Are German Shepherds Aggressive Breed? (Explained) 2022
German Shepherds are likely to attack people and other dogs out of aggression. That’s why they are usually bred to be guard dogs rather than family dogs. German Shepherds are powerful, intelligent, and energetic dogs that require lots of physical exercises.
Are German Shepherds aggressive breeds? Yes, German Shepherds have aggressive behavior that help them protect and defend their owners. Although these behavior can be helpful, you need to train your German Shepherd dog properly to avoid unnecessary attacks.
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Why Are German Shepherds Aggressive?
German Shepherds were originally bred for herding and protecting sheep from predators. Since these dogs are large and powerful, they can be very aggressive.
In addition to their herding instincts, their high energy can make them chase people and other dogs around.
German Shepherds can be trained to be great attack dogs, police or military dogs, and even search and rescue dogs.
German Shepherds are excellent at whatever they are trained to do. With the right training, they can be taught good behaviors.
These dog breeds can also serve as family dogs, but they need daily physical and mental exercise to keep them busy. German Shepherds also tend to be aloof and suspicious, so it’s best to expose them to other people and dogs early.
Are German shepherds aggressive to humans?
German Shepherd dogs can be aggressive to humans, especially when they assume the person to be dangerous. Often, they might attack people randomly, so these dogs need to be trained on how to recognize threats and danger.
There are several reasons why the German Shepherd dog may become aggressive, but it mostly stems from the primal instinct to protect their territory.
Lack of proper training can also make these dogs misbehave and attack humans. It’s possible to train aggression towards people out of a German Shepherd dog.
When they are puppies, they need to be taught obedience and feel comfortable around people. Otherwise, they will see everyone else as a threat, and it would be hard to correct them when older.
At what age does a German Shepherd become aggressive?
Some German Shepherds might show signs of aggression at 3 months of age. However, their behaviors will increase when they reach adolescence. In contrast, other German Shepherds will only demonstrate aggression when they are at least 2 years old.
Whether they show aggressive behaviors or not, they need to be trained as puppies. It will help them understand those circumstances that require them to be hostile. It’s also best to keep these dogs on a leash once they hit puberty because of hormonal fluctuations.
German Shepherds can become more aggressive if they aren’t trained well and don’t socialize with other humans and dogs.
GSDs need to be introduced to the world when they are almost 14 weeks old. It will help them learn to be friendly and pleasant.
How dangerous are German shepherds?
German Shepherds give such powerful bites that they are referred to as a dangerous breed. Although poorly trained German Shepherds are more dangerous than the average dog breed, they are not as harmful as Rottweilers and Pit bulls.
These dog breeds are naturally protective of their owners. And that’s why they need to be trained and socialized properly. Otherwise, GSDs will go about attacking any stranger that comes close to their territory. German Shepherds are known to cause a lot of fatalities and injuries.
Even if they have been trained, strangers should be careful around these dogs. Sometimes, they might even show aggression towards their owners. (Also read Can GSD attack their owners?) So it’s important to give formal training while they are still small.
What to do if a German shepherd attacks you?
German Shepherds do not always welcome strangers who come close to their families. They attack if they smell danger or some unsafe energy. It can be scary if an aggressive German Shepherd attacks you, so you should stay away from them.
If you get attacked by a German Shepherd, you should not run away; else, it will chase you. It would be best if you had a shield to protect you from the dog’s teeth. It could be a piece of equipment, backpack, or even pieces of wood. This will make sure it doesn’t bite into your flesh.
When struggling with a German Shepherd, you need to call for help. Hopefully, the owner is nearby, so they can help you escape the attack. Otherwise, you might have to fight back to save your life. If the dog bites you during the attack, you need to see a doctor for immediate treatment.
Are German shepherds aggressive towards other dogs?
German Shepherds can be very protective of their territory and will be aggressive towards any intruder. It doesn’t matter if it’s a human or dog; GSDs will be hostile if GSDs feel invaded. But this only happens when the dog lacks proper training. (Also Read Do German Shepherds attack other dogs?)
A well-behaved German Shepherd will be friendly towards other dogs and won’t see them as a threat. That’s why these dogs need to be socialized as early as possible. They need to be able to understand circumstances that require them to be aggressive.
German Shepherds should be taken to puppy classes and allowed to play with other dogs. They need to understand that it’s normal and safe to have other people and dogs around the house. As puppies, German Shepherds need to get comfortable with seeing other dogs.
Conclusion
German Shepherds are intelligent dog breeds that can be easily trained. They are very powerful and dominant, so they need to be taught good habits. If you own a young German Shepherd, you should not encourage aggressive behaviors.
It’s easier to correct at the puppy stage than when they are fully grown. German Shepherds should not be neglected; they learn bad habits and become very aggressive to everyone around them. These dogs need formal training as well as guidance till they learn to control themselves.
Sources
https://wagwalking.com/behavior/why-are-german-shepherds-aggressive
https://www.anythinggermanshepherd.com/managing-aggression-in-german-shepherds-a-complete-guide/
https://www.anythinggermanshepherd.com/at-what-age-will-your-gsd-dog-first-get-aggressive/
https://jubilantpups.com/are-german-shepherds-aggressive-to-humans/
