If you’ve been wondering whether you should let your german shepherd live with another dog, then you’ve found the right article! Not only will you find out whether german shepherds can live with other dogs or not, but you’ll also find out what the best companion dogs for german shepherds are!
So keep reading to find out everything you want to know!
Table of Contents
Are German Shepherds Good With Other Dogs?
Well, the answer is: yes. They make good companion dogs for cats and other dog breeds. They’re intelligent, good-natured, and more than willing to play with others.
They are hyperactive, however, and as such, it is worth noting that a German Shepherd will have their own needs and wants when it comes to companions. Still, there is nary a better choice for a friend for your pets.
German Shepherds are handsome, athletic dogs that are built for exercise, so if you’re an outdoorsy person who loves to run, play fetch, or go on trips, then German Shepherds are the right dogs for you.
Additionally, for companion dogs, German Shepherds generally get along with other ‘worker’ dogs.
That is, dogs are built for running, jumping, and doing a job as opposed to just lying around the house. Dogs like huskies and labradors make good friends with German Shepherds.
That said, on the flip side, German Shepherds don’t really get along with dogs that cover their eyes. For example, an Old English Sheepdog. I guess it’s because the eyes are hidden that causes German Shepherds to distrust them.
Do German Shepherds Get Along with Other Dogs?
To go into greater depth, it does vary from breed to breed, animal to animal, and dog to dog. Much like any person, there’s no guarantee that a German Shepherd will get along with others.
Now, first things first, let’s talk a bit about what a German Shepherd is. A German Shepherd is a breed made to…well, Shepherd sheep. They’re hyperactive, fast, and more than willing to play. So, if you like to go outside, or are pretty energetic, then this is a good breed for you.
But, keep in mind that a German Shepherd’s temperament does depend on the line it comes from. I.e., if the line has a history of angry pups, then it stands to reason that the next one will likely have anger issues.
If you want a nice, easier-going German Shepherd, then it might not be a bad idea to try to get a longhaired breed or a solid white one.
Now, onto getting along with other dogs. German Shepherds do, generally, get along with other dogs or animals so long as they grow up with them or spend a great deal of time with them.
It is recorded that some German Shepherds do tend to be aggressive to dogs of the same gender.
I.e., Boys will roughhouse.
That said, it is possible that so long as there isn’t another ‘dominant’ dog, then it’s likely that they will get along. That said, try to be aware of the German Shepherd’s line and general temperament. Some dogs might get along better with others.
But if that does happen, it does fall to the owner to take responsibility for their dog. Training might be necessary.
As said before, there are breeds German Shepherds don’t get along with, and most of those breeds involve their eyes being covered. English Sheepdog, Bouviers serve as examples. But thankfully, if introduced at a young age, then it’s likely that the two will most likely get along.
Now, let us talk a bit about which dogs get along with German Shepherds.
Want To Train Your German Shepherd With Peace Of Mind?
If you haven’t trained your German shepherd properly, then this is the perfect time to start. Whatever bad behavior your shepherd has, whether it’s barking at night or other bad behaviors, using the right training program is the key to having an obedient and happy pup.
So instead of worrying about whether they’re going to be well-behaved or not, you’ll only have to worry about how much fun you’ll have with them!
And in most cases, it’s still going to be:
Cheaper than hiring a professional.
Cheaper than replacing everything they might break.
And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you if they decide to bite someone.
Just imagine how great it will feel to finally be able to trust your German Shepherd completely and never worry whether they’ll be naughty or not. Instead, you’ll have the peace of mind that you have a well-behaved pup, and the boundaries you set for them will always be there, EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT.
And the best part is it also has a 60-day money-back guarantee! So there’s no reason not to give Brain Training For Dogs a try!
So if you’re tired of your dog’s bad behavior or how they react around other people and pooches, then give it a try! You’ll be amazed by the results!
(You can also check out a full review here to learn exactly what the course has to offer!)
What Are The Best Companion Dogs For German Shepherds?
In general, most German Shepherds will get along with other breeds, be they small or large. A few key traits among breeds are athleticism, intelligence, energy, and herding instinct.
Siberian Huskey
Be it because of their shared love of running; a German Shepherd will likely get along well with a Siberian Huskey. As both breeds are known for their athleticism, it makes sense that the two breeds would agree with each other. Just be warned that you will most likely be going on many, many runs.
Labrador Retriever
A dog that goes with the flow paired with a breed that sprints at the flow at Mach 10. A labrador is well known for its easy-going nature, and when paired with the German Shepherd’s drive, they make an odd couple. But, they are both social animals, and as such, they will get along with active and energetic families.
Golden Retriever
Do you know how that one high-energy guy in school was always friends with that low-pep guy? Yeah, these breeds are that in a nutshell. The Golden Retriever is calm, composed, and always thinking, providing a nice counterbalance to the German Shepherd’s extreme energy.
