Howdy, fellow pet parents!
I’m sure you’ve heard before that in human families, birth order often gets a lot of attention and certain characteristics are assigned to each sibling based on which position they were born in. Especially if you’ve read by latest post on children birth orders, you know it’s a well-known fact that the order in which kids are born supposedly plays a big role in their personalities. The oldest is the responsible and independent one, the middle child is the sweet peacekeeper, and the youngest is the wild child. I’ve known many families with multiple siblings and this theory tends to be true, at least from my perspective and outside opinion. But as it turns out, this theoretical hierarchy doesn’t just exist only for humans. I’ve noticed that it’s alive and well with my furballs too! Specifically with my three German Shepherds, the dynamics of this species is hilariously accurate and similar to people. You’d be amazed at how much my furry companions fit into the stereotypical birth order traits you’d expect from human siblings. Here are some of the quirky parallels between human birth order traits and my doggos.
The Oldest: My Independent, Anxious Overachiever
- Nickname: The Responsible Queen
- Stereotypical Traits:
- Always alert and in charge (especially when it comes to everything being hers)
- Independent and obedient (but also just a little bossy)
- Full of anxiety (because the garbage truck is clearly a bringer of doom)
- The first to offer affection when I’m feeling down
My oldest girl has the typical firstborn complex down to a science. She’s always been my go-to for tricks, eager to please and show off her skills. She’s the one who seems to have it all together—independent, tries her hardest to always be obedient, and the go-to when I need a reliable cuddle buddy. She has this deeply ingrained sense of responsibility, almost like she’s carrying the weight of the world on her furry little shoulders. She watches over the other two dogs, making sure they’re in line and tending to them with her motherly instincts. She’s extremely great with other pets, including the kitties, any visitors we get, and she loves kids. She’s usually the first to alert me when something’s off. However, with all that responsibility also comes anxiety, at least in her case. Lloud noises? Forget it. Fireworks, the garbage truck, or even if she hears the neighbors chatting in their yard sends her into a frenzy of worry. Poor thing sometimes even has accidents on the floor from her nerves. But in every other way, she’s rock solid—obedient, reliable, so attentive to my emotions. She’ll always come to rescue me with her comforting presence if she hears me crying from a sad movie scene.
She also still clings to her “only child” days. She’s convinced all the food, water (even from the toilet, yuck!), and attention in the house are rightfully hers. “Firstborn privilege” as I’m sure she’d call it, if she could talk. When it comes to the number of treats she wants, her favorite number is clearly “all” (haha!). And if there’s a sliver of my affection that could be shared with her younger siblings, she’s quick to remind me that she was here first. But can you blame her? She’s my responsible, loving firstborn, and sometimes she just needs to be in charge.
The Middle Child: My Sweet, Gentle Mediator
- Nickname: The Perfect Gentleman
- Stereotypical Traits:
- Sweet and affectionate (those big brown eyes!)
- The peacekeeper (he lets the girls have their treats first, like the gentleman he is)
- Dramatic (but only when the Amazon delivery guy dares to ring the doorbell)
- Happy-go-lucky (always at my feet, content with a solo walk and belly rubs)
On to my middle child—my boy and the sweetest of the bunch. If there’s a perfect “good boy,” it’s him. He’s everything a German Shepherd is supposed to be: protective yet calm, a master of walking on the leash, and he absolutely loves pleasing his people with his obiedience. If I take him for a solo walk, you can practically see the joy radiating off him. Baths? No problem. Cuddling on the couch? You bet. Fetch? Anytime! “Give my your paw”? Absolutely (and with a smile every time!).
Despite being sandwiched between two more demanding siblings (“his girls” as we call them), he’s the happy mediator. He’s the peacekeeper, the one who tries to bring harmony to the chaos of the household, and the one who gladly steps aside in true gentlemanly form. He waits patiently for his treats, lets the girls have everything first (sometimes whether he wants to or not, haha), and never demands anything. It’s as if he knows that being a good boy is his job and he’s just so good at it. Even when the squirrel invasion begins or the doorbell rings, his bark is all drama—because, like any true middle child, he knows how to get your attention when needed. I think this comes from not wanting to be overlooked too often due to his typical quiet and peaceful nature. But mostly, he’s just content to sit at my feet while watching to tv or cooking in the kitchen whenever he has the chance, enjoying life to the fullest with his gentle heart and loving spirit. My middle baby is the ultimate love bug, always ready to offer a comforting paw or a lick on the face when things get too crazy. He’s the one who knows how to melt your heart with just one look with his big brown eyes and he’s always just the most gentle and sweet boy.
The Youngest: My Wild, Chaotic Gremlin
- Nickname: The Mischief Maker
- Stereotypical Traits:
- Wild and sneaky (if it’s missing, she definitely stole it)
- Mischief is her middle name (stealing cat food and hoarding toys like a pro)
- Rules? What rules? (They don’t apply to her, obviously)
- Sweet and charming (those puppy-dog eyes can get her out of anything)
And then, there’s my youngest—a girl who thrives on chaos and has turned “baby of the family” into an art form. She’s a rule-breaker, a food-stealer, and a toy-hoarder, all wrapped up in one mischievous little ball of chaotic and ever energetic fur. She’s wild, full of energy, has an endless supply of mischief, and always keeps me on my toes. If there’s trouble in the house, you can bet she’s at the center of it. I’ve lost count of how many times she’s knocked things off the counter, gotten into the cat’s food and the garbage can, or demanded attention with a bark that could (and does) wake the neighbors, but how can you stay mad when she looks at you with that innocent face?
She’s the type who thinks the world revolves around her, and honestly, with that level of charm, she’s not entirely wrong. But she’s also very territorial with her toys and doesn’t feel the need to share them with her siblings, especially when playing fetch. She causes plenty of mayhem, inside the house and when she’s blasting through the yard like a she’s got a jetpack strapped to her back, but she also makes sure to balance it out with her unending sweetness. One minute she’s knocking things off the table with that ever wagging tail, and the next she’s curling up beside me like the adorable, gremlin she is. She knows how to melt my heart and she’s definitely mastered the art of getting away with more than she should—because, let’s be real, she’s the baby and the rules just don’t apply to her.
The Conclusion: They’re Just Like Kids—But With Fur
At the end of the day, my three German Shepherds are my family, each with their own quirky personalities that mirror human birth order stereotypes in the funniest ways. The bossy, anxious oldest, the sweet, calm middle child, and the wild, rule-bending youngest—they’re a perfect trio, keeping life interesting and my heart full.
And while they may not always get along perfectly (the food bowl debates are real), one thing is for sure: I wouldn’t change a single thing about any of them. Whether they’re mediating a toy dispute, guarding the house from imaginary threats, or sneaking the cats’ food, they’re all good dogs in their own perfectly imperfect ways.
With lots of love for your and your furballs,
-LS