Many people these days swear that they prefer pets over human interaction. According to an article, most millennials would most likely have a pet rather than a family. There are many reasons why this is the case. For one, a lot of people are afraid of commitment and getting married and having children is the ultimate responsibility.
Another reason that people cite is the cost of living in many areas, especially in the cities. Here in the West, for example, it is so much more affordable to live on your own. However, we need a companion in our daily lives and having an animal around can fill that gap.
One of the most popular choices for companionship is the dog. Based on research, they came from an ancient species that also included wolves. For some inexplicable reason, the common type that we know today deviated from its ancestors and formed a species of its own.
Based on this article, the most accepted reason is because of human intervention. Domestication was said to have changed their genetic makeup. They are now known as Canis lupus familiaris or the domesticated one.
Due to domestication and breeding, this also resulted in several “breeds” or kinds to our canine friends. Contrary to the common belief, they are not a different species. There are just certain traits that humans want to appear to these animals, like fur color, behavior, and intelligence.
One of the most popular breeds is the German Shepherd Dog or GSD. As it originated in Germany, it is also referred to as Alsatian and Deutscher Schäferhund.
Why GSD?
There are many reasons why a lot of people would prefer this breed. It is the 2nd most popular one in the world. Labradors have taken that spot for a few years now, but this does not eliminate or degrade the others.
- Intelligence
German Shepherds are said to be highly intelligent. The Intelligence of Dogs by Stanley Coren had ranked almost every dog breed in the world to test their brain capacity. The GSD ranked 3rd on this list, with border collies and poodles on the top two. With their ability to follow commands easily, they have been incorporated in police and search and rescue jobs. Their superior sense of smell has also been helpful in tracking and other police search activities.
- Behavior
Another positive note that has been given to GSDs is their temperament. Even though they are ones with the highest records for biting people, they can easily be trained. If treated right, they are also quite friendly and can easily handle the presence of other humans and animals. However, they do tend to act standoffish which makes them perfect for police work. Some people are even intimidated by their looks, but this might be due to their association with law enforcement.
- Strength and Agility
This is also one of the reasons why they are popular with law enforcement and search and rescue operations. They are inherently active dogs, as they were bred to guard sheep away from predators. Also, they have been known to track those who have been left behind by the herd. With enough training, they can be fast runners and can take down an adult. Their bite is also comparable to rottweilers and has been known to be quite dangerous. They can also dig rather fast because of their long-ish front legs.
- Loyalty
Lastly, due to their intelligence, they can develop a strong connection with their master or owner. If treated right, they are known to be loyal and would follow their owners anywhere. They can also respond better to commands and training. Some have been documented to express emotion especially when they are in distress. It is hard for them to lose something, let alone a breed that can understand humans to a point.
Tips on Taking Care of GSDs
For most of them, they have similar ways and approaches to taking care of them. With this particular breed, they need to have lots of exercises. You cannot keep this dog indoors for a long time because it can get antsy and start attacking things.
If you want to have one, you need to have a backyard at the very least. That way they can have the chance to run around play. These are herding dogs after all, and they need to have all the physical activity that they can get. This will also lessen the chances of them having leg problems. Learn more about this here: https://petdogpals.com. Even lounging pets need exercise too!
Also, it is important to go to the vet every time there seems to be a problem. You may have some difficulty in knowing them but you can tell by your pet’s behavior. For example, if they are looking tired all the time or they have lost a lot of weight in a short time. You need to be aware of these tell-tale signs as they can turn to serious issues in the long run. German Shepherds typically live for at least 9 years, but it can be longer if they are living in a healthy environment.
Many people believe that having a dog is so much easier than having a baby. However, there are certain challenges that you would still need to face as an owner. If you think that you can just neglect your pet and let them live on their own is a bad idea, then think again. Being a pet owner is a full-time responsibility. You would need to take care of him or her properly so that they will be loyal to you as well.
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