Pastoral group · Germany
German Shepherd
Also called GSD, German Shepherd Dog, Alsatian.
Large dog, high energy, learns almost anything, fast.
- Loyal
- Confident
- Courageous
- Smart
- Versatile
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 23 to 41 kg50 to 90 lb
- Lives
- 7 to 10 years
- Energy
- High
- Trains
- Very High
- Barks
- High
Training
Training a German Shepherd
Pastoral breeds. Give the brain a job or it will find one. Chasing, nipping and fixating are the breed doing its work.
Early Socialisation
Start here
Critical to prevent over-protectiveness and reactivity.
Mental Stimulation
Working breed needs job to do, boredom leads to problems.
Consistent Handling
Thrives with a calm, consistent handler who rewards the right choices.
The app turns this into five to fifteen minutes a day.
Add your German Shepherd and it builds the plan around their age, where they came from and what they already know, on video with Atlas and Shango.
Free to start. iPhone. No card needed.
At home
Living with one
Bred to herd and guard livestock. Watchful, responsive, and wired to control movement.
Gets on with
- ChildrenHigh
- Other dogsModerate
- StrangersLow
- CatsModerate
Breed averages. Early socialisation and the individual dog matter more.
- Exercise
- 2+ hours daily. Physical and mental exercise required.
- Grooming
- Heavy shedding. Daily brushing during shedding season.
- Drool
- Moderate
- Coat
- Double coat, Medium lengthBlack & Tan, Sable, All Black, Black & Red
- In a flat
- Needs more space than a flat gives.
Health
Things to ask a breeder or vet about
Hip Dysplasia
Moderate
Very common in breed
Degenerative Myelopathy
Severe
Progressive spinal cord disease
Bloat
Severe
Deep-chested breed risk
Where they come from
History
Created by Max von Stephanitz in 1899 to be the ideal herding and working dog.
- Rin Tin Tin · Hollywood star rescued from WWI
