German Shepherd Insurance and breed information
The eager to please, intelligent and loyal dog, perfect for an active family lifestyle.
At a glance
Over 2 hours of exercise a day
Life expectancy of 10 to 13 years
Large, between 22kg and 40kg
Intelligent, loyal, obedient
Over 2 hours of exercise a day
Life expectancy of 10 to 13 years
Large, between 22kg and 40kg
Intelligent, loyal, obedient
German Shepherd – the loyal family dog
Always keen to follow their owners' orders, German Shepherds make loyal family companions. They tend to be good with children and other dogs so long as they are exposed to them at a young age. If you lead an active lifestyle and enjoy the great outdoors, a German Shepherd could be a great pet.
Buying or rehoming a German Shepherd
Whether you are adopting a rescue or buying a puppy from a breeder, this loving breed can be a joy to live with. To bring out their best, you'll want to prepare for their arrival. Consider the following before you get your dog home:
- Plan how you will work lots of exercise, training and stimulation for your dog into your day
- Plan socialisation, it is especially important for this large breed
- Prepare your home, removing any choking hazards or precious items
- Set up their bedding and consider whether you want to crate train
- Get some sturdy dog toys to save your furniture. German Shepherds are strong chewers
- Talk to all adults and children about how to behave around dogs and puppies
- Make sure your garden is secure and any fencing is in good condition
- Learn the essentials about grooming your dog at home. German Shepherds have a double coat and benefit from brushing every other day
- Buy a collar, lead, ID tag and bowls
- Look at the best diet for your dog and get some food
- Look at pet insurance options. Any dog can fall ill or have a costly accident
Did you know?
German Shepherds were working dogs in the First World War.
Top 5 health conditions in German Shepherds
We’ve put together the most common claimed for conditions for German Shepherds. Data is based on MORE THAN pet insurance customer claims.
Condition | Number of claims | Average paid out |
---|---|---|
154 | £944.47 | |
71 | £1,215.54 | |
70 | £900.41 | |
64 | £1,422.32 | |
63 | £659.52 |
Common health issues and problems in German Shepherds
Most German Shepherds are healthy dogs, with a usual lifespan of over 10 years. Some health conditions in German Shepherds can be down to their genetic history. Others may be down to shared traits within the breed.
Click on the hotspots to learn about the most common health issues for German Shepherds. Information is provided by our in-house vet team (October 2022).