German Shepherd Dog Breed Guide

Petfulness Team By Petfulness Team Reviewed by: Sandra David DVM
19 Min Read
German Shepard
7.7 Very Good
German Shepherd Breed Review

You can’t imagine any police movie without a trustful German Shepherd Dog at the cops’ side. Here’s Barky Barko, the smarty-paw German Shepherd, barking to you to reveal this breed’s well-kept secrets and characteristics:

Hiya, I’m Barky Barko! I’m the world’s most intelligent doggo in the world! I’m here to be trained to be the most useful dog in the world! I love challenges, so puzzle toys are pawsome! I love socializing! Friendly barks with other dogs make me super happy!

Pay attention. His bark is backed by years of German Shepherd wisdom, making him the perfect pup philosopher!

Temperament & Personality

The German Shepherd (GSD) is a very famous dog breed. Its remarkable traits blend smoothly together, to create a unique, versatile and smart dog.

The Alsatian (as it is known in the UK) carries a strongly confident air, and this pairs well with its smart decision-making abilities. 

A very special trait of this dog is that it has the capability of not taking into account its surrounding environment when it focuses on something specific. It is capable of paying attention to certain persons, objects, or other animals for long periods of time and it doesn’t get distracted easily.

It is known for its loyalty and the fact that it forms very strong bonds with its family members. It often shows a close attachment to a specific person. This is the reason service dogs often have the same handler for their entire lifetime.

The German Shepherd has a protective behavior towards its handler or family, but it won’t become combative unless it’s provoked. Its aggression can be trained.  Some owners or trainers prefer to negatively channel hostility, thus obtaining dogs that will display constant aggressiveness. 

We always recommend using only positive training techniques, to obtain a well-behaved dog, that knows how to react properly to different situations, environments or people. 

The GSD’s magic personality and trainability make it the no.1 choice of the law enforcement and rescue teams when it comes to service dogs.

Compatibility with Kids & Other Pets

The GSD has a loyal and protective nature. It will totally lack aggressivity, if properly trained, so it can be an excellent companion for kids. It’s a very patient and affectionate dog, and it won’t mind if the kids ride it as a horse, pull its tail or dress the dog.

However, small children shouldn’t be left alone and unsupervised with this big dog, to prevent accidents.

The German Shepherd doesn’t mind other animals. It can live peacefully in a house full of other pets, if you teach it during puppyhood. It’ll love to play with another dog or even a cat that matches its energy levels.

Some potential companions for your Shepherd include Belgian Malinois, retrievers such as Labradors or Golden Retrievers, Boxers, other German Shepherds and well … cats. They often develop lifetime friendships with cats, believe it or not. They may also adopt gestures from their feline companion. 

Just like any other dog, it has a predator instinct, but a well-balanced dog won’t exhibit it towards smaller animals.

In the end, the GDS’ ability to adapt to living with other kids and pets can vary, based on the individual dog’s temper, experience and socialization degree. The key to fostering a harmonious environment is continuous training with positive reinforcement (as opposed to other styles of training).

Physical Characteristics

The first thing you see on a German Shepherd is the massive head with round, moist eyes and straight-up ears. This feature alone gives it an impressive image. Remember Rin Tin Tin the famous canine hero? It’s got a long, quite thin snout, that ends with a black nose.

In terms of size, the German Shepherd is a large-sized dog, and big dogs come with big bones. Adult males stand at about 24-26 inches (61-66 cm) in height, while adult females are slightly smaller, usually measuring around 22-24 inches (56-61 cm) tall.

A fully grown German Shepherd may weigh around 65-90 pounds (29-41 kg) while females tend to be lighter, at 50-70 pounds (23-32 kg).

Its body is well structured, with a large torso, and a slender abdomen, with long, thin legs. A characteristic trait of this dog is that its croup region is lower than the shoulder region.

Its body build contributes to its strength, agility and endurance. However, its size and constitution don’t compromise its elegance and ability to move gracefully.

Its fur is dense, of medium length and boy, does it shed a lot. The breed’s standard provides two colors for this breed: black and tan, with spreading variations. The most common color variety is saddle black-and-tan, where the fur on its belly and legs is tan and it has a black saddle and mask.

The color spread may vary with every kennel. Another quite common color is solid black. This dog is also known as the “Alsatian”. Some think it’s a different breed when it’s actually a variety of the GDS. Believe it or not, there is a German Shepherd with long hair, black and tan.

