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While doing our “normal” studies of the German Shepherd Dog breed, I stumbled across an article in a book. This article explained temperament in words which I believe everyone can understand. Since temperament is a HUGE deal to us, and frankly, we expect it to be to everyone who owns a German Shepherd Dog, we have included the information here so you can learn, love and enjoy the German Shepherd Dog as much as we do. There is no animal greater than a German Shepherd Dog - however many people own and even breed German Shepherd Dogs that do not meet the temperament standards that they should.
German Shepherd TEMPERAMENT (from the Standard):
“The breed has a distinct personality marked by direct and fearless, but not hostile, expression, self-confidence and a certain aloofness that does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate friendships. The dog must be approachable, quietly standing its ground and showing confidence and willingness to meet overtures without itself making them. It is poised, but when the occasion demands, eager and alert, both fit and willing to serve in its capacity as companion, watchdog, blind leader, herding dog or guardian, whichever the circumstance may demand. The dog must not be timid, shrinking behind its master or handler, it should not be nervous, looking about or upward with anxious expression or showing anxious expression or showing nervous reaction, such as tucking of tail, to strange sounds or sights. Lack of confidence under any surroundings is NOT typical of a good character. Any of the above deficiencies in character which indicate shyness MUST BE PENALIZED AS SERIOUS FAULTS (!) and any dog exhibiting pronounced indications of these must be excused from the ring. It must be possible for the judge to observe the teeth and determine that both testicles are descended. Any dog that attempts to bite the judge must be disqualified. The ideal dog is a working animal with an incorruptible character combined with body and gait suitable for the arduous work that constitutes its primary purpose.”
Erich Renner wrote, “How crystal clear does our standard explain what the German Shepherd should be like, should behave? Unfortunately, most people in the breed do not seem to pay a great deal of attention to this, the second chapter in the German Shepherd Dog standard which, in importance, is placed right behind the “General Appearance”. I often am confronted with the argument that within the breed we have a broad spectrum of behavior. The only reason people believe this, is because they either don’t know what temperament really is and should be, or they have never met a really sound German Shepherd Dog. Having the fortune to have owned some of the very best dogs, I can only repeat what I have stated many times: “If you ever have owned a mentally sound German Shepherd Dog, you will never settle for anything else.”
Erich Renner explains temperament as the face of a clock and his explanation is brilliant. He wrote, “To provide you with a simple method to judge a Shepherd’s behavior, I want you to imagine the face of a clock. The numerals are placed around the clock in a circle from 1 to 12. Since saying, “It’s almost 12 o’clock” is a rather threatening expression, implicating that 12 o’clock is doom, I decided to make six o’clock the most ideal placing on the clock. If we assume at six would be the most desirable temperament according to our standard, at 12 we would find the most undesirable temperament. From 1 to 6 we would find every variation of neurotic and shy behavior, the most extreme shyness being found between 12 and 1. On the other side, from 7 to 12 you would find the aggressive, over-aggressive and vicious dog. Not unlike politics, the extremes seem to meet. The extreme right and the extreme left have one thing in common, they are both BAD.
Again, let’s assume the ideal temperament of a German Shepherd Dog is at 6; going toward five, we would find a dog not too obviously shy. The dog at five would react a little restless at loud noises. He would act uneasy among total strangers, but would not show an avoidance behavior. He would never try to escape or panic at any sudden environmental change. Watching the dog’s expression, he would show a slight degree of uneasiness, sometimes looking around. The German Shepherd Dog placed at number five could still be trained as a Guide Dog for the blind, and could still show well. (Most of the dogs I see in the rings are fives or less). He would be a great companion and could be trained to be an excellent watchdog. He could, under expert supervision, even become a Schutzhund (protection) dog. His aggression could artificially be boosted. I have witnessed many times when dogs at five have become protection dogs. However, I doubt you could ever completely depend on a five if your life would be at stake. The really ideal service for a five would be guide work for the blind, because the five would, based upon his temperament, be careful to avoid danger, be extremely aware of his surroundings, but still be controllable. With love and affection, the five would do almost anything to please.
The German Shepherd Dog placed at four would show a marked sensitivity. He would show this characteristic shock reaction when a gun is fired. Still, he would try not to escape. This four would tremble ever so slightly when he is examined by the veterinarian. He would back off somewhat when the judge “goes over him.” He would back away from noisy cars, refuse to walk up some steep stairs, perhaps even back away from children. He is not and would not be a dangerous dog. He is usually a great watchdog and barks immediately, based on his insecurity, not on his courage. He could be, under the right care and handling, a companion. Could he be shown? I would not show a dog like that, but I have seen fours being exhibited. A clever and experienced handler can cover up so many flaws, even in behavior. Should he be shown? My answer is no, he should not even be bred. A word of warning: if you use a dog or a bitch placed at four, you must first and foremost select a breeding partner of extreme soundness. You should seek out a six, or even a seven. Never breed a four to an equal or even worse, a three or two.
The dog placed at three is definitely and unquestionably a shy animal. He would show the typical avoidance behavior, hide behind the handler or owner, refuse to let a handler show his teeth, cringe when the judge touches him, and he definitely would be showing the most obvious sign, a tucked tail. You may, when you use love and affection, bring this dog up and have him accept people, but any sudden change can throw him right back. This dog would be restless on a leash and if you observe a three off leash, he would show the so-called flight or safety distance.
