German Shepherd — breed guide

At a glance

Group

herding

Size

Large

Weight

22–40 kg (49–88 lb)

Life span

9–13 years

Coat

Medium-length dense double coat

Living with a German Shepherd

• High energy — needs real exercise every day, not a stroll.
• Regular grooming — brushing a few times a week.
• Constant heavy shedding.
• Exceptionally trainable — among the easiest to teach.
• Vocal when there is a reason.
• Can do well with children, with care — easier with older kids than toddlers.
• Usually fine with a familiar dog; strange dogs need managing.
• Can live with a cat, with a slow introduction and an escape route for the cat.
• Not well suited to a flat — space, exercise need or voice works against it.
• Better with previous experience behind you.
• Average heat tolerance.
• Handles cold well.

Temperament

Confident · Courageous · Loyal · Smart

Health to watch

• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia
• Degenerative myelopathy
• Bloat (GDV)

Owner-logged information shared via Leash Life is not veterinary advice; ask your vet about screening for these.

Did you know

Buddy, the first American Seeing Eye dog in 1928, was a German Shepherd.

Questions people ask

Is a German Shepherd good with kids?

With care. German Shepherds generally do well with older children who already know how to behave around a dog; with toddlers, supervise every interaction and give the animal somewhere it can retreat to.

Is a German Shepherd good with cats?

It can work, with management. Introduce them gradually, feed them apart, and make sure the cat has vertical space the dog cannot reach. Plan to manage it rather than assume it.

How much exercise does a German Shepherd need?

An hour or more of proper exercise every day.

Can a German Shepherd handle hot weather?

About average — use normal hot-day sense.