Get to know
German Shepherds
Written by author of 34 dog books. by Nate Ritter, DVM.
Caroline Coile, Ph.D.,
Veterinarian reviewed
Written by author of 34 dog books, including the top-selling Barron's Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds.
Caroline Coile, Ph.D.,
Veterinarian reviewed
He’s your hero, your friend, your equal. Strong, brave, intelligent, loyal, this breed has saved many lives worldwide. Whether as a military dog, police dog, search & rescue, or best friend - the German Shepherd is a hero of the dog world.
Any roster of heroic and famous dogs is dominated by German Shepherds. From early iconic movie stars Strongheart and Rin Tin Tin, to Buddy the first Seeing Eye dog, on to the thousands of GSDs deployed to fight in every American military action of the 20th century, German Shepherds have inspired, improved, and saved countless lives.
As much as they’ve made an impact in so many public ways, their greatest contribution is no doubt is their role as a family protector and loyal companion to countless people. It’s no wonder they’ve been among America's most popular breeds for decades.
Browse available puppies
Connect with reputable breeders to find the dog of your dreams
At a glance
Moderate Energy
Energy level
3/5
Very Low Maintenance
Grooming
2/5
Extra Large
Size
Alert, intelligent, protective
Temperament
7-10 years
Lifespan
Highly Trainable
Training
5/5
Medium Vocality
Barking
3/5
At a glance
Energy level
Moderate Energy
Grooming
Very Low Maintenance
Size
Extra Large
Temperament
Alert, intelligent, protective
Lifespan
7-10 years
Training
Highly Trainable
Barking
Medium Vocality
Why people love the breed
Bravery. Reliability. Loyalty. Intelligence. Those are some of the main reasons people love German Shepherd Dogs. Add to that the breed’s stunning physicality, handsome appearance, and willingness to take on and then succeed at almost anything, and it’s no wonder the GSD is loved worldwide.
The German Shepherd is one of the most beloved breeds in the world. The love affair in America started with canine movie superstars Strongheart and Rin Tin Tin, who set the bar for the ideal family protector. But German Shepherds are far more than mere protection dogs. They excel at everything a family dog should be. They’re emotionally perceptive, faithful, attentive, obedient, and have an intelligence that seems almost human. They have a strong work ethic, and do best when they have a job.
Not only are they favorites for families, but they’ve been longtime favorites for more jobs than most other breeds. Livestock herder and protector; military messenger, sentry, and patrol dog; police drug detector, tracker and attack dog; guide dog for the blind—give the Shepherd a job and that job will get done, and done well.
Appearance
The German Shepherd is a handsome athletic dog that appears to be always at attention and ready to spring into action. It has a large physique, but more streamlined and accentuated, built to trot like no other dog can.
The most common words to describe the German Shepherd’s appearance are handsome, athletic and strong. The Shepherd has an outline of smooth curves, with a body that is longer than tall. It tends to slope downhill from front to back, with acutely angled limbs that give it superb trotting ability. It is known for its elastic effortless ground-covering gait with tremendous reach of the front legs and strong drive from the rear.
The bone is moderately heavy, for strength. The head is strong and chiseled, the ears pricked and at attention, the tail bushy and hanging in a slight curve. Ears and tail are never cropped or docked.
The double coat consists of a fairly dense undercoat and a dense, straight or slightly wavy outer coat of harsh, close-lying medium-length hair. It comes in a variety of colors, with a black saddle over tan body most popular, but also black or any shade of sable.
Grooming
Grooming a German Shepherd is simple. It requires occasional brushing and bathing, with more frequent brushing when shedding. Be on the watch for skin problems, which can be serious.
Grooming requires weekly brushing with a pin or bristle brush, and bathing every month or so. During shedding seasons (twice a year) be prepared to brush every day for about two weeks, as they do shed a lot then. Bathing in warm water can help loosen the hair and hasten the process.
