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German Shepherd Dogs (GSD) are highly intelligent, loyal, and friendly dogs. They make fantastic family pets, as they generally get along great with kids and other animals. If you’ve fallen in love with a German Shepherd already, you know how much they can add to your life and all the benefits they offer. Maybe you’ve even considered adopting a second one to your family, but you’re not quite sure if two can live together harmoniously.
Yes, two German Shepherds can be housed together, but there are some things you should know first. Read on to learn more.
Can Two German Shepherds Live Together?
Two German Shepherds can absolutely live together since they’re social animals that tend to get along well with other dogs. However, there are some things potential owners should know before bringing in a second GSD to their home to make the transition as seamless as it can be.
Proper Introductions
A proper introductory period is essential for introducing two pets, regardless of their breed. The initial meetings need to be done on neutral territory, so your resident dog doesn’t feel their space is threatened.
It is recommended to have two separate handlers during the introductions and do them with the dogs on a leash. Have treats at the ready to reinforce calm behavior and positive responses. Be aware of your dog’s body language and work on decreasing the distance gradually; you do not need to rush it. The main focus should be calm behavior. If a dog gets too excited, the other might respond in unexpected ways, including feeling intimidated, and it is best to avoid that.
Observe Body Language
Body language awareness and attention to detail is necessary during their first several interactions. This allows you to pick up on any subtle body language your dogs may be exhibiting while also giving you a chance to intervene if you pick up signs of aggression.
Realistic Expectations
Owners must realize dogs do not come pre-programmed to do what we expect them to. They need to be trained and guided to understand what we want. Training is a non-negotiable part of dog ownership, especially when you’re working with two large breed dogs, but it’s not something that comes easy for every dog or their owner. It’s important to set goals with training, but know that if you’re not meeting them as you expected, it’s okay to reach out to professional trainers for help.
Individual Personalities
No two dogs are the same, and while your friend might be able to house their two German Shepherds together, you may not have the same luck. Your dog’s age and personality should be considered before deciding to bring another German Shepherd into the home. If your resident dog is prone to bouts of aggression or can be territorial, you may want to reconsider bringing in another pet until you have these behaviors under control.
What’s It Like Living With Two German Shepherds?
They Have High Exercise Requirements
German Shepherds are highly active dogs requiring a fair amount of exercise daily. Exercising with two German Shepherds can be great, especially if your dogs are trained and know what you expect of them during your exercise sessions. However, if one or both aren’t trained, even going outside with them can be a nightmare.
They Shed a Lot
German Shepherds shed a lot, and if you have two of them, you’ll constantly contend with their fur. These double-coated dogs will shed year-round, so be prepared to deal with the excess fur floating around your home. We highly recommend investing in a high-quality pet vacuum and implementing a daily cleaning routine.
They Can Get Destructive
GSDs are a working dog breed, so they are happiest when they have a job to do. They can become very destructive and develop behavioral issues when they’re not challenged enough mentally and physically. A bored GSD can become a badly behaved GSD, and if you have two German Shepherds, you’ll have a big problem on your hands.
German Shepherds can excel in numerous activities like obedience, agility, tracking, and nose work, so get your pups involved in a fun activity that challenges them (and tires them out).
They Require a Strong Leader
German Shepherds require a calm and confident alpha, and if you’re not prepared to step into that role, you may want to consider a different dog breed. GSDs can be very strong, confident, and assertive, and if you’re not being a good leader,
your dogs will feel confused, and assume that they are supposed to fill the role, which can lead to fighting between dogs and a nightmare for the owner.
They Are Vocal
German Shepherds, especially those who aren’t given enough mental or physical stimulation, can develop a bad barking habit. This breed is pretty vocal due to its protective nature, and unless you put in the work to train them not to bark, you might become the annoying neighbor with two incessantly barking dogs.
They Are Very Loyal
GSDs are one of the most loyal and courageous dog breeds. They’re naturally protective and will keep a close eye on their family members and their home. However, harnessing their guarddog skills does require training.
Can I Adopt Two German Shepherds at Once?
While adopting two German Shepherds at once can be doable, we don’t recommend it unless you have extensive experience with the breed. Puppies need a lot of one-on-one time for bonding, exercising, and training, and trying to juggle the needs of two large-breed puppies at once can be extremely overwhelming. Not to mention the risk of them developing the “littermate syndrome” because, yes, puppies feed on each other’s energy.
There is much debate over whether the term ‘syndrome’ is appropriate as it implies a specific behavioral or psychological condition when the problems associated with bringing home litter mates are more likely to be due to the challenge of training puppies that would much rather be playing together than learning, and that litter mates will have established relationships and boundaries already, so it is more difficult to start fresh with how things will work in your home.
Can Two Same-Gender German Shepherds Live Together?
Unfortunately, we don’t have a “yes” or “no” answer to this question, as it all boils down to each dog’s temperament and compatibility.
There’s a saying that goes, “Male dogs fight to breed while female dogs fight to breathe,” and according to many same-sex GSD owners, this holds true.
Same-sex dog aggression (also known as intrasexual aggression) is typical of male dogs that have reached puberty. This behavior does appear to be driven by testosterone, so two male German Shepherds living together is possible, but it’s best to have them neutered to reduce the likelihood of aggression.
However, researchers found that nearly 80% of inter-dog household aggression involved same-sex pairings1, though most (68%) cases involved a female.
So, can two female German Shepherds live together? Or two males? While two same-sex GSDs may be able to live together harmoniously, it isn’t a guarantee. However, it may be more easily achievable if both dogs are properly trained and socialized.
Opposite-gender pairs sometimes exhibit less territorial and aggressive behavior toward each other and are most often recommended for multi-pet homes.
Final Thoughts
German Shepherds are fantastic dogs with many wonderful qualities to offer their human family members. They’re loyal, protective, friendly, playful, and can generally get along well with other dogs. If you plan on adopting two German Shepherds, it’s best to do so staggered so you can focus all your time and energy on training one dog before bringing another into the home. Additionally, you may want to consider adopting an opposite-gendered pair as they may get along more easily than two dogs of the same sex. That’s not to say it’s impossible to have two female or two male dogs, but it is harder to predict the compatibility of opposite-gendered pairing.
Featured Image Credit: Jennay Hitesman, Shutterstock
