Dog · Herding / Pastoral
German Shepherd
Loyal, intelligent, and protective — a working dog that thrives with a job to do.
- Origin
- Germany
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 22–40 kg
- Lifespan
- 9–13 years
- Apartment-friendly
- Not ideal
German Shepherds are among the most versatile working breeds, used in police work, search and rescue, and assistance roles. They are intelligent, loyal, and deeply attached to their families.
That intelligence and drive mean they need mental and physical work every day. Under-exercised or under-socialised shepherds can become anxious, reactive, or destructive.
With children: Good with well-socialised families; supervise with small children because of size and herding instinct.
The full profile
Temperament, exercise, grooming, training, feeding, health watch-list, and the ideal home.
💛 Temperament
Confident, alert, and protective. Often reserved with strangers but very devoted to family. Socialisation from puppyhood is essential.
🎾 Exercise
Two hours of mixed activity a day for most adults: walks, runs, and structured activities like obedience, tracking, or agility.
🪮 Grooming
A double coat that sheds constantly and heavily twice a year — the breed is sometimes nicknamed the "German Shedder". Brush several times a week.
🎓 Training
Highly trainable and responsive to consistent, reward-based methods. They enjoy learning complex tasks and benefit from ongoing training throughout life.
🥣 Feeding
A quality diet appropriate for large, active breeds. Splitting food into two meals and avoiding vigorous exercise right after eating may reduce bloat risk.
Health watch-list
Hip and elbow dysplasia
Common in the breed; choose puppies from screened parents.
Degenerative myelopathy
A progressive spinal cord disease in older dogs; a DNA test identifies risk.
Bloat (GDV)
A life-threatening twisting of the stomach in deep-chested dogs. Know the signs — restlessness, retching without vomiting, a swollen belly — and seek emergency care.
Digestive sensitivities
Some shepherds have sensitive stomachs or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
The ideal home
Experienced, active owners who can provide training, structure, and plenty of time together.
Is a German Shepherd right for you?
✅ Often a great fit for
- Experienced owners who enjoy structured training
- Active households with time for daily exercise and mental work
- People interested in working-dog sports such as tracking or obedience
- Homes wanting a loyal, watchful companion
⚠️ Think twice
- If you have little time to socialise a puppy thoroughly
- If you want a dog that is friendly with every stranger
- If heavy year-round shedding would bother you
- If you cannot budget for possible hip, elbow, and spinal problems
History of the German Shepherd
The German Shepherd was created in the late 1890s by Captain Max von Stephanitz, who wanted a single, standardised herding dog combining intelligence, strength, and trainability. He founded the breed club in 1899 and promoted the dogs for police and military work as herding declined.
German Shepherds served in large numbers in both World Wars, and their versatility made them a global favourite for police, search-and-rescue, guide, and protection work.
Fun fact
The breed was standardised in the late 1890s by Max von Stephanitz, who wanted the ideal herding dog.
Breed profiles describe general tendencies — every animal is an individual. Health information here is general and not veterinary advice. Ask your veterinarian about screening, diet, and care for your own pet, and choose breeders or rescues who health-test and can answer your questions openly.