German Shepherds have a tendency to get itchy skin problems. Be especially careful to keep them free of fleas and other parasites. Sometimes the problems come from pollen or other inhalants, or from food sensitivities. Skin problems should be addressed at the first sign, as they tend to get worse as the dog scratches and chews. Start by making an appointment with your veterinarian. German Shepherds naturally have a bit of a doggy odor, but skin problems magnify it.
Trim the nails as needed (possibly less often in working or extremely active dogs), check the ears (don't clean them unless they’re dirty) weekly, and brush the teeth daily.
Img:
LaMarca's Kennels
Breed temperament and characteristics
The German Shepherd’s temperament is legendary. Not many other breeds are as famed for their combination of bravery, loyalty and intelligence. But they do need guidance to be all that they can be.
Imagine yourself behind enemy lines, with just a dog at your side. Countless soldiers have found themselves in that situation, depending on that dog—most often a German Shepherd—to get them back home. Or imagine walking down a busy sidewalk-–blind-–with a dog to guide you. Historically, that dog was a German Shepherd. Imagine being in your home alone, at night, when an intruder breaks in. Fortunately, your dog—a German Shepherd—runs him off. These scenarios have played out countless times. There’s no denying that the German Shepherd is the hero of dogdom.
Besides being protective, German Shepherds have a high intelligence, they can alert to trouble whether it’s danger from outside or simply a sad family member. They’re great with active adults, the elderly and with well-behaved children, but they also need to be carefully introduced to them when the dog is young. Some Shepherds can be aggressive, and others can be shy and timid. Good breeding and socialization is extremely important.
Don’t expect a Shepherd to be a social butterfly. They tend to be suspicious of strangers and slow to accept them.
While loving and affectionate, they’re not overly demonstrative, so don’t expect lots of doggy kisses and belly rub requests-–they do have their dignity!
Exercise
The German Shepherd was bred to be an active athlete. They love to run and can trot tirelessly for miles. They need as much mental exercise as physical exercise.
The German Shepherd was originally used as a “moving fence” around large sheep flocks. This job required the dog to trot around the flock continuously in order to prevent the sheep from wandering off or dispersing. In other words, they trotted for hours every day. You don’t need a flock of sheep to keep your Shepherd exercised—although it would help—but you do need to give your dog at least an hour and preferably two hours of exercise a day.
This is a great breed to take jogging. However, have your veterinarian check out your dog before committing to longer distance running, and wait until the dog is fully mature. Too much stress on immature joints can harm them. Hiking is also a good choice, as they are large enough to get over rocks and other difficult terrain. They're also decent swimmers. Plus they tend to stick close when you ask them to.
German Shepherds are fairly good retrievers, and tend to enjoy it most when you give them something challenging to carry. They particularly enjoy games of strength, like tug.
As with any breed prone to hip dysplasia, avoid exercise that involves repeatedly running up and down hills or stairs, especially as puppies, as these activities have been shown to increase the chance of hip dysplasia.
Don’t forget that a German Shepherd is an intelligent dog that needs as much mental stimulation as physical. Obedience training, trick training, nose work, or tracking are all excellent ways to exercise their mind.
Img:
Royalty German Shepherds
Training
German Shepherds are known for their intelligence and biddability, but they are no pushovers. Training is essential for this breed.
German Shepherds want to do as you suggest, but they may not if they think your request is unreasonable. They prefer to be part of a partnership. This means they do best if they aren’t forced to obey, and if they respect that you won’t ask them to do dangerous or foolish things. Rather, show them what you want and reward them for doing it well. They work for praise, toys, play, and of course, treats. They especially enjoy learning challenging tasks, so don’t hesitate to ask a lot of them once you’ve laid the groundwork.
Training is a must for this breed, as untrained and unruly German Shepherds can and have caused serious damage to belongings as well as to other people and pets. Training should be a part of their everyday routine.
They excel at obedience training and competition. Many German Shepherds have earned top titles in obedience.They also enjoy training for activities that involve using their nose, such as nosework and tracking. They have a very good record at tracking trials.
Surprisingly, some German Shepherds are timid, and a few are so suspicious that they can behave aggressively. Early socialization is essential for this breed in general, but especially for youngsters with these tendencies.
