The German Shepherd is an active, loyal, self-assured, and courageous dog. He can be reserved and suspicious of strangers. Hence, befriending him is not easy. However, when the German Shepherd warms up to you, he starts to be a devoted friend. The breed is protective of its family, making it an effective watchdog. The GSD is one of the most intelligent dogs in the world. As a versatile working dog, he can be trained for military service, search and rescue assistance, and drug and bomb detection. This popular breed can also be an effective assistance dog for people with disabilities. As a family pet, training a GSD should begin as early as eight weeks old. Sessions should focus on basic canine manners and socialisation with people, dogs, and other animals, so he will become a well-rounded canine companion. The German shepherd Dog is a challenging dog to own for first time owners, because of his high energy level, intelligence, and large size, it will take someone who has the experience to match his physical and mental demands. It is worth noting that GSDs coming from working lines are extremely active and intense. They are suitable for competitive protection-dog sports than a regular family pet. Other GSDs are bred as show dogs. Although they are more laid back than their work counterparts, it is observed that many of them tend to be timid, skittish, or dopey. This is caused by putting more attention to producing a dog with a beautiful appearance than a sound temperament and high trainability. To find a German Shepherd that is suitable as a family pet, search for a breeder who isn’t strictly producing working lines or show lines. They should be generalist breeders that aim to create relaxed and easy to train GSDs. Each breed has its distinctive temperament and intelligence and each dog’s genetics, the environment it’s raised in, and its training play a significant role in developing its personality and skills. The German Shepherd Dog is a high energy breed with high nutrient requirements. A typical serving for an adult German shepherd is three to four cups of excellent-quality dry dog food per day. This being said, the amount and frequency still depend on age, size, build, activity level, metabolism, and other factors. You have to consider its needs as a breed, but also make sure that you learn about its individual requirements too. As an active dog, the German Shepherd needs more protein and fewer carbohydrates in his diet. This helps build muscles and supports his daily activity needs.