Will a german shepherd do well in a small apartment?

Question

I do plan to spend time with him and excercise him, you know take him outside etc.

Answer 1

It shouldn't be a problem to leave your dog in a small apartment, when it is nice outside leave your dog on a balcony, if it is cold outside leave him inside. Make sure he has lots of water and food while you are gone. In general dogs do not mind a small space as long as you take them out twice a day for their exercise and there business,they will be happy. Also make sure to spend sometime with your dog wether it is outside or at home, dogs love attention.
Hope this helps you

Answer 2

I keep a German Shepherd and I live in a small two bedroomed bungalow which has only a small garden. I don't think the size of your home matters, just as long as the dog has a place that is specifically his/her own. Although my house might be classed as very small, I use one of the bedrooms for the dogs room, everything she needs is in that room.

I am fortunate because I live on the outskirts of a city, I am surrounded by "dog walking, dog exercising territory". Two minutes walk from my front door and I'm into open fields, parks and woodland where the dog can run free. Although my girl is only 6 months old she gets one and a half to two hours exercises daily, more at weekends. That is the crux of the matter, German Shepherds are big, powerful, boisterous creatures who are highly intelligent, need lots of mental and physical stimulation, but most of all need strong but firm, fair and consistent leadership from you.

If you can offer these things, as I've already said, the size of your home is not a limitation.

Answer 3

Those considering a German Shepherd Dog as a family addition should make sure that this breed is the best fit for the situation. The dogs are strong in body, spirit, and mind. They need much attention, love, and firm guidance as they grow -- which they do quite quickly.

As a gawky, awkward teenager, a GSD may unintentially knock over a small child or a frail elderly person. Their strong, happy tails can clear tables, and their powerful jaws and teeth wreak havoc on furniture.

This is a slowly maturing breed with a long puppyhood, so the new owner must be prepared to provide kind but firm discipline and a secure environment to help the dog develop into a well- behaved adult. German Shepherds are active dogs. They love to run and explore their surroundings with their excellent noses. They require considerable exercise, especially while growing. This exercise can be provided by an active owner, another dog or two, or a fenced yard or dog run. Tying this dog to a house is unacceptable, as it will create frustration, boredom, and a potentially dangerous dog.

German Shepherds are very sociable dogs. They need attention and companionship. They do not do well if left in isolation from people and other companion animals.

They make excellent family dogs, because, although they sometimes pick one person as their special person, they can relate well to all members of the household. If they are raised with children, they will develop an abundance of tolerance to the grabbing and poking of tiny fingers.

Raising a puppy with young children takes extra patience and effort for parents. Often the fast-growing puppy will use his teeth in playing with children and their toys, sometimes resulting in scratches. Young children often excite puppies who want to wrestle and chase -- like they did with their littermates.

Children can undo all the work a parent has done in training the puppy because a small child is neither firm nor consistent with the pup. As long as parents realize that they will need an extra dose of patience, the German Shepherd puppy can grow up side by side with the children and be a source of lasting memories for all.


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Care and training
German Shepherds are keenly intelligent and enjoy learning. Basic obedience training is excellent for them. Many of them enjoy learning tricks as well (or more!)

This is a natural breed, meaning that it does not require clipping or unusual grooming. Only occasional baths are needed. German Shepherds are double-coated with a coarse, water-resistent outer coat and a heavy, woolly undercoat. They are heavy shedders, especially in spring, and require regular combing. This is definitely not a dog for those who cannot abide dog hair on the furniture, carpets, clothes, etc.

Answer 4

German shepherds require a lot of room. It would be hard on him to be in a confined space like a small apartment. I would go with a smaller breed for an apartment dog, at the largest something along the lines of a cocker spaniel. It would not be fair to a dog like a german shepherd to be that contained, no matter how many times a day you plan on taking him out.

Answer 5

If you have a pet the size of a German Shepherd, it is not fair to the animal or any pet that size to have anything less than a large yard that they can run and play in. So no he would not do well. I don't know if you know it but he will be somewhere between 60 and 90 pounds when full grown.

Answer 6

You need to do more than take him outside. You need to take him for runs DAILY - along the lines of 3-5 miles a DAY, PLUS providing him with toys that entertain and keep him busy. Shepherds are working dogs, they need something to do. If they are left home to get bored, they will get destructive.

Answer 7

For many years, until GSDs began having such hip problems, they were the dog of choice for Guide Dogs for the Blind. They are very versatile dogs, and adapt to most living conditions.
However, for the sake of his health and longevity, he does need to get out for serious workout (exercise) frequently..If you are an outdoorsy person,and willing to involve him in activities, he should do fine..Joining the local kennel club and involving in frisbee, agility, or higher obedience work would really be great for him..So that he has constant challenges and socialization..This would ward off the 'cabin fever'..

Answer 8

I don't think a dog that big that requires a a lot of exercise would do well in an apartment. I'd be prepared for some practiced misbehavior if you get one. I'd go for a smaller, not as activity minded type breed. NOT a Jack Russell terrier, though.

Answer 9

it should. my mom has one in her house, which is about 900 sq. ft. (about the same size as a 2 bdrm apt.) She takes him out and plays with him at least once a day. The only problem you could possibly come across is if you live in a climate that will restrict 'outside time' due to bad weather. It could become very 'cabin-feverish!'

Answer 10

Make sure you take him on plenty of walks and maybe to a dog park. I live in a house and he just about runs the place even though he has a backyard to play in to