Colour aberrations exist too. Though rare, there might be a silver, pure white, liver (dark brown-ish) or blue colored German Shepherd.

These colors are considered genetic aberrations. While most of us pet parents cherish and love our cute rare pups, the dogs are usually disqualified from competitions, because they don’t fit the breed’s standard.

When it comes to big straight-up ears, the GDS is the absolute champion. It has big, pointy ears, that will move around when it’s paying attention to something or even go down on the back of the head as a means of communication: to show absolute submission, friendliness or affection.

In some cases, this gesture can tell you if the dog is nervous or uncertain of something.

Obedience, Trainability & Intelligence

There are many “most intelligent dogs” rankings around the web. Some are more scientific, some more subjective. But most of them place the GSD in or around #3rd place.

It has the mental capability of a three-year-old child (this is a compliment; for example, it can do a puzzle with 3-4 pieces). This is a genetically inherited trait passed on from its wolf ancestors.

Along with its intelligence come its trainability and obedience. Both blend well with its native eagerness to please, resulting in a highly amenable and skilled pooch. The GSD excels at native obedience.

In terms of obedience training, like any other dog, it requires knowing how to behave and function amongst other people or pets. So, the role of the handler is a pretty important one. 

It loves games and exercises that put its thinking cap on and test its own limits. This makes its sense of courage insatiable.

Training may begin early with this breed. The German Shepherd puppy is very cooperative, eager to learn new things and to please its handler as well. It can learn and execute commands swiftly.

This makes it a perfect candidate for easy training. Most experts agree that the Shepherd is one of the easiest dogs to train.

The GDS’s intelligence isn’t only about following commands or performing tricks. This breed has shown it has sophisticated problem-solving abilities and can adapt well to new changes.

Research has shown that the German Shepherd has cognitive skills that help it sense human emotions and even health statuses, like the status before an epileptic seizure.

These traits add to the list of the GDS’s great traits to be the favorite candidate for police and customs work, as well as service dogs.

Energy Level & Exercise Needs

The German Shepherd is an active breed, that needs a lot of physical activity to burn down energy. An adult dog requires around 2-3 hours of exercise every day. Puppies require approximately 5 minutes of physical activity per month of age, twice a day.

Running and fetching flyballs are some of its favorite activities. It loves activities that put its intelligence at work, like obedience training and tracking.

If you consider adopting a German Shepherd, you must commit to an active lifestyle. Be sure you can provide sufficient activity to prevent the dog from getting bored and restless.

A dog that doesn’t get enough exercise will become bored, anxious and will exhibit destructive behaviors. It will also gain weight and will eventually develop joint issues.

German Shepherd Puppies

German Shepherd Puppies

German Shepherd puppies are a unique blend of intelligence, agility, and strength. They get bored a lot, so interactive toys are a must. Try feeding balls, to keep them busy for a longer period.

Rope toys are also a helpful substitute for their need to chew your slippers or furniture. They love treats and will do anything to get them.

This furball’s floppy ears give him a quite funny appearance. At first, his ears will remain droopy during the teething period, between 16-20 weeks of life.

At some point during this period, its ears might rise for a while, then go back down. This is a normal process because the cartilage that forms the ear is soft and mushy.

By the end of this period, its ears will stay up straight, as the cartilage begins to strengthen. You can always help his ears and bones with calcium and vitamin veterinary supplements. These will also help with overall rapid growth. The dog doubles its birth weight by the age of one week.

To obtain a well-developed adult German Shepherd, training must begin early. The puppy is eager to satisfy, and it will respond well to obedience and proactive training.

It is important to expose the fuzzball to different situations, people, animals and places, to help it develop its ability to adapt to any situation.

Lifespan, Health Issues & Nutrition

Although it is a large breed, the GSD is a long-lifespan dog, that lives between 9 to 13 years on average. Its lifespan is conditioned by some factors such as work, genetics, environment, and the caring level.

Feed him good food, make him run to keep up his good health and just like his owner, he’ll live longer and happier.

Research has shown that females live longer, with an average lifespan of 11.1 years, compared to 9.7 years for males.

Common health issues in German Shepherds include hip and elbow dysplasia, congenital disorders that affect the hip and elbow joints and lead to pain, mobility issues, and even arthritis. 

