The German Shepherd gets along very well with kids, provided they treat it with respect. It is cautious towards strangers but if the owner signals that everything is all right, it does not act in a hostile manner with them. It welcomes the friends of the family enthusiastically. A German Shepherd that has been socialized properly will not have any issues with other dogs or pets, either.

The German Shepherd’s fur needs to be brushed through regularly to remove dead or loose hair from its thick and wooly undercoat. Dogs that are kept inside require more grooming than those that live outdoors.

This breed is very intelligent, learns quickly and eagerly, and obeys orders with pleasure. Very sensitive to the tone of voice people use towards it. If treated in a clear, honest, and consistent manner during training, the German Shepherd will never cause any unpleasant surprises. It can learn an amazing number of tasks.

Those who keep a German Shepherd as a family dog often forget about the fact that this breed needs a lot of physical exercise. This breed will be much more satisfied if taken for long walks where it can run, fetch, or maybe swim as well. A minimum one hour a day should be devoted to such activities. If a German Shepherd is not exercised or kept busy enough, it will look for alternative ways to entertain itself, which may not always be to the owner’s liking. If it has a good relationship with its owner, it will never wander off too far even while off leash.