German Shepherd Behavior – A Dog with Dual Personality

Every dog is different. Every dog is unique. But there are also common characteristics and behaviors shared among breeds that make them similar. German Shepherds display behaviors that revolve around their instinctive patters, which can reveal a dual personality.

The German Shepherd was developed at the end of the 19th century to herd sheep. They were excellent at corralling, patrolling and keeping a close eye over their animals. Many of their unique, trademark behaviors stem from these activities.

After being with a new family for only a few weeks, a German Shepherd will show a definite tendency to interact easily and safely with them, while simultaneously becoming suspect around strangers. Essentially, the family becomes the German Shepherd’s flock of sheep to protect. That’s fine if the dog is well-trained and kept in check. German Shepherds do not attack for no reason. Just a mild growl or bark will let a stranger know that they are unwelcome. However, just because the dog barks or growls is not indicate that they are scared, unlike other breeds.

German Shepherds are very intelligent. They can be trained to do a lot more than their mere breeding encourages. If they are actively worked as bomb or drug sniffers, for example, they will have a high level of energy when needed, but can also sit quietly for hours on end. This dual exercise level is yet another sign of their multifaceted behavior patterns.

Other dogs do not have this duality. Labrador Retrievers will typically have a hard time staying put until later in life. They love to be active and running around. Collies, on the other hand, are more relaxed and calm with no training at all, and can simultaneously be very loyal and very protective of their families.

The dual personality of the German Shepherd is well captured in a seeing eye dog for the blind. When they are in the street, they are agile, alert and ready for anything. But once they are inside a store or their home, they will settle down, gently going around obstacles or just quietly sitting still.

Typically, this behavior is the result of many years of excellent training, but the training will be ineffective if not used on the right dog. German Shepherds have the right temperament, willingness and body-type for this job, which is why they excel at it. Many other breeds are not correct for this job.

Sometimes, German Shepherds are seen as aggressive animals. This is not necessarily the case. These dogs are protective and might growl or bark loudly, but that is a trained, inherently instinctive response to a threat or perceived threat. It is not fear, which is typically a source of a dog’s aggression. They do not have a natural desire to do harm.

German Shepherds evolve from clumsy puppies to mature, stable and secure companions for years to come. They can run around the pool with you or sit quietly watching television. This is the dual personality of the German Shepherd.

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