German Shepherd
Loyal, brave and endlessly capable — the world's premier working partner.
Vital stats
| Size | Large · 55–65 cm |
| Weight | 22–40 kg |
| Life expectancy | 9–13 years |
| Energy | High — 90+ min/day |
| Shedding | Heavy, year-round |
| Coat | Dense double coat · black & tan, sable, black |
| Group | Herding · FCI №166 / AKC |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
Temperament
Captain Max von Stephanitz set out in 1899 to build the perfect working dog, and the result still patrols, guides, searches and serves worldwide. At home that heritage reads as intense loyalty, quick learning and a watchful reserve with strangers. Give it work and leadership and you get a superb partner; leave it idle and it will invent a job you won't like.
Habits & quirks
Perimeter patrol
Expect regular self-assigned rounds of the garden fence — the property is being managed, whether you asked or not.
One-person radar
Shepherds famously pick their person and track them around the house with quiet, constant attention.
The alert bark
Every doorbell, delivery and distant car door will be announced. Thoroughly.
Head on paws, eyes on you
Even at rest, a Shepherd is never quite off duty — it watches the room like a lifeguard.
Care
| Exercise | At least 90 minutes daily, and the mind matters as much as the legs — scent work, obedience or agility beat laps of the park. |
| Training | Highly biddable but powerful and protective: early socialisation and consistent training are non-negotiable. |
| Grooming | That double coat sheds year-round with two heavy seasonal blows — brush several times a week and befriend your vacuum. |
| Health | Hip and elbow dysplasia run in the breed; insist on scored parents and keep the dog lean and well-muscled. |
Common questions
Are German Shepherds good family dogs?
Yes, with early socialisation and training — they're devoted and protective, and thrive as an involved part of family life.
Do German Shepherds shed a lot?
Heavily and year-round — they're nicknamed 'German shedders'. Brush several times a week to keep it manageable.
How much exercise does a German Shepherd need?
Plan on 90 minutes or more a day, split between physical exercise and mental work like training games or scent tasks. An under-worked Shepherd becomes vocal, destructive and anxious.