GSD can suffer from another condition, called chronic degenerative myelopathy. This is a disorder of the nerves in the spinal cord, that is progressive and incurable and causes gradual loss of mobility and loss of feeling in the limbs.

This disease usually occurs around 8-9 years of age. There is no current treatment for it and the definitive diagnostic is given only postmortem, sadly.

They are predisposed to some skin allergies. Research has shown the GSD is either sensitive or even allergic to common ingredients used in commercial dog foods and treats, like animal proteins from eggs, beef and chicken, grains, dairy, root vegetables, or preservatives. 

Monitoring your four-legged friend’s diet is very important, so you can know exactly what it’s not supposed to eat. Its diet should be standardized like the following table:

Nutrient Component
Animal proteinMost of it’s meals
Fats<10%
Complex carbohydrates<10%
Fiber<5%

Dogs that burn a lot of calories, like service dogs and the ones that train for competitions need more complex carbohydrates and fats.

The GSD needs effective weight management, to avoid obesity and reduce the risk of associated conditions like diabetes or heart conditions. Furthermore, dogs that suffer from hip or elbow dysplasia need to maintain a stable body weight. 

Avoid unnecessary treats and overfeeding. A GSD adult requires no more than 2100 calories per day. If for some reason, your dog isn’t very active, it shouldn’t exceed 1500 calories per day.

Grooming Needs

The German Shepherd has a dense double coat, with a harsh outer layer and a soft and thick undercoat. This means it’s a big shedder, especially in springtime. You can help minimize shedding by combing your dog 3-4 times a week, using a wire brush or a Furminator. 

Bathing is required only 3-4 times a year. Overbathing can strip natural oils from the skin. The skin will be forced to produce more sebum and your dog might eventually end up with a foul smell. 

While grooming your dog, watch out for any skin lesions, parasites and other changes in the coat. A frequent combing program will ensure the dead hair is removed and the skin problems will be visible.

Trim your dog’s nails at least monthly, to prevent overgrowth and prevent any mobility problems.

Inspect your dog’s ears weekly, even daily, if you walk your dog into the forest or in wild areas. Pay attention to any possible foreign bodies, parasites or infection signs.

The entire process of grooming means an overall health check. This is your chance to observe any skin alterations, lumps, weight loss or other symptoms you may have missed before.

Adoption & Rescue Options

So, you’ve read so far what a German Shepherd is like. But will it be a stray or a puppy?

Adopting a stray may be heartwarming. Many organizations dedicate themselves to rescuing and rehoming German Shepherds. Most of them put only adults up for adoption, and they come with advantages.

They’re already socialized and trained, and most of them are already neutered and investigated for health issues. This means that some costs will be slightly lower when it comes to ownership.

It’s vital to understand that the German Shepherd requires a committed caretaker, and your entire life will change after you adopt it. You must also change your lifestyle and even your home, to accommodate the pup.

The rehab process includes:

  • medical care, to attend to the needs of the dog in foster care.
  • behavioral training, to assess the dog’s personality and temper.
  • proper socialization, so the dog will adapt quickly to its new home. 

Many dedicated platforms assist the adoption process and may help you find just the right dog for you:

You should definitely do your own research for your local area. Not all shelters and organizations have an easily accessible website.

Some of these institutions even organize playdates, so you can know the dog you’re about to bring home, face to face.

Cost of Ownership

A big dog comes with big expenses, whether you adopt an adult dog or a puppy from a professional breeder. The acquisition price may vary from one breeder to another, but it’s important to consider only renowned kennels. 

They care about their puppies and practice responsible breeding programs. Also, they practice genetic testing for some of the most familiar diseases of their dogs. They trace their puppies from the mother’s womb to the owner. 

The initial costs may include vaccinations (if the core vaccines weren’t administered), deworming, microchipping (if not provided by the kennel), and accessories for your dog. These include a bed or crate, bowls, a leash and/or harness/collar, plus any additional toys your German Shepherd pup might enjoy.

Don’t forget about professional training costs, if this is what you want. Some dogs may require additional training, besides the one you provide at home, depending on their innate personality.

Preparing Your Home

German shepherd lying on bed with sunlight passing through window
Photo by Lesly Juarez on Unsplash

When you bring a GSD into your home, there are some key points you have to consider. 

