German Shepherd

In the words of its breed standard, the German Shepherd is a dog with strong nerves that is self-assured, attentive and willing to please. It learns very quickly and retains what it learns; the AKC lists its ability to absorb and keep training for many specialized jobs among the breed's defining traits. It bonds tightly with its family and likes to keep an eye on everything going on at home and join in.

It is a natural watchdog: on the AKC's breed chart it scores at the top for watchdog and protective nature and in the middle for openness to strangers. That protective instinct can turn into problem behavior in a dog that is poorly socialized or bored. In a large UK study of veterinary records published in 2017, aggression was one of the five most commonly recorded problems in the breed and was more common in males than in females. The answer is not punishment; it is plenty of socialization from puppyhood, reward-based training and a daily job to do.

A German Shepherd that can't move enough, or is left alone in the yard or the house all day, gets bored. The AKC stresses that dogs who don't get enough exercise become frustrated and can develop unwanted behaviors.

The German Shepherd suits active households that can give their dog a few hours every day and enjoy training. It's a tough choice for anyone looking for a calm house dog or who is away from home all day.

Teach children not to bother the dog while it eats or sleeps and not to hug or squeeze it. Our article on kids and dogs has more.

According to the FCI standard, the breed club (the SV) was founded in Frankfurt on September 20, 1899, on the suggestion of A. Meyer and cavalry captain Max von Stephanitz. The goal was to create a high-performing working dog from the herding dogs of central and southern Germany. Von Stephanitz spent more than thirty years developing and promoting the breed.

As livestock farming changed and the need for herding dogs fell, the breed made its name as a police and military dog. According to the AKC, film dogs such as Rin Tin Tin made it hugely popular in the United States in the early 1900s. It is still one of the most widely used working dogs in the world.

The Royal Kennel Club notes that the breed's appearance has changed over the last fifty years, that this has caused "fierce debate" and that there is now a marked split between show and working lines. We cover this in the health section.

A medium-to-large dog, slightly longer than it is tall, powerful and well muscled. The head is wedge-shaped, the ears are upright and pointed, and the eyes are almond-shaped and dark. It moves with a long, ground-covering, fluid trot.

• Height: According to the FCI, 24–26 in (60–65 cm) for males and 22–24 in (55–60 cm) for females.
• Weight: According to the FCI, 66–88 lb (30–40 kg) for males and 48–71 lb (22–32 kg) for females.
• Coat: There are two varieties: the "double coat" with a short, harsh outer coat, and the "long double coat" with longer, softer hair. Both have a dense undercoat.
• Colors: Black with reddish-brown, yellow or light gray markings; solid black; and gray with darker shading (sable). White is not accepted in the FCI standard.

According to the standard, the topline should run without a break from the neck to the tail, falling away gently. The FCI notes that over-angulated hindquarters reduce stability and stamina.

The coat is thick and dense but not complicated to care for. The AKC says a quick brushing every few days is usually enough, and that brushing more often during the heavy shedding periods once or twice a year cuts down a lot of the hair around your home. According to the AKC, an occasional bath is enough.

• Nails: If they don't wear down on their own, check them monthly; long nails affect how a dog walks.
• Ears: Check weekly; in UK data, outer ear infections were the most commonly recorded problem in the breed. Show your vet any redness, odor or itching.
• Teeth: Get your puppy used to regular tooth brushing early.
• Bed: A big dog needs a roomy, soft bed.

For more, see our article on dog grooming.

The German Shepherd needs to work both its body and its mind. The Royal Kennel Club recommends more than 2 hours of exercise a day. That doesn't just mean walks: tracking, scent games, obedience work, fetch or agility tire it out far more and make it much happier.

• As a puppy: The AKC suggests starting with short daily walks and play sessions in a safely fenced area.
• Early socialization: Safely introduce your puppy to different people, sounds, places and dogs. The AKC calls puppy classes "vital."
• Reward-based training: This breed doesn't respond well to harsh methods; it makes rapid progress with consistent, reward-based training.
• Leash skills: With a big, strong dog, teach loose-leash walking and a reliable recall early.
• Brain games: Scent games meet its mental needs even on rainy days.

It doesn't need a special food; a complete, balanced dog food suited to its age (puppy, adult or senior) and to large breeds is enough. The real issue is how much: in UK data, being overweight was one of the five most common problems in the breed. Extra weight also adds load to dysplastic joints.

