German shepherds are one of the most popular dog breeds across America. And for good reason! These dogs are loyal and make fantastic companions. They are also thought to be a good dog for all the family. However, if you have kids, it’s important to know whether they will be safe with your German shepherd dog.
So, are German shepherds good with kids?
The answer is a little more complicated, as it will depend on the gender of your German shepherd, how they are raised, as well as how your kids act around them.
But in general, a German shepherd is a fantastic dog to have around kids. This is because they are so calm and patient, and won’t tend to snap out like other breeds can.
However, it’s important to note that your dog will need to be properly socialized. If your German shepherd hasn’t been properly socialized from an early age, they could be a danger to any younger kids who won’t understand when the dog is asking to be left alone.
It’s best to remember that larger dogs and toddlers aren’t the best mix, either. As long as your German shepherd has been properly socialized, it will be a fantastic companion for you and your kids.
So it will be important to ensure that your German shepherd has been socialized properly. This will mean buying them from a reputable breeder who will keep them with their mother and the rest of the litter until they’re ready to come home with you.
Puppy mills and backyard breeders can cut corners to try and make a profit off their dogs. This often includes not socializing the dogs properly, which can then cause a whole load of behavioral problems in later life.
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Are German shepherds bad with kids?
A properly socialized German shepherd will be the perfect dog for your kids. This dog will be calm and patient, and won’t be aggressive towards your children. Another factor to consider will be the gender of your puppy.
A male German shepherd is more likely to be territorial and aggressive. They also prefer to bond with a single person rather than the whole family.
A female German shepherd is a much better choice for a family dog. This is because they will typically bond with the whole family, making them a great fit for your kids. They are also less territorial, so won’t feel the need to wander as much, and they won’t be as aggressive.
You should also consider the age of your children. Toddlers can become easily overwhelmed by a larger dog. Even though your German shepherd puppy may be small when you first get them, they will grow to be much larger than your toddler.
Older kids will be a much better fit for a German shepherd, as they can handle the boisterous energy of a puppy. If you have older kids, they can also help you train your dog.
It will also be important to choose a dog that has the right temperament for your home environment. You will want to choose a dog that isn’t too timid, but also isn’t too aggressive.
You should visit your German shepherd puppy on more than one occasion to ensure they are the right fit for you and your family. It will be best to pick the dog that has a much friendlier temperament than worrying about picking the largest, healthiest looking dog out of the litter.
Are German shepherds a good family dog?
A properly socialized and trained German shepherd can make a wonderful family dog. They are naturally very loyal to you as their owners, and will be incredibly protective of their family. This is perhaps one of their best qualities, and makes them an excellent dog for your family to own.
They are also a highly intelligent breed, so this should make them easier for you and your family to train them. So this should make your kids more interested in spending time with your new German shepherd puppy, as they can feel invested in the dog’s training.
Another factor which makes German shepherds the perfect family dog is their fantastic guarding properties. In fact, German shepherds are commonly used as police dogs because of this. So your new German shepherd will be able to guard the family home against intruders and keep the whole family protected.
But the most important quality in a properly trained and socialized German shepherd is that they are very sweet in nature. This will make them the perfect fit for your family home.
Are German shepherds aggressive with kids?
On the whole, your German shepherd won’t be aggressive towards you or your kids. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that because they are very loyal, they may appear to get aggressive with people or kids they don’t know all that well.
Another factor to consider is how young your kids are. If they are very young, they might not understand when the German shepherd doesn’t want to play. Dogs use their body language to show us when they’ve had enough and would like some quiet time. For some dogs, this behavior can step up if you don’t back down.
So if a young toddler for example kept hounding the German shepherd to play with them, the dog may start to get aggressive as a warning sign to tell them to back off. To be on the safe side, it’s best not to leave any young babies or kids with any dog unattended.
A properly trained and socialized German shepherd shouldn’t be aggressive towards you or your kids.
In summary
German shepherds are fantastic dogs with kids, and make one of the best family dogs around. There’s a very good reason they’re so popular as pets across America! However, it will be important to choose the dog that has the right temperament for you and your family.
It will also be important to choose a dog from a reputable breeder so that you know they have been properly socialized.
