Over the years, several different dog breeds have garnered a bad reputation for being "dangerous." German Shepherds are among them. These large working dogs are associated with military and police work. Some insurance companies ban GSDs from apartment buildings and even pet stores. While they aren't quite as discriminated against as pit bulls—the most notorious bearers of the "aggressive dog breed" stereotype—many shepherd owners even report strangers crossing the street to avoid their dogs on walks.
Where have these perceptions come from? Are German Shepherds really dangerous? And what does "aggressive" even mean in the canine world?
Let's take a look. We're here to separate fact from fiction—and equip pet parents with the resources you need to keep your dog and everyone around them safe. Here’s a deep dive into aggressive tendencies, territorial behavior, and more in German Shepherds! We cover:
- This popular dog breed's history and predispositions
- The current breed standard
- Reactivity in herding and working dogs
- Factors that influence dog bite statistics
- Causes of aggression in any dog breed
- Treatment of aggression issues
First things first: German Shepherds are not inherently aggressive
Breed alone is not a reliable predictor of a dog's behavior or likelihood of aggression. It would be remiss to box an entire group of diverse animals—like every German Shepherd—under one label. Dogs are individuals!
What is canine aggression?
Aggression is often an an adaptive response to threatening situations. The ASPCA defines canine aggression as "a wide variety of behaviors that occur for a multitude of reasons in various circumstances." It can be tough to define!
Most pet parents call behaviors like growing, lunging, and snapping—and of course, actually biting—aggression. Canine professionals have created a "dog aggression ladder" than can help you understand what your companion is trying to communicate.
Behavior problems depend on a huge range of factors
Dogs of all sizes and backgrounds have the potential to exhibit aggressive behavior. This is especially likely if puppies and adolescents aren't properly socialized and cared for by responsible owners. Nurture is crucial in creating a well-behaved and safe canine companion—regardless of breed.
That said: Proper training and appropriate handling alone don't guarantee that your dog will grow up free of any aggressive tendencies. Canines are complex creatures. (If your dog doesn't quite match their breed standard, or struggles with less common issues, it is not automatically "your fault." We'll dive deeper into potential causes of aggression later on.)
Aggression towards people versus other animals
German Shepherds often have a strong prey drive. This means they have an innate urge to chase small critters! While prey drive is common in many dogs, some pet parents mistake it for outright aggression. They worry that if their dog tries to hunt down a rabbit, soon they'll try to hurt their kids, too.
Thankfully? This is rarely the case. Prey drive is a natural instinct seen in all predatory animals—including us humans!
Any dog can bite if pushed!
If an animal is put in a situation where they feel threatened, they'll react in a species-appropriate way to defend themselves. That usually involves teeth!
While some pets may be more prone to aggression based on their genetics, temperament, or past experiences (more on those factors in the next section), all dogs—regardless of breed or size—have the potential to bite.
Different dogs have varying physical capabilities, so bites can be more or less severe
Larger breed bites have the potential to cause more severe physical damage than smaller dogs'. This is one reason many large dog breeds are automatically considered more aggressive than their littler counterparts.
In fact, many nips from toy breeds go completely unreported. (It's interesting to note that people often generalize these small dogs as "yappy." The stereotype of the aggressive toy breed seems to be growing as the modern human world fails to respect small dogs' boundaries.)
Regardless of a dog's size, all dog bites should be taken seriously and treated promptly.
1) Understand what German Shepherd Dogs were bred for
German Shepherd history
German Shepherds were originally bred in Germany during the late 19th century.
Humans selected German Shepherds for specific working abilities. The breed's first purpose was to serve as a herding dogs—but they quickly gained recognition for their versatility, intelligence, and trainability in other forms of work as well.
German Shepherds' instincts to control movement make them a great breed for herding. The breed's founders intended these dogs to work alongside shepherds to protect livestock like sheep and cattle. Today's breed description still outlines the ability to control other animals through their strong presence, intelligence, and physical prowess.
German Shepherds were also bred to serve as guarding and protection dogs. Their natural protective instinct has been utilized to safeguard property, like farms and livestock.
The German Shepherd's many working roles
German Shepherds have a long working history. Some of the jobs they have performed include:
- Police and military work
- Search and rescue
- Service dog tasks
- Therapy dog work
- Herding
- Guarding
2) What is the modern German Shepherd breed standard?
To this day, shepherds are known as one of the most intelligent dog breeds. (They're one of the most popular breeds, too!)
- German Shepherds are known for their ability to learn and problem-solve. They are quick to pick up cues—especially when trained with positive reinforcement.
- German Shepherds are naturally vigilant. Some homes and businesses still employ shepherds as guard dogs. They are often wary of strangers and will typically alert their owners to any perceived threats.
- German Shepherds have a high energy level. They require regular physical activity—and mental stimulation—to stay happy and healthy. Daily walks, playtime, and training sessions are important to keep them engaged.
- German Shepherds still excel in a wide range of roles. Many non-working dogs compete in dog sports.
You can see the full German Shepherd breed standard here.
A summary of today's German Shepherd
- German Shepherds are working dogs.
- Our ancestors selected shepherds for their herding and guarding instincts.
- GSDs are one of the most energetic and drive canine breeds.
- These dogs are loyal, alert, and often reserved with strangers.
3) Herding and working breeds are often prone to reactivity
Working dogs are bred and trained for specific tasks. These predispositions give them a higher likelihood of dog reactivity compared to more low energy canines.
Protective instincts
Many working dog breeds, especially herding and guardian dogs, have been selectively bred for protective instincts. These instincts are an essential part of their job safeguarding livestock, property, or their humans!
This protective nature can sometimes translate into reactivity towards other dogs or people in our modern society, though.
High energy
Working dogs are also often bred for their high energy levels and stamina. While this drive is beneficial for their work, it can also manifest as increased arousal when encountering other day-to-day stimuli. This heightened arousal can contribute to reactive behaviors.
Reactivity is not necessarily aggression
It’s important to note that reactivity does not automatically equal aggression. We recommend getting in touch with a reputable trainer if you’re worried about your dog’s behaviors. A professional will be able to help you interpret your individual pet’s behavior and body language.
You can find some recommend trainers here. You can also learn more about canine body language in this article!
4) Dog bite statistics aren't simple to analyze
Dog bite statistics can be influenced by various factors. These include the popularity of certain breeds, media coverage tilts, reporting biases, and more.
More common breeds will have more breed reporting in bite statistics
Popular dog breeds—including the German Shepherd— may have higher numbers of reported bites simply because there are more of them present in the overall pet population.
Increased media attention can create false perceptions
Media attention often focuses on incidents involving specific breeds. This can lead to an impression that certain breeds are more prone to aggression when it's not actually true. We can thank the availability heuristic and recency bias for this!
It's hard to identify dogs by appearance alone
Many dog bite incidents are misreported. Dog bite reports rely on quick visual identification from witnesses—but firsthand accounts are notoriously inaccurate during stressful situations.
Another weird fact: Some early research suggests that dogs with pointed ears are more intimidating than dogs with floppy ears. This could affect bystanders' perceptions of herding dogs like the German Shepherd.
5) Causes of aggression in any dog breed
Aggression can be caused by dozens of different factors. Dogs who show signs of aggression—like growling, lunging, and eventually biting—are often motivated by self-preservation. They're acting out of fear rather than direct intent to do harm.
Genetic factors (not limited to breed alone)
Some breeds are predisposed to certain instincts
As mentioned above, certain dog breeds—the German Shepherd breed among them—have been selectively bred for specific working traits over the years. These include guarding instincts, territoriality, and protectiveness—all breed-specific characteristics that may increase the likelihood of displaying aggression in certain situations.
Even a young shepherd puppy probably shows some initial working predisposition, just like young Siberian huskies often already love to run!
Aggressive behaviors might be heritable
Beyond breed stereotypes, some studies suggest that certain aggressive predispositions can be inherited. The specific genetic mechanisms underlying aggression are not yet fully understood. But looking at a puppy’s direct ancestors might be a better way to predict their future temperament than relying on breed estimates alone!
Remember each dog is an individual
Understanding potential genetic predisposition for aggression in certain breeds or individual dogs can help inform:
- responsible breeding practices
- early intervention
- appropriate training
- thoughtful management strategies
It’s important to assess each dog on an individual basis, though. Consider your own pet's unique personality, experiences, and environment when addressing any behavioral concerns.
Very early experiences, including in utero
Epigenetic factors can influence gene expression and behavior. Environmental factors—like early life experiences, including stress their mother experienced before puppies were born—can impact the expression of certain genes. These variables might contribute to aggressive behavior.
What does this means for German Shepherd owners? While it's absolutely vital to provide your dog with proper positive reinforcement training and mental stimulation to minimize the chance of aggression issues, who your puppy becomes by sexual maturity depends on more than just your own actions.
Lack of socialization or poorly conducted socialization
Socialization is the process of exposing dogs to different stimuli, experiences, and interactions in a positive and controlled manner. It's most important during their critical developmental period, which is typically between 3 and 16 weeks of age.
A lack of socialization can contribute to aggression in dogs by limiting their exposure to a variety of social situations. This can result in fear and anxiety—emotions that might manifest as inappropriate responses when faced with unfamiliar people, animals, or environments.
A well-socialized dog, even one with questionable genetic or very early experience influences, is less likely to be at risk for aggression than a puppy who is kept isolated from the world as they develop.
You can read more about socializing your dog in this article!
Physical pain or underlying medical issues
Physical discomfort or pain can impact a dog's behavior and increase the likelihood of displaying aggression. Dogs may become irritable, defensive, or reactive when they are in pain or suffering from certain conditions. (Just like us humans!)
Medical attention can be a key part of addressing this type of aggression.
6) Treatment of dog aggression
Prevent aggression in the first place!
Preventing aggression in dogs involves a proactive approach focusing on proper care, socialization, and training. German Shepherds are a particularly intelligent breed. They often respond well to basic obedience training, especially under the guidance of a professional dog trainer. This can be a great starting point!
As noted above,t though, sometimes it’s not possible to prevent all instances of aggression. Your dog's behavior, temperament, and experience of the world is not all about "how you raise" them. Certain variables in our dogs’ lives are out of our control.
Get in touch with a trusted, certified trainer
Part of taking care of yourself while training your reactive or aggressive dog? Remembering that you don’t have to do it all alone. The right support network can make a world of difference as you navigate your pet’s behavior problems and create a life you both enjoy!
Consider reaching out to:
Identify the root cause of your German Shepherds aggressive displays
Identifying the root cause of aggression in dogs—whether it's fear aggression, frustration aggression, or simply natural territorial behavior—can be a complex process that requires careful observation, evaluation, and, in some cases, professional guidance.
Before assuming that behavior is solely responsible for aggression, it is important to rule out any potential medical causes or pain that may be contributing to the behavior. A thorough veterinary examination can help identify underlying health issues that could be influencing the dog's behavior!
Carefully observe your dog's behavior and identify specific triggers or situations that lead to aggression. Document the circumstances surrounding each aggressive episode, including the context, environment, and people or animals involved. This can help identify patterns and potential triggers.
Use management to keep everyone safe in the interim
Management is an important part of helping your reactive or aggressive dog. The Management is an important part of helping your reactive or aggressive dog. The more frequently your pet practices their undesirable behaviors in a heightened emotional state, the deeper they ingrain those habits. It’s important to prevent as many reactions as possible so your training can be successful! This can make calm behavior your dog's default and avoid making the situation worse.
- Provide daily exercise in a range of fulfilling ways. Play and structured training sessions can channel your German Shepherd's energy while you develop a training plan.
- Use tools like muzzles or “ignore me” patches as a visual cue to get more space from strangers while out on walks.
- Carefully consider when you go to an environment and whether it will be too busy for your reactive dog to feel comfortable.
- Cover your windows with film or close the blinds to prevent your dog from barking at triggers outside your living room or office windows throughout the day. You can also use household objects as visual barriers.
- Drive to a quieter walking route rather than trying to stay in your immediate neighborhood if it’s too overwhelming.
- Don’t feel guilty about turning around when you see a trigger if you aren’t prepared to train through it.
- Practice your dog’s basic cues, leash skills, and ability to receive reinforcement in multiple ways (like from your hand, scattered on the ground, and tossed in the air). Building these habits outside of stressful situations will make it possible for you to use them to get through difficult moments out and about. A solid ‘’leave it” cue can be especially powerful.
Work with your trainer to follow an individualized training plan to improve your dog’s mental health and reduce their aggression
Each dog, owner, and situation is different. The animal training world is constantly evolving!
As long as your chosen aggression treatment plan is recommended by a humane trainer you trust and prioritizes your dog’s positive emotions, it could help them (and you) live a better life.
Trainers that reviewed this article
There is so much misinformation out there, and we want to make sure we only provide the highest quality content to our community. We have our articles reviewed by qualified force free trainers.
This is the trainer that reviewed this article:
Rayanne Craven CPDT-KA, IAABC-ADT, FDM, FFCP
Professional Dog Trainer - Tenacious Dog Training
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