All About Breeding German Shepherds

All About Breeding German Shepherds

Last update: 18 May, 2018

Noble and obedient, German Shepherds need certain conditions to develop correctly; their diet and training are key factors, but living with a family will help them not become aggressive.

The German Shepherd is one of the most highly valued dog breeds, not only as a work dog, but also as a pet. Their gentle personality and obedience — among other traits — have influenced people to get into German Shepherd breeding. Below are some useful tips if you are interested in breeding them.

German Shepherd Breeding Rules and Principles

  • Don’t look for puppies to breed. Many people look into getting two German Shepherd puppies in order to have them mate later on. This can be a mistake because the puppies may have certain unnoticeable physical defects; they could pass them down to their descendants. It is best to have two certified “perfect” purebred adult dogs.
  • In fact, the certificate is one of the most important factors to consider, since it will determine if the dog’s personality is typical: brave, persistent, courageous, intelligent, and loyal.
  • Even though greed has led to massive breeding, it is still not a good idea — especially for German Shepherds. They need to be raised in a calm and open environment because of their personality and traits. Otherwise, they could even become aggressive.
  • It is a good idea take advice from those who know how to breed. When a person enters into the breeding world, they could make common mistakes, especially if they don’t let the experts guide them. A good way to be successful is by following our tips. However, it’s also helpful to listen to a veterinarian or other breeders.
  • Pure blood will allow you to raise purebred dogs. That is, even if they’re certified, the third and fourth previous generations could possibly not have been 100% German Shepherd or could have had some defect that was passed on to future generations.
German Shepherd Puppies

Also…

  • Diet is very important so the puppies develop excellent traits. Genetics is one, but subsequent care plays a key role in breeding German Shepherds.
  • A bad environment could sabotage everything else. Dogs need to run and be free to develop their intelligence, courage, and other abilities. Putting them in a cage could make them sick or make them weak and insecure dogs.
  • Remember the quality of the dogs will not be measured solely by their physical appearance. That said, it is important since it will be the first thing that draws a possible adoptive parent’s attention. However, the dogs worth will be determined by its skills and traits, which are strengthened by the previous generations.

How to raise a German Shepherd

German Shepherds stand out for their nobility and obedience. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t other things to take into account when it comes to training them. Because of his size, this dog will need certain rules that you must instill in him from a young age. 

Socialize him

It’s crucial that German Shepherds feel integrated in a group, that is, in a family. They need to feel other people’s and other animals’ affection. If this doesn’t happen, then they could get aggressive.

If he’s going to spend a lot of time alone, he will need toys or other objects to keep him entertained. Boredom can lead to destructive behavior. Getting another pet to be his companion would be perfect to prevent that.

Positive reinforcement

In spite of their nobility, German Shepherds know that they are powerful dogs and they can abuse their power if they aren’t put into their place. That is why you need to teach him who’s in charge from the very beginning. You want to prevent him from feeling dominant with us and with other dogs.

Be careful with food

Even though they are physically strong dogs and have good health, their stomachs are sensitive. Therefore, we must be extremely careful with their food. A good quality dog food and controlling calorie intake is essential for a good development. German Shepherds are one of the best animals that you could have as a pet. You can see that you only have to follow our simple tips for raising him properly.


This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.