Last Updated: Nov 22, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Are German Shepherd Dogs Aggressive Towards Strangers?
- Are German Shepherd Dogs Aggressive Towards their Owners?
- Are German Shepherd Dogs Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
- Are German Shepherd Dogs Afraid of Strangers?
- Are German Shepherd Dogs Afraid of Other Dogs?
- Do German Shepherd Dogs Have Non-Social Fears?
- Do German Shepherd Dogs Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
- Are German Shepherd Dogs Easy to Train?
- Do German Shepherd Dogs Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
- Do German Shepherd Dogs Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
- Do German Shepherd Dogs have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
- Are German Shepherd Dogs Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
- Are German Shepherd Dogs Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
- Are German Shepherd Dogs Playful? What is the Energy Level of German Shepherd Dogs
- Conclusion on German Shepherd Dog Temperament
Introduction to the Temperament of the German Shepherd Dog
The are many descriptions of the temperament of the German Shepherd Dog out there. However, most of these descriptions are difficult to verify or prove. They are based on mere speculations.
In this article, we will provide a factual description of the temperament of the German Shepherd Dog based on solid scientific research. This will give you a better understanding of what you can expect from the German Shepherd Dog breed.
We obtained our description of the temperament of German Shepherd Dog by analyzing raw scientific data from The Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) database.
The C-BARQ dog temperament standard was developed by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania. It is considered the gold standard for measuring the behavior of dogs.
Over the years, the C-BARQ study has collected data on the temperament of thousands of dogs of different breeds including the German Shepherd Dog.
The C-BARQ study obtains its data by asking dog owners to score the behavior of their dogs on different behavior patterns.
The idea behind the C-BARQ study is that if it collects thousands of scores from thousands of dog owners on different aspects of dog behavior, a clear pattern will emerge on the temperament of different dog breeds.
The C-BARQ questionnaire measures 14 behavior aspects of dogs:
- Aggression towards stranger
- Aggression towards its owner
- Aggression towards other dogs
- How well they get along with other dogs
- Fear of strangers
- Fear of new things (new objects, unfamiliar loud sounds, etc)
- Fear of other dogs
- Separation anxiety
- Clinginess
- Trainability/ Stubbornness
- Prey drive
- Excitability
- Touch sensitivity
- Energy level
In this article, we will discuss the score of the German Shepherd Dog for each of these 14 characteristics. This will let you know the real temperament of the German Shepherd Dog.
The summary table below shows the score of the German Shepherd Dog for the different behavioral characteristics.
High percentage scores close to 100 are bad. Low percentage scores close to 0 are good.
| Behavior | Score |
|---|---|
| Dog Directed Aggression | 66.2 percent |
| Energy Level | 62.1 percent |
| Attachment Attention Seeking | 54.9 percent |
| Prey Drive | 54.8 percent |
| Stranger Directed Aggression | 48.0 percent |
| Excitability | 42.9 percent |
| Dog Rivalry | 38.6 percent |
| Dog Directed Fear | 37.2 percent |
| Separation Related Behavior | 30.7 percent |
| Stranger Directed Fear | 27.3 percent |
| Touch Sensitivity | 24.4 percent |
| Nonsocial Fear | 22.3 percent |
| Stubbornness | 14.0 percent |
| Owner Directed Aggression | 10.4 percent |
Note that with proper training, you can better your German Shepherd Dog`s temperament. To learn how to properly train your German Shepherd Dog, I highly recommend that you go through Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things that I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your German Shepherd Dog.
See also our complete ranking of dog breeds from the `best` to the `worst` based on temperament.
Are German Shepherd Dogs Aggressive Towards Strangers?
Dog breeds that are aggressive to strangers show hostile responses to strangers approaching or invading the dog`s or the dog owner`s personal space, territory, or home range.
Stranger-aggressive dog breeds are quick to show aggression to unfamiliar people.
Typical signs of moderate aggression in dogs include barking, growling, and baring of teeth. More serious display of aggression generally includes snapping, lunging, biting, or attempting to bite.
German Shepherd Dogs are quite a bit aggressive towards strangers.
This is because the German Shepherd Dog ranks high for aggression towards strangers.
The German Shepherd Dog ranks number 28 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards strangers.
