12 dog breeds first-time owners should think twice about

5. German shepherd

German shepherds are the second-most popular dog breed in America, according to the AKC, and with good reason. German shepherds are intelligent, affectionate and protective family dogs. They also require obedience training to prevent their protective natures from posing challenges to their owners. Take a hint from their popularity ranking — German shepherds are a good choice for your second dog, once you have figured out what it takes to be a dog owner.

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