9781422279359

budget. You will need to make sure that your yard is secure, which means fencing at least 5 feet (1.5 m) high, as a German Shepherd is very agile and can clear heights that other breeds of the same size may not consider jumping. You must also be aware of how much it will cost to keep a large dog such as a German Shepherd, and be sure you can afford to take on this responsibility. The Shepherd’s double waterproof coat will shed heavily, usual- ly twice a year, but to some degree it can shed almost continuously. You must therefore be prepared to groom your dog regularly and buy a good-quality vacuum cleaner to minimize the amount of dog hair around the house. German Shepherds can become over-attached to one person, so it is vital to recognize the huge commitment involved in socializing a puppy with a variety of people. It is also important that all the family is happy to have a German Shepherd and are willing to share in the daily care.

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