A properly trained German Shepherd makes a devoted family companion.
Stately German Shepherds are a type of working dog bred to be helpful companions to humans. Thanks to their keen intellect and willingness to please, these dogs make ideal K-9 police dogs as well as seeing eye dogs. As a larger animal, there are some considerations to be made when including a German Shepherd into a family, especially those with small children. Each dog is different, thanks to individual breeding and training, but a well socialized dog can become a protective, loving member of your family.
Temperament
Overall the breed has a compatible temperament for families with children. German Shepherds are not bred to be an aggressive dog, though they are excellent protectors. Their instinct to protect their human family will kick in their first year of life, and this clever dog will demonstrate a fearlessness to defend its human pack. This makes them an ideal dog for police work, and some families adopt German Shepherds to become guard dogs thanks to this reputation. It loves to be near its family, but will be wary of strangers. Aggression typically results from poor socialization and training, which makes that more of an indicator how the dog will interact with children.
Socialization
If you adopt a German Shepherd into your family, it will need to be socialized early and well through their formative puppy phase for best results as a pet for any owner, but especially those with kids. The socialization process introduces them to the members of the family while being properly supervised around children and other pets. This is a social dog that will require contact with you, rather than be isolated in a yard by himself, which can result in a frustrated, bored animal who could be potentially dangerous. They do well with other dogs, and may, in fact, need companion animals to burn off its excessive energy, if the owner is unable to meet its physical demands. Neuter or spay the dogs to avoid any problems with aggression, specifically with the males, and should seriously be considered in those families with small children who may unknowingly provoke the animal through aggressive play.
Training
Though German Shepherds are smart and eager to learn, and please their owners, their puppy phase does last a bit longer than other breeds. This extended puppyhood means you will have to be especially vigilant with training, and exposure to kids should be supervised. Children are not as disciplined to provide the necessary guidance the dogs need, and can undo the progress you make by allowing the dog to indulge negative behavior with inconsistent supervision. Older children could provide this supervision more so than younger children, who may be overwhelmed by the dog's natural exuberance.
Considerations
German Shepherds are dedicated to their families and can be fond of your children, but special considerations need to be made when the two are together. German Shepherds raised with small children are more tolerant of a child's lack of proper dog etiquette, but puppies who are still training may still scratch or bite over things like toys. This is a large dog that may not know its own strength when it comes to smaller children. It wrestled and played with its litter mates with a playful aggressiveness that would not be suitable for small children. You should consider the dog's individual temperament and training when it comes to leaving the children unsupervised with your dog.
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