This information is based on what 536 German Shepherd Dog owners reported on the temperament of their German Shepherd Dog in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the German Shepherd Dog has a stranger-directed-aggression score of 48.0 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit aggressive towards strangers just like the German Shepherd Dog are listed in the table below
| Stranger-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Fox Terrier (Toy) | 49.2 % |
| 26 | Fox Terrier (Wire/Wire-haired) | 49.2 % |
| 27 | Chow Chow | 48.4 % |
| 28 | German Shepherd | 48.0 % |
| 29 | Australian Shepherd | 47.9 % |
| 30 | Pit Bull mix | 47.6 % |
| 31 | Bouvier des Flandres | 44.8 % |
The dog breeds that are most aggressive towards strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards strangers are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are German Shepherd Dogs Aggressive Towards their Owners?
Due to human effort over the course of many centuries, the dog has become a very domestic animal. Dogs have learned to live well with humans. As a result, dogs respect and love their owners. Nevertheless, some dog breeds are less respectful to their owners than some other dog breeds.
Owner-aggressive dog breeds show threatening or hostile responses to their owner or other members of the household when challenged, manhandled, stared at, stepped over, or when approached while in possession of food, objects, or toys.
A dog that is owner-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite their owners.
German Shepherd Dogs are a little bit aggressive towards their owners.
This is because the German Shepherd Dog ranks low for aggression towards its owner.
The German Shepherd Dog ranks number 84 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards their owners.
This information is based on what 536 German Shepherd Dog owners reported on the temperament of their German Shepherd Dog in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the German Shepherd Dog has an owner-directed-aggression score of 10.4 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit owner-aggressive just like the German Shepherd Dog are listed in the table below
| Owner-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Owner-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 81 | Australian Kelpie | 11.0 % |
| 82 | Keeshond | 10.9 % |
| 83 | Labrador Retriever | 10.7 % |
| 84 | German Shepherd | 10.4 % |
| 85 | Giant Schnauzer | 10.3 % |
| 86 | Weimaraner | 10.2 % |
| 87 | English Setter | 9.5 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards their owners are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are German Shepherd Dogs Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
Dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs will direct aggressive threats or actions toward unknown or unfamiliar dogs.
A dog-aggressive dog will threaten or show hostile responses when approached by unfamiliar dogs
A dog that is dog-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite other dogs.
German Shepherd Dogs are quite a bit aggressive towards other dogs.
This is because the German Shepherd Dog ranks high for aggression towards other dogs.
The German Shepherd Dog ranks number 29 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards other dogs.
This information is based on what 536 German Shepherd Dog owners reported on the temperament of their German Shepherd Dog in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the German Shepherd Dog has a dog-directed aggression score of 66.2 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit dog-aggressive just like the German Shepherd Dog are listed in the table below
| Dog-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | Belgian Malinois | 66.8 % |
| 27 | Basenji | 66.6 % |
| 28 | American Pit Bull Terrier | 66.5 % |
| 29 | German Shepherd | 66.2 % |
| 30 | Jack Russell Terrier | 65.8 % |
| 31 | Saint Bernard | 63.0 % |
| 32 | Staffordshire Bull Terrier | 62.6 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards other dogs are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are German Shepherd Dogs Afraid of Strangers?
Some dogs breeds tend to be fearful of strangers.
Dogs that are fearful of strangers will avoid strangers. These dogs will crouch, cringe, or tremble when approached by strangers.
Extreme fear in dogs is characterized by serious attempts to escape or hide from the feared stranger.
German Shepherd Dogs are somewhat fearful of strangers.
This is because the German Shepherd Dog ranks average for fear of strangers.
The German Shepherd Dog ranks number 67 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of strangers.
This information is based on what 536 German Shepherd Dog owners reported on the temperament of their German Shepherd Dog in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the German Shepherd Dog has a stranger-directed-fear score of 27.3 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat stranger-fearful just like the German Shepherd Dog are listed in the table below
| Stranger-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 64 | Belgian Sheepdog | 27.6 % |
| 65 | Irish Water Spaniel | 27.6 % |
| 66 | Doberman Pinscher | 27.3 % |
| 67 | German Shepherd | 27.3 % |
| 68 | Boxer | 27.1 % |
| 69 | Bernese Mountain Dog | 25.3 % |
| 70 | Bullmastiff | 24.8 % |
The dog breeds that show the most fear of strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of strangers are the:
Are German Shepherd Dogs Afraid of Other Dogs?
Some dogs breeds tend to show fear when an unfamiliar dog approaches them.
A dog that is fearful of other dogs will try to avoid meeting other dogs.
German Shepherd Dogs are somewhat fearful of other dogs.
