So you want a German Shepherd dog? You’ve seen the shows, went through the cute Instagram and Facebook posts, seen all the YouTube videos and now you’ve decided to get one. Or two! Well, just before you make the final “yes”, there are a few things you need to consider again, or hear for the first time if that’s the case. It won’t hurt, but only help you with your decision. This is not an article about why you shouldn’t get a GSD, but an eye opener. No matter how much we love a certain dog breed, we have to look at the world without the pink glasses for a moment. Here are a few things to know before getting a German Shepherd dog.

Bigger Dog = Higher Bills

The German Shepherd dog is a large dog. The breed’s standard height is from 24 to 26 inches (60 to 66 cm) and weight is from 70 to 90 pounds (30 to 40 kg). This means that you will have:

• Higher vet bills
• Higher food bills
• Higher pet product bills (harness, collar, leash, etc.)

Apart from that, you need to think about:

• How will I transport a dog to the vet?
• Where will the dog sleep?
• Where will I put the bowls?
• If I want to crate-train a dog, where will I put the crate?

It seems ridiculous to think about where to put the bowls or where will the dog sleep, but if you’ve never had a dog and you want to keep it in an apartment, these are normal things to go through. Of course, a dog will eventually sleep in a bed with us or around us, but they do need their safe space! 

The most important part is to think if you can afford to have a big dog. Vet bills are higher as a dog/pet gets bigger. Just the deworming tablet costs more for a bigger dog. Remember that no dog in the world can stay healthy with no issues ever! And, unfortunately, GSDs are not the healthiest dog breed in the world.

As for the food, it all depends on what you plan on feeding your GSD. One of the least expensive versions is a bag of kibble that lasts a month and costs from $12 to $14. But a bag of high-quality or more well-known brand can cost more than $60 a month. Feeding costs are much more expensive if you choose to make food on your own or give them raw food. And what about some dog treats, a chewing bone, some fresh fruits?

Owning a German Shepherd dog is not the most expensive thing in the world, but sudden vet bills can surprise you and you need to be ready for them. A good pet insurance is one way to do it.

They Shed A Lot

You checked “yes” on a Can You Afford a Large Dog and now you are ready for the next one! Well, you HAVE to understand that you will find dog hair around your home, whether you brush your dog every day or every week. You will get used to it eventually, but what about the other members of your family?

A dog that sheds is something everyone needs to be on board with. And German Shepherds shed all year round. They have medium-long coats that need regular brushing. Even if you regularly take them to a professional groomer, some hair will fall down and you’ll still need to brush their fur at home. It is not difficult to do it, but if you want to do it properly, it can be time consuming.

Get everyone on board and sign a paper where they understand there will be dog hairs around the home.

They Need Training

Now this is very important, and not just for the German Shepherd dogs, but other popular dog breeds, too. The GSD has been so popularized through the media that people expect them to be born and trained. They cannot magically train themselves! You need to put in the hours and spend time with your dogs! 

Habituation, socialization, and obedience training from puppyhood is extremely important! The German Shepherd dog needs to be properly trained and well-socialized to avoid any issues with aggressive behavior when they grow up. 

Aggressive behavior is not just dominance-based aggression toward other dogs, but territorial aggression, fear-based aggression, and so on. Leaving a large dog untrained or with very little mental and physical stimulation is a recipe for disaster. 

GSDs are smart, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be trained. On the contrary, they are large dogs that can easily show aggressive behavior if you don’t steer them from the beginning in the right direction.

They Need You, Not Dog Toys

Yes, you can train a German Shepherd to be an excellent guard dog that will stay alert and patrol the property for hours. But even the most trained working GSDs need a human touch or another dog to unwind. 

Now, if it’s not a trained guard dog, you can’t leave them all alone! No dog should be left alone all day long alone with nothing to do. They need mental stimulation and physical activities every day! That means walks, going to the park to run, play catch, go on a hike, to the lake, river, whatever you can think of. 

Toys for dogs can help, but they should never replace a real walk or a real physical activity. And most importantly, they need to do all of those activities with you! If you can’t do it, then adding another dog is a solution. But that adds more expenses and more responsibilities. 

A bored German Shepherd dog will change its boredom into destructive behavior or misbehavior that could further turn into aggressive behavior. Keeping your dog active both mentally and physically combined with proper socialization and training is the key!

Health Issues

Unfortunately, this is the truth – they are well-known for their many health issues and a short lifespan. The life expectancy is under 10 years. The most common issues are hip dysplasia, bloat, cataracts, and others.

One way to ensure your GSD puppy is healthy is if you find a responsible breeder. But, if you want to adopt (yay!) then there is a high chance you will have to deal with some health issues over time and as they grow. Even if you get them from a breeder who claims their dogs are healthy, always ask for some proof! Ask them to show you the tests they’ve done and see their dogs, where they live, and so on. 

This is the hardest part – you have to understand and accept the fact they have a very short lifespan, compared to most other dog breeds.

Final Thoughts

German Shepherds are amazing. I’ve always admired not only their wits but beauty. They are unique, so recognizable, and look (to me) like true men’s best friends! And of course, like any other dog breed, they need proper care but most of all – love! I’ve seen too many GSDs who are alone all day long in the yard with just an occasional hello or a 15 minutes playtime. No one has the time for them now, even though they were the center of attention when they were little. Don’t do that. Don’t get a dog, any dog, and leave them alone and bored when they get bigger. We are all they’ve got! Patience, love, and attention are what they all need and rightfully so! 

Read Next: All 5 Types Of German Shepherd Dogs

Cover photo by Michael G