So, you brought in a German Shepherd dog to be the guardian and protector of your household. But now, as he is getting older and bigger, you feel like something is missing in his life. It seems as if he needs a good friend or a dog partner with whom he can play and enjoy his leisure time.
Thus, whether you are thinking of bringing your adult male or female dog and a small puppy to bring out more of its protective instincts by making it a proud dad or mom. Or want to bring in a same-aged high-energy level buddy who can elevate the mood of your German Shepherd?
Look no further, as we have the whole list of pooches who’ll not only bond well with this pup but also bring out the playful and calm side of this highly intelligent German Shepherd.
Dog Breeds That Go Well With German Shepherds
1. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
To blend in a natural herding hero with another greater herder is always a great combination. But when you think about the small-to-medium-sized Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the large German Shepherd, you might think it’s a bad duo to be in the same place. We thought the same, but were positively surprised.
These two pooches have more in common than you think. From their erect and pointy ears to their wolf-like and fox-like faces, and their beautiful expressive eyes, where the German Shepherd has almond-shaped, mesmerizing orbs, and the Corgi has a set of beautiful oval eyes that match their coat color.
Although they match on the outside, with only a height and weight difference. Both these pooches have major differences on the inside, as both these herding dogs have quite different temperaments and personalities.
The German Shepherd is a blend of strong protective instincts, work ethic and fearlessness, loyalty, and intelligence.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a happy pup with a constant smile on its face and an endearing attitude that is friendly, outgoing, and playful. Hence, if these two pooches are brought together in one place, they’ll be a perfect blend of happiness and spirit, along with seriousness and sobriety.
Their crossbreed is called a Corman Shepherd, which looks like a GSD with short stubby legs and an energetic flair.
2. Boxer
If you want to see a battle of egos and playful aggression, bring in a Boxer and a German Shepherd together. Both these intelligent pups are equally strong, need ample space to play, and are highly attached to their owners. Both these pooches are Velcro dogs who’ll face separation anxiety if left alone.
Soon, your house will become a place of goofy entertainment and comedic power struggle, or a place of complete harmony. Two extremely powerful and protective pups will form a wonderful guard brigade.
Pawlicy Advisor says it is important to introduce both these courageous pooches to each other with patience and careful, deliberate introductions. Proper training for these high-energy dogs is also necessary from a young age.
Daily exercise and mental stimulation activities are crucial for them, or they’ll end up resorting to mischief because of their stubborn streaks.
According to the American Kennel Club, these daring and daunting pooches, despite their long history of being hunting dogs, hold a tremendous amount of love for their owners and just want to love and be loved in return. They are the happiest when they are with their family, especially children.
3. Labrador Retriever
The ultimate versatile hero of the canine club and a popular choice for all dog fans in America, the Labrador Retriever is a perfect choice as a playmate for your kids and your strong fur baby. Labs are incredibly social and loyal dogs who have an affectionate temperament.
If you want a perfect squadron of extremely active yet gentle police dogs, or protective bodyguards for your family. You can consider the German Shepherd and Labrador pair as pets. Just be aware of the food fanaticism of the Lab and the suspicious stranger syndrome of your German puppy.
Moreover, if you bring in a male German Shepherd and a female Labrador, they’ll even make a great power couple. That will eventually give you a bunch of puppies who are the best of both worlds, German Shepradors.e.
These bold, bouncy pooches are quite strong and full of energy; hence, be prepared to enroll them in obedience classes. Labs love water, but are completely waterproof!! And did you know? These dogs are unique hybrids because they have an otter’s tail and webbed paws!
4. Golden Retriever
Interested in seeing how the most affectionate and loving pooch in the world blends in with the most dangerous and daunting stronghearted hero? Bring in a Golden Retriever who practically loves anything and everything on this planet and can get along with a German Shepherd flawlessly.
But the German Shepherd usually takes quite some time to bond and be friendly with other people and breeds.
But if we see both these breeds as versatile working dogs. The Retrievers and German Shepherds are both excellent companion dogs, therapy dogs, and search and rescue dogs who, if raised in a loving and attentive environment, can foster a great, harmonious bond.
Just be prepared for a lot of activity and sessions of fetch and hide and seek that you’ll need to keep both fur buddies happy and healthy. Continental Kennel Club quotes that it is vital to introduce both dogs to each other gradually, under supervision and proper care.
Moreover, if you bring a male and female puppy home, you might even get a surprisingly adorable Golden Shepherd as a bonus for your creative thinking and unique idea.
