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Breed profile

German Shepherd Dog

Loyal, smart and serious about work. Brilliant with training, a handful without it.

Black and tan German Shepherd Dog in profile on a sunny lawn with olive trees behind
Alert and at ease in an Italian olive grove.Photo: PROPOLI87 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Weight
22–40 kg49–88 lb
Height
55–65 cm22–26 in
Lifespan
9–13 yrs
Group
Pastoral / Herding
Origin
Germany
Popularity
#4 US#8 UK · 2025

Known for: WatchdogsWorking dogsEasy to train

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Loyal, Confident, Protective, Highly trainable.

Health problems to know about

  • Hip and elbow dysplasia
  • Degenerative myelopathy
  • Bloat (GDV)
  • Chronic diarrhoea / exocrine pancreatic insufficiency

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

Daily exercise plus mental work: obedience, tracking, sports. Heavy shedder. Needs early, broad socialisation.

A good fit for

Experienced owners, people who enjoy training, active homes with space.

Probably not ideal for

First-time owners who want an easy dog, small apartments, long hours alone.

Sources

  1. American Kennel Club: German Shepherd Dog
  2. PetMD (vet-reviewed): German Shepherd
  3. Wikipedia: German Shepherd

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

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Brindle Dutch farm dog turned police and sport dog. Clever, keen and tireless, in short, long or rough coats.

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Belgian Malinois

A short-coated Belgian herding dog with a huge work drive. Brilliant with an experienced handler, a handful without one.

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Bouvier des Flandres

A shaggy Flemish farm dog: steady, protective and easy to live with, as long as you enjoy grooming.

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Briard

A long-coated French shepherd that both herded and guarded the flock. Devoted, protective and a big grooming commitment.

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