The dog placed at two would be classified as extremely shy. He would exhibit the “wild look” in his eyes. He would snap at a stranger when cornered. He would try to avoid close quarters. Always reserved, he is the kind of dog the vet dislikes to handle because he is somewhat unpredictable. In the show ring, he would shy away from the judge. He would be one of the “untouchables” as I call them. Needless to say, this dog is pretty useless and should never be bred. Assuming that this dog had never experienced a trauma or illness, his behavior is a genetic problem.
The dog placed at one is pretty neurotic. Unpredictable at times, as a matter of fact, he would act and react like a wild coyote or wild wolf. Again, this animal should never be bred. I would even go so far as stating this animal should, for his own welfare, be put to sleep.
Now we look at the other side of the coin, pardon me, the clock. The German Shepherd Dog at seven is a dream to someone who can cope with a certain amount of aggressiveness. He is as sound as the standard asks, with an additional amount of toughness. He would be ideal as a Schutzhund. He would not allow a weak person to dominate him. He might get his neck hair up when he sees danger. He is all right with a family, if properly controlled. If not, he can be somewhat of a problem. He would take on another dog if provoked. But, with proper and expert handling, this dog could be shown. He is the ideal breeding partner for many of the rather “soft” prospects. He is fearless without being overly aggressive. Most of my own dogs were sevens or eights, with an occasional nine.
The dog placed at eight shows much more alertness and behaves much more aggressively. He is a dog I would advise the owner to take precautions with when going to the vet. It’s always safer to muzzle such an animal. He would be an ideal service dog. Although aggressive, he can be controlled. Only in expert hands can or should he be a house dog or companion. He can be shown, but again, cautiously. You cannot turn him over to a strange handler five minutes before a show. That trick was played on me several times, and I resented it very much. This is a dog, that, if not handled properly, could growl at the judge. He is not sensitive to anything, he is gun sure and, if used for Schutzhund work, is a consistent high winner.
The dog placed at nine is very aggressive. He should actually not be in the hands of an ordinary person, but is best in service as a police or patrol dog. Around strangers, he could be a problem, but with training he could be dynamite. Caution is needed in this case.
The dog placed as a ten has no connection with Bo Derek. Ten, in this case is not necessarily good. He is an extremely aggressive animal. He should not be owned or handled by novices. He does definitely belong in service. This dog could and has taken on his own handler when he detects any weakness. I have handled tens in the service and they are a problem. They are like a loaded gun with the safety taken off. Should be be shown? I would not advise a ten to be shown. Should he be bred? Only to partners who don’t show the same temperament or are a five or less. You see, people, you can’t correct a shyness in your line by breeding to a ten. All you end up with - let’s assume you have a litter of eight - two tens, two like the partner and the rest would likely be what I call “shy-sharp.”
Now, we are getting to the extreme, the CANINE ALLIGATOR. A dog of little use because he is too aggressive. He goes off at the slightest disturbance. He might still be all right in the service, but for ordinary people in the breed, he is of no use. I would not even breed to an eleven. He is as bad, if not worse, then the one in regards to usefulness for the breed. He is neurotic on one side, and aggressive on the other, he could become a canine criminal.
I hope this will help you to place your dog from 1 to 12 with the use of a very simplified method. Of course, the whole matter is much more complex and there are shades and degrees of behavior which I have not mentioned in this article.” (taken from TEMPERAMENT (Types of) by Erich Renner, “The German Shepherd Book”, Associate Editor Susan Barwig, 1986).
Typically, we refer to the temperament of our dogs as softer vs. harder, and have designed the “temperament clock” to reflect this. Our dogs range from 5 on the clock to 7 (although we occasionally have an 8 or a 4 available). We have indicated the temperament of each of our dogs on their page.
Following is a list of questions you should ask ANY breeder of German Shepherd Dogs regarding the parents (sire & dam) of the pup you are looking to purchase:
1.) When out with your dog in public, if someone approaches you to talk - not really paying attention to your dog, and not threatening you, what does your dog do?
2.) When out with your dog in public, if someone approaches you and wants to pet and say hi to your dog, what do you say and what does your dog do?
3.) When out with your dog in public, if your dog hears a strange noise, what does your dog do?
4.) How does your dog respond to loud, sudden noises such as gun shots, the back fire of a car or loud arguing?
5.) When your dog is spooked by something, does the dog eventually approach the thing or person that spooked your dog, how long does it take your dog to approach whatever spooked him and how does the dog react when he approaches?
6.) If you are out walking and there is a metal grate or plastic sheet on the ground, does your dog walk over it, or does your dog go around/jump over it?
7.) Have you ever been in a situation while with your dog when someone actually spooked/frightened you? How did your dog respond?
8.) When someone comes over to your house that you and/or your dog do not know, how do your dogs greet the stranger?
9.) What would provoke your dog to bite?
Believe it or not, there are STANDARDIZED answers to the questions asked above - they are all part of the GSDCA Temperament Certification. Every breeder should be able to answer these questions, their answers should reflect correct temperament within the GSD breed. If the answers given are “too correct” be aware, you may only be receiving the “answers” to the test. It’s usually easiest to ask for a specific example. However, remember... breeders have JUST AS MUCH right to question you as you have to question them, and the reality is that some may become irritated if their website already gives the information you are asking, make sure to read the website FIRST.
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