Will Biden family adoption of German shepherd lead to breed overpopularity?

December 18, 3:54 PMTacoma Dogs ExaminerPenny Eims

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Kruger, from the WA German Shepherd Rescue

Most everyone knows that the Biden family recently welcomed an adorable German shepherd puppy into their family. My first thought was “I hope they know what they are getting into!” While German shepherds are, without a doubt, one of the most exceptional breeds, not everyone is meant to own them. Having worked with German shepherds extensively for the past several years through the Washington German Shepherd Rescue and the Northwest German Shepherd Rescue, I have certainly run across many individuals who have no business accepting this noble breed into their lives.

Despite the best of intentions on the part of the adopters, or potential adopters, things can run amok quickly. Those of us who have owned shepherds for years encounter little to no difficulty with the breed; newcomers are not always so lucky. German shepherds have many traits which can attribute to ownership difficulties if care is not exercised. Intelligence, strong will, defensiveness, and their natural instinct to herd (especially anything fast moving) can make behavior issues all too common. Owners who fail to provide strong leadership, good boundaries, consistent training, or a lack of stimulation will often run into problems quickly (hence the alarming number of shepherds in shelters and rescues nationwide). 

Ideally, the Biden family’s prior breed experience will lead them to a wonderful relationship with their new puppy. My fear is that German shepherds will become the new “must-have” breed for individuals seeking a dog. The fallout at shelters after a surge in breed popularity is sad and frightening. If you are considering a German shepherd, read up on their innate characteristics and contact your local rescues to see if they are right for you. In my opinion, the German shepherd dog is without equal, but they aren’t for everyone. That being said, a good match and proper ownership makes for a magical experience. Many times I’ve heard the expression, “German shepherds have human eyes” and it is true….these dogs are so attuned to their owners that their connection is unparalleled.

Please visit www.northwestgermanshepherd.org or www.washingtongsd.org for more information on German shepherds in need here in Washington.