German Shepherd Dog
About the German Shepherd Dog
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Large (50-100 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 22-26" |
| Weight | 50-90 lbs |
| Coat Type | Double |
| Coat Length | Medium |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
Very High (90+ min/day)
90 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Regular - 2-3x/week
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,000-$3,000 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,800/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, German Shepherd Dogs may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Active Owners
- Guard Dog
May Not Be Ideal For
- Apartment Living
- Long Work Hours Away
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your German Shepherd Dog
The story behind the German Shepherd Dog
Regional sheepdogs across the German states were selected locally for tending work, moving flocks along roads and holding them within unfenced boundaries, and they varied considerably by district. Standardisation began at the close of the nineteenth century under Max von Stephanitz, who set out a breed club and a written standard emphasising working quality, gait and structure. Rapid industrialisation reduced demand for herding, and the new breed was steered toward police, military and later civilian service roles instead. Wartime service brought international fame, and popularity abroad grew quickly through the twentieth century, though such rapid expansion also brought inconsistent breeding. Herding titles and tending trials continue in Europe today, and the breed still performs its original work on some farms while being far more familiar to most people as a service, sport and family dog.
Originally bred for: Tending and boundary herding, Livestock guardian, Working companion. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a German Shepherd Dog
Steady, moderate feeding suits this build better than richness. Choose a complete food scaled to a large, athletic frame, keep puppy growth slow to protect developing joints, and divide adult rations across two sittings with quiet time afterwards.
Watch for: The breed has a reputation for a delicate gut, and chronic loose stools are a familiar owner complaint. Rich treats and table scraps often make it worse. Rather than cycling through foods, have a vet assess ongoing symptoms and supervise any elimination plan.
Start with the German Shepherd Dog feeding guide, then compare our picks for the best dog food for large breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket, and a slow feeder bowl if your dog inhales dinner. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a German Shepherd Dog
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse chew toys built for strong jaws and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.
Want the long read? Our full German Shepherd Dog breed profile covers temperament and living needs in depth.