• Measure food instead of eyeballing it; decide the daily amount with your vet based on your dog's ideal weight.
• Count treats as part of the daily food.
• You should be able to feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat, and see a waist when you look from above.
• The Merck Veterinary Manual lists feeding once a day and eating quickly among the risk factors for bloat, and suggests splitting food into several small meals and limiting exercise before and after eating.
• Learn which foods are harmful to dogs, and don't feed from the table.

The information below is for awareness only; ask your vet about diagnosis and treatment. In the 2017 study by O'Neill and colleagues, the most common causes of death in UK German Shepherds were musculoskeletal problems (16.3%) and inability to stand (14.9%). That shows why the joint and spine problems below matter so much in this breed.

Hip and elbow dysplasia

In hip dysplasia, the hip joint of a growing puppy develops loosely; over time the joint wears, develops arthritis and becomes painful. According to UFAW, studies have reported that 18–49% of German Shepherds are affected. Both genes and environmental factors play a part. Limping, a stiff gait, difficulty getting up and reluctance to run and play are signs you might notice. The Royal Kennel Club recommends, as a minimum, that breeders have both parents' hips and elbows X-ray screened.

Degenerative myelopathy

A slowly progressing, non-painful disease in which the spinal cord gradually degenerates. According to UFAW, the first signs usually appear around 8–9 years of age as swaying and unsteadiness in the hind legs; over time the hind legs give way. There is a DNA test for the gene change that raises the risk, and the Royal Kennel Club recommends it for breeders. Not every dog that tests "at risk" will develop the disease, but choosing a puppy from tested parents lowers the risk.

The sloping-back debate in show lines

Some show lines with a back that slopes steeply toward the rear and over-angulated hind legs have been criticized for years. The Royal Kennel Club places the breed in "Category 2" of its Breed Watch program; the points judges are asked to watch are "incorrect hind conformation and/or poor rear movement" and "nervous temperament." Its standard calls soft or roached backs and over-angulated hindquarters highly undesirable and requires the dog to be able to stand comfortably without any support. When choosing a puppy, look at whether the parents move easily and whether their hind legs are sound.

Other issues

• Bloat (GDV): An emergency in which the stomach fills with gas and twists. The AKC advises owners to learn the signs in advance, and the Merck Veterinary Manual lists the German Shepherd among breeds at risk.
• Digestion and skin: UFAW and the O'Neill study list exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (the pancreas doesn't make enough digestive enzymes), stubborn sores around the anus (anal furunculosis) and narrowing of the spine in the lower back among the breed's reported predispositions.
• MDR1: The MDR1 gene change, which causes serious sensitivity to certain medications, is most common in herding breeds; Washington State University's table gives a frequency of about 10% for German Shepherds. A simple DNA test can tell you; share the result with your vet.

Lifespan figures vary by country and study. In a 2024 UK study by McMillan and colleagues covering about 585,000 dogs, the median lifespan of roughly 20,000 German Shepherds was 11.3 years, compared with 12.0 years for mixed-breed dogs. A 2022 life table study using VetCompass data calculated a life expectancy at birth of 10.16 years, and the 2017 study found a median lifespan of 10.3 years. The AKC gives a range of 12–14 years.

These are averages: in the 2017 study a quarter of the dogs lived past 12, and the oldest was 17. A healthy weight, regular exercise, coming from parents screened for healthy joints and regular vet checkups in old age are the things that most affect lifespan and quality of life.

• Consider a shelter: Purebred dogs and their mixes end up in shelters and rescues too. An adult dog's temperament is already known, which is a big advantage, especially for first-time owners. Our article on adopting a shelter dog can help.
• If you buy from a breeder: Ask for the parents' hip and elbow X-ray results, their degenerative myelopathy DNA test and an eye exam. Ask to meet the parents and watch their temperament and how they move.
• Red flags: Steer clear of sellers who won't show you the mother, can't provide paperwork, always have puppies available or praise toughness as a "guard dog" selling point.
• Time and budget: A few hours of exercise and training a day, plus food and vet bills for a big dog, is a responsibility that lasts more than a decade.
• Registration: Rules vary by country; many places require or recommend microchipping. In Türkiye, owned dogs must be microchipped and registered.
• The first days: Our guide to bringing home a new puppy walks you through it step by step.