German Shepherd Steps up To Parent Tiny Orange Kittens and Totally Nails It
Sometimes the unlikeliest of creatures end up being the perfect choice.
German Shepherds sometimes get a bad rap when it comes to being nurturing parents, since they're such good guard dogs and trained to protect, but this dog is proving everyone wrong.
Viewers couldn't be more surprised at what this German Shepherd named Zero does with these kittens.
@zero.theshepherd Not the stepdad, but the dad that stepped up And yes, Cheeto absolutely loves it. He comes running to Zero now #germanshepherd#gsdpuppy#germanshepherdpuppy#kitten#orangecat
original sound - Zero the Shepherd
This German Shepherd with kittens is the absolute picture of a doting and sweet parent as he licks and hugs these tiny Orange Cats.
He's not even the same species, and yet he's the perfect foster parent to these tiny kittens.
Related: Little Black German Shepherd Puppies Look Like Walking Dust Bunnies
What Makes German Shepherds So Nurturing?
German Shepherds are known for their excellent protective instincts, making them natural guard dogs.
That's why they're also the most popular dog breed in police forces, as they're highly intelligent and easy to train, as well as extremely capable athletes.
For a little bit of history, the German Shepherd was originally bred in the late 1800s by Max von Stephanitz in Germany, according to the American Kennel Club.
As early as 1910, these dogs were working with police and military forces, according to the Misty Ridge Boarding Kennel.
They also have an incredible sense of smell, which makes them excellent dogs for tracing narcotics, explosives, and humans.
With their daunting size and that stereotypical image of a guard dog, we sometimes forget that these pups are also extremely loyal, nurturing, and protective, especially of their own puppies as well as vulnerable creatures like tiny kittens.
Because the protective instincts of German Shepherds are so deep in their genetic makeup, they are natural protectors of anyone in their pack, including humans and new additions like foster kittens.
This is very evident as Zero, the German Shepherd, licks the tiny kittens. Though one Orange Kitten is a bit more trepidatious than the other at first, in the caption, Zero's parent explains that Cheeto now loves to be licked and groomed by his foster dad.
We love seeing this German Shepherd defy stereotypes with these tiny kittens!
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This story was originally published June 29, 2026 at 9:55 AM.