The Ultimate German Shepherd Guide: Things Every Owner Must Know

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white German shepherd – black German shepherd Do German Shorthair Shed? German shepherd husky mix – German shepherd golden retriever mix German Shepherd puppies

The German Shepherd is an intelligent, energetic, and loyal dog breed. He will always be looking out for his family. He loves to play with children, but he might accidentally knock them over when playing because he is so excited!

German Shepherd

German Shepherds At A Glance

German Shepherds are one of the most popular dog breeds in America, and rightly so. These intelligent and capable working dogs prove to be excellent companions. Their devotion, distinct features, and guarding instincts are what makes them stand out.

German Shepherd Dogs


This versatile breed is also referred to as Alsatian. Typically, German shepherds are bred to herd and protect sheep on farms. They make for an excellent guard dog and guide dog for the blind. It’s common to see a German shepherd treated as a treasured family pet. They are smart and easy to train and need ample exercise daily.

Here are some basic traits of the breed you must know

Size Category: Large

Weight:

  • Male: 60-90 lbs.
  • Female: 50-70 lbs.

Height:

  • Male: up to 26 in.
  • Female: up to 23 in.
German Shepherd puppies

Features:

  • Square head with long muzzle
  • Naturally Upright ears
  • Long bushy tail
  • Muscular built
  • Slightly angled hind legs
  • Medium-length double coat

Colors:

  • Black
  • Black and Silver
  • Black and Tan
  • Gray
  • Red and Black
  • Sable
  • White (rare)

Exercise Requirements: 45-60 minutes daily

Lifespan: 10-12 yrs.

Overall Grooming Needs: Moderate

Core Capabilities: Tracking, retrieving, herding, watchdog, guarding, police work, narcotics detection, military work, search and rescue, sledding, agility, and competitive obedience

How Big German Shepherds Grow?

A full-grown German shepherd is usually between 22 and 26 inches tall, and he can weigh anywhere between 50 pounds to 90 pounds. Males are typically larger than females and according to the AKC, grow between 24-26 inches high and range between 65-90 pounds. Females weigh between 50-70 pounds and stand between 22-24 inches tall.

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German Shepherd Dog Temperament

German Shepherd dogs enjoy working, playing, or otherwise being active all throughout the day. If you plan on having a German shepherd for a pet, be ready to take him on long walks every morning and night.

German shorthair

As with any dog, it’s important to socialize your German Shepherd puppy, so he knows how to react around strangers. German Shepherds have a natural instinct to protect important things and they will always look out for his family and loves to play with children.

Are German Shepherds Good Around Children And Other Pets?

Absolutely! German shepherds are known for being good around children and other pets. They tend to be very protective of their family, so they like to keep everyone in their sights. If you plan on getting a German shepherd as a pet, consider how you will keep the dog from being isolated throughout the day when you are at work or school.

Your dog needs attention and affection from you every day – he loves nothing more than being with his family! When you come home from work or school each day, make sure your German Shepherd gets plenty of attention and planned walks or dedicated play time.

German Shepherd kids

Do German Shepherds Shed?

German shepherds shed their fur quite often. They have a double coat of fur that protects them from cold temperatures during the winter months, so you can expect to see plenty of loose hair on your clothes and furniture around the time they shed.

You should brush your dog regularly to get rid of dead or loose fur. If you are someone who doesn’t like shedding dogs, you might not want to get a German shepherd as a pet – or at least brush him often, so it’s not hard to clean up the mess!

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Cost of German Shepherd

The cost of a German shepherd dog will depend on the breeder you are purchasing him from, whether or not he is breed from a AKC certified or championship line, or whether his parents have health problems. You can expect to pay anywhere between $700 to $3,500 for German shepherd puppies.

German Shepherd Dog Breed Guide

How Much Does It Cost to Own a German Shepherd?

Since a German Shepherd is a large dog breed, it will cost more money to feed him. You should expect to pay between 0 and 0 each month for food and general dog care – treats, kibble, grooming, and supplies.

Since German Shepherds are an active breed, you will probably spend more on medical bills, including preventative care shots, and checkups. As with any dog, you should factor in insurance and out-of-pocket veterinary bills when your dog needs medical care for more serious conditions.

How Long do German Shepherds Live?

The average life span for a German shepherd is 10 to 12 years. Like all breeds, the German Shepherd can inherit genetic disorders, diseases, and other health problems from its parents. A dog can live a normal life without any special care or treatment for some of these illnesses. Other times, it can be expensive to treat genetic disorders.

Because the German Shepherd is such an active breed, he will need plenty of exercise and activity throughout his life. Make sure you take him on walks or jog with him every day! You should also make sure to play with your dog (throw a ball or Frisbee) every day to keep him happy and healthy.

Why Are White German Shepherds Rare?

White German Shepherd

When you think of German Shepherds, white is probably the last color that comes to mind. White German Shepherds are rare. This is because these German Shepherd puppies carry a recessive gene, which is just the same as some humans carrying the recessive blonde haired gene.

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The White German Shepherd is genetically no different than a standard German Shepherd, although it does have a fluffy white coat.

Black German Shepherd

Black German Shepherd

Also called solid color German shepherds, these dogs possess the same physical characteristics as other purebred German Shepherds. They have a similar build and size with a double coat that helps them stay clean and warm.

The black German shepherd has the same physical characteristics as other purebred German shepherds, but because of it’s color, they can be more intimidating.

Common German Shepherd Mixes

German Shepherd Husky Mix

German Shepherd Husky mix

A cross between a German shepherd and Siberian husky dog breeds, these dogs are medium to large in size and possess some impressive qualities from both their ancestral breeds. Loyal and energetic, they don’t thrive well in households where they are left alone for extended periods.

They have long, dense coats and hence shed quite a lot. Therefore, they aren’t the best choice for people with allergies or people who aren’t able to maintain grooming.

German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix

German Shepherd golden retriever mix

A German Shepherd Golden Retriever mix is considered amicable and sociable. They love being the center of the limelight and they get along with all family members. German Shepherd Golden Retriever mix breed dog is quite friendly with strangers and some consider this breed more calm than purebred German Shepherds.

Is The German Shorthair Breed The Same With German Shepherd?

The the medium sized dog German Shorthair or German Shorthaired Pointer is a completely different breed than a big dog breed German Shepherd.

Both German Shorthaired Pointer and German Shepherd originated from Germany. And both are low maintenance dog breeds.

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