This is because the German Shepherd Dog ranks average for fear of other dogs.
The German Shepherd Dog ranks number 62 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of other dogs.
This information is based on what 536 German Shepherd Dog owners reported on the temperament of their German Shepherd Dog in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the German Shepherd Dog has a dog-directed-fear score of 37.2 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat other-dog-fearful just like the German Shepherd Dog are listed in the table below
| Dog-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 59 | Australian Shepherd | 39.1 % |
| 60 | Pug | 38.7 % |
| 61 | Belgian Malinois | 38.6 % |
| 62 | German Shepherd | 37.2 % |
| 63 | Alaskan Husky | 37.1 % |
| 64 | Shiba Inu | 36.7 % |
| 65 | English Setter | 36.0 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of other dogs are the:
Do German Shepherd Dogs Have Non-Social Fears?
Dogs that are fearful of sudden or loud noises, traffic, and unfamiliar objects and situations are said to exhibit nonsocial fear.
German Shepherd Dogs are a little bit fearful of unfamiliar sounds, situations, and objects.
This is because the German Shepherd Dog ranks low for non-social fear.
The German Shepherd Dog ranks number 80 out of 124 dog breeds for being fearful of unfamiliar things and situations.
This information is based on what 536 German Shepherd Dog owners reported on the temperament of their German Shepherd Dog in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the German Shepherd Dog has a nonsocial-fear score of 22.3 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit nonsocial-fearful just like the German Shepherd Dog are listed in the table below
| Nonsocial-Fear Rank | Breed | Nonsocial-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 77 | Pug | 24.1 % |
| 78 | Akita | 22.9 % |
| 79 | Keeshond | 22.3 % |
| 80 | German Shepherd | 22.3 % |
| 81 | Border Terrier | 21.6 % |
| 82 | Black and Tan Coonhound | 21.5 % |
| 83 | Chinese Shar-Pei | 21.4 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
Do German Shepherd Dogs Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
Some dog breeds display high dog rivalry. These dog breeds will threaten or act hostile to other familiar dogs in the same household.
These dog breeds will compete with other dogs. Also, these dog breeds do not get along well with other dogs.
German Shepherd Dogs are somewhat competitive when dealing with other dogs.
This is because the German Shepherd Dog ranks average on dog rivalry.
The German Shepherd Dog ranks number 61 out of 124 dog breeds for displaying dog rivalry when dealing with familiar dogs.
This information is based on what 536 German Shepherd Dog owners reported on the temperament of their German Shepherd Dog in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the German Shepherd Dog has a dog-rivalry score of 38.6 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat competition-driven just like the German Shepherd Dog are listed in the table below
| Dog-Rivalry Rank | Breed | Dog-Rivalry Score |
|---|---|---|
| 58 | Basset Hound | 40.2 % |
| 59 | American Staffordshire Terrier | 39.1 % |
| 60 | Bull Terrier | 38.8 % |
| 61 | German Shepherd | 38.6 % |
| 62 | American Pit Bull Terrier | 38.3 % |
| 63 | Pit Bull | 38.3 % |
| 64 | Rottweiler | 38.2 % |
The dog breeds that do not get along well with other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that get along well with other dogs are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how well they get along with other dog breeds.
Are German Shepherd Dogs Easy to Train?
Dogs have high trainability have the willingness to listen to their owner. These dogs are not stubborn. These dogs obey simple commands, and they learn very quickly.
Highly trainable dogs excel at fetching objects. They also respond positively to correction and ignore distraction.
German Shepherd Dogs are very much easy to train.
This is because the German Shepherd Dog ranks very high for trainability.
The German Shepherd Dog ranks number 16 out of 124 dog breeds for easiness to train.
This information is based on what 536 German Shepherd Dog owners reported on the trainability of their German Shepherd Dog in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the German Shepherd Dog has a trainability score of 86.0 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much easy to train just like the German Shepherd Dog are listed in the table below
| Trainability Rank | Breed | Trainability Score |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | English Springer Spaniel | 88.2 % |
| 14 | German Wirehaired Pointer | 88.1 % |
| 15 | Collie | 86.4 % |
| 16 | German Shepherd | 86.0 % |
| 17 | Golden Retriever | 85.8 % |
| 18 | Vizsla | 85.2 % |
| 19 | Flat-Coated Retriever | 84.6 % |
The dog breeds that are most easy to train are the:
The dog breeds that are difficult to train are the:
Learn more about how intelligent the German Shepherd Dog is and how the intelligence of the German Shepherd Dog affects its trainability in this article on how smart the German Shepherd Dog is.
