German Shepherd

German Shepherd dog

Intelligent, loyal working dog known for its versatility and trainability.

Size Weight Height Lifespan
Large 50 - 90 lbs 22 - 26 inches 12 - 14 years
(These are estimates and may vary.)

Origin: Germany



Own a German Shepherd? Share what activities they enjoy to help other dog owners.

Fetch (3) Tug Of War (2) Swimming Exploring Playing with Toys Obedience Training Tracking Herding Hiking Socializing Frisbee Chewing Agility Training Cuddling Guarding Running Hunting Digging

Know a German Shepherd? Share their personality traits to help other dog owners.

Clever Protective Affectionate Stubborn Confident Fearless Friendly Docile Energetic Calm Patient Aggressive Gentle Sociable Adaptable Playful Independent Clever Agile Loyal

May be a good fit if you:

  • Want a dog that is generally responsive to consistent, positive training.
  • Are looking for a breed that generally does well with children.
  • Are a first-time dog owner looking for a relatively approachable breed.

Things to consider:

  • Regular shedding means you may need to be comfortable with loose hair around the home.
  • This breed tends to need plenty of regular physical activity.

The modern German Shepherd was deliberately developed in Germany near the end of the 19th century, when regional shepherd dogs varied considerably in appearance and working style. Cavalry officer Max von Stephanitz wanted to create a standardized German working dog, placing usefulness, intelligence, and working ability ahead of appearance alone. In 1899, he encountered a shepherd dog named Hektor Linksrhein at a dog show and was impressed by the dog's appearance, intelligence, and character. Von Stephanitz purchased him, renamed him Horand von Grafrath, and made him the foundation dog of his new breeding program. That same year, von Stephanitz and Artur Meyer founded the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde, the German Shepherd breed club. As traditional shepherding work declined, von Stephanitz promoted the breed for other jobs rather than allowing it to lose its purpose. German Shepherds subsequently became prominent in police and military work and later in search and rescue, assistance work, competitive dog sports, and family life.

Frequently Asked Questions About German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is not generally considered hypoallergenic. Individual allergy reactions can vary.

The German Shepherd tends to shed regularly, so loose hair and routine coat care should be expected.

The German Shepherd generally needs a moderate amount of routine grooming.

The German Shepherd is generally a high-energy breed that tends to enjoy an active routine.

The German Shepherd tends to need plenty of regular physical activity and mental stimulation.

The German Shepherd is generally highly trainable and tends to respond well to consistent, positive training.

The German Shepherd generally tends to do well with children when properly socialized and supervised.

The German Shepherd may be selective around other dogs, making careful socialization and introductions important.

The German Shepherd is generally considered relatively approachable for first-time dog owners.

The German Shepherd may live in an apartment if its exercise, space, and enrichment needs are met.