First of all, it requires a safe area, where it can sleep. You will have to set up a special area for eating and a separate area for urinating. Pet pads might come in handy here, to teach the puppy where to pee and poo.

Some of these have a special scent that attracts the puppy to that specific place, so it won’t do it around the entire house. If you bring an adult dog to your home, you must ensure regular walks, so it gets accustomed and gets to know the surroundings. 

If you own a backyard, things are easier. Provide an area designated for the dog’s food and water, preferably covered, so it won’t rain there. In the summer, make sure the dog has access to a shaded area. Make sure your fence is sturdy enough, as it might be curious (most dogs are) and escape.

When it comes to possible hazards, make sure to remove all the electrical cords that the dog might want to chew, small objects, toxic plants, and any chemical substances it might swallow.

Provide your dog with toys to keep it happy and content, to prevent it from chewing on your furniture.

Interesting Facts & Quirks

The German Shepherd as we know it today was developed by Max von Stephanitz. As an army man, he wanted to achieve creating an obedient and versatile working dog. He set the breed standards and was the first president of The Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde, or The German Shepherd Association in English. 

GSD’s are renowned for being working dogs, such as:

  • Police dogs, because of their natural protection instinct.
  • Drug-detecting dog, because of their keen sense of smell, they can be trained to smell approximately any substance from a mile away.
  • Searching dog, because the GSD can smell up to 40 feet underground and can follow a week-old scent traces.
  • Guide dogs, because they can be trained to do almost anything and help visually impaired people.
  • (Health) Status detection dogs, GSD are trained to detect epileptic seizures, coma, or diabetes.

The part of the brain that processes smell is 40% larger in a German Shepherd Dog than in a human. 

As for cultural impact, you might want to remember Rin Tin Tin, the 1920’s famous actor, and “Kommisar Rex”, the 1994-2004 TV series. 

There’s an interesting breed mix called The Shepsky, a mix between a German Shepherd and a Husky. This breed combines the intelligence and loyalty of the GSD and the striking appearance of the Siberian Husky. It kinda looks like a GSD with blue eyes.

German Shepherd Names

When choosing a name for your German Shepherd, keep in mind its name will have to fit an adult, big-sized dog.

Many owners like names that remind them of the breed’s German heritage, like Max, Kaiser, Hugo, Gustav or Adolf. For females, Heidi, Greta, Frieda or Ursula seem the best candidates. 

Others like names that underline this breed’s physical aptitudes and intelligence, like Chase, Speedy, Flash, Thunder or Arrow for males, and Xena, Leia, Valkyrie, Athena or Aphrodite. Storm is a name suited for both males and females.

Whatever name you prefer for your dog, keep it simple for training purposes, and make sure your dog learns its name fast.

Breed History & Origin

The German Shepherd’s history begins in Germany, with Max von Stephanitz. During the 1890s, there were many attempts to standardize the breed. The breeders wanted to preserve only the traits that helped the dog in herding and protecting sheep, breeding dogs from the local communities.

They obtained dogs that were able to herd sheep but looked different in every community. Thus, the Phylax Society was formed in 1891, to create a uniform dog breed for the native dogs in Germany.

After only one year, the society was abolished for various reasons, but the goal of achieving a uniform breed was already set.

Max von Stephanitz was a former member of the Pylax Society. A former cavalry officer, he wanted to obtain a working dog breed that combines speed, intelligence, obedience and good looks. So, he started breeding traditional herding dogs in 1899.

For this job, he bought his first dog, Hektor Linksrhein, soon to be Horand von Grafrath. Horand is the primary breeding stud used.

Von Stephanitz set the standards for the GSD breed as we know it today. 

https://petfulness.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/breed-review-background.jpg
German Shepherd Breed Review
Very Good 7.7
Temperament 9.0 out of 10
Intelligence 9.5 out of 10
Energy Level 8.5 out of 10
Health Issues 6.5 out of 10
Maintenance Needs 7.0 out of 10
Adaptability 7.5 out of 10
Cost of Ownership 5.5 out of 10
Size 8.0 out of 10
Protection Ability 9.5 out of 10
Compatibility with Other Pets 7.0 out of 10
Lifespan 7.0 out of 10
The whole team at Petfulness ensures our information is solid by verifying our facts with our in-house veterinarians before publishing and continuously rechecking after publication, based on updates and feedback received.
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