German Shepherd breed guide

For a combination of loyalty, intelligence, and courage, look no further than the much-loved German shepherd! 

Read our guide to find out more about the glorious German shepherd breed…

German shepherd breed history

Some sources suggest the German shepherd’s origins can be traced all the way back to the 7^th century! On the other hand, many sources agree that German shepherds were developed in Germany for sheep herding throughout the 1800s, using several different types of herding dogs.

Although German shepherds were originally bred as herding dogs, they didn’t work in the same way as border collies – instead, they’d act as a barrier to prevent livestock from wandering.

The first German shepherd breed club was formed in the 1880s, to celebrate the breed as a herding dog. As time went on, however, the German shepherd’s versatile capabilities led to them working for the police and armed forces as well.

Unfortunately, during World War I, the German shepherd fell out of favour with dog breeders due to the connection with Germany. To increase the breed’s popularity again, the German shepherd became known as the ‘Alsatian wolf dog’ throughout the UK and France. The use of Alsatian as a breed name intended to inspire an association with the Alsace region of France (bordering Germany), instead of maintaining a direct link to Germany itself.

Since then, the German shepherd’s kind yet obedient nature has shone through, making them a firm favourite with families the world over!

German shepherds are also renowned for working in many different roles worldwide as guide dogs, police dogs, sniffer dogs, and guard dogs, as well as search and rescue dogs.  

Common characteristics of the German shepherd breed

Please remember that the following characteristics are considered ‘average’ for German shepherds, and since each dog is a unique individual, your German shepherd’s characteristics may differ. 

Average height for a German shepherd

German shepherds tend to measure in at around 55-65cm at the shoulder.

Average weight for a German shepherd

The typical weight for a German shepherd is usually within the 22-43kg range.

Average lifespan for a German shepherd

Most German shepherds live for an average of 9-13 years.

Typical German shepherd appearance

Being handsome and powerful, the German shepherd dog boasts a muscular frame and relatively long limbs. Their paws are round and arched, with well-cushioned pads to protect them on all their adventures!

As well as their almond-shaped eyes full of expression, German shepherds have a strongly developed jaw and medium-sized triangular ears that always point upwards.

It’s important to note that due to being bred to exaggerate certain features, like the sloping shape of their hindquarters, German shepherds can be prone to several health conditions.

There are two types of coats seen in German shepherds. One coat type is long with tufts and feathering at various points, whereas the other type of coat is shorter with a dense, straight topcoat. Both types of German shepherd coat have a very thick undercoat, which means your German shepherd will require daily brushing.

Plus, German shepherds are known to moult, a lot, throughout the year – so you’ll need a reliable vacuum cleaner capable of collecting all that hair!

Standard breed colours for the German shepherd include:

• Black.
• Black and gold (a pale, yellow-brown colour).
• Black and tan (pale brown).
• Bi-colour (black body with tan points).
• Sable (hair with pale roots and darker ends).
• Dark sable.
• Gold sable.
• Grey sable.
• Grey.

Typical German shepherd temperament

German shepherds are incredibly intelligent, which means they’re wonderful to train (providing you find the right reward and use plenty of positive reinforcement). For this reason, German shepherds are talented enough to turn their paw to any activity, from agility to scent work!

While many German shepherds love being part of a family, they’re extremely loyal dogs and often tend to form a very strong bond with their primary pet parent. However, this deep connection to their humans might lead German shepherds to suffer from separation anxiety if they’re left alone for too long.

Due to being such a clever and active dog breed, a German shepherd is the ‘pawfect’ companion for adventures! Whether you’re taking a trip to the beach, planning a pet-friendly holiday, or embarking on an exciting, new activity, your German shepherd will want to be by your side.

As a dog who thrives on staying active, your German shepherd will need to be exercised for at least two hours every day. When they’re not out and about, it’s essential that your German shepherd is able to enjoy mental stimulation activities, like puzzle games or obedience training, to keep their mind occupied.

Owing to their origin as both a herding dog and a guard dog, the German shepherd is known to be quite vocal. If you’re owned by a German shepherd, you may want to check out our article about how to manage barking.

German shepherd health conditions

It’s not unusual for pedigree breeds to be prone to certain health concerns, and German shepherds are no exception. Here are a few health conditions commonly seen in the German shepherd:

• Hip dysplasia.
• Elbow dysplasia.
• Epilepsy.
• Pituitary dwarfism (hormonal problem that causes growth issues and a reduced lifespan).
• Canine Degenerative Myelopathy (weakness in their back legs that eventually leads to paralysis).

Remember: Keep an eye out for any health issues your German shepherd may develop, and get your canine companion checked by a vet if you have any concerns. If you are considering pet insurance, be sure to read our guide about insuring your German shepherd.

Fun facts about German shepherds

Fact 1 – A German shepherd, named Rin Tin Tin, was rescued as a puppy from the battlefield in WWI, then went on to become famous for starring in 26 films!

Fact 2 – It can only takes a few repetitions for German shepherds to learn a new trick.

Fact 3 – German shepherds are part of the ‘pastoral’ group because they share similar traits with other herding dogs; like a weatherproof double coat, for example.

Fact 4 – Sometimes, the German shepherd breed is referred to as ‘GSD’, which stands for ‘German shepherd dog’.

Fact 5 – The German shepherd is considered the third most intelligent dog breed, behind border collies and poodles, according to canine researcher, Stanley Cohen.