German Shepherd Dog Breed - Facts and Traits

dog Breed Profile

To prevent over-guarding and aggressive behavior, German shepherd dogs should have socialization and obedience training at a young age.

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In this article

ATTRIBUTES
ABOUT
PERSONALITY
WHAT TO EXPECT
HISTORY

Attributes

Upright ears (naturally)

Size

Weight

75-95 lbs.

Height

23 in.

(at withers)

25 in.

Coat

Length

Medium

Color

Most colors, other than white, are permissible

Care

Exercise

>40 minutes/day

Energy level

Average

Longevity

10-12 yrs.

Needs

Moderate

Traits

Barking

Low

Snoring

Low

Club recognition

AKC Class.

Herding

UKC Class.

Herding Dog

German Shepherd Dog Breed - Facts and Traits | Hill's Pet (8)

About the German Shepherd

To prevent over-guarding and aggressive behavior, German shepherd dogs should have socialization and obedience training at a young age.

- FORM -

German Shepherd personality

German shepherd dogs get along well with children and other pets if raised with them, but in keeping with their guarding instincts, they tend to be leery of strangers.

The breed is considered to be smart and easy to train.

Some poorly bred German shepherd dogs can be high-strung and nervous. Coupled with poor socialization and inadequate training, over guarding and aggressive behavior are risks.

What to expect

Because German shepherd dogs are large and powerful and have strong guarding instincts, great care should be taken to purchase German shepherds from reputable breeders. Poorly bred dogs are more likely to be nervous.

To prevent over guarding and aggressive behavior, German shepherd dogs should be carefully socialized from a young age and be obedience trained. They should be with the family and continually exposed under supervision to people and other pets around the neighborhood they should not be confined to a kennel or backyard either alone or with other dogs.

German shepherd dogs are active and like to have something to do. They need ample exercise daily otherwise, they can get into mischief or become high-strung.

The dog sheds heavily about twice yearly, and the rest of the time sheds a lesser amount continually. To control shedding and keep the coat nice, brush at least a few times a week.

History of the German Shepherd

German shepherd dogs are, as their name implies, a breed that originated in Germany. They were developed beginning in the late 1800s by crossing various herding breeds. The breed was subjected to stringent selection and it progressed quickly. In the United Kingdom, the dogs are known as Alsatians because fanciers of the breed there wanted to protect the dog from anti-German sentiments after World War I.

German shepherd dogs were introduced in the United States by soldiers returning home from World War I. The breed caught the public eye because of movie stars Strongheart and later, Rin Tin Tin. By World War II German shepherd dogs were the military breed of choice. The first guide dogs were German shepherd dogs. Today, they are one of the most popular dogs in America. In 1999, German shepherd dogs were third on the American Kennel Club's list of the Top 50 Breeds.

The German shepherd dog is a herding breed known for its courage, loyalty and guarding instincts. This breed makes an excellent guard dog, police dog, military dog, guide dog for the blind and search and rescue dog. For many families, the German shepherd is also a treasured family pet.

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FAQs

German Shepherd Dog Breed - Facts and Traits | Hill's Pet? ›

The German Shepherd's temperament is intelligent, loyal and energetic. Reserved but friendly. Generally enjoy the company of their family and can struggle with separation anxiety. German Shepherds are not naturally aggressive but their protective instinct means they can be hesitant when first meeting strangers.

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What are 5 facts about German Shepherds? ›

Overview

Fact #1: German Shepherds Are One of The Smartest Dog Breeds.
Fact #2: World War I Made Shepherds Famous.
Fact #3: German Shepherds Aren't Dangerous Dogs.
Fact #4: The First Modern German Shepherds.
Fact #5: German Shepherds Remain Hugely Popular in America.
Fact #6: German Shepherds Have Stars on The Walk of Fame.

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What are German Shepherds like as pets? ›

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What makes German Shepherds special? ›

The German shepherd dog is a herding breed known for its courage, loyalty and guarding instincts. This breed makes an excellent guard dog, police dog, military dog, guide dog for the blind and search and rescue dog.

