German Shepherd Breed Info – Natural or Nurtured Qualities

German Shepherd is one of the most intelligent and hard-working breeds out there. This intelligent breed is also controversial because some say that their best qualities are a result of inbreeding.

Some of the features that are in an animal comes from their breeding, just like our genetics come from our ancestors. It can be difficult, however, to determine what qualities come from nature and which are trained, coming from the nurturing side. Of course, a dog has to have the foundational characteristics for certain qualities to “stick” with them, but how much of it are they born with and how much of it do they acquire?

If you see a quality or behavior repeated generation after generation, this is a sign that genetics are at work. It is typically a sign of the breeding. But other qualities, such as intelligence, can be more difficult to assign. Qualities like loyalty can be nearly impossible to pinpoint whether they came from nurturing or nature.

The German Shepherd breed has the potential to do extraordinary things based on its breeding and traits commonly seen in the animal. The ability to negotiate complicated environment or sniff out drugs are certain tasks. Opening a door or negotiating terrain with a blind person are all highly trainable tasks that German Shepherds excel at. Without some common qualities and the foundation for great intelligence, this training would be useless on the wrong breed of dog.

The training of these specialized jobs is the perfect example of a combination of nature and nurturing techniques together.

With simple behaviors, it can be easier to assign nature versus nuture. If a German Shepherd grabs your hand in its mouth, pulling you forward, it is probably due to good training. If you see a German Shepherd that has not been trained as a guard dog, pacing in front of a home or gate, this is a quality that is in their breeding.

There is always learning involved in the situations. For example, a German Shepherd has to learn how to grab a person’s hand without harming him or her. The dog must also realize that the patrolling duty he has taken on is for his home alone.

Some things are obviously a part of the dog’s breeding, not at all taught to them. Instinctively, a German Shepherd will bark at a stranger, even if they have never seen another dog do it before. They will immediately show they are protecting and in control of the family and home. They see the outsider as potential threat and warn him to stay away. This is a sign of the dog’s loyalty that comes with the breed, typically.

Some qualities of the German Shepherd are inherent within the breed while others are better brought to light after weeks and months of training. German Shepherds are an excellent combination of great qualities, albeit through their training, nature, temperament or any other source.

         

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