German shepherds are loyal dogs who are very energetic and love to play. They are very lovable and very affectionate. On the other hand, poodles are elegant creatures. Poodles can be a great family pet, just like the German shepherd.
All dogs have different personalities and traits. Different breeds of dogs can get along well when they are properly trained. There are also some factors like temperament and energy levels. To coexist, these traits need to be well-suited.
Moreover, the two dogs need to have more similarities rather than differences to get along well. Fortunately, poodles and German shepherds have complementary characteristics.
They also have numerous similarities that can ensure a storing bond. Both of them are quite intelligent and playful, making them great companions.
In this detailed article, we discuss how poodles and German Shepherds can live together peacefully. We take a look at both breeds’ behavior, features, and temperament. How are they similar and what you can do to help your dog get along with other dogs?
Written By Sergey Uhanov – Certified Veterinarian.
Sergey Uhanov is a certified veterinarian for dogs over 10 years, breeding 3 dogs. He loves dogs and has his own pet clinic in Israel. He likes to help other people with their dogs by sharing his experience and knowledge.
Poodle: Features, Behavior & Health
Poodles are known to be graceful dogs. Some people have the misconception that they can be stuck-up, thanks to mainstream TV shows and movies. In reality, these pooches are very friendly, athletic, and incredibly smart.
They love to play and have an easy-going temperament. They are also very easy to train and are very affectionate. Besides being loyal, they also need to please their human caregivers. They are also quite gentle.
You do not have to worry about dealing with copious shedding and unpleasant dog odors when you have a poodle as your pet.
The only downside of this breed is that they can get easily stressed out by any chaos and noise traffic. They become neurotic when they have sensory overload.
They need to decompress with peace. Hence, it is wise to keep them in limited contact with children, especially ones who are known to be hyperactive and loud.
Grooming them can also be quite expensive. Other than these quirks, a poodle can be a furry companion with whom you can have a strong friendship. You can get puppies of this purebred from a reliable breeder with a good reputation.
Reputable breeders will be transparent and will show you the health records of their dogs. Some will also let you meet the mother before she gives birth to a litter of puppies. Alternatively, you can opt for a rescue organization.
There are some poodle rescues for adoption where you can take these adorable pups home. Giving a loving home to these pups is a fulfilling activity and can bring pure joy to everyone’s lives.
German Shepherd: Features, Behaviour & Health
German shepherds are considered the second most popular dog breed in the US. They are also known as Alsatians and are known for being incredibly brave, gentle, intelligent, and confident. Their loyalty and protective instincts are spectacular, making them exceptional guard dogs.
Despite being very playful, these large dogs are quite cautious around strangers. They are often employed as working dogs, especially in militaries and police across the world. You do not necessarily have to be on the front lines to have an Alsatian as your best friend.
They are full of energy and love to please their humans. They love playing and long walks. They make great partners for hiking and afternoon trails at the park.
You can also adopt them from local shelters and rescues. They are also easy to train, and their intelligence makes them quick learners.
The main challenge could be the regular obedience training they need. Another challenge is keeping up with their high levels of energy.
They do not prefer lazing around on the couch. They require physical activity daily.
Whether you refer to them as Alsatians and German shepherds, these dogs are amazing companions who have unmatched protective instincts and loyalty.
Similarities between Poodles and German Shepherds
Whether you have a German shepherd or a poodle at home, you need to consider their traits that can match well when adding a new fluffy family member.
Such traits should be similar so that each dog can enjoy being around the other and get along well.
Of course, every dog needs to be trained from the beginning for socialization. Here are some key traits to take into account.
Energy Levels and Playfulness
Most poodles are quite playful and athletic. They do not mesh well with other dogs who can not keep up with their energy level. Alsatians also have the same characteristic.
They love being active and enjoy playing a lot. If both the poodle and German shepherd love being physically active and are very playful, they will undoubtedly become best friends.
Exercise Needs and Activity
Despite being physically active, maintaining two dogs becomes easier if their exercise requirements are compatible.
A poodle who needs at least an hour of exercise can keep up with a healthy German shepherd as they also need similar amounts of physical activity.
Morning walks are quite exhilarating with these two pooches. When paired with a competent walking buddy, they will enjoy each other’s company.
They are also great motivators for keeping you active and healthy as well.
Jogging with these two will be more enjoyable, and you will consider it quality time rather than a daily exercise regime.
Intelligence and Trainability
Both poodles and German shepherds are intelligent breeds. Both love to please their humans. They are quite obedient and are eager to follow commands.
Training these two pups is a cakewalk. However, you need to keep in mind that not all dogs are so lenient. Some of these pups can be mischievous, especially poodles.
Mischievous poodles can open doors, find food on counters, and do other tricks that can surprise you. They can also egg on their Alsatian friend to join in their shenanigans.
Temperament
It is vital to take into account the general temperament of both breeds. Both German shepherds and poodles love getting attention and love.
They might compete with each other to get your approval. Through training, you can control such competitiveness and teach them to share the love.
The temperaments of both dogs are quite similar as they are both gentle, smart, obedient, and loyal.
However, if your poodle gets overwhelmed by their overly excited Alsatian sibling, it is best to give her a timeout.
From the temporary break, she can calm down and come back to her playful self.
Helping Your Dog Get Along with Other Dogs
It is imperative to train your dog to be sociable with other breeds, regardless of whether you plan to bring another pooch home.
Being friends with other dogs is desirable. However, the main purpose of socialization training is to help your dogs become accustomed to their surroundings.
By being in constant contact with other animals, they will be less likely to become anxious, which can lead to aggressive behaviors.
Here are some activities you can try to help your dog get along with other dogs.
Early Socializing
Reputable and knowledgeable breeders understand the importance of keeping the puppies with their mom and the litter for the first few months.
This plays an integral role in teaching them to be cooperative with other dogs and animals.
After they are adopted or taken away from their litter, it is your duty as a responsible dog parent to expose your pup to other dogs.
This will also help them immensely in developing social skills, confidence, and manners.
Invest Time in Training
You need to dedicate a significant amount of time to training your dogs. This will pay off in the long run.
It is best to plan meet-ups with other well-behaved dogs with great trainers. You can also have playdates with your friends who are fellow dog parents.
Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is key to effective training. Both poodles and German shepherds love being praised.
After successfully doing a trick or obeying your command, let your dog know what a good boy he is.
You can also give them treats as rewards. Do not forget to give them the belly rubs they deserve.
Expose Them Frequently
Even after successfully training your dog to be sociable, you still need to take them out and ensure they are in contact with other dogs.
They will come across many dogs with different temperaments and learn how to interact with each of them.
This will also enrich their social skills. The more exposure to other dogs they get, the more cooperative and comfortable they will be.
How Poodles and German Shepherds Get Along Well
Poodles are energetic dogs and love exercising. They are also not afraid to play rough.
German Shepherds can be their best friends as their energy levels are similar. The poodle can withstand the roughhousing from your Alsatian pooch.
Both of them are amazing family pets and are incredibly loyal. Their intellects are also compatible since both of them have the same level of intelligence.
GSDs and poodles are very compassionate, friendly, and obedient. They will also be very protective of each other.
Final Thoughts
Poodles and German shepherds can be best buddies as they have many similar traits that will help them to bond.
However, their sociability and cooperativeness with each other rely on their training and constant exposure to other dogs.