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What are German Shepherds supposed to look like? ›

German Shepherds are attractive dogs: large and muscular with a signature square muzzle, bushy tail, and (usually) black mask. They're generally tan/black or red/black in coloring, often with “saddle” and “blanket” markings across the back.

What are fun facts about a German Shepherd? ›

German Shepherds are famous for their intelligent, loyal, and hardworking natures. They are often used as guide, therapy, search-and-rescue, police, military, and narcotics and explosives detecting dogs. While they can come across as aloof to strangers, they are known to be wonderful family dogs.

What do German Shepherds love the most? ›

German shepherds love games and learning new things. They need a lot of mental stimulation; playing a game of tracking or searching is a great way to keep them entertained.

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Do German Shepherds choose a person? ›

German Shepherds will generally attach themselves to one person in the family, but they can still be a good family dog. Although they have their fair share of behavioral issues, these generally stem from a lack of leadership on the part of their pet parents.

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Is a German Shepherd a good house pet? ›

German shepherds can be very gentle companions and family protectors with proper training and socialization. They're an ideal breed for active households, and the intelligence and protective demeanor of this breed can make it a good choice for families with children as long as the dog is properly trained.

What are German Shepherds best at? ›

German Shepherds are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. Stoic and beautiful, hard-working and loyal, these breeds are used for a variety of tasks, including herding sheep, protecting livestock, acting as service animals for people with disabilities, and working with law enforcement and the military.

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Do German Shepherds bark a lot? ›

Barking is an important tool for German Shepherds. Working German Shepherds will be trained to bark when they sense drugs, danger, or anything else they need to alert their handlers about. Your dog may not be a K9, but it will still be naturally inclined to bark a lot.

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Are German Shepherds difficult? ›

Yes, The German Shepherd Behavior Can Be a Lot to Handle, But This Challenge Isn't Unique to This Breed Alone. Any dog, regardless of whether it's a Labrador Retriever or a Chihuahua can be a lot of work. All dog breeds require proper training and daily handling. This is especially true when your dog is a puppy.

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Should I look my German Shepherd in the eyes? ›

They recommend that owners increase their eye contact with their puppies so that they can build a better relationship, and getting the dog to maintain eye contact is now an important part of training. However, looking into a dog's eyes is not the same as staring and most dogs can tell the difference between the two.

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What are German Shepherds favorite color? ›

There are a few desired colors of the German Shepherd Dog, that include: black, tan and red. According to the German Shepherd Dog Club of America the coat color may vary although strong rich colors are preferred.

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How can you tell how old a German Shepherd is? ›

How To Calculate Dog Age

Teeth. The first thing vets look at when determining a dog's age is their teeth. ...
Haircoat. Gray hairs are a sign that your dog is no longer a puppy. ...
Eyes. A cloudy or blue appearance to the eye (sclerosis of the lens) is a common change seen in older dogs. ...
Paws. ...
Muscle. ...
Hearing. ...
Vision. ...
Mobility.

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Sep 26, 2023

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What are 3 characteristics of a German Shepherd? ›

Their loyalty is fierce and unwavering with a wariness of strangers. Because they are also highly watchful and alert, German Shepherds make great guard dogs. These dogs aren't inherently aggressive, but their personality may seem aloof, reserved, or stubborn.

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How fast are German Shepherds? ›

German Shepherds can reach sprinting speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. Shepherds are longer than they are tall, with an ideal proportion of 10 to 8+1⁄2. The AKC official breed standard does not set a standard weight range.

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What are German Shepherds weaknesses? ›

Degenerative myelopathy is a neurologic condition, similar to ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease in people, that causes weakness and poor nerve function in the hind legs. It affects GSDs more frequently than other breeds.

Keep Reading ›

How smart is a German Shepherd? ›

Due to their high level of intelligence and eagerness to please their owners, German shepherds are highly obedient dogs. They respond well to training and commands. The German shepherd is known for having high energy levels. They are active dogs that thrive on physical exercise and mental stimulation.

Read On ›

German Shepherd Dog Breed - Facts and Traits | Hill's Pet (2024)

dog Breed Profile

Attributes

Size

Coat