Diet and nutrition
For all their toughness, some German Shepherds may have sensitive skin and digestive systems, and may require special diets. Most, however, will thrive on high quality commercial food.
Adult working German Shepherds may need to eat a commercial diet formulated for active dogs. Be careful that you don’t overfeed your Shepherd as your dog ages and slows down. They’ll need fewer calories then. In addition, neutered or spayed dogs tend to need fewer calories. Factor in all the treats you may be doling out during training. They can add up the calories faster than you might think. You should be able to feel the waist and see some indication of a narrowing through the loin from above. You should also be able to feel the ribs with minimal probing.
Discuss any special diet concerns with your veterinarian. German Shepherds can have delicate digestive systems and sensitivities to foods, and some may require various special diets. These could be diets for sensitive skin or stomachs. Some health problems require special diets that may only be available through prescription.
As puppies, they should eat puppy food three to four times a day until 4 months of age, then two times a day thereafter. For puppies, feed them as instructed by your veterinarian, but if they start to be chubby as older puppies you may have to slightly restrict their amounts. As a breed prone to hip dysplasia, their puppy food should be one for large breeds that meets nutritional needs, which slows the rate of growth and lessens the chance of hip dysplasia.
Img:
Lost Creek German Shepherds LLC
Health issues
As a popular breed, there’s a lot of information on German Shepherd health conditions.
Lifespan: 7 to 10 years.
Elbow Dysplasia
Found more often in larger breeds, this is a condition in which the elbow joint develops inappropriately, causing arthritis and lameness. No genetic test is available to date, therefore, the recommended screening test is x-rays.
Hip Dysplasia
Common in large breed dogs, this complex condition involves both genetic and environmental factors and arises when the head of the femur doesn’t fit in the pelvic socket, causing arthritis and lameness. No genetic test is available to date, therefore, the recommended screening test is x-rays.
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
In this condition the pancreas doesn’t secrete the enzymes needed for proper digestion, resulting in weight loss and fatty oily stools.
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
This is a non-painful, progressive neurological disease. Affected dogs will begin to show signs of weakness of the hind limbs that will progress to complete paralysis.
Other health issues
Atopic dermatitis, panosteitis, gastric dilatation-volvulus, osteochondritis dissecans, perianal fistula, lumbosacral disease, hemangiosarcoma, and IgA deficiency.
History
Created by one man, cherished by the whole world, the German Shepherd remains a favorite military dog, police dog, security dog, personal protection dog, and family pet.
The German Shepherd was created in the late 1800s by Captain Max von Stephanitz of Germany, who based the breed on a dog named Horand van Grafrath. He called his new breed the Deutsche Schaferhunde (German Shepherd Dog).
The breed was developed as farm dogs to work as a moving fence by constantly patrolling around flocks of sheep, keeping them in one place or on the move as needed. They also guarded them.
In the early 1900s their job was in less demand, so von Stepahnitz promoted them as police and military dogs, showing off their obedience and protectiveness. His plan worked, and his breed found a second career as military and police dogs.
They were already in the United States when World War I broke out . Their name was briefly changed to Alsatian to combat anti-German sentiment. They proved themselves during World War I, and soldiers who had seen them returned home with tales of their heroics and intelligence. The name was changed back.
Movie stars Strongheart and especially Rin Tin Tin popularized them with families across America. Rin Tin Tin was so popular he was credited with saving Warner Brothers from bankruptcy.
German Shepherds remain popular for military and police work, but have been partially replaced by Belgian Malinois, which are smaller and less coated so handle heat better. They remain constant favorites in families around the world and are one of the most popular dog breeds.
The German Shepherd is a member of the American Kennel Club (AKC) Herding group. The top-winning AKC show dog of all time of all breeds is a German Shepherd female named Mystique.
Genetically, the Shepherd’s closest relative is the Berger Picard.
Owners include Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, George Foreman, Deion Sanders, Steven Seagal, Gene Hackman, Christina Applegate, Shannen Doherty, Bela Lugosi, Shania Twain, Amy Grant, Jimmy Page, Elton John, 50 Cent, and Garth Brooks.
