German Shepherd Dog Breed Guide
German shepherds, also renowned as “Alsatian, or “Deutscher Schaferhund”, are large, powerful, and muscular dog breeds. They hold the title of being one of the most popular dog breeds globally. Plus, they are valued due to their athletic, loyal, affectionate, and intelligent nature with a strong body.
Due to their superb capabilities, bravery, and confidence, these mixed lab and German Shepherd dogs are best for home and military environments. This working dog breed is undoubtedly a versatile choice for homeowners, particularly for those who provide them enough ways to expand their skills and energy.
Learn how this loyal breed compares with others in our Dog Breeds Guide and explore Best Dog Food Brands recommended for German Shepherds.
If you are planning to have this breed in your family, make sure you know enough about the Pitbull, Rottweiler, Labrador German Shepherd mix dog.
Breed Overview
Knowing about these incredibly active and intelligent dog breeds is crucial, making it easier for pet parents to make a wise purchase according to their energy level. Let’s have a quick dig about this long haired German Shepherd mixture breed, which belongs to a well-mannered canine group.
01out of 03German Shepherd Breed Overview
| Features/ Characteristics | Specifications |
| Origin | Garmany |
| Group | Herding |
| Weight (Pounds) | 75 to 90 Male/ 55 to 70 Female |
| Height (Inches) | 24–26 Males / 22–24 Females |
| Personality/Temperament | Alert, bold, loyal, intelligent, courageous, protective |
| Energy Level | German Shepherd energy level is Incredibly Active |
| Coat and Color | Merle, Solid Black, Red Merle, Red tricolor, Black tricolor, Blue Merle, Black and tan, black and cream, Red |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
| Life Span | 9-13 Years |
For feeding tips suited to this active breed, visit Ultimate Guide to Dog Food 2026 and learn about How Dog Digestive System Works.
02out of 03Pros of German Shepherd
Having Shepherd dog German is beneficial in several ways:
- Highly intelligent, active, and courageous.
- Eager to please, responsive to training.
- Suitable for a variety of competitive jobs/services.
- Natural guardians, gentle with kids and other pets.
- High energy, muscular, physically and mentally stimulated.
03out of 03Cons of German Shepherd
- Suffer from Orthopedic problems in the hip and elbow.
- Gastric Dilatation Volvulus requires emergency treatment.
- Degenerative Myelopathy leading to hind leg paralysis.
- There is a risk of cancer, epilepsy, and inherited bleeding.
Breed History & Origin
Originating from Germany, these dogs have a beautiful build and personality, acted as both servants and companions for hundreds of years. They were developed from an old shepherd and farm dog and were introduced in Germany in 1899. The global interest in this breed began to rise in the early 1900s when the American Kennel Club recognized this breed in 1908. Its name was dropped and referred to as “Alsatian” during World Wars I and II. Golden retriever, pitbull, Labrador, and German Shepherd mix dog gained popularity after cross-breeding.
German Shepherd Dog Characteristics
What makes any dog distinct from others is their unique features and characteristics. These features of energy level, friendliness, and care help you decide on the most compatible choice according to your lifestyle, budget, and routine.
| Characteristics | Specifications |
| Affection Level | High |
| Kid-Friendly | High |
| Pet-Friendly | Low |
| Exercise Needs | High |
| Playfulness | High |
| Energy Level | High |
| Intelligence | High |
| Barking Tendency | Medium |
| Shedding Amount | Medium |
| Trainability | High |
| Shedding Amount | High |
Color and Coat
You may have seen a sable German Shepherd or a blue German Shepherd and wonder what tan or color they actually have. This breed comes with a double and dense coat with many colors and tans. German Shepherds have a dense, coarse double coat that can be many colors, with the most common being black and tan or black and red.
Other accepted colors include solid black, sable, and black and cream, while colors like liver, blue, and white are considered non-standard or faults in certain contexts. Their coat is a medium-length, straight or slightly wavy outer hair with a soft undercoat.
Temperament & Nature
German Shepherd temperament and personality can vary individually because it has only 9% of the dog’s behavior. For instance, if you are comparing Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd, you will find a major gap in these breeds due to their history with breeders and guardians. This breed is known for being extremely watchful, loyal, gentle, brave, and kind with family but reserved with strangers.
This active and athletic breed needs regular exercise and training since puppy teething stages for German Shepherd mental stimulation and physical build. If not, you’ll need to guard dog behavior for unfavorable acts like German Shepherd barking control due to pent-up energy. These white to black German Shepherd puppies are considered protective dog breeds naturally, as they serve you in the form of members of the military, guard dogs, and even movie stars.
Grooming and Care
When they are properly attended and cared for, it is considered the ideal home for a German Shepherd. German Shepherd grooming and coat care as a crucial dog shedding solutions. German Shepherd puppy care is crucial to ensure they are seen and attended to properly.
Care includes only 2-3 times a bath a year using pet-safe shampoo that will decrease the hair fall. Monitor your dog’s eyes for vision, ears for debris cleaning, teeth for brushing, and nails for trimming. Additionally, brush their coat to remove tangles and eliminate any debris to maintain good hygiene.
