German Shepherd
Brains, nerve and loyalty in one frame.
- Weight
- 50–90 lbs
- Height
- 22–26 in
- Lifespan
- 9–13 yrs
In short
The German Shepherd is a herding-group working dog bred in Germany to herd and guard flocks, weighing 50–90 lbs and standing 22–26 in tall, with a confident, loyal and highly intelligent temperament. It needs 90–120 minutes of daily exercise, a mental job, early socialization and consistent training from an experienced handler.
Is it right for you?
A great match if you…
- want a loyal, trainable working partner
- will train and exercise it 90+ minutes a day
- want a watchful dog that protects the home
Think twice if you…
- are away most of the day
- hate dog hair on everything
- can't commit to early, ongoing socialization
The daily plan
- Exercise
- 90–120 min a day
- Training
- 2–4 × 10–15 min sessions × length
- Treat limit
- 100–160 kcal all treats, 10% rule
At a glance
TrainabilityQuick study9.5/10
EnergyAthlete9.0/10
Calm at homeSettles well7.5/10
SheddingHeavy shedder8.5/10
What sets it apart
-
01
Sloped topline
The back slopes from the withers to the rump, giving the breed its trotting gait.
-
02
Erect ears
Large, upright ears track sound precisely and give the breed its alert expression.
-
03
Double coat
A dense, weather-resistant coat sheds heavily and benefits from frequent brushing.
Size & coat
| Specification | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 65–90 lbs | 50–70 lbs |
| Height | 24–26 in | 22–24 in |
| Daily calories | 1,420–2,030 kcal | 1,160–1,690 kcal |
| Lifespan | 9–13 yrs | |
| Coat | Medium double coat, straight and dense | |
Personality
A confident, loyal working dog that thinks hard and bonds closely.
How it thinks
Highly intelligent with excellent memory and problem-solving; needs a job and clear leadership to avoid frustration.
At home
Devoted and protective of the family, reserved with strangers, and best with early socialization.
Training
-
How often
2–4 sessions daily, 10–15 minutes each.
-
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)
Socialize between 8–16 weeks with strangers, noises, surfaces and other dogs.
-
Self-control
Teach a firm settle, wait for release and a calm response to strangers; reward neutral reactions.
-
What it works for
High-value liver pieces mark precise behaviors without slowing a dog that works for food and praise.
Exercise
Exercise a day
90–120 min
CouchModerateAthlete
Good outlets
- Long walks, running or hiking
- Fetch and tug
- Structured drills.
Brain work
- Obedience and protection-style sports
- Scent work and tracking
- Problem-solving puzzles.
Feeding
Prone to sensitive digestion and bloat. Feed two or three smaller meals, avoid exercise right after eating and ask your vet about bloat prevention.
Puppy (4–12 Mos)
- Daily calories
- 1,080–2,490 kcal
- Protein
- 28%
- Fat
- 18%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 110–250 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 5–12 pieces a day
Adult Maintenance
- Daily calories
- 1,020–1,580 kcal
- Protein
- 26%
- Fat
- 15%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 100–160 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 5–8 pieces a day
Active / Working
- Daily calories
- 1,600–2,490 kcal
- Protein
- 30%
- Fat
- 20%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 160–250 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 8–12 pieces a day
Senior (8+ Yrs)
- Daily calories
- 870–1,360 kcal
- Protein
- 28%
- Fat
- 12%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 85–135 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 4–7 pieces a day
Compare every life stage
| Life stage | Daily calories | Protein | Fat | Treat limit (all treats) | Saylor's liver, suggested / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (4–12 Mos) | 1,080–2,490 kcal | 28% | 18% | 110–250 kcal | 5–12 pieces |
| Adult Maintenance | 1,020–1,580 kcal | 26% | 15% | 100–160 kcal | 5–8 pieces |
| Active / Working | 1,600–2,490 kcal | 30% | 20% | 160–250 kcal | 8–12 pieces |
| Senior (8+ Yrs) | 870–1,360 kcal | 28% | 12% | 85–135 kcal | 4–7 pieces |
The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.
Health & grooming
| Watch for | Ask the breeder or vet for | When |
|---|---|---|
| Hip and elbow dysplasia | OFA or PennHIP evaluation | Once for breeding stock; monitor lifelong |
| Degenerative myelopathy | DNA test | Once |
| Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus) | Risk review and prophylactic gastropexy discussion | At adulthood and with any abdominal swelling |
| Temperament | Temperament test | Once, a passing result |
Official health tests for breeding dogs
The OFA's CHIC program asks German Shepherd breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.
- Hip evaluation
- Elbow evaluation
- Temperament Test
Also recommended
- Heart exam
- Thyroid panel
- Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
- Degenerative Myelopathy
Grooming Heavy year-round, with two seasonal blowouts
Brush several times weekly and daily during seasonal sheds. Bathe as needed, check ears weekly and trim nails every 3 weeks.
History
Origins
Captain von Stephanitz
Max von Stephanitz bred German herding dogs in the late 1800s to create the ideal working dog.
Standardization
Military and Police Work
Both World Wars and law enforcement showed the breed's courage and trainability.
Modern Companion
Companion and Service Dog
Today it serves in police, search, guide and family roles worldwide.
Questions owners ask
Are German Shepherds easy to train?
Yes, and exceptionally so. German Shepherds learn quickly and work eagerly, but they need consistent, fair handling and early socialization to stay confident rather than wary.
How many calories does a German Shepherd need per day?
An active adult German Shepherd (50–90 lbs) typically needs about 1,160–2,030 kcal per day (1.6–1.8× resting energy requirement), while a neutered, low-activity adult needs about 1,020–1,580 kcal and a working dog up to 1,600–2,490 kcal. Adjust to body condition and your vet's advice.
What is the best diet and training treat for a German Shepherd?
Small, fast-eaten, high-value pieces. Keep every treat inside the 10% limit: about 100–160 kcal a day in total for an adult German Shepherd of typical size. If you use Saylor's freeze-dried liver, keep it to a small share of that, roughly 5–8 pieces a day: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should stay a topper, not a staple. Adjust for your own dog's size and body condition, and ask your vet if there is a health condition or special diet.
Are German Shepherds good for apartments or first-time owners?
Not ideal. They can live in apartments with strong daily exercise, but first-time owners should be ready for a serious training commitment.
How much exercise does a German Shepherd require daily?
Most adults need 90–120 minutes daily, with physical exercise plus mental work like obedience, scent or tracking.
What health issues are German Shepherds prone to?
German Shepherds are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, bloat, allergies and digestive issues. Health-tested parents and weight control help.
Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
Back in stock soon
We're restocking. When it's back, a German Shepherd needs only 5–8 pieces a day, well inside the 100–160 kcal treat limit.
See the productWhere the German Shepherd ranks
Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.
Breeds like the German Shepherd
Closest in size, energy, trainability, calm at home and shedding.