About the author
Canine specialist, Caroline Coile, Ph.D., is the author of 34 dog books, including the top-selling Barron's Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds. She’s written thousands of magazine and web articles about dogs. She specializes in canine science, health, breeds and competitions. Caroline has won 20 national dog-writing awards, and was a 2015 Inductee into the Dog Writers Association of America Hall of Fame.
Veterinarian reviewed
Dr. Nate Ritter, DVM is the Veterinary Medical Director at Good Dog. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Lafayette College and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, New York State Veterinary Medical Society, the Veterinary Medical Association of New York City, and the Society for Theriogenology. Additionally, he is a USDA-accredited veterinarian.
Breed Scorecard
Characteristics and temperament
Affectionate with family
3
Watchdog level
5
Playfulness
2
Adaptability
3
Social needs
5
Temperament
Alert, intelligent, protective, suspicious
Intelligence
5
Good with other dogs
1
Good with cats or other pets
3
Friendly with strangers
2
Good as a service dog
5
Good for apartments
2
Barking level
3
Appearance
Height
22-26"
Size
Extra Large
Colors
Black seal, Brown seal, Sable, Black, Gray, Black and tan, Isabella (non-standard), Panda (non-standard), Black and silver, Bi-color, Black and red, Black and cream, Blue (non-standard), Liver (non-standard), White (non-standard)
Coat texture
Hard
Coat type
Long, Plush, Stock
Coat length
Double, dense, hard, straight or slightly wavy, close-lying
Training
Trainability
5
Exercise
Exercise needs
3
Exercise time
1 hour daily
Mental exercise needs
5
Favorite activities
Protection sports, obedience, tracking, nosework, herding
Grooming
Grooming needs
2
Brushing frequency
Weekly
Needs professional grooming?
No
Drooling level
1
Health issues
Elbow Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
Other health issues
Other
Bred for
Stock control, military, protection, service
Country of origin
Germany
Popularity level
5
FAQs
On Good Dog, you can search for German Shepherd puppies or dogs in rescues and shelters. Adopting a German Shepherd from a shelter or rescue is generally less expensive than buying a puppy from a breeder with ethical practices. Across the United States, there are dedicated rescues that specialize in specific breeds and may even help transport a German Shepherd dog to you from another part of the country. Although it can be more cost-effective, adopting the exact breed you're looking for is typically more difficult than working with a responsible breeder. Learn more about adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue.
Prices for German Shepherd puppies for sale vary by breeder and individual puppy. On Good Dog today, German Shepherd puppies are typically around $2,250. Because all breeding programs are different, you may find dogs for sale outside that price range.
Technically, there’s only one type: the German Shepherd Dog. Realistically, people tend to speak of European working lines as though they are a separate type, and some people even subdivide those. When they do, you end up with five “styles:” First, there’s the American show style, which has a straight topline that slopes from front to rear. This is the dog you’ll see winning at dog shows in America. Their breeders focus on appearance, trotting ability and sound temperament but not on working ability. Second, there’s the European show style, derived from European working lines but then focused on appearance. They have a greater emphasis on working ability without sacrificing appearance. Their back line differs from the American version by not sloping downhill as much, but it’s far more arched. The other three styles are various European working lines, either West German, East German or Czech. These dogs were bred with an emphasis on working ability. This sounds like a great thing. But many are too driven and intense to make manageable family dogs except for experienced trainers who can work with them every day. For a typical family, the show lines are much easier dogs to live with and train.
This breed is extremely smart. Their various jobs have required them to be responsive to human direction, but to also evaluate a situation and decide what to do on their own. They are widely considered to be among the smartest of breeds.
Generally, the German Shepherd is an excellent family pet. However, this assumes the dog is from lines emphasizing stable temperaments, and that the German Shepherd puppy is well-socialized and the dog is trained and exercised daily. Given these circumstances, Germans Shepherds are among the best family dogs available.