German Shepherd Training Tips
For mental stimulation, socializing a German Shepherd is advised because it challenges their intelligence, builds confidence, and exposes them to different human beings while avoiding boredom and behavioral concerns. Besides, German Shepherd exercise needs to be fulfilled, whether it’s obedience training or Crate training for large dogs.
Besides obedience training for dogs, you can engage them with different playful activities like hide and seek, jumping, puzzle-solving games, and ball fetching. You can look for the best toys for intelligent dogs as a source of interactive play.
Common Health Concerns
German Shepherd health issues are the point of concern you need to be aware of and careful with. Some hereditary health issues that probably occur with this breed are mentioned down!
01out of 08Allergies
Allergies in these dogs can include itchy skin, ear infection, and skin infection. Besides diarrhea, weight loss, and vomiting like digestive upsets also happen. After reviewing medical history, examination, and diagnostic testing, the veterinarian prescribed relevant anti-allergies for a golden retriever German shepherd mix. You can also check our vet recommended Dog Food for Sensitive Stomach.
02out of 08Cancer
Later in life, at any age, cancer can occur in this breed. The most often forms of cancer are hemangiosarcoma, bone cancer, lung cancer, and intestinal cancer. Based on the extent and type of cancer, chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and palliative care can be recommended by vets.
03out of 08Heart Disease
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), heart murmurs, and valvular disease are the most common in this breed regarding heart disease. Have your dog’s heart evaluated during a yearly physical exam. After diagnosis, medications can be prescribed to improve heart pumping ability, and a special diet can be followed to limit sodium intake. Here is the list of Ingredients to Avoid in Dog Food.
04out of 08Pannus & Cataracts
Pannus is a painful eye condition, causing blindness when not managed. Dogs living at high altitudes with long UV exposures have this problem. Keeping dogs indoors, trying goggles, or providing a shelter can help prevent this issue. Cataracts are caused by inherited issues like diabetes.
05out of 08Degenerative Myelopathy
A neurologic disorder affecting the spinal cord, causing gradual back leg paralysis. The early symptoms include difficulty standing up and hind-end weakness. It has no permanent treatment, but physical therapy is recommended for muscle strength.
06out of 08Elbow and Hip Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia is a genetic orthopedic disorder in this breed affecting joints. Hip dysplasia in German Shepherds causes joint degeneration, pain, and limping. While elbow dysplasia affects the front legs of the dog. Taking large breed joint supplements can help your dog with this disorder.
07out of 08Bloat and Gastric Dilation-Volvulus
This serious condition occurs on a dog’s stomach, expanding with food or gas. When the gas flips within the abdominal cavity, it cuts off the exit from the dog’s stomach. It can be fatal, leading to restlessness, collapsing, and dry heaving. and needs to be treated promptly.
08out of 08Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI)
EPI is the digestive problem occurs when pancreas cell’s don’t produce hormones and enzymes normally. Soft stools, weight loss, excessive gas, diarrhea, flaky skin, and desire to eat faces are the common symptoms. The only cure is to eat pancreatic enzyme supplements.
Diet and Nutrition
High-quality and age-appropriate food is the best German Shepherd diet plan. Adult ones will need up to 2 cups of dry dog food, depending on the activity, age, energy level, and health. To develop an extra interest and add extra flavor, you can mix canned dog food into the kibble. As they have bloating and stomach torsion issues, giving a single meal a day to gulp down is not okay. Plus, ensuring constant access to clean and fresh water is crucial. Check your dog’s weight and overweight issues to monitor obesity issues. For nutritional needs, a veterinary diet plan can be scheduled, considering relevant Best food for German Shepherd dogs.
Where to Adopt and Buy?
Whether you plan on having a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix or any other type of this breed, you can contact numerous organizations that are trustworthy enough to make a purchase. Those organizations will help you adopt the best Labrador and German Shepherd mix breed. Also, they direct you to the reputable breeders. The price can be different for each breeder, but you can expect $2000 based on their bloodline, sex, appearance, demand, and health conditions. There are a lot of Border Collie German Shepherd mixes that are common at animal rescue. You can begin your search from the local rescue organizations. You can contact:
Life Expectancy
German Shepherd lifespan can vary based on their lifestyle, genetics, diet, and overall health care. On average, German Shepherd puppy and dogs can live anywhere between 9-13 years.
Concluding Thoughts
Alsatian, or “Deutscher Schaferhund,” is the most powerful breed found in Germany and is highly popular for its extraordinary herding, protective, intelligence, and muscular build. These characteristics can slightly vary due to the genetics of each; however, they are considered an excellent choice as a family pet. With higher needs of training, engaging sessions, and socialization, this is the active breed to be found on earth. Before you invest in any of the black or white German shepherds, make sure you are aware of their lifespan, dietary needs, double coat grooming tips, hygiene care, large breed dog insurance, and veterinary care costs. Above all, your energy and time investment is a must to have German Shepherd puppies and dogs at your home!
