German Shepherds: A Full Guide

Are you thinking about a new addition to the family? Did you just adopt a new German Shepherd? Read below for a full guide to German Shepherds to determine if they are the right fit for you and how to properly care for them!

Basics

German Shepherds are active dogs that can be 22-26 inches tall, weigh 50-90 pounds, and live 7-10 years! Typically, they are large, muscular, tan/black, or red/black in color. They are a herding breed that is extremely popular in the U.S. today, especially in the military and police force!

Temperament

This breed is highly loyal, intelligent, and agile. Because the species is included in the herding group, these dogs are high-energy and love having a job and regular exercise. Additionally, they are confident, loyal, brave, and respond well to training. Although the breed is commonly seen working in the police force, the dogs are gentle and aloof in personality toward their owners. However, they tend to be wary of strangers, which makes them great guard dogs! Furthermore, the breed is very chatty! This means they will bark when bored or to alert you of something they don’t think is quite right. However, training can help keep barking to a minimum.

Physical Needs

German Shepherds require training and regular exercise to keep them busy and out of trouble. Plus, this breed loves the outdoors and needs daily exercise. So, if you are highly active and spend plenty of time outdoors, this is a great dog for you! Furthermore, the breed would do best in a home with a large backyard to spend time running around outside of their standard walks, runs, and other outings. So, their total time of mental and physical stimulation per day should total about two to three hours. Additionally, socialization is important for the breed to be confident as well as well-mannered.

Health

Like many breeds, German Shepherds are prone to specific health problems. For example, it is common for these dogs to develop joint issues such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and degenerative spinal stenosis. Additionally, Von Willebrand disease is also common in this breed.

Grooming Needs

German Shepherds have a medium to long double coat. Additionally, they shed moderately year-round but more heavily during the spring and the fall. During these periods, they may require daily brushing, while the rest of the year, weekly brushing will be enough to maintain their coat. Lastly, occasional baths, regular nail trimming, and routine teeth brushing are all necessary to sustain the hygiene and health of your furry friend!

Check out our full guide to Germain Shepherds above to learn all that there is to know about this particular breed!