These Retrievers are excellent at agility and obedience competitions and are the most photogenic dogs. Have a position in the Guinness book of World Records!! for holding five tennis balls at once in its mouth – a Golden named Augie holds this prestigious title.
5. Border Collie
This black and white herding dog is the smartest dog breed in the world, which is popularly known for its highly energetic temperament, active and friendly nature. The German Shepherd is known for its sturdy and sometimes grumpy attitude.
But can you imagine if the world’s greatest intelligent dog blends with the world’s strongest canine? Oh man, we cannot emphasize enough the mischief and secret agendas that will be planned and executed in your household. Or the uninterrupted zoomies you’ll have to handle, just beware of this 30-mph running Collie.
Because even if your German Shepherd isn’t a trailblazer or a firecracker, it will become one after the Border Collie enters the scene. Both these pooches, when bonded well, can become a hailstorm of energy and enthusiasm at your homestead. Because both are great at tracking, escaping, working on farms, trailing, hiking, and patrolling.
Just make sure to provide both your dogs with proper training and socialization from a younger age. Omlet says it is advised and recommended to bring in a male and male duo or a male and female duo of German Shepherd and Collie, which will form a dynamic partnership. Furthermore, if these pooches breed together, you will get the most iconic puppy who is sometimes called a Shollie.
This mix of the German Shepherd and the Collie will be an independent thinker, incredibly sensitive, intuitive, highly trainable dog with an extremely strong herding instinct due to its herding parents, and will be the most adorable and perky puppy you’ve ever seen.
6. Australian Shepherd
Imagine a German Shepherd with half floppy prick ears, beautiful heterochromatic or blue eyes, a luxuriously colorful merle coat, and white patches on the withers and tail. That is exactly what you’ll get along with a lot of zoomies, marathons, nipping, protectiveness, and herding all day and night from your German Australian Shepherd.
VCA Animal Hospitals says these high-energy pooches, when paired together, can make the task of pet parenting a lot more challenging. Many owners might even run the other way due to less time and ability to take care of this rambunctious bunch of pooches.
Moreover, you should also consider spaying or neutering two male dogs in the hope that they get along better and to maintain a peaceful environment in your multi-pet household. Neutering can be beneficial in males because two males in place can more likely lead to a power struggle.
Hence, make sure to either choose a male and female puppy, or if you want two females or males, then choose spaying and neutering these puppies to make their raising and handling more manageable.
Here comes a freight train of fun and quirkiness because we are here to talk about the famous Aussies, who aren’t even Australian! These pooches who gained popularity due to their appearance in Rodeos are dogs with many names, some called them Spanish Shepherds, Pastor Dogs, Bob Tails, New Mexican Shepherds, and Californian Shepherds.
But the most bizarre fact about Aussies is that the Native Americans called them “Ghost Eye” and considered them sacred because of their pale blue ghostly eyes.
7. Belgian Malinois
It is said that two things that look alike go well together. Hence, a Belgian Shepherd or Belgian Malinois who looks incredibly similar to a German Shepherd can get along because they both have similar working backgrounds and are used in similar fields like the police, military, and guarding organizations.
Many people often make a mistake and think that a Belgian Malinois is a German Shepherd. Both of these dogs have similar traits and tend to be great partners. Yes, they might need proper training and exposure before becoming a team.
The Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd are both protective and territorial. Thus, if you are considering bringing in a Belgian Malinois as a companion dog for your German Shepherd, make sure it’s of the opposite gender to your puppy, or bring in a younger dog than a German Shepherd.
Purina advises it is essential to supervise the interaction between these two intelligent pooches because, in the beginning, when they aren’t used to each other’s presence, anything can happen.
Lovingly called Mals, these dogs are preferred by U.S Navy Seals and are given special body armor and night vision goggles for their missions.
Amusingly enough, these pooches beat the heavy German Shepherds in skydiving, as they are lighter. Hence, they are preferred in military operations by military parachutists who can easily tandem jump with these dogs strapped to them.
Conclusion
In the end, if you are extremely keen to foster many dogs in your home, and want to be their ideal place of refuge. Then it is recommended by veterinarians and dog enthusiasts to maintain a consistent routine and schedule for feeding, training, exercise, and play to make your pooches more comfortable.
A predictable and safe environment can mellow down and discipline even the high-energy and challenging breeds in the world. We hope you loved learning about these wonderful purebreds and mixed-breed dogs.
They have all the traits from affection to loyalty and make great, gentle companion dogs for every family. But if you are still actively searching for other breeds that can get along with German Shepherds, then try adding the stocky and muscular Rottweiler, the ferocious and brave Siberian Husky, the merry Beagle, or the funny Pug to the mix.
