Also known as the Alsatian dog or GSD, the German Shepherd is a highly intelligent breed that was originally bred for herding sheep. With a dedicated and trainable temperament, these talented dogs make great family pets if you have the time to invest in them.
Facts & advice
German Shepherd
A loyal and dedicated companion always ready to learn something new
Vital stats
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| Size: | Large |
| Coat: | Double coat, groom weekly |
| Exercise | 2+ hours a day for adult dogs |
| Life span: | 10+ years |
| Breed group: | Working/ Herding |
| Temperament: | Loyal, intelligent, energetic |
German Shepherd temperament & personality
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.
- Tend to be gentle with children and other animals, but behavioural problems such as aggression may arise if the dog is left alone for too long or doesn’t get enough exercise.
- A key German Shepherd trait is their loud bark but their tendency to be vocal can be reduced with proper socialisation.
German Shepherd training & exercise
Smart and eager to please, the German Shepherd’s attentiveness and trainability has made it one of the most versatile breeds in the world.
Training tips
- German Shepherd puppy training is best started when the dog is 8 weeks old. If not given structured training from early on, GSD puppies will quickly make their own rules.
- Because the breed’s loyal nature can make GSDs defensive around strangers, it’s important to prioritise socialisation. Puppies should be introduced to new people, places and experiences early.
- It’s also much easier to teach German Shepherds to walk on the lead politely while they are still small!
- German Shepherds are keen to please and can be sensitive to your reactions. It’s therefore best to focus on praising good behaviour and either ignoring “bad” behaviour or giving them a “No” before moving on.
Exercise
- A combination of stamina, intelligence, athleticism and enthusiasm means that adult German Shepherds need at least two hours of exercise per day, as well as plenty of mental stimulation.
- Without sufficient exercise and mental stimulation, GSDs are prone to burning off excess energy through destructive or unwanted behaviours like chewing, chasing, pulling on the lead and barking.
Game ideas
- Try playing games that involve seeking objects, tracking and retrieving.
- GSDs are very owner-focused, and generally very good at and willing to engage in obedience training.
Common German Shepherd health conditions
There are certain health conditions that affect German Shepherds more frequently than other dog breeds. We’ve outlined some of our recent claims data to help you understand some of the health issues we see more in German Shepherds than in other dog breeds. If you’re buying a puppy, you can increase your chances of having a happy and healthy dog by choosing a reputable German Shepherd breeder.
The skin is the largest organ of a dog’s body and can be affected by a number of disorders. Like many other breeds, Border Terriers can suffer from allergies that lead to dermatitis (skin inflammation). Allergies can be caused by many different items, including things that are inhaled (such as pollen or dust mites), items that are eaten (for example, wheat), items that the dog comes into contact with (for example, washing powders), or bites from parasites such as fleas. As allergies cannot be cured, treatment may be required for life, but is usually effective enough to ensure that the dog can enjoy a happy, normal existence.
German Shepherds are prone to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), which occurs when a dog’s pancreas doesn’t produce sufficient amounts of crucial digestive enzymes. The shortage of digestive enzymes in the bowel means the dog can’t digest and absorb food properly. Treatment is in the form of replacement digestive enzymes added to the food. This is required for life but means the dog can live normally.
Haemangiosarcoma is a rapidly growing cancer that develops in the lining of blood vessels in organs such as the spleen, liver and kidney. Unfortunately, the tumour often spreads quickly, making the chances of survival very low by the time it is diagnosed. This cancer can affect all breeds, but German Shepherds are particularly at risk. Early diagnosis and treatment offer the best chance of survival.
Larger breeds like the German Shepherd can be prone to hip dysplasia. This develops when the bones that form the hip joint develop abnormalities in the cartilage that lines the surface of the joint or structures around it. This leads to the development of arthritis, which shows as stiffness (especially after lying down), and a reluctance to exercise or go up and down stairs. Long-term treatment or even surgery may be required. You can minimise your chances of having a German Shepherd with hip dysplasia by buying your dog from a reputable breeder. Good breeders will be able to provide evidence of health checks for both parents, including their hip and elbow scores.
German Shepherds can be prone to a distressing condition called anal furunculosis. Similar in some ways to Crohn’s disease in humans, the condition leads to ulcers and inflammation around the dog’s anus. Depending on the nature and severity of the condition, different treatments are available, such as surgery and immunosuppressive medicines. The condition may require on-going attention, but most dogs are able to live normal, active lives.