Do German Shepherd Dogs Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
Dog breeds that have high chase-drive will run after (chase) cats, birds, and/or other small animals, given the opportunity.
German Shepherd Dogs are somewhat into chasing after other smaller pets like cats, squirrels, chickens, and birds.
This is because the German Shepherd Dog ranks average for small-pet-chasing.
The German Shepherd Dog ranks number 49 out of 124 dog breeds for chasing after smaller pets.
This information is based on what 536 German Shepherd Dog owners reported on the temperament of their German Shepherd Dog in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the German Shepherd Dog has a chasing score of 54.8 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat into chasing after smaller pets just like the German Shepherd Dog are listed in the table below
| Chasing Rank | Breed | Chasing Score |
|---|---|---|
| 46 | Old English Sheepdog | 56.5 % |
| 47 | Treeing Walker Coonhound | 56.2 % |
| 48 | Vizsla | 56.0 % |
| 49 | German Shepherd | 54.8 % |
| 50 | Redbone Coonhound | 54.8 % |
| 51 | American Pit Bull Terrier | 54.7 % |
| 52 | Pit Bull | 54.4 % |
The dog breeds that like chasing after cats and other smaller pets are the:
The dog breeds that will not chase after cats and other smaller pets are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their prey drive.
Do German Shepherd Dogs Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
Some dog breeds like to stay close to their owners all the time. These dogs like attention, and they like to receive the affection of their owners.
These dogs get jealous when their owners give attention to other dogs or other people instead of them.
Dogs with these traits are described as attachment/attention-seeking.
German Shepherd Dogs are somewhat attachment/attention-seeking.
This is because the German Shepherd Dog ranks average for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
The German Shepherd Dog ranks number 55 out of 124 dog breeds for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
This information is based on what 536 German Shepherd Dog owners reported on the temperament of their German Shepherd Dog in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the German Shepherd Dog has an attachment/attention-seeking score of 54.9 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat attachment/attention-seeking just like the German Shepherd Dog are listed in the table below
| Attachment-Attention-Seeking Rank | Breed | Attachment-Attention-Seeking Score |
|---|---|---|
| 52 | Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 55.5 % |
| 53 | Boxer | 55.2 % |
| 54 | Border Collie | 55.0 % |
| 55 | German Shepherd | 54.9 % |
| 56 | Basenji | 54.7 % |
| 57 | Shih Tzu | 54.5 % |
| 58 | Lhasa Apso | 54.4 % |
The dog breeds that are always seeking the attention of their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are aloof are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their clinginess.
Do German Shepherd Dogs have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
Dog breeds that have separation anxiety do not like to be left alone.
These dog breeds tend to bark and destroy things when separated from their owners.
They become restless or lose their appetite when left alone.
German Shepherd Dogs are a little bit prone to developing separation anxiety.
This is because the German Shepherd Dog ranks low for separation anxiety relative to other dog breeds.
The German Shepherd Dog ranks number 79 out of 124 dog breeds for separation anxiety.
This information is based on what 536 German Shepherd Dog owners reported on the temperament of their German Shepherd Dog in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the German Shepherd Dog has a separation anxiety score of 30.7 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit prone to develop separation anxiety just like the German Shepherd Dog are listed in the table below
| Separation-Related-Behavior Rank | Breed | Separation-Related-Behavior Score |
|---|---|---|
| 76 | Australian Cattle Dog | 31.4 % |
| 77 | Chinese Shar-Pei | 31.4 % |
| 78 | Vizsla | 31.3 % |
| 79 | German Shepherd | 30.7 % |
| 80 | Anatolian Shepherd | 30.5 % |
| 81 | Poodle (Standard) | 30.0 % |
| 82 | Newfoundland | 29.8 % |
The dog breeds that are most prone to develop separation anxiety are listed below. These dog breeds do not like to be left alone. These dog breeds are the:
- Treeing Walker Coonhound
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- Chinese Crested
- Miniature Pinscher
- Australian Silky Terrier
The dog breeds that are least prone to develop separation anxiety are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their tendency to develop separation anxiety.
Are German Shepherd Dogs Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
Dogs that are touch-sensitive are fearful of `painful` procedures such as bathing, grooming, nail clipping, and veterinary examinations.
These dogs do not like going through these `painful` procedures, and they will react to show they do not like the procedure.
