The German Shepherd is a large-sized breed. Males typically weigh between 30 and 40 kg when fully grown, while females weigh 22 to 32 kg. With an average lifespan of 9 to 13 years, the German Shepherd is a moderately long-lived breed.
German Shepherds are confident, courageous, and highly intelligent. They are loyal and protective of their families, making them excellent guard dogs and police/military working dogs. They can be aloof with strangers but are devoted to their owners. Early socialisation is crucial to prevent excessive protectiveness or anxiety. They thrive with a job to do.
German Shepherds are athletic dogs requiring at least 2 hours of daily exercise. They excel in agility, tracking, obedience, and protection sports like Schutzhund. They need both physical activity and mental challenges. A bored German Shepherd can become destructive and develop anxiety-related behaviours.
The breed is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy (a progressive spinal condition), bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus), and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Working-line German Shepherds tend to be healthier than show lines. Regular health screening is important.
German Shepherds have a medium-length double coat that sheds heavily, earning them the nickname "German Shedder." Daily brushing during shedding season and weekly brushing otherwise is recommended. They blow their undercoat twice a year. Regular nail trimming and dental care are also important.
Few breeds have attracted more famous admirers than the German Shepherd. Franklin D. Roosevelt kept Shepherds named Major and Meggie at the White House, and Joe Biden brought Major and Champ, the first rescue dogs to live there, in 2021. The breed also achieved Hollywood immortality through Rin Tin Tin, a puppy rescued from a French battlefield in World War I by Corporal Lee Duncan, who went on to star in 27 films and reportedly received more fan mail than many human actors. The Queen kept German Shepherds at Windsor alongside her beloved Corgis.
A fully grown male German Shepherd weighs approximately 35 kg on average. Use Dogpanion's free size predictor to estimate your German Shepherd puppy's adult weight based on their current age and weight.
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