodes in which your dog might feel sudden lameness in the legs. This weakness will cause them to walk funnily, or sometimes not at all. However, most German Shepherds eventually grow out of this with age.
Breaking In
02. Obedience Training Style
Blessed not just with intelligence, but also an incredible work ethic, German Shepherds are highly receptive to trainings. As long as these sessions are started when they are young, preferably when they still puppies, the chances of success are going to be high.Â
With positive reinforcement trainings, breaking in these German Shepherds should be no problem. More tricky, however is when it comes to socialising. Since these dogs are typically more introverted, it will take more patience to get them to bond with not just humans, but also other dogs.Â
diet
04. Nutritional Requirements
It is easy to make the mistake of feeding German Shepherds lots of table scraps. After all, their large and intimidating statue suggests they need lots of food for daily sustenance. Indeed, their calorie intake is high, ranging between 1,700 to 2,100. That’s almost thrice the amount required by toy dogs like the Chihuahua.
Yet, pet adopters should be careful in what they feed to the German Shepherd. Table scraps, with their high fat content, could easily cause digestive upsets. As such, they should be given most sparingly. Meanwhile, cooked bones such as chicken wings, are definite no-nos.