German Shepherd Dogs are a little bit touch-sensitive.
This is because the German Shepherd Dog ranks low for touch sensitivity.
The German Shepherd Dog ranks number 76 out of 124 dog breeds for touch sensitivity.
This information is based on what 536 German Shepherd Dog owners reported on the temperament of their German Shepherd Dog in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the German Shepherd Dog has a touch-sensitivity score of 24.4 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit touch-sensitive just like the German Shepherd Dog are listed in the table below
| Touch-Sensitivity Rank | Breed | Touch-Sensitivity Score |
|---|---|---|
| 73 | Norwegian Elkhound | 24.9 % |
| 74 | Border Terrier | 24.7 % |
| 75 | English Springer Spaniel | 24.7 % |
| 76 | German Shepherd | 24.4 % |
| 77 | Eurasier | 24.3 % |
| 78 | Tibetan Terrier | 24.2 % |
| 79 | American Staffordshire Terrier | 24.0 % |
The dog breeds that are most touch-sensitive are the:
The dog breeds that are least touch-sensitive are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their sensitivity to touch.
Are German Shepherd Dogs Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
Excitable dog or hyper dog breeds display strong reactions to potentially exciting or arousing events, such as:
- going for walks
- car trips
- sound of the doorbell
- arrival of visitors, and
- the owner arriving home
Highly excitable dog breeds have difficulty settling down after arousal.
German Shepherd Dogs are somewhat hyper (excitable).
This is because the German Shepherd Dog ranks average for excitability.
The German Shepherd Dog ranks number 72 out of 124 dog breeds for excitability.
This information is based on what 536 German Shepherd Dog owners reported on the temperament of their German Shepherd Dog in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the German Shepherd Dog has an excitability score of 42.9 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat excitable just like the German Shepherd Dog are listed in the table below
| Excitability Rank | Breed | Excitability Score |
|---|---|---|
| 69 | Doberman Pinscher | 43.8 % |
| 70 | Cocker Spaniel (American) | 43.4 % |
| 71 | Schipperke | 43.1 % |
| 72 | German Shepherd | 42.9 % |
| 73 | Border Collie | 42.9 % |
| 74 | Belgian Tervuren | 42.9 % |
| 75 | Ibizan Hound | 42.2 % |
The dog breeds that are most hyper (excitable) are the:
- Australian Silky Terrier
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- American Eskimo Dog
- Parson Russell Terrier
- Miniature Schnauzer
The dog breeds that are least hyper (excitable) are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how hyper they are.
Are German Shepherd Dogs Playful? What is the Energy Level of German Shepherd Dogs
Energetic dog breeds are very playful dog breeds. These are the dog breeds that do not get tired easily.
German Shepherd Dogs are somewhat energetic.
This is because the German Shepherd Dog ranks average for energy level.
The German Shepherd Dog ranks number 50 out of 124 dog breeds for energy level.
This information is based on what 536 German Shepherd Dog owners reported on the temperament of their German Shepherd Dog in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the German Shepherd Dog has an energy-level score of 62.1 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat energetic just like the German Shepherd Dog are listed in the table below
| Energy-Level Rank | Breed | Energy-Level Score |
|---|---|---|
| 47 | Maltese | 63.4 % |
| 48 | Poodle (Miniature) | 62.8 % |
| 49 | Cocker Spaniel (American) | 62.5 % |
| 50 | German Shepherd | 62.1 % |
| 51 | Havanese | 62.0 % |
| 52 | Old English Sheepdog | 61.8 % |
| 53 | Pomeranian | 61.5 % |
The dog breeds that are most playful and most energetic are the:
The dog breeds that are laziest are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most energetic to the least energetic.
Conclusion on German Shepherd Dog Temperament
The temperament of your German Shepherd Dog comes from a combination of its genetics and what environment your German Shepherd Dog is exposed to.
You cannot change your German Shepherd Dog`s gene but you can change the things you expose your German Shepherd Dog to.
Exposing your German Shepherd Dog to dog training sessions early in its life can help you mold the temperament of your German Shepherd Dog to what you desire.
Again, with proper training, you can better your German Shepherd Dog`s temperament. To learn how to properly train a dog, I highly recommend Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your German Shepherd Dog.
If you think the German Shepherd Dog is the right dog breed for you, see our article on how much German Shepherd Dogs cost and German Shepherd Dog puppy buying guide.
Also, see our list of reputable German Shepherd Dog breeders in the United States and the prices of their German Shepherd Dog puppies.