German Shepherd

German Shepherds have previously been bred as working dogs, such as in the military or police, due to their high intelligence and hard-working nature. Now, they’re more commonly bred as family pets.

German Shepherds and Labradors are both large, intelligent and loyal working dog breeds. However, they are quite different in temperament and appearance.

German Shepherds are commonly a mix of black and tan colours, have long coats and are athletically built. Labradors have slightly different colourings, can vary in build and shape and have a temperament that is usually more relaxed and of a slower tempo.

The different types of German Shepherd can be classed as:

• Saddle coat (the most common – black and tan mixed coat)
• Solid black
• Panda (white, black and hints of tan)
• Sable (black, grey, tan and gold mixed coat)
• Solid white

Usually, German Shepherds live between 10 and 13 years.

German Shepherds are known to be a family-friendly breed, provided they are well trained and socialised as puppies. Ensure you teach children how to behave around dogs to avoid any negative interactions.

Generally, no. They tend to be a fairly relaxed breed with a calm temperament.

If you notice your German Shepherd barking a lot, it could be a sign of a problem like separation anxiety. Seek advice from your vet if you have any concerns.

Typically, it takes a German Shepherd until the age of 18 months to be considered a fully-grown adult.

No. German Shepherds do shed their coat and require regular grooming. Some have longer coat lengths than others, depending on their genetic makeup.

As German Shepherds have a working background of working in the military and police force, they can have a reputation of being aggressive dogs. However, as they are now typically bred to be family dogs their temperament is more relaxed.

As always, if you notice your German Shepherd showing any aggressive behaviour, seek advice from your vet as it could be a sign of an underlying problem.

They need over two hours of exercise every day.

As with most dogs, it’s best to start their training from a young age if you can, or as soon as they come home to you.

Take a look at our training guides for advice on how to train your dog, from crate training, to teaching them to sit, lie down and wait.

Typically, a full size healthy German Shepherd weighs between 22kg and 40kg.

As German Shepherds can be prone to joint problems, it’s worth monitoring their diet closely throughout their life to ensure they don’t become overweight which can cause health problems.

Yes, they do shed their coat and therefore require regular grooming . Regular brushing and grooming should keep their shedding under control.

Find a reputable groomer who can let you know how regularly your dog might need clipping or trimming.

German Shepherds ideally need to be brushed once or twice a week, depending on the season. You may find that they shed more of their coat during warmer months.

You’ll also need to factor in nail clipping, teeth brushing and more. Our grooming guide will take you into detail about how to groom your dog from head to tail.