German Shepherd grooming
German Shepherds have a thick coat to protect them from the elements, so they do shed and need regular grooming.
- Double coat, with a coarse outer coat and a thick, smooth undercoat. These can be medium in length or long and woolly.
- German shepherds shed all year round, especially in spring and autumn. Weekly grooming will help keep their coat healthy and shedding under control.
- Regular bathing is not recommended because this strips the coat of its natural, protective oils.
Find more of our dog grooming tips to help your dog stay in the best condition.
German Shepherd nutrition
Your German Shepherd’s nutrition plan needs to include enough energy for a large, active dog and help them maintain a healthy weight.
- It is important to feed a formulation suitable for a large breed of dog, starting in puppyhood and continuing throughout your German Shepherd’s life. This is to ensure the correct balance of calcium and energy during growth and adulthood. In fact, too much calcium is more likely to cause developmental bone and joint issues than too little, so feeding a veterinary-recommended ‘large breed’ formulation is important.
- German Shepherds can be prone to gastrointestinal issues so sticking to a feeding schedule is important.
What to know before you buy or rehome a German Shepherd
Considering buying or rehoming a German Shepherd? Before you find a puppy or adopt a GSD, here are a few important things to remember.
- German Shepherds are loving, loyal and extremely active in body and mind. They need to be well-socialised as puppies and need lots of training, plus at least two hours of exercise per day.
- German Shepherds have thick coats that shed all year round and may not be the best choice for people with allergies.
- It’s important to get your GSD puppy from a reputable German Shepherd breeder so you can meet the puppy’s mum and check she has the temperament you’re looking for. ‘Lucy’s Law’ dictates that new puppies or kittens must be bought directly from a breeder or adopted from rescue. Third party sellers are now illegal.
- Like all dogs, German Shepherds can suffer from a range of health conditions, and hip and elbow dysplasia are particularly common in the breed. A reputable GSD breeder will be able to provide proof of genetic testing, like hip and elbow scores, for both parents to help you choose a healthy dog.
German Shepherd frequently asked questions
Loyal and loving, German Shepherds are usually thought to be good family pets who are gentle with children. However, as with all dog breeds, any time your German Shepherd spends with children should be supervised to make sure everyone is safe and happy.
Due to their history as service and guard dogs, German Shepherds have an unfair reputation as being dangerous or aggressive. Whilst the breed can be very vocal and protective, they are not known to be aggressive by nature and are in fact loving and gentle dogs who crave companionship. Aggression is generally a behavioural issue that will arise if your dog is left alone too often, becomes bored, is not exercised enough or is improperly trained. When looking for a German Shepherd puppy, it’s important to see the puppy with its mother and within the litter to get a good idea of its temperament and the behaviour that your dog may inherit.
Like many other dog breeds, German Shepherds can be trained to get on well with cats as long as they are introduced properly from an early age. German Shepherds are highly trainable, intelligent and loyal dogs who tend to form bonds with any person or animal they perceive as part of their “pack”, including cats.
German Shepherds are a member of the working breed group. Like their other working dog counterparts, German Shepherds are intelligent and highly trainable, with an eagerness to please. Because of this, German Shepherds can be sensitive and respond best to positive reinforcement methods with lots of praise but need set boundaries to keep their behaviour under control.
German Shepherds are incredibly loyal and sociable animals who crave the companionship of their owner. For this reason, they can be prone to separation anxiety and do best in households where someone will be around for most of the day. If you do have to leave your German Shepherd alone for a few hours make sure they have plenty of toys to keep them occupied and consider asking someone to check in on them.
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German Shepherd insurance considerations
GSDs can sometimes suffer from gastrointestinal disorders and may be prone to genetic disorders like hip dysplasia. As some of these conditions are lifelong, it’s important that when choosing dog insurance that you check for any limits in your cover and understand how long conditions will be covered for.
We always offer these things as standard:
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy & pet therapies
Along with physiotherapy, which is covered within the Vet Bills benefit, we also cover Pet Therapies like herbal medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture. You can also claim for hydrotherapy, up to £500 per illness/injury in dogs and cats (no additional limit for rabbits).
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