Border Collies
Like the German Shepherd, these dogs were built for herding. Athletic, intelligent, and with a fierce love of the outdoors, a Border Collier makes a great friend for a German Shepherd due to their shared interests and herding instincts.
Heck, they might even try to herd each other! But be sure to step in case things get out of control.
German Shepherds
While this is just another dog, it stands to reason that a German Shepherd will get along with other German Shepherd. Since they share the same traits, with only personalities differing between them, they can both act as energy sponges for each other.
What Small Breeds Can Live With German Shepherds?
Now, small dogs mixed with a high-energy German Shepherd may result in injury, so keep that in mind before purchasing a German Shepherd if you have a smaller breed.
Corgi
Surprisingly, many people report owning both a corgi and a German Shepherd. It could be that the two just naturally get along since they are both social animals with a lot of energy.
But, try to be wary if they start to fight or try to establish dominance. Corgis like to play, and so GSDs, so, naturally, someone might get hurt.
Belgian Sheepdog
Brave, high energy, and handsome at that, a Belgian Sheepdog makes a great friend for a GSD because of their mutual interests in herding, running, and generally being outdoors. Since they’re both made for herding sheep, cows, and at times, people, these two breeds will most likely get along.
Poodles
This can vary from dog to dog, as some poodles might not enjoy the German Shepherd’s high energy level, but if you’re lucky or just good at rearing dogs, you might get a pair that will heartily enjoy each other’s company.
There’s a better success rate if you raise both from a young age, though keep in mind that training will likely be necessary to keep both of them under control.
Shih Tzu
Now, these two couldn’t be more different. One is big and handsome, the other small and pretty. But, just like any good friendship, these two breeds do have a few things in common. For starters, they are both social, energetic animals that love to walk.
And plus, it’s funny to see a small dog waddling along with a bigger, more rugged-looking German Shepherd.
That said, as mentioned before, be sure to raise them together and to clear away the hair away from the Shih Tzu’s eyes, as the German Shepherd doesn’t like that.
Australian Shepherd
So, high energy, love to herd, both named Shepherd? Yeah, these two are made to be friends. The Australian Shepherd is a distant cousin of the German Shepherd, and as a result, these two breeds do share similarities in both appearance and physical needs.
They both need to run, need to herd, and need to play. Now, these are roughly the same size, so they can play roughly together without fear of injury.
Bulldogs
I know that Bulldogs are often seen as fighters, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Bulldogs are loving and loyal, and they can make good companions for German Shepherds so long as you keep in mind their temperament.
Now, again, this can vary from dog to dog and line. But, if you can expect them to get along if you choose well. Again, this is just on a dog-to-dog basis, so be wary.
Terrier
A small dog with a lot of oomph and a big dog with a lot of ‘go?’ Yeah, these two were made for each other. Both are social creatures with a love of family, and both want to be in the center of attention.
Though this might cause some friction between them, if the two care about each other enough, then they might fill that social need on their own.
FAQ
Is It Good To Have Two German Shepherds?
Of course! If both are raised from a young age, then these two will be lifelong friends! That said, it might be a bit difficult if a young pup is introduced to an older dog, so keep that in mind.
Do German Shepherds Get Along With Small Dogs?
It varies. In general, German Shepherds can get along with smaller breeds, but if their eyes are covered, then you might need to be wary, but keep their eyes uncovered, and you should be fine. In addition, there is always a chance that the smaller dog will be injured in their playtime.
Do German Shepherds Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
As said before, their lines matter a lot, along with temperament. Don’t take anything here written as a hard rule; more like a general description. But, in general, German Shepherds love to make friends.
Recap
So, do German Shepherds make good Companion dogs? Well, there are a few ups and downs for each breed. In general, a German Shepherd will most likely get along with dogs that share its traits, such as a herding instinct or athletism.
Large to medium breeds, such as Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and Border collies, are good choices for companion dogs, while smaller breeds like Australian Shepherds or Poodles might be hit or miss.
But, as mentioned before, German Shepherds might injure smaller dogs and distrust breeds that have covered eyes. Granted, the latter problem can be solved by a groomer, but it is still something to consider.
But, a German Shepherd, above all else, is meant to be outdoors, running around and playing fetch. So, if you’re very much the type of person who loves to run, you should consider getting a German Shepherd.
Or, if you’re looking for a friend for your doggy, then a German Shepherd will be a good choice so long as you keep in mind the dog’s needs, line, personality, and general temperament. Proper training might be in order, but that’s the case for most dog breeds to begin with.
Finally, keep in mind that German Shepherds are working dogs. They are meant for hard work, not sleeping around, or taking it easy, so be aware of this before you get a German